Susan Martinez
The Port Arthur News
PORT ARTHUR —
For the first time in decades, Port Arthur is positioned and aggressively cleaning up the main portal — the entrance into the city — on the way to its downtown district.
As part of an expanded effort begun three years ago, the International Economic Development Council out of Washington, D.C., was in town Friday to continue its work in helping the western edge of the port city of near 60,000 — and once the main artery for retail, restaurants and cultural gatherings — and help stakeholders turn the ship and finish its course in revitalization.
IEDC officials, along with stakeholders in the community — those representing small businesses, industry, education and culture — were at the same table Friday cutting the way toward a five-year plan intended to invoke every resource available to them to draw people back to the downtown arena.
Jeffrey Finkle, IEDC president and CEO, said he sees the revitalization process as a wake-up point for the city.
“I see the community seems to be getting smarter about their issues. I see though that the marketplace is stalled and needs to solve a number of issues,” Finkle said. “It is very clear there are perception problems and that is the most difficult issue.”
Port Arthur Councilman Jack Chatman gave a run-down on areas stakeholders were hoping to tackle in order to compel businesses and homeowners to the downtown district. These areas include continued mitigation of asbestos in older structures, turning around the false perception of high crime in downtown, creating aesthetically pleasing draws with further signage and lighting, tapping other historical markers.
“There is virtually no crime because there’s nothing to steal downtown,” Chatman said.
Participants also discussed having more frequent, smaller venues in the district.
“While we are waiting on the 5,000-person event, let’s draw 50 people,” Chatman added. “We have to learn how to crawl before we walk.”
The group identified small venues like concerts in the park, kite festivals and art festivals as part of that process.
In June 2009, the IEDC recommended Port Arthur create a downtown revitalization district and secure designation as a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone to spur development. The designation would open a new fund source for public improvements in the area through increments of future property-tax revenue growth beyond a base-year valuation, however, earning that designation involves a long list of determinants including whether an area substantially impairs growth of a municipality and has a slowing effect on provision toward housing accommodations.
“We are trying to establish the organization and get it approved through the Council, including bylaws and 501c and setting board term limits,” said Mark Viator, chairman of the newly formed Downtown Renaissance District, which consists of a 12-member board. “In addition, we have identified commercial properties that need to be restored or demolished.”
As part of cleaning up the entrance leading to the downtown, the city of Port Arthur has been actively involved in one of the most aggressive neighborhood stabilization programs to date. An estimated 400 damaged and dilapidated structures have been taken down and officials are looking at removing an additional 400. At its disposal has been $2 million from Hurricane Rita for this effort, in addition to a series of Community Development Block Grants. Right now, the city is also awaiting issuance of $4 million in Hurricane Ike funds, which may be used toward further demolition.
Over time, officials have also identified some 3,000 property owners who have not paid property taxes in five years. This has opened the door for the city to initiate its land banking plan whereby they pay off the liens on forfeited, good condition homes, to increase the buying appeal for potential homeowners.
The new district’s boundaries extend from the eastern line of westside neighborhood to the eastern line of Lamar State College-Port Arthur (that is, Houston Avenue to the west to Lake Charles Avenue to the east). The northern border of the district is Ninth Street and the southern border is Lakeshore Drive.
Port Arthur EDC director Floyd Batiste challenged stakeholders interested in attracting investors of commercial and real estate properties by asking the question: “Where do we go from here?”
“Let’s not forget that though our commitment is good and we can do a lot, for sustainable development in the west side, we have to have our vision tied into the market,” added city manager Steve Fittzgibbons.
smartinez@panews.com
