Texas Gulf Coast → Galveston Seawall Paid Parking Plan

For those of you who frequent Galveston's beaches, the days of free parking on Seawall Boulevard are numbered. Today, The Galveston County Daily News reported Wendy O'Donohoe, planning director for the city stated that '"(t)he project is moving forward," she said. Committees are looking at options of protecting neighborhoods from unwanted traffic and funding projects that would improve the seawall."'

"According to its draft proposal, the city plans to charge $1 an hour or $7 a day maximum. Tourists and residents also could buy an annual pass for $25."

I, as a resident, have conflicting feelings about this, although the monies generated will supposedly be used to "provide beach-related public facilities and services", which I hope doesn't mean more port-a-johns. Many residents here are upset that the city is going forward with paid parking because in a vote taken in 1998, the idea was rejected.

How do y'all feel about this? Will it change your plans to visit the beaches in Galveston?

I've only been in Houston since '77, but so much has changed in Galveston over the years.

One used to be able to drive onto the beach and set up for the day (or night). But those days are long gone.

The Bolivar used to be a nice quiet place to go when avoiding the Galveston crowds, but the alcohol ban in Galveston sent that crowd across the ferry.

I don't take too many spur-of-the-moment day trips to Galveston anymore. I'll generally get a room for a few nights somewhere along the seawall, it makes the logistics a lot easier.

Doesn't surprise me at all... It just reminds me why I stay away.

I can only echo the two posts above. Galveston was a lot of fun when I was younger but now I get the impression that they want to get all your money this time and don't care if you come back. If you look like you are having fun you may very well end up in jail or drawing a fine. When I want to get next to the ocean I now go to points south of Freeport.

If you want to know the truth of the matter, I wish more people felt like you. This place has become a zoo during spring and summer holidays. The traffic on the too few main thoroughfares, with I-45 being the main one, has become a parking lot. If you're a local and need to get around, it's almost impossible. The west end, with all the private homes going up, has become pretty much a private beach area with little or no access. Mardi Gras, Spring Break and Kappa Weekend, forget about it. Many people I know leave town during those times. Basically, this place is one congested cul de sac.

Regardless of the amount of money this town makes from the tourist industry (paid parking included), property taxes, building and permit fees continue to skyrocket and, on top of that, there are no decent paying jobs. The only jobs readily available are in t-shirt shops, as a waiter or waitress in one of the too many overpriced seafood restaurants, or at a fast-food place. More than half the town is either Section 8 housing projects or rental properties owned by money-grubbing slum lords whose properties devalue the single-family homes they're next to. The politicians are scumbags, the police department is impotent, and the "good old boy" system is alive and thriving.

And, yes, I agree that the powers that be see the tourists as an opportunity to squeeze every red cent out of them they can. But, if you think it's bad being a tourist, try living here and look at it from our perspective.

Depends on what they would buy. Maybe if they got something like beach cleaners then i wouldnt mind.