Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

WEIS MIDDLE SCHOOL – January 21, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 Cruise ship port of call  Package for home port  Parking meters downtown  Expand port  Put a priority on funding UTMB and Shriners  Casinos  Everything should be family-friendly  The economic impact of the arts is huge. 9-10$ generated for each 1$ spent to support the arts  We need to get out of the Ike crisis. To do that we should all do business together. We are all in this together, why not work together. We are constantly improving our product services and increasing our profits. Sharing profits with employees we need to have a city wide seminar with Jim McIntyre to learn how to do this. (AJ Cuchia 996-5545)  Reestablish health services as our largest industry, health services are the fastest growing sector of economy and appears it will retain that status. It is the heart and soul of Galvestonians.  Reestablish leadership position and invite many other health services, researchers, and providers to join our efforts  Investment in Early Childhood Care and Education is Economic development in pre-school pays dividends 2-3 times as great as traditional economic development. We need that kind of investment to attract young families to live and thrive on the island. Why isn't education part of econ. dev? How are each of these linked? How do they inter-relate?  Casinos on north side of Broadway only revitalizes the area, casinos need large parking lots, plenty of unused space there.  Attract rich people not poor, do you want poor or rich customers?  Trickle up is shabby convenience stores, pay check cashing places etc.  -We need to think in terms of ‘Island Economy’- tourism is great but we need industry, alternative energy, electronic-energy efficiency, etc Facilities located on the island to build out neighborhoods and attend our schools  Invest in Bio-tech complex  Partner with UTMB research  GNL produce products/services which generate revenue for both city/econ development  More job opportunities  Available facilities for health services here on  More financial help  Money incentives for alternative energy/green building materials  Gaming- re-growth of its population and industry  Casinos  1st our city council should ‘come out’ and endorse the position of brining gaming to the island, the future of Galveston depends on our position- interlock with rail transportation will strengthen our position for government funding.

WEIS MIDDLE SCHOOL 1 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

ENVIRONMENTAL

 Community Gardens Island Wide  Incentives to get businesses to recycle (hotels, restaurants)  Create natural gardens on overpasses to lessen maintenance and add curb appeal to visitors coming into the city  Same east end beach/lagoon as a nature park  No Marquette  Understand here. Harm to the environments and to wildlife is costing us all  Pollution- health problems, health costs  Loss of wetlands- damage to fishing industry  Loss of beauty- loss of attraction- cultural poverty

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

 Downtown Historic buildings should be preserved and adapted for retail and residential use to promote a lively (but not obnoxiously noisy) ambience  Cultural opportunities should be offered in the area  The 55+ housing segment on the island is large, both the part time and full timers. This housing segment should be a separate category for economic development.  How do we attract the developers and buyers for these homes?  Say goodbye to public housing, that and free health care has created a ghetto  Living residence (low income)  Check on the places with a dot and than see conditions  Designated bike lanes Island-wide  Develop housing north of Broadway, no buildings over 6 stories  Continue to develop residential opportunities in downtown  Include green places in all neighborhoods  Decrease public housing- develop single family housing  Encourage neighborhood organizations, ethnic festivals for everyone, see historic Galveston  Get public housing back in Galveston so residents and renters can come back  Do something to protect people forced to live in apartments while their houses are being repaired from losing their homes to foreclosure  Create affordable homes instead of “projects  Housing open up for the residents  Review and Revise Building codes for apartment complexes. Need to provide proper lighting so that tenants will feel safe  Concentrate on restoring Broadway to a beautiful and safe entrance to Galveston  Help those with no insurance rebuild now, sand can come later. Taxpayers who have been living on the island made Galveston what it was. Tourists will have nothing to see if Islanders are not supported  Enforce building codes  Improve drainage beginning with cleaning gutters  I believe it’s a misnomer to consider cultural arts organizations within the umbrella of cultural heritage. The arts are above business and economic stimulus. We need to make them part of economic development/tourism category. They’ll get lost in the neighborhoods

