Council accepts land and $2 million from Port of Houston for Pelican Island Bridge; Pelican Island parks return to city control

The Galveston City Council unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the Port of Houston to accept a $2 million local contribution and an approximately 13.78-acre parcel of land to be used as right-of-way for the Pelican Island Bridge project, and approved an ordinance removing several Pelican Island-area parks from the Park Board's management so those parks return to city custody.

What council approved: The interlocal agreement authorizes the city to accept the Port of Houston's $2,000,000 contribution toward the local share required by TxDOT and the conveyance of a parcel described in the agreement. Don Glowowski, the city attorney, said the port requested a clarification to ensure the port would not be obligated for more than the agreed $2,000,000 under any federal funding changes; the council approved the agreement with that written change.

The related parks ordinance: Council also amended Chapter 26 of the city code to remove Pelican Island Park, Seawolf Park and West End Park (Delanera RV Park) from the Park Board's areas under management, returning those parks to care, custody and control of the city on or before Oct. 1, 2025.

Why it matters: The funding and land conveyance are the last elements staff identified as necessary to complete the local share package for the Pelican Island Bridge project. The action clears the way for the city to proceed with the project funding plan, according to staff and the city attorney.

Vote: The motions passed unanimously.

Next steps: The city manager and city attorney are authorized to execute the interlocal and conveyance documents after final legal review; staff will complete the administrative steps to update park assignments and take custody of the referenced parks on the schedule in the ordinance.