Special to the PRESS
NOTICE: Due to predicted inclement weather, Saturday’s Arturo Galvan Coastal Park “Living Shoreline” Groundbreaking will be relocated to the Inez C. Martinez Multipurpose Instructional Building on the Derry Elementary School campus. The ceremony will start at 3 p.m.
Mayor Joe E. Vega and the Port Isabel City Commission cordially invite the public to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase I of the Arturo Galvan Coastal Park “Living Shoreline” project. The event will be held Saturday, April 18, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. at the site of the Arturo Galvan Park located at 1801 2nd Street.
The City of Port Isabel was successful in obtaining two grants from the Texas General Land Office totaling close to a $1 million dollars, for the construction of the Living Shoreline with additional funding of $10,000 received from the Improve Order of Redman Black Crow Tribe, and $50,000 from the Port Isabel Economic Development Administration. The Port Isabel City Commission contracted with HDR Engineering, Inc. for design, engineering and permiting of the project. This will be the first public Living Shoreline on the Laguna Madre Bay, and an example for other communities to follow.
The Living Shoreline is being built in order to stop erosion from storms and wave energy. The Living Shoreline will provide for increased fish and wildlife habitat, allow for pedestrian access into the Laguna Madre Bay, and protect the remaining land and neighboring homes.
City Manager Edward Meza stated, “This long awaited project will increase the quality of life for everyone living in or visiting our beautiful city”.
Port Isabel Mayor Joe E. Vega had these comments, “I’m excited that Phase I of the Arturo Galvan Coastal Park “Living Shoreline” is fixing to get started. The Living Shoreline will be and aesthetically pleasant project that will allow for the protection of the shoreline while creating habitat. I would like to thank the Texas General Land Office for their commitment and partnership on this project. The development of this park is part of the progress that citizens of Port Isabel are experiencing today. I look forward with the continuing development of one of the most beautiful coastal parks on the Texas Gulf Coast.”
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