WEIS MIDDLE SCHOOL 2 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

HUMAN SERVICES

 Health Services/UTMB/Shriners  Focus on things that are beneficial to the people rather than to Galveston Island itself  Boys and Girls Club Facility  Give tax breaks to teachers, police, firefighters etc, who live on the island  Chamber of Commerce and others hold lead the efforts for better  Schools  We need to get UTMB back to its previous state  A trauma center is vital to this entire area and the lack of one places a strain on the Houston hospital  The facility for senior services needs to be restored and a complete review of existing programs.  More and better programs are needed to provide opportunities for seniors to participate in, to enrich their lives.  Restore UTMB and Shriners Hospitals to former levels of function and service. Projects restoring or creating new employment are a priority  Add full or partial ‘T’ head to all or some of the rock . The beach looks ridiculous with a 5 foot drop to the water. It wastes money.  Stop dumping sand on the beach, it does not work  Install pumping stations in downtown area to avoid flooding from large rains and small hurricanes, than business owners would be more willing to develop small businesses in storefront property  Levee Down harbor side to 61st street, than down Heards on Ave rains and S to Seawall- Another hurricane could hit next year!  Build levees- start with UTMB area  Protect from flooding

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 Links between downtown, A&M and UTMB should be exploited  Extend sewer systems to all  Rail from Houston to Galveston  establish commuter train to Houston  increase buses on island  work with large employers to establish schedule and routes  require sidewalks in all developments and make them handicap accessible  use green modes of transportation  Establish designated bike lanes on major cross island streets- Broadway and Downtown  Ordinance to establish a 60 foot clear site triangle at all city intersections, alleyways and driveways so that cars can see and be seen when entering or crossing a through fare  A way to get off the island without using mass transportation

WEIS MIDDLE SCHOOL 3

Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

GULF BREEZE COMMUNITY ROOM – January 22, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 We need things in Galveston that draws people on a frequent basis.  FEMA to hold the city government to actually implement the plan once it is produced and approved  Help provide an open air market for merchants and residents to sell product from, until store fronts are available and/or rents are more reasonable  We need good job sources. Having only UTMB is not acceptable. Without good jobs we will never have a strong middle class on the island  Groceries in this area that are affordable, no food stores reasonable, price in this neighborhood. No family dollar store

ENVIRONMENTAL

 A recycle program for the city. Sell recycling to make money. City of Friendswood does this they have recycle day on Friday with garbage collection

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

 Establish an aesthetically pleasing ‘corridor’ vision for Broadway, starting at causeway-south.  Make Broadway really beautiful  Create codes for clean up of existing blight- pink and purple are out- put the responsibility for enforcement on Wendy’s desk and set out a contractual agreement with property owners for tax credit or federal fund assistance etc.  Buy out behind sea wall- should be pursed by city council. We have the world’s best model right in sanjacinto community garden project- of what can be done to correct and/or prevent blighted lots. Just ask Margaret Canavan how to do it.  Let people tagged red with no insurance (or inadequate) bail out of their mortgages. These people have a right to these funds.  Bike week, mardi gras etc is not a sound economic path. Maybe “Breaven” type establishments- perhaps more seawall and downtown year round amusements- maybe gambling  Need poster crime watch  Galveston has more project housing than cities 20 times our size. Project housing keeps people from advancing. We need affordable individual homes. We need adequate education. We need mentoring programs and things to inspire the youth- that is the path to a great city; of course the island needs jobs.  Should ease requirements to allow storm windows and/or hurricane glass windows. ‘exemption’ prevents safety feature of unbreakable windows.  allow code compliance to be residents’ choice regarding storm proofing in historic district  Implement seawall recreation area. Reroute traffic with elevated (partial) loop around island, Close seawall to public traffic with 2 lanes for safety vehicles only. Every third or 4th numbered street would dead end into seawall with a cul de sac turnaround—plantings, bikepath, separated from walking path, kiosks with vendors, showers (rough draft on paper slip)

GULF BREEZE COMMUNITY ROOM 5 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

HUMAN SERVICES

 Galveston Independent School District  We’ll need better schools to educate the children of these/all residents

