J.A.S.O.N. Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 (edited) With the recent passing of the transportation bill, and some of its ridiculous items, I got to thinking about the expansion of the seawall. If you guys make it out to the island in the near future, I'd recommend taking a trip out to the west end. Residential projects are going up everywhere out there. Which leads me to my question; why does it seems as though Galveston is not making it a priority to protect its growing tax base on the west end? There is virtually nothing in between these residential projects and the gulf. Plus, not all of them are beachfront. Some are planned neighborhoods that just sit behind marshes, kinda in the middle of it all. If I'm not mistaken, Galveston's big ticket item on this bill was the transit terminal for downtown.I'll admit that I am ignorant to the intricacies of the transportation bill, but could someone enlighten me as to if seawall expansion could have been a possible project proposed, or does the state handle such matters? Edited November 28, 2005 by J.A.S.O.N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 To expand the seawall, you'd have to demolish all the existing structures.So maybe we they are waiting for the next Big One to justify it.We have a house in Jamica Beach. I often wonder how they were able to build the canals in the first place. We are really built on nothing if you think about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.S.O.N. Posted November 28, 2005 Author Share Posted November 28, 2005 (edited) To expand the seawall, you'd have to demolish all the existing structures.So maybe we they are waiting for the next Big One to justify it. We have a house in Jamica Beach. I often wonder how they were able to build the canals in the first place. We are really built on nothing if you think about it. Doesn't Seawall Blvd. turn into FM something or other? Why not just raise the level of that existing road that is virtually Seawall Blvd anyway? There is nothing, (to my knowledge) to demolish. Just about everything out that way is on stilts, or the ground level has been raised. MidtownCoog, I'm not directing this at you directly, but I don't understand why (just as New Orleans and its levees) the inevitable has to be justified? The "Big One" IS going to happen. I can't wrap my mind around that type of thinking. Edited November 28, 2005 by J.A.S.O.N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 FM 2003.I think you must be missing something. Take a drive to the end of the Seawall and look southwest down the beach. That's where you will see the buidlings that must be demolished. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 Coog, I think you meant FM 3005. At any rate, I believe that there is a two-fold reason for doing nothing on the West End. One, it would be incredibly expensive to extend the seawall and fill in behind it, as Galveston did. Secondly, there would be huge protests about where to build it, who pays, etc.It would be interesting to raise FM 3005 as a buffer to protect the bayside homes from a Gulf storm surge. However, the surge would come in the backside as well, so the only solution is to raise everything, which has been done by requiring new construction to have a first floor above high surge levels, 15-17 feet above sea level, I believe. The only thing not raised is old construction and the dirt itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted November 28, 2005 Share Posted November 28, 2005 For the most part, it's all week-enders anyway.Jamacia Beach has a hand full of full-timers, but not very many. But it really is too late to extend the Seawall IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowbrow Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 The natural dynamic of the barrier island is to breach anyways. By stopping that you are hurting someone down current of you. Namely San Louis Pass and beyond. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJones Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) The natural dynamic of the barrier island is to breach anyways. By stopping that you are hurting someone down current of you. Namely San Louis Pass and beyond. I think the powers that be think in terms of whose got the more dense population, and I don't mean that by I.Q. wise. I mean in terms of numbers of residents, and part time residents. Galveston generates tourism and businesses, which have lobbyists to go to bat for them all the time to insure they get the money first, and worry about the small coastal towns that don't produce any kind of resources, later. Gotta love those politics. Edited November 29, 2005 by TJones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.S.O.N. Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) For the most part, it's all week-enders anyway.Jamacia Beach has a hand full of full-timers, but not very many. But it really is too late to extend the Seawall IMHO. I just don't understand how so many homes that contribute a significant amount to the city's tax base are not being protected, much less talked about. I'm not just refering to the beach houses, I mean the full fledged communities. I don't mean to be cruel, but an extended seawall could just protect Galveston proper, and slope off just before Jamaica Beach. I read somewhere that the seawall has already been extended a couple of times in its history. Also MidtownCoog, there are "full time"communities popping up out there as of recent (albeit retirement communites more than likely, but full time non the less) why anyone would want to put their home in that type of danger is beyond me I also can't believe that its too late or impossible this day in age, for a city in America anyhow. Edited November 29, 2005 by J.A.S.O.N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidtownCoog Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 so many homes that contribute a significant amount to the city's tax#1 - I think you may be over estimating the tax ba$e. Cost benefit analysis and all that good stuff.