By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

Imagine looking out the window from home and watching sailing ships go by, or walking along ample sidewalks on tree-lined streets surrounding a downtown area complete with shops and restaurants.

Once the stuff of imagination, or even best laid plans, the vision of a revitalized Port Arthur downtown is becoming closer to reality.

An expanded tax base from industrial expansions, dedicated funds from the city’s Economic Development Corporation, and the possibility of millions in stimulus money, has prompted city officials to say “now is the time to act.”

At a special meeting Tuesday, the International Economic Development Council presented its final report on downtown revitalization.

Jeff Finkle, president and chief executive officer with the IEDC, said the study was the result of a year and a half study of Port Arthur.

“This downtown revitalization will take a long time to turn around and I can guarantee you this,” Finkle said.

He estimated the project would take 10 to 15 years to complete. If not embarked on, the city will need to completely abandon its downtown.

“I don’t think you have any choice. Either you need to abandon the downtown, or have a significant investment over the next few years.”

The study detailed the city’s strengths and weaknesses, both of which were many, Finkle said.

On the plus side, Finkle cited the investment of the petrochemical industry, abundant water, Lamar State College-Port Arthur, a strong regional economic base, and the availability of land.

The petrochemical industry will be investing an estimated $12 to $15 billion in the regional economy around Port Arthur through upgrades and construction of new facilities over the next three to five years, the report indicated.

Challenges, he said, include a history of disinvestment, a geographically constrained market place, loss of population, a perception of high crime and block-after-block of abandoned or vacant buildings — all causing blight.

Moving the school administration building away from downtown this last year was not a move in the right direction, he said.

“Moving the school administration away from downtown does not send a great message to your citizens at large,” he said.

Finkle said the city’s chamber of commerce and the EDC should move their offices downtown in a show of support for downtown development.

IEDC recommended the establishment of a Downtown Revitalization Organization that would be a public-private partnership.

The city should also develop a downtown revitalization plan, take aggressive marketing efforts, increase downtown housing opportunities — perhaps Lamar student housing to start with — attract retail activity and improve quality of life.

There should be a destination restaurant or hotel/motel, Finkle said.

“I can see a lot of these things are doable now,” Mayor Deloris “Bobbie” Prince, said.

District 1 Councilman Jack Chatman Jr., whose district encompasses the downtown area, said he had hope that the project could be accomplished.

“As you ride through Port Arthur, you can see the light now. There have been many cities that have had to revitalize their downtown, and we can revitalize ours,” Chatman said.

City Manager Steve Fitzgibbons said the city was already embarking on some of the recommendations such as demolition’s and purchasing property. Funding for the downtown project, he said, could come from monies the EDC has pledged over the next three years and possibly from a Neighborhood Stabilization Grant. The minimum amount to apply for stabilization grant is $5 million.

Port Arthur voters in May approved a proposition allowing the city’s EDC to spend a portion of its budget — $750,000 annually for a period of three years — to help redevelop downtown. The monies are generated from 4A sales and use taxes.

Though there is no guarantee Port Arthur will receive the Neighborhood Stabilization Grant, Fitzgibbons said combined with the EDC funds, downtown Port Arthur could be on its way to redevelopment.

skoonce@panews.com