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 Gas service, the gas company did not do well during the hurricane. Very slow not enough people/personal to respond. Seems to me gas company did not have a plan, gas system needs to be more sustainable.  AT&T landlines failed miserably, this must be improved. AT&T must build a sustainable infrastructure  People must be allowed to return after evacuation or they will not leave. We must harden the essential systems so threat of cholera etc is not a factor  Commuter rail to Houston with 1 stop at JSC so people who have higher paying jobs could live on the island and commute.  Earlier return to island  water and sewer supply must be protected. That should allow a very early return which will allow residents to save home of goods and allow a quick return to reasonable life.  Lessons learned- if we do not document (The good and bad) we will repeat mistakes and suffer the same way or worse next time and there will be more storms.  A recovery plan for future storms needs to be developed, adopted and funded  From the way things went in Ike you would think Galveston had never seen a hurricane  Keep UTMB open here in Galveston, without UTMB that would be the biggest mistake ever, we need to bring our people back  Keep UTMB open  Once a recovery plan is adopted, I recommend a separate document detailing implementation, including a time line showing when each part of the recovery plan will be implemented.  The postal service failed miserably, did not open 25th street post office for almost 4 months, last to get phone service. Why? Post office on Broadway did not have phones and only one worker. Why? Postal service has no procedures for emergencies- temporary recovery etc. What a mess!

MISCELLANEOUS

 Need a levee  Structures that are built on sea side of the seawall must be built to structural codes. should be reinforced concrete. Flagship piers did well.  CMU walls did poorly (see seawolf park and others), reinforced concrete is far superior.  When water gets under slabs failure occurs, slabs should have downturns or other protection

GULF BREEZE COMMUNITY ROOM 6 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

UTMB – January 23, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 Lots of talk regarding casinos and the negative aspects.crime being one of them. Crime is already a problem and a big one at that. Perhaps taxing (or similar) the casinos for the purpose of employing more/better police officers can be a solution. My 13 year old niece is terrified of the gangs at Weis! A better, bigger and more trustworthy police force is a must!

 Part of the appeal of Galveston when I moved here 20 years ago was the charm and lack of “chain” businesses. I was not unhappy to see “Hooters” gone when I returned after the storm. Not because I hate the business, but because of how gaudy the signage was. Perhaps a page out of Key West’s book in allowing “chains” but drastically limiting signage would preserve the historic look while still allowing successful and familiar businesses to thrive.

ENVIRONMENTAL

 Restore and maintain wetlands and other nature habitats. Look for national assistance to help.

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

 Blighted neighborhoods have got to go! Turn some of them into parks and rebuild some of them with quality and affordable (not ghetto-cheap, mind you) housing that is in the style and theme of historically significant homes that are in decent shape. Section 8 housing should be rebuilt bun on a much smaller scale- and only for those who truly need it- WITH limitations regarding length of stay, qualifications and occupancy numbers.  I like the “Oaks” near 45th and Broadway, but the location was completely botched. Nothing was done in the immediate surrounding areas- no sense of safety or security exists around the small area- nor conveniences. The design of the homes is great, but perhaps putting them nearer to already established neighborhoods with some blighted homes needing replacing would be better.  Ike memorials to focus on Public Library-UTMB- Pleasure Piers  Ike memorial to include lighting of Balinese/Murdoch’s as a way of promoting the eventual return of Pleasure Piers to the Island. Perhaps to include future concepts in construction- collapsible, portable or inflatable buildings.

HUMAN SERVICES

 Restore the UTMB Emergency Room including Trauma Center to a fully operational state.

UTMB 7 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 Schools are a major issue. There is a reason the majority of UTMB employees live off the island. I have a two year old and I will not stay if I don’t have faith in the schools to provide a safe and effective learning environment. I’ve heard from teachers how the problem students can walk all over the teachers with no recourse. I’ve heard of other schools implementing a “response team” to allow teachers to focus on teaching, not policing.  Transportation is a tough one. I’d like to see the trolley make a resurgence- as well as improving the bus service. A thought- free island rides for major events that tend to involve drunken accidents. For example, Milwaukee, WI gives free rides on St. Patrick’s Day.  I like the idea of a dike around the island- I think Dr. Bill Merrill has a good plan- especially since it doesn’t necessarily disturb the wetlands very much.  We definitely need more sidewalks and street lights. It would be great to take evening strolls in our beautiful climate, but safety in doing so is imperative. Unfortunately, the island is not a safe place to take evening walks. Dog attacks, gang activity, etc. all thrive under poorly lit neighborhoods.  Improve existing sidewalks in the neighborhoods, esp. historical area  Would like a train to get off and on the island to Galveston and Houston. Later, to San Antonio…  Provide rail transportation to mainland, NASA area and Houston- help with tourism, etc.  Investigate the possibility for creating “wind” farms and other energy sources. Seek federal assistance to encourage use by most consumers.

