Memorandum To: Galveston Community Recovery Committee From: Betty Massey Date: August 25, 2009 Re: Update

The summer has simply flown by. It has been nearly three months since the last update, so let me share with you a few of the things that are happening with regard to our recovery projects…

 The University of Medical Branch and the Galveston Economic Development Partnership are restoring the Custom House on The Strand as a Bio-Tech Business Incubator using a $10 million EDA grant.  The Galveston Chamber of Commerce is developing a Business Incubator in the Commerce Building at the corner of 25th and Church Streets.  The Park Board of Trustees is developing elements of the Tourism Master Plan including locating property for a Galveston Visitor Center.  Thanks to a $1 million gift from Frito-Lay, the Seawall Committee is working with a design team to develop the Park area as the “center piece” of Seawall redevelopment.  The Historic Downtown Strand Seaport Partnership is close to completing the first phase of the Downtown Redevelopment Plan.  The East End Lagoon Nature Park and Preserve, coordinated by the Nature Tourism Council and the City of Galveston, has hired its design professional.  A sports stadium is under consideration by Galveston Independent School District with the likelihood that funding will be considered by voters no later than May 2010.  The Port Improvement Project has a new chair, Bill McMullen, and is beginning its work.  The City allocated funds in its first round of CDBG disaster funds to complete the Comprehensive Plan and overhaul land use and zoning ordinances addressing many of the issues raised in environmental projects.  With Artist Boat as the lead agency in a request for hazard mitigation funds, Galveston has the opportunity to protect 330 acres of precious open space on the west end.  The City has formed Recycling and Clean-up Committees, which are beginning their work.  The City’s Tree Committee is developing a master plan for re-planting the City.  Several housing projects have been funded with first round CDBG money and are awaiting the arrival of those funds.  The rent/lease-to-own program may submit a request through the second round of CDBG disaster funding.  Sustainable Neighborhoods has been designated funding under first round CDBG monies.  The project to save historic buildings in the downtown has been designated for first round CDBG Disaster funding and is being coordinated by GHF.  Gateway Beautification Project is underway in a cooperative venture with Clean Galveston and Galveston County.  The work on Neighborhood Learning Centers has a strong first step in cooperative venture with the Galveston Housing Authority.  Vocational Technical Center received an allocation in first round CDBG disaster funding with taking the lead on this project.  Galveston Promise has gone to the P16 Council and a plan has been formulated.  Sanitary sewer improvements and repairs and upgrading of our drinking water system have been included in first round CDBG disaster funding.  The Galveston Levee Project is being studied utilizing that funding source.  Commuter Rail is moving forward regionally.  The Ike Dike is being studied by a six county consortium.  Some of our “Take a Seat” projects are being undertaken as repairs and replacements for and to Galveston’s transit system are being implemented.  The Rapid Response plan has been given to GAIN and is being incorporated in the CERT program.

October is right around the corner, so please mark your calendar for Monday, October 5th at 6:00 p.m. for the first formal update on the progress of recovery projects to be held at . You will receive a reminder notice in late September, but please take time to mark your calendar for this meeting.

Thanks for all the good work you are doing…One Island…One Recovery!