#2 - Extend the seawall to J.B., and you just wiped out Galveston Island State Park. A natural ecosystem.#3 - J.B. is its own city.#4 - You live on the coast for a price. Otherwise, they would build a seawall all around Florida. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedScare Posted November 29, 2005 Share Posted November 29, 2005 You really need to consider who the seawall would protect, and whether they would want it. The beachfront home owners do not want it. They would fight it. If the people to be protected fight your offer of protection, where is the incentive to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on it. On the other hand, I have always wanted to develop a retirement community on that grazing land between 3005 and Stewart. One of the amenities would be to raise the land several feet, so that the home would not be on stilts, in effect, being an inland seawall. This would allow wheelchair access, which is important in a retirement community. Anyone with a few extra mil, PM me and I'll explain more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.S.O.N. Posted November 29, 2005 Author Share Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) A good bit of tax revenue does come from these areas, the Campeche Cove's and various other subdivisions out that way. Also when considering cost benefit analysis, we have to account for prospective growth. It looks pretty healthy too! The seawall could even be extended to about to 13 mile Rd, just before Jamica Beach, that's what I meant before about sloping off, and allowing J.B. come up with its own solutions. The statement about Florida isn't a fair comparison to Galveston's situation, because we are talking about an existing seawall that covers seven miles, a large portion of the city, and extending it roughly another four or five, and that's it. Yeah, Redscare I wasn't mentioning those with beach houses. Its obvious they would be against something like this. As far as I'm concerned, those houses could back right up against my proposed seawall with the next storm and have to be demolished (not really). That was kinda harsh, but I have issues with those folks and beach access. Who knows, maybe its not feasible after all. Just wishful rambling on my part... Edited November 29, 2005 by J.A.S.O.N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The New Juniper Posted November 30, 2005 Share Posted November 30, 2005 On the other hand, I have always wanted to develop a retirement community on that grazing land between 3005 and Stewart. One of the amenities would be to raise the land several feet, so that the home would not be on stilts, in effect, being an inland seawall. This would allow wheelchair access, which is important in a retirement community. I think that is a good idea. However, raising land several feet is much more expensive than one would probably think. I do believe, however, that building a community, such as a Seaside, is a good idea and sorely needed. There is very little sense of community in Galveston. It is a patchwork of nice homes, multi-family projects in various states of utility, surf shops, convenience stores, and Fertitta restaurants. There is no common tie to all of it. Galveston wants to be a tourist town with a quaint atmosphere and reputation. However, currently it has neither. Much help is needed. Given all of the above doom and gloom, I'm still bullish on Galveston and more development will soon be announced.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.S.O.N. Posted April 6, 2007 Author Share Posted April 6, 2007 Does anyone know of any type of ordinances that prohibits buildings from straddling the seawall sidewalk? I've noticed that almost all buildings on the seawall sit deep within the lots. Living here all my life this notion completely escaped me, but I after visiting Miami and seeing scenes like this I got to wondering... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 (edited) some of the buildings are on the sidewalk unless they've been bulldozed recently. the pics posted make me feel claustrophobic. i wouldn't like sitting at a table with a car going right by me. Edited April 6, 2007 by musicman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.S.O.N. Posted April 6, 2007 Author Share Posted April 6, 2007 (edited) some of the buildings are on the sidewalk unless they've been bulldozed recently. the pics posted make me feel claustrophobic. i wouldn't like sitting at a table with a car going right by me. There is actually a parking or buffer zone that seperates the sidewalk and street. Granted, 40 mph on Seawall Blvd. is faster that the average speed on Ocean Drive. Something I've also noticed is that most hotels and restaurants in Galveston opted to place the parking lots in front of the buildings rather than in back Edited April 6, 2007 by J.A.S.O.N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 (edited) There is actually a parking or buffer zone that seperates the sidewalk and street. are you talking galveston or FL? Edited April 6, 2007 by musicman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.S.O.N. Posted April 6, 2007 Author Share Posted April 6, 2007 Here in Galveston The white line is kinda faded in this pic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicman Posted April 6, 2007 Share Posted April 6, 2007 Here in GalvestonThe white line is kinda faded in this pic i personally wouldn't like the above situation. i wouldn't like to eat/drink immediately next to a road. and then i wouldn't like the pedestrians walking that close to me if i was sitting down at a table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.S.O.N. Posted April 6, 2007 Author Share Posted April 6, 2007 (edited) Yeah, that may be too close. Funny thing though, when we were sitting and eating no one really paid attention to us or what we were eating. People kinda just stroll along doing their own thing, or into their own coversations. I think here in Texas people would be peering into your plate, or give the casual glance, but none of that in Miami. Edited April 6, 2007 by J.A.S.O.N. