Sunday, April 09, 2006

Port Neches riverfront plans


Photos by Mark M. Hancock / © The Beaumont Enterprise

Kinder Baumgardner with SWA Architects explains options during a meeting to discuss Port Neches Riverfront plans by SWA at the Senior Citizens Center in Port Neches on Saturday, April 8, 2006. The site for future expansion is a former oil tank farm, which is currently being dismantled.


Tentative plans were displayed during a meeting to discuss Port Neches Riverfront. The current proposal features a marina, retail spaces, a community park with water parks, a nature park with a possible kayak trail, residential housing, boat storage warehouse and a multipurpose boardwalk.


Everett Culver, who lives near the river, asks about parking considerations during a meeting to discuss Port Neches Riverfront. He's concerned visitors attending the large festivals may park in front of his home.
 

2 comments:

Bryon Houlgrave said...

Nice job capturing the drama of a community meeting. These issues can draw out some passion in people. Is this story related to hurricane damage/recovery?

Mark M. Hancock said...

Not really. It's a 40-year plan to drive tourism, business and young people into the area. They have a large riverfront area with a turning basin for large industrial ships. Beyond the river is a pristine salt marsh. Consequently, it makes a nice view for folks who come for dinner or to take a stroll.
The river is being dredged as part of the hurricane recovery, which makes this plan more attractive now, but it was already in the works.