UTMB 8 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

SEA ISLE – January 24, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 Why can't the state take the houses on the beach that are in front of water line by EMINENT DOMAIN- paying for the structure only- fair market price- not land- as that is already state land-  Do Annexation for the Island west of Jamaica Beach  Form a special taxing district- Seawall west south of FM 3005 to vote real estate taxes for beach restoration John/Jeanette DiFilipre 281-495-4206  no casinos  To encourage the Houston visitor to come more often- give incentives such as 'discounts' mailed to them  advertise amenities on the Island- , fue computers- we have a lot but it's disconnected: not adequately promoted- Galveston- More for Less  be aggressive about pitching Galveston as a cruise port before of after a cruise  do more to promote winter Texans ala Port Aransas classes, computers, variety  Could Gal. News promote the island through other newspapers with a special section story to draw tourists and people back to island!  I am concerned that given the significant erosion of the beachfront on the West End, without significant beach restoration and installation of Seawall on West End, jetties or other ways in other coastal states to protect their beachfront that many beachfront homes will be lost to the Open Beaches Act thereby causing significant economic loss to the Island, in the form of lost tax base, lost revenues to stores, restaurants, etc. From loss of homes available for rent to tourists on the West End, etc. City and State should actively pursue federal and state funds in order to preserve and restore beachfront on West End.

 1. Gambling to generate jobs- construction of casino and then employees to run the casino. 2. To create workforce like FDR did to fix the roads and beaches. 3. Organize homeowners to clean up their neighbors property if they are unable. 4. To help with the clean out of ditches to prevent illness from mosquitoes.

ENVIRONMENTAL

 Restore vegetation even by volunteers- church- youth group etc- Wetlands help protect us- Don't destroy and build on them- Limit coastal building  Preserving wetlands during post storm reconstruction many were damaged during the storm, many are long-term recovery of wetlands  Beaches in front of convention center will never stay because of tidal flow. What about building a raised beach platform and putting the "tourism sand" on top of the platform and let the tidal waves flow under. Everytime it washes the new sand out and chokes off San Louis' pass flow.  Stop wasting money with beach renourishment. Also kills sea life on the beaches. Instead build parallel jetties as in southern Louisiana. Spend money for sand on jetties  Sustainable dune system -GLO guidelines (vegetation) -contuous dune system -construction setback -natural vegetation, no armoring. -Keep the nature the feel the environment that we have had. Don't want to live in a fortress.

SEA ISLE 9 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

HUMAN SERVICES

 We need CPR training since we have NO medical facility  West End medical clinic or EMS clinic at least  If we want to encourage tourism, entertainment and more people visiting and living on the Island we need to support a medical center. It's very scary to live on the West End and not have accessible medical care in case of a life threatening event.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 The drainage ditches in Sea Isle were not cleaned out to allow proper drainage after all the sewer line construction last summer. The water just sits and stagnates, growing mosquitoes, after a rain.  Another bridge from mainland to west end of island instead of through Galveston  clean debris out of canals before it silts over- all small stuff like grills, household products. Winter is the best time of year for this  Planting grasses along roadways  Sewers, etc. Raise level of service to all before any other expenditures.  Public restrooms/ Clean/ Monitored- all along beach- as well as public restrooms in Strand area  Pier: 1)access- stricter; 2) wider and double rails  Need to cont. to clean our area- ditches water/sewer leakage. This is unhealthy. Ditches are full of septic water (Check out corner of Liberty and Shelby for example it’s a swamp)  no casinos; clean everything even little things use prisoners, volunteers/ establish the visual; reseed anything that looks green.; get rid of damaged homes, whatever that people aren't fixing, "erase the damage"; make a map available for objects in bag to avoid do volunteer day for cleanup; 81 piers demolished or rebuilt; trailer park by Jamaica Beach needs clean up; clean dead undergrowth/vegetation  Dredge sand from offshore back to beaches. Why are we not like Florida; Get on the ball Galveston. Replace everyone on city council especiall Steve LaBlanc!!! He is killing Galv.!  Grade raise FM 3005 all the way to Surfside

MISCELLANEOUS

 Shift full-court press to 1) High density bldg on East End 2) Focus on Fire Protection  #1 Clean, safe, and family friendly beaches! #2 Attractive beaches #3 West End Medical Clinic #4 Increase Police Coverage on West End  1. The Island needs gambling to generate jobs as well as bring the income that is going to Louisiana. 2. We need Medical services brought back to the island. There are many retirees as residents that pay 40% of taxes, we need medical facilities.  Casinos; medical center; new leadership- city  lots of trees/ palms/ oleanders/ nature garden areas/ outdoor markets/ veg./ craft on weekly basis  1. Need medical facility for the retired community who probably account for the bulk of property owners. 2. Generate interest in fishing and recreational for the families that is affordable.

SEA ISLE 10 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

MISCELLANEOUS

 bike trails pedestrian walkways improved public transportation  cleaning up debris and trash important to complete before tourist season  City Sewer; Bristow St.- PAVED; Beach information signs- 16 mile road; new growth for dunes- plants; medical services; Bristow/16 mile road  More downtown for pedestrians and bikers more trees and greenspace with redevelopment  volunteering ideas, fishing and paddling, like the view of beach, clean it up, keep it clean. Understand the forces at work that happened- make recommendations to home owners (garage doors up - construction items).  Work on eco-tourism- bike trails parks public boat docking to encourage boaters from Clear Lake area to do boat and weekend in Galveston. Train system from Galveston

SEA ISLE 11

Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

LA MARQUE – January 24, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

 Check and get info on Jackson Hole affordable housing project may be replicated on island

HUMAN SERVICES

 Charter schools could replace out public schools, private sector outsourcing brings specialists in the field. Nassau Bay, TX is an example of 'no public schools' is this do-able?

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

LA MARQUE 13

Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

AUSTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL – January 26, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL

 structures that are built on sea side of the seawall must be built to structural codes. Pier should be reinforced concrete. Flagship piers did well.

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION  Without money to elevate their homes, many people can't come back--if they don't come back we lose property tax $, sales tax$; we have loss of neighborhood identity and community, and have empty, deteriorating houses--lobby for more money for elevations? Lobby for more money from Washington! Don't spend much on buyouts of houses that are valued at 6 figures!  Historic tax credits needed, find federal $ to off set construction or rehab work. This could be off setting property taxes at the city and county level, $'s could be also used to off set school tax. Make home ownership a requirement

HUMAN SERVICES

 Adopt a no smoking policy in all public restaurants and other appropriate venues. Make Galveston a Health conscious city with plenty of walking and bike trails.  Find a way to get Police to live on the Island. Their presence will help neighborhoods. Possible some sort of housing incentive if they live in the highest crime areas  More publicity and outreach. Go to the people who have no options, resources (and those who won't go out and ask for gov help) -- listen to their stories ; take photos; videos; remind elected officials about those who don't have a voice  Use existing video equipment in city council chamber to film informative shows for citizens and preservation ideas/ help from GHF; Rebuilding from GHA; interviews with local business people etc. Funding perrible grant from Belo Corps. Tradings on their history in and with Galveston  Provide a totality of services that meet the need of growth, effective after school programs, safe recreational facilities . Week-end activates, educational partnerships with local colleges and universities

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 We need more bicycle-friendly street paths!! Also, all streets should have visible signs and the street signal lights should all be in working order!  Galvestons streets are deplorable. Galveston should have a master plan to repair-regrave all streets on a regular basis

AUSTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL 15 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 Find the funds to develop a coastal barrier like the 'ike dike' idea that has been looked at and sent in the paper by Bill Mennel. Bring city public works projects to the table and fund all that were planned plus any storm surge areas. Bring train to island with plan to go to hobby then downtown Houston then up to IAH airport

MISCELLANEOUS

 Please develop some incentive for individuals to keep their storm drains/ gutters free of debris in order to aid in drainage, especially during a heavy rainfall (storm). This should be applied to business owners too!

AUSTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL 16 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

LIVE OAK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH – January 27, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

 Instead of large projects. Have 30 Unit building rules all over the island, not just on the north side. So that low income people won't loose everything.

HUMAN SERVICES

 Tournament ball fields to draw childrens tournaments- whole families come for tournaments  The city should embrace preparedness training for the community. Especially seniors and disenfranchised communities  What educational tools are put into place to teach preparation before disaster strikes. What type of funding is available through mitigation to fund educational classes and tools for the communities?

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

LIVE OAK MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH 17

Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

1880 GARTEN VEREIN PAVILION – January 28, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 Bring back ladies clothing stores for strand pursue options! Ladies of Galveston, tourists, cruise passengers, etc. Chicos, NY dress outlet, Afrium gone  Tourism should focus more on showing off our environment beaches of course but also the bay, the birds, etc.  I enjoyed the open house at Austin Middle School last evening and have three ideas to share about recovery (gleaned from several neighbors): 1. Don't forget the geohazard map. It should be used in planning and for deciding where people can build. 2. For tourism and economic development- we need an art colony like "Torpedo Factory" in Arlington, VA (there are others). The factory was exactly what it sounds like: a huge, vacant building that hadn't been used in years. The city acquired it and turned it into art studios. This included all arts and crafts; all types of artists were invited to rent a studio. The rent was subsidized by the city BUT there were strict requirements of the artists: if they rented a space it had to be opened a certain number of hours a week to the public (week-ends for sure). It was not to be used for living space but for work space so people could see hour the art was done. It is a great place to get exposure (and sell art) and a real draw for tourists. If there's enough space there could also be juried shows and performances for theater, dance and music as well. My first thought was the old "Falstaff building" not too far from Central... I see this could be a real win-win for the city and for artists, not only in Galveston but from the mainland as well. 3. About our beautiful Oak Trees along Broadway. Please, please, when it is discovered which ones did not make it due to the storm, do not have crews just cut them down. A former forester in my neighborhood said that the city should contract with and East logging company to remove the trees and that the loggers would pay for the privilege since that old oak could be used in building. Made a lot of sense to me. I hope these suggestions can be used.  Have surfing contests to attract tourists  ordinance which requires all new police and teachers hired to live on the island. Consider housing incentives to live in particular neighborhoods.  Economic development- UTMB/ Shriners and other heath institutions are Galveston's #1 employer- we should work to input our ideas to them and then support their missions in any way we can.  Public housing is a ghetto we do not need. Bulldoze all 4 public housing -it is a blight on the city -it drives away the middle class or anyone else from wanting to live here. -It does nothing to promote self-reliance and personal responsibility -if these people need to be subsidized by public tax $'s, let them go somewhere less dangerous where it costs less to do so, where evacuations and mitigation is not necessary. -in their place put something port related that pays taxes.  UTMB: Can the city solicit another private hospital to come and take over some of the unused campus? This would provide the island w/ much needed medical care and improve our tax base, relieving the ever increasing tax burden on the property home owners.  Get rid of: 1)Trash, 2)Crime, 3)Rundown, decrepit and ramshackle buildings. If we could rid the city of these 3 things, much of the rest would take care of itself. Tourists would flock, families would return, businesses would invest, etc. etc. This does not take money as much as it takes a change of attitude, commitment and willingness to crack down. We need an army of code enforcement as well as a new set of laws to deal with not only these problems which existed before the storm, but now the abundance of abandoned, vacant, decaying homes now added to that. If we as homeowners must continue to live amongst this, paying higher property tax, and now higher insurance for the privilege, there will soon be another wave of population flight from the city and it won't be storm related. Just get the basics right! Its the amenities we already

1880 GARTEN VEREIN PAVILION 19 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

have: history, architecture, the beach, the arts. Its the basics we are lacking: safety, cleanliness- Please!  I like the "Green" plans. I definitely do NOT THINK that gambling casinos are the answer. I'm a lifelong (octogenarian) Galveston- BOI! Gambling is not the answer.  Tourism/UTMB more than 80% of people employed in Galveston's tourism industry are not provided any access to health insurance by their employers. A portion of "all" taxes on tourists should go to UTMB to pay for healthcare.  Clean up: Set a date and time for everyone in the whole city to get out and sweep in front of their house and their neighbors if need be. No FEMA or outside money needed. We could be clean in a hour. If we don't take pride no Amt. of outside money will help us.  Make a big kite festival in the summer  Pass no smoking in restaurants and bars  Don't let consideration of an "Ike Dike" overwhelm the more manageable approach to protecting the city of Galveston from future flooding/storm surge events. A levee/dike that can connect the ends of the existing sea wall and contain a floodgate off Bayou would make Galveston a less risky place to live and to set up a business. If the rest of communities want a larger structure, Galveston should not sacrifice its resources and potential protection by proposing a large Galveston Bay protection plan.  City Mgr does not seem to be responsive to the citizens needs. Some examples are: not enough permit staff; Not prolonging permit office hours; Not having a plan for recovery after storm; plan was changed every day! Look and leave for resident a complete failure. Keeping residents and business owners off the island for weeks created much more mold damage than needed to happen. We need better management.  Enforce penalties for dumping notice a lot of run off sewers people blowing leaves and dumping trash in them.  Very important: Tear down dilapidated structures that owners will not rehab!! Better code enforcement!  Galveston needs income. I favor the production of Green services as one way to stimulate jobs and income. I am AGAINST gambling. It will not stimulate jobs for Galvestonians but it will increase crime etc. -Instead of opening up a new charter school, rent space to proven existing charter schools. -have special transportation available to Galveston events including transportation from hotels- elderly tourists would benefit.  My idea is to build community morale- paint murals everywhere- where a business is designated a spot where they keep a mural in tact- gives help to businesses and helps to beautify the town.  We need stronger leadership that is capable of identifying profitable ideas. And leadership that will recognize and encourage business development.

