History tells future of Southeast Texas - Good riddance 2005

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History tells future of Southeast Texas

By: BETH GALLASPY, The Enterprise 01/01/2006


Foretelling what 2006 holds for Southeast Texas does not require a crystal ball. A perusal of top stories from 2005 gives an ample idea of things to come.

Southeast Texas' most significant news event in 2005 - Hurricane Rita - will continue to dominate headlines in 2006 as the region works toward recovery, a process that could take years.

Chester Jourdan, executive director of the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission, said he expects it to take five to eight years for the region to rebound to pre-hurricane economic conditions, based on what other communities have experienced after natural disasters.

"What got so devastated for us was our housing stock and our small businesses," Jourdan said.

Throughout Southeast Texas, 2006 will be a rebuilding year for homes, businesses and entire communities. It also will be a watchful year, with residents perhaps keeping a closer eye than ever on what is expected to be another busy hurricane season.

The region could see other building booms either unrelated to the storm or with looser ties to it.

For more than a decade, Beaumont leaders have been working toward plans to relocate railroad tracks and open land behind City Hall for development along the Neches River. In November, Kansas City Southern and the Port of Beaumont finally reached a tentative agreement.

Now, that project and other potential changes downtown could become bigger news events in 2006.

After Hurricane Rita, Beaumont City Manager Kyle Hayes proposed demolishing the civic center, building a new municipal complex and developing a large downtown park. Discussions about whether and how those plans should proceed are sure to be lively next year.

Building booms also are in the wings for Port Arthur and Mid-County. Construction on retail and housing developments in the area around Central Mall should accelerate in 2006. Industrial development could come with two liquefied natural gas plants planned in Port Arthur and the possibility of a new $3 billion refinery at Motiva's existing facility.


GOOD RIDDANCE TO 2005!!!

The headline on the front page of the Beaumont Enterprise to start the new year was a huge: IT'S FINALLY OVER!

Rita forever changed the landscape of Southeast Texas, but more than 3 months later, the outlook for recovery is improving.

I just pray that Texas doesn't see another hurricane for a looooong time!!