Port Aransas is a city that lies on the 18-mile long Mustang island, located on Texas’ eastern coast along the Gulf of Mexico. It has been one of the top tourist destinations in the region, attracting many visitors for being a classic beach town, resort village, and a fishing, shelling, and birding hotspot.
In August 2017, Hurricane Harvey took landfall near the city as a Category 4 Hurricane, ravaging the city’s business and townhomes. After suffering significant damage from the disaster, Port Aransas is showing resilience, working its way back, and attracting many developments in recent years, with few of them already coming to fruition. So, let’s take a look at what’s new and more to happen in Port A.
Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Community
Coastal flooding and the strong winds caused by Hurricane Harvey also wreaked havoc on the Arnold Palmer Golf-designed golf course in Palmilla Beach Resort & Golf Community in 2017. After undergoing a thorough process of reinvention, the golf course reopened in June 2019. It features a shorter course, which was intentionally done to decrease playtime, but making it more exciting for all types of golfers. Adding the delectable food and beverages, enhanced facilities, and stunning seaside view, the course offers golf for all.
U.S. Coast Guard Building
On February 22, 2021, the U.S. Coast Guard conducted the groundbreaking ceremony for their multi-purpose building. The new 25,000-square-foot structure is slated to be finished in May 2022, serving as a replacement for their old building, which suffered tremendous damage from Hurricane Harvey in 2017. Construction of new facilities plus the concrete pier, a covered mooring, and a boat ramp are also expected to be completed, allowing the maritime branch to better serