6.e.
TCEDC Agenda
- Meeting Date:
- 11/19/2025
- Title:
- Approve an incentive grant to support a bridge replacement project at the Bayou Golf Course.
- Submitted For:
- Kristin Edwards
- Submitted By:
- Kristin Edwards, Economic Development
- Department:
- Economic Development
ACTION REQUEST (Brief Summary)
Approve an incentive grant to support a bridge replacement project at the Bayou Golf Course.
BACKGROUND
The Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department has approached the Texas City Economic Development Corporation to seek additional funding for the bridge replacement project at Bayou Golf Course. The bridge in need of replacement connects hole 12 to holes 13, 14 and 15, allowing golfers to maintain the pace of play and complete the loop for these three holes.
The existing bridge is believed to be approximately 30 years old, and was originally installed by the Public Works Department. The Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is requesting funding to replace this bridge with a new structure, similar in design to those in place at Bay Street Park and Garza Park. A total of $300,000 was requested and approved in the FY25 budget to cover all costs associated with the project. However, the recent bid opening for the project came in higher than initially estimated. The estimated full cost of the project will be around $532,042.
From the original $300,000, a purchase order in the amount of $49,917 has been issued to ARKK Engineers for the design portion of the project, leaving $250,083 remaining. Based on the estimated cost of the project, the department is short $281,959.00 for the project. With respect to the use of EDC funding for this purpose, Texas cities and counties have the authority to utilize funds from local sales tax for economic development purposes. Specifically, as a Type A Corporation, the TCEDC is able to grant recreational and parks incentive grants, provided that the grant activity promotes economic development and stimulates business activity.
During the last few fiscal years, guests have enjoyed an average of 24,877 rounds of golf, and the Recreation and Tourism Department seeks to increase that number to 35,000 in FY26. As well, the course hosts an average of 16 tournaments per year, and sees an average of 22,876 golf cart rentals per year. Further, the EDC actively promotes the Bayou Golf Course as a quality of life attraction in all responses to requests for information from the Governor’s Office and the Greater Houston Partnership.
With these factors in mind, staff is recommending the EDC approve an incentive grant in the amount of $281,959.00 to support the bridge replacement process.
The existing bridge is believed to be approximately 30 years old, and was originally installed by the Public Works Department. The Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department is requesting funding to replace this bridge with a new structure, similar in design to those in place at Bay Street Park and Garza Park. A total of $300,000 was requested and approved in the FY25 budget to cover all costs associated with the project. However, the recent bid opening for the project came in higher than initially estimated. The estimated full cost of the project will be around $532,042.
From the original $300,000, a purchase order in the amount of $49,917 has been issued to ARKK Engineers for the design portion of the project, leaving $250,083 remaining. Based on the estimated cost of the project, the department is short $281,959.00 for the project. With respect to the use of EDC funding for this purpose, Texas cities and counties have the authority to utilize funds from local sales tax for economic development purposes. Specifically, as a Type A Corporation, the TCEDC is able to grant recreational and parks incentive grants, provided that the grant activity promotes economic development and stimulates business activity.
During the last few fiscal years, guests have enjoyed an average of 24,877 rounds of golf, and the Recreation and Tourism Department seeks to increase that number to 35,000 in FY26. As well, the course hosts an average of 16 tournaments per year, and sees an average of 22,876 golf cart rentals per year. Further, the EDC actively promotes the Bayou Golf Course as a quality of life attraction in all responses to requests for information from the Governor’s Office and the Greater Houston Partnership.
With these factors in mind, staff is recommending the EDC approve an incentive grant in the amount of $281,959.00 to support the bridge replacement process.
ANALYSIS
Approve an incentive grant to support a bridge replacement project at the Bayou Golf Course, for an amount not to exceed $281,959.