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Coastal Communities will see $25 million allotted to Texas beaches 723 Views :: 0 Comments :: :: Gulf Coast, Second Homes Texas General Land Office Commissioner Jerry Patterson walked away with an improved budget after a push at the 80th Texas Legislature in May. “This level of funding will allow some long-stalled projects to move forward,” Patterson said in a news release. “This kind of investment in the coast is worthwhile, saving both public infrastructure and tax base from slipping away into the Gulf. " After a struggle to find money to repair eroded beaches on South Padre Island this past winter, the Island could see funds from the GLO. The town has been applying for grants from the GLO for a beach renourishment project. “I think we can help them out by spending some of that money,” said Cate Ball, the Island’s town planner. Jim Suydam, GLO press secretary, said the increased funds will have a positive effect for the Island. “Overall, this is good news for the Texas coast,” he said. “We know that the coast has been poorly funded by the state, and the beaches are sorely in need of it.” An extra $10 million will be distributed through the Coastal Erosion Planning and Response Act. The funds are in place and the bidding and application process has begun, Suydam said. “The GLO was project manager for the Island’s first phase of beach renourishment, which consists more of a “literature review,” Ball said. “But the second phase gets expensive.” The second phase of the renourishment project will cost approximately $800,000, she said. “A ballpark estimate of completely repairing the Island’s beaches will cost roughly $28 million, and that is banking on if we find sand,” Ball said. Finding good sand sources is something that Suydam agrees is difficult. “One of the first things the Island needs to do is find a nearby sand source,” Suydam said, “and that is not as easy as it looks.” The GLO hopes support from the Legislature continues for the upkeep of Texas beaches. “Every two years we have to go and beg legislation for funds,” Suydam said. “We want to change that.” In years past, the Texas parks system has taken priority in funding matters, Suydam said. He believes that the increased publicity on the poor conditions of the Texas parks system created leverage for the parks to receive funding. “We would like for large newspapers to take notice of the conditions of the beaches as well,” Suydam said. He said an estimated 55 million people visit Texas beaches annually and 10 million visitors attend state parks. “The sad thing is that the Texas coast historically has been neglected,” Suydam said. “And it is our top priority to rectify that.” The GLO’s goal is to secure permanent funding for the coastal communities. Ideas have included collecting a portion of the sales tax on sporting goods for coastal management. “Over these next two years, we will be studying that idea more closely for a possibility in the 81st Legislation,” Suydam said. By THERESA NAJERA/Island Breeze Why invest on the Texas Gulf Coast? Successful investors understand that real estate is a game of probabilities, not certainties, which is why you must look for converging probabilities before you buy in an area. The Texas Gulf Coast checks out on the key items to consider. Taking action as an investor is imperative, but difficult. What elements and probabilities should you look for? Read More...