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Port Arthur council approves commercial lease for Pleasure Island Buildings A and B
Summary
Council unanimously approved a resolution to lease two Pleasure Island parcels for restaurants, beverage sales, events and watercraft rentals; council and the developer displayed renderings and praised the project’s potential for city tourism and dining options.
The Port Arthur City Council voted to approve Resolution PR 24-259 to enter a commercial lease for two parcels on Pleasure Island that the resolution describes as "Building A" and "Building B." The lease allows preparation and sale of food, sale and service of alcoholic beverages, hosting events, sale of soft goods and renting or booking watercraft, among other commercially reasonable activities.
Why it matters: Council members described the lease as a long-awaited step to bring restaurant and entertainment options to Pleasure Island, a waterfront site the city has highlighted for economic development.
Councilman Alfred Frank made the motion to approve; a second was recorded from Councilman Ken Long (referred to in the meeting as "Kenlock"). Councilwoman Hamilton Everfield provided an update to residents before the vote: "This resolution is regarding us moving forward with Buildings A And B on Pleasure Island where we will be able to have a restaurant and entertainment services that we are extremely, extremely excited about. This has been a long road coming, and I'm very grateful to council to allowing us to be able to, effectively negotiate a contract that we'll be able to bring these services to the community sooner than later." The council then displayed exterior and interior renderings of the proposed development.
The developer who addressed the council identified himself as Salim Kraub and said he lives in Louisville, Texas; he thanked the city for the opportunity and said he was committed to the project. The mayor invited the developer to offer brief remarks after the presentation of renderings.
The motion carried by voice vote; the mayor declared, "Ayes have it. So item number PR 24-259 is approved as presented." The resolution text presented to council lists allowable commercial activities on the two leased parcels, a total referenced in the agenda as roughly 1.6 acres with Building A about 0.21 acres.
Council members and staff thanked the developer and City Director George Davis for helping advance the transaction. Staff noted the lease obligates the developer to build to rendering standards and that the contract requires the finished property to be reasonably similar to the renderings shown at the meeting.
Council indicated more items related to Pleasure Island will return for review as development proceeds.