ENVIRONMENTAL

 Environment - #1 issue when I talk to people about Galveston is future- how we will protect it? How we will utilize it to promote the tourism industry?  maybe plant palms along Seawall -organize groups to pick up litter off beaches (volunteer groups on regular basis) to help with city expenses.  Trash pick up on beach and seawall needs to be more regular

1880 GARTEN VEREIN PAVILION 20 Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

 Houses need to be raised to a level where if we have another surge no flooding occurs  Create more historical districts- keep good houses encourage rehab of older homes through incentives- discourage new construction.  Housing- any new housing money from the state or FEMA should be directed at housing for "employees" of Galveston organizations  Crack down on developers buying downtown loft properties chopping them up and making them into apartments. SHOULD HAVE RESTRICTIONS-LEAVE THEM AS LOFTS

HUMAN SERVICES

 Merge Galveston and Mainland United Ways  Money from the State to be funneled the Recovery meet to help offset wages or salaries. To keep from having to lay off city employees

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 Recreate parks and other nice public areas- see city on stilts book for examples  Build bike lanes and more bike racks.

1880 GARTEN VEREIN PAVILION 21

Galveston Community Recovery Committee – Open Houses Ideas

LEAGUE CITY – January 29, 2009

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL

 Marsh and Dune restoration with initiatives to restore sediment in-flow to Louisiana and Upper Texas coast- long term planning for habitat restoration and preservation- soft solutions not hand structures

HOUSING & HISTORIC PRESERVATION

 Tax breaks for green rebuilding or building efforts. Tax reinvestment zone for green business on North side of Broadway. Tax break for elevating homes. Put parking on 1st floors downtown and UTMB  Recovery is great. But, how about recovery for those structures existing. Please think about how a CDBG can assist with recovery, people need immediate temporary housing. The new housing is good for some, but if not done carefully- will create unaffordable housing for some. Do not forget the children and families that are living out of their cars and those who are still trying to live in unsafe homes with mold due to storm. Don't children deserve better?  Elevate most homes. Get new flood plain map ours is 20 years old. Promote community gardens  Slow down on the new building and fix what already exists. Implement neighborhood home owners Associations to require certain standards of curb appeal and safe living practices….throughout entire island. Absolutely DO NOT develop the"east end flats" as this will only create more segregation. City tax revenue will increase if our existing neighborhoods are treated and maintained with respect.  Absolutely more trees and sidewalks… Aside from neighborhood HOAs to hold homeowners and landlords accountable, businesses should abide by the same policies. A massive island "beautification project" would be costly, not to mention it is on the lower end of the priority list. Why not require our businesses on the main island arteries to "chip in" on their side of the easement? Given a certain amount of time, of course.

HUMAN SERVICES

 Galveston County, either on or off the island, needs a Level 1 trauma center. Without an additional Level 1 trauma center, the ability to provide medical care in the case of a natural or manmade disaster is extremely limited.

TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTRUCTURE

 As a priority the infrastructure on the island needs to be restored. All of the septic tanks on the island need to be replaced with a municipal sewer system to prevent serious risk of health.  Obviously, our infrastructure is important… the "organs" of our city. It is possible for our power lines to be underground so they are more sustainable in the event of a hurricane?

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