Galveston Pleasure Pier set to open in May

Michelle Kaldenberg
The Signal
Whether it’s the food, sand or scenery that draws the crowds to Galveston Island, the Seawall will soon offer a new attraction intended to beacon an estimated 3 million people annually.

This May, a historic landmark will be put back on the map: The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. Prior to the original Pleasure Pier, there was another amusement park known as Electric Park, built in 1906 and located across the boulevard. The park played host to vaudeville shows, rides and a restaurant. In the 1940s the original “pleasure pier” was built to accommodate military families and serve as a recreation facility. Post World War II the pier was given to the City of Galveston and renamed Pleasure Pier. From there it became a family venue filled with nostalgic attractions such as headlining dance bands, motion pictures, a full carnival, aquarium and, of course, fishing.

After Hurricane Carla destroyed the pier in 1961, Houston banker James Lyon, a University of Houston alumnus, rebuilt it as the Flagship Hotel in 1965. After 1990 the hotel began to fall into disrepair and was purchased in 2003 by Landry’s Restaurants Inc. for the sum of $500,000. The original plan for the hotel was to undergo a complete renovation and reopen in 2011. However, the aftermath of Hurricane Ike in 2008 called for a change of in plans when the building’s structure was damaged beyond repair.

In October of 2009, Landry’s announced their new idea for the pier. While the plan was still to restore the hotel, there was mention of carnival-type rides and entertainment. The company kept a tight seal on the plans until the end of January 2012. Landry’s then revealed their intention to undertake a “momentous renovation plan to return the 25th Street and Seawall Boulevard pier to its magnificent roots as a preeminent Historic Pleasure Pier.”

Adrienne Culpepper, owner of Nautical Antiques & Tropical Décor and co-founder of Islander By Choice, LLC, sees an increase in tourism as one of the biggest advantages of the new Pleasure Pier. After Ike, the island saw a drop of more than 25 percent in tourism.

“The community really came together to rebuild,” Culpepper said. “It was a grassroots movement to come back stronger.”

She and her  husband Michael have seen the island change in positive ways for more than 14 years.

“Anything that attracts people to the island is good for small businesses,” Culpepper said. “People who already love the island, residents here and tourists will all see what the island has to offer.”

At helm of the project is Tilman J. Fertitta, the sole owner, chairman and CEO of Landry’s Inc. Tilman grew up in an apartment across from the pier in Galveston and often rode his bike along the Seawall. As a teenager he also worked as a lifeguard for the Flagship Hotel.

“When you look at the whole development on 53rd Street, that’s where I used to go and play.” Fertitta said in a recent press release. “It’s always fun to go back and there is that nostalgia part of it.”

Fertitta currently owns several large restaurant chains including the Chart House, Rainforest Café, Saltgrass Steakhouse, Landry’s Seafood House, Fish Tales and the first Bubba Gump Shrimp Company in Texas. Fertitta is also known for his ownership of several hospitality venues including the Kemah Boardwalk, the San Luis Resort, Hilton and Holiday Inn hotels just to name of few.

“Of course, I would not have done as much in this town it if was not my hometown.” Fertitta said.

Pleasure Pier has been a $60 million dollar investment for Fertitta to create a family-orientated destination for locals and tourists alike. The pier itself extends nearly 1,130 feet into the Gulf of Mexico, will employ more than 600 individuals at one time, and will be able to host between 6,500 and 7,000 people at a time. Its attractions will include rides, carnival games, themed food venues and several retail and novelty shops.

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. will make its Texas debut on the Pleasure Pier with a full dine-in restaurant. Next door will be the Gump on the Run, which will offer a fast-food version of its menu items.

“This is absolutely exciting,” said RoShelle Gaskins, spokeswoman for the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau. “History has shown that the old Pleasure Pier was a huge draw, and this will be even bigger.”

An increase in tourism and improvement in local economic growth is highly anticipated. Galveston Mayor Joe Jaworski said he hopes this will be a place that tourists are drawn to and will help Galveston come back better than ever.

“The city of Galveston’s commitment to enhancing our Seawall experience has now been improved upon by one of Galveston’s own,” Jaworski said.

 

Slideshow created by Truett Manning: The Signal.