Change is on the Horizon in Seabrook

In the Seabrook State of the City Address held on March 8th at Lakewood Yacht Club in Seabrook, Texas, Mayor Thom Kolupski discussed many of the major developments coming to Seabrook. These developments will increase the city's population by adding several high-end condo and apartment units to Seabrook. Each development will also include restaurants and retail to complement the new residences. The mayor said that these new developments are an important part of Counci’s vision for Seabrook as a vibrant community with plenty of opportunities for both residents and visitors to enjoy their time here.

Construction on The Edge, a mixed-use development within the Lakeside Circle Area, is set to begin soon. The Edge will be accessible from State Highway 146 and is located adjacent to the Lakeside and Repsdorph Traffic Circle. The Your City, Your Future 2040 Master Comprehensive Plan identifies the Lakeside Circle Area as a 30+ acre master-planned, mixed-use retail development zone designed to facilitate businesses that accommodate trade and personal services. The Edge is an approved Planned Unit Development that will include a four-story, 322-unit apartment complex and 19,000 square feet of retail and restaurants surrounding a plaza with an event lawn. Beautifully designed office spaces will also be available.

Mayor Kolupski also highlighted the Lakefront Planning Area. This planning area includes properties along NASA Parkway, west of the SH146 intersection, and provides an ideal setting for mixed-use businesses in conjunction with marine type uses. The city's goal is to develop the area along the length with retail, restaurants, public parking, and new pedestrian facilities to generate a welcoming and dynamic environment that will encourage patrons, especially families, to visit and linger.

Seabrook City Council recently approved the preliminary plans for a mixed-use development called the Highland Center, which will be located at the corner of Highway 6 and South Shore Boulevard. The 12story, 238-unit high-end apartment property is set to feature a 5,200-square-foot restaurant overlooking Clear Lake. The restaurant will feature a 3,150 spare-foot outdoor dining deck to capture the waterfront views. The planned L-shaped complex will also feature a full amenity pool deck on the fifth level overlooking the lake. The property was once home to the popular Louie's on the Lake restaurant and has been vacant since closing in 2017.

On March 21, 2023, the Seabrook City Council will consider the second reading of the planned unit development for Margaritaville Compass. The project is a mixeduse development consisting of a boutique hotel, extended stay hotel, event center, restaurants, and apartments. The project site is located along NASA Parkway next to Sam's Boat and across from Seabrook Plaza. The Mayor discussed the project at length in his address and stressed that this is an important step toward revitalizing the area along the lake in Seabrook.

Not only are three new developments coming to town, but all three of these new developments will increase Seabrook's population which is a desired factor for certain retail, restaurant and grocery store establishments.

Seabrook's State Highway 146 Corridor is an area of interest for businesses looking to open new locations in the city. Paul Chavez, Seabrook's Economic Development Director, has indicated that several fast-food restaurants have expressed interest in the highway frontage parcels.

The City of Seabrook has received a Green Ribbon grant from TxDOT which will elevate the city's landscaping and branding efforts. The highway corridor through Seabrook will feature unique and branded MSE walls, blue backlit column stars, custom underpass bollards, native landscaping, and white galvanized traffic poles. In addition to these beautification efforts, Seabrook has also identified the need to expand and improve branding efforts throughout the city, including entryway signage, updated street signs, and branded park signs.

The Seabrook Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) recently awarded a $50,000 permit reimbursement incentive to Transwestern for their new Bayport 146 Distribution Center located along Old Highway 146 adjacent to the Bayport Container Terminal. This new 454,600-square-foot state-ofthe-art facility lies within Seabrook’s Office Warehouse District. This planning area is within proximity to the port and is an area that provides a good opportunity for office and warehousing development.

Seabrook currently has a ten-minute drive-time population estimated at 57,321 people. The average age of Seabrook residents is 40, with an average household annual income of $122,267.

The SEDC's primary goal is to enhance and expand the local tax base with quality sustainable businesses, and amenities. Developers and businesses interested in seeking sites for development should reach out to EDC Director Paul Chavez by emailing pchavez@seabrooktx.gov or by calling (281) 291-5730.