ULI: Galveston should redevelop in urban core

Panel recommendation

Vilas Bhuchar, Nov 24, 09.

More than a year after Hurricane Ike caused $3.5 billion in damage and losses in Galveston, the Urban Land Institute (ULI) has released a report recommending that the city revitalize its historic urban core between 61st Street and the University of Texas Medical Branch by encouraging the repair of damaged properties, building a Houston-Galveston rail line, and developing a new, transit-oriented neighborhood around the rail station at 25th Street and the Strand.

The report is summarized in a story on Guidry News Service.

The story notes that “the ULI panel worked pro-bono to provide City leaders with technical expertise to shape the island’s recovery.”  It also says:

At the City’s invitation, a professional panel of experts from around the nation was assembled and traveled to Galveston in early June to evaluate sustainable neighborhood development strategies.  After interviewing residents, meeting with City officials, and touring the Island, the Urban Land Institute panel’s visit culminated in a presentation of their initial findings during a public meeting.  A summary of their final recommendations is published in the report, Galveston Texas: Building the Future.

The ULI report summarizes the panel’s recommendations:

- Focus development efforts in the historic urban core, not undeveloped areas;
- Develop better physical connections within the historic core neighborhoods - especially the Strand, UTMB, and the Seawall - for pedestrians, cyclists, transit passengers, and vehicles;
- Build on existing economic strengths, including UTMB, the Port of Galveston, and tourism;
- Support entrepreneurship at all levels and leverage the energy of UTMB and its national laboratory to create new businesses and employment on the island;
- Respect the island’s fragile ecosystem in partnership with federal agencies and other entities vested in the island’s long-term environmental sustainability.

The ULI report concludes by saying, “The city of Galveston has a choice to continue to manage a declining community or to embrace the opportunity of recovery to move the community toward economic and ecological sustainability.”

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