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luminare Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 So found this on arch daily this morning and thought maybe this might lead to a good discussion about a possible future of the sea wall? It certainly is dominated by car traffic and I don't know when was the last time the seawall saw any significant infrastructure improvements. I don't know. Anyway just thought this was cool project in Mexico that could be reapplied not just in galveston but other places as well. http://www.archdaily.com/526748/malecon-puerto-vallarta-trama-arquitectos/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plumber2 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 The problem with the Galveston seawall is the two political jurisdictions. The seawall itself is owned and maintained by the county. The road (Seawall Boulevard) from 61st street eastward is owned and maintained by the city. There has been a battle lately over who pays for the road paving. The city had been getting some funding from the county to help maintain the road up until a few years ago. Now the current county commissioners are balking at paying for any of the road maintenance from 61st eastward and wants the city to pay for it all themselves. The city now charges for parking because the parking lane is in city jurisdiction, however the city is using the parking revenue to fund enhancements along the seawall itself. which is county owned. It's a quagmire. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Last I heard, the parking never created a cent of profits, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OkieEric Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 The seawall parking is now profitable.  It's going to take a while to generate enough profit to do anything meaningful, but it's a start http://www.khou.com/news/local/Galveston-seawall-parking-profits-now-top-83000-258907681.html I've seen and heard some discussion that one option would be to ban seawall parking on the south side along the beach.  Presumably parking would then be on offsite lots or parking garages using shuttles.  I'm not sure I see that working out that well but it would be awesome to clear up that row of parking for some added space for pedestrians and landscaping along the seawall itself.  As it is now you've got people zigzagging around on bikes through the crowds, and just imagine if the seawall were lined with palm trees.  One area with sufficient width for some landscaping is the Fort Crockett seawall park and the recent improvements look great Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I have another idea. The Seawall is decades old even in the newest parts. What if a new seawall was built in front of the old seawall, and the old one was demolished for a widened promenade? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 I have another idea. The Seawall is decades old even in the newest parts. What if a new seawall was built in front of the old seawall, and the old one was demolished for a widened promenade? That's what I was thinking as well. I like the Puerto Vallarta setup with the wider areas, curves and palm trees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Well, I wasn't even thinking "curves and palm trees" (although Galveston's a bit short on palm trees since Ike), I was just thinking how much more attractive the seawall itself it could be (and more functional), without getting rid of the parking. Unfortunately, all the landscaping won't do much for the beaches themselves, which have never been particularly great (even when seaweed/tar/sargassum ISN'T washing up) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
august948 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Well, I wasn't even thinking "curves and palm trees" (although Galveston's a bit short on palm trees since Ike), I was just thinking how much more attractive the seawall itself it could be (and more functional), without getting rid of the parking. Unfortunately, all the landscaping won't do much for the beaches themselves, which have never been particularly great (even when seaweed/tar/sargassum ISN'T washing up) Which is why I think it would be no big deal to eat into the beach to build a wider and more interesting seawall. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k5jri radio Posted October 16, 2020 Share Posted October 16, 2020 (edited) Due to the crowded conditions along and adjacent to the seawall during peak tourist season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), I would be reluctant to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk adjacent to the seawall. Subject to weather conditions, bike riding is likely to be safer during the off season months when there are fewer tourists out and about. Fortunately, there are lots of good weather days in Galveston during the off season. Edited June 9, 2022 by k5jri radio incomplete information Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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