Connection Spring 2017 | Page 10

PALACIOS COASTAL PAVILION

Pavilion putting Palacios back on the map

By Debbie Morris

Looking south from the T-head pier at the end of 4th Street , a new landmark is filling the horizon . The Palacios Coastal Pavilion rises on the shoreline adjacent to South Bay Marina and the South Bay public boat ramp area . To the north , a small wetland pond will remain as one of the natural educational focal points of the site . The 2-story octagon was designed by Bob Randall of Randall-Porterfield Architects in League City . Randall is also the architect behind Galveston ’ s modern Sea Scout Base and Rockport Beach ’ s Salt Water Pavilion .

Former Palacios Pavilions , including the famous Pleasure Pier , were situated at the end of the 4th Street pier over Tres Palacios Bay . Those historic pavilions held the key to Palacios being a prime coastal destination for more than 100 years . However , since 2008 , when the last vestiges of the most recent Pavilion were removed by Palacios Seawall Commission because of damage from Hurricane Ike , U . S . Army Corps of Engineers permits for another “ over-the-water ” structure were said to be almost impossible to secure .
Plans call for an enclosed air-conditioned space , 3,619 square feet in size , to include a large meeting / banquet area , two restroom / dressing areas , custodial / storage space and a catering kitchen . Various seating plans will accommodate up to 175 patrons , depending on the type of event . The structure , approved for windstorm certification , will include a wide , open-air deck facing 180-degrees of bay front . A concrete base foundation with public restrooms for outdoor events completes the facility .
The project ’ s final cost , with site improvements , is estimated to be in the neighborhood of $ 2.6 million and funding for the majority of the project has either been received , committed or pledged , including the initial Coastal Impact Assistance Program grant totaling $ 1,004,000 .
The Palacios Beautification & Pavilion Committee , city management , architect Bob Randall and engineer Tom Schmidt have worked as a team for more than two years to bring the project to fruition and are closing in on a completion date of March 31 , 2017 . Dates for events to be held in the new Pavilion are being written in quickly and social media sites proclaim the new facility the “ it ” place to have reunions , meetings , educational programming and social events .
Donations continue to be received and all inquiries or contributions toward construction or for memorial pavestones can be directed to www . palaciospavilion . org or to Debbie Morris , 361.920.6212 .
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