PORT ARTHUR -
Port Arthur is the city by the sea. Its founding father, Arthur Stilwell, envisioned Port Arthur to be a booming seaport; and it was.
In the 1960's, downtown Port Arthur hit its peak. But, over the years companies moved leaving the area deserted. In the early 1900's, the city on the water was booming and those who cherish those memories are working to revive that part of town.
"We moved away from the water. But, we're coming back," says Port Arthur Economic and Development Corporation Director, Floyd Batiste.
The EDC's latest project to rebuild downtown is "501 Procter". It was once the First National Bank of Port Arthur. It's now abandoned and dilapidated. It was recently purchased by the EDC and will soon be remodeled.
"They offered us the opportunity to move in on the first floor," says Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce President, Bill McCoy.
While the Chamber of Commerce is planning on moving its offices to the first floor, the second floor of the old bank building will house the private sector. The EDC will take over the third floor.
"On the bottom floor there will be an atrium where there will be a common meeting room for all tenants," says Batiste.
There are also plans to put a large projector on one side of the building. So, Mardi Gras party-goers and those participating in activities across the street at the pavilion, can enjoy the activities on the big screen.
"I think this building will become the anchor for the redevelopment of this part of town," says Batiste.
Not only will buildings on Procter Street be restored, the sidewalks and landscaping will be spruced up. There's plans to remodel the pavilion, the Sabine Hotel and bring student housing to Lamar State College-Port Arthur.
"We have a vision and everybody's going to work together to make it happen. The city has some plans to change the look of Procter Street. It's not a quick fix but over time, yes," says McCoy.
Batiste agrees saying "We are committed to redevelopment. We're just a stone throw away from the water and how man cities in America can you go to be a stone throw from the water and see ships from across the world?"
Batiste says renovation on 501 Procter will begin in March and will take 15 months to complete.
He says you will begin to see a new downtown Port Arthur in 2014.
You can call the Port Arthur EDC office to view the Procter Street Master Plan.
