The Port of Galveston has approved a $490,000 update to its master development plan, citing rapid growth in cruise terminals and cargo operations. Some trustees opposed the decision, arguing the contract should have been put out for competitive bidding.
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The Port of Galveston has agreed to spend $490,000 to update its 20-year master development plan. This is because cruise terminals, cargo operations, and commercial growth have all grown faster than planned.
The Wharves Board of Trustees at the port decided 4–2 Thursday to hire Barmello, Ajamil & Partners to do the work. Mayor Craig Brown, as well as Trustees Willie Gonzalez, Jeff Patterson, and Vic Pierson, supported the measure. Two trustees, Richard Moore and Jim Yarbrough, opposed it because they thought the contract should have been put out to bid.
Moore said, "The update isn't professional services because we're not hiring architects to do architectural work." "The port wants to get advice from consultants. The job should be put out to bid to get the best price."
Why did you update?
The 2019 master plan aimed to increase port traffic, expand cargo facilities, and double the number of cruise sites from two to four. However, when Cruise Terminal 16 opens, the port will be seven years ahead of schedule, so the plan needs to be changed.
Rodger Rees, the port's director, said the revision will consider new cruise and cargo predictions as well as public waterfront development.
"Our new master plan will look at ways to grow in all of our business lines," Rees said. "This includes cruise, cargo, and commercial."
The plan will also examine traffic on Harborside Drive, ways to improve docks and wharves, and possible changes on Pelican Island, such as adding a public deck and berths for Battleship Texas.
Some people don't like the bidding process, but port leaders think the update is necessary to keep the economy growing.
In 2023, Galveston's ship industry brought in $733 million for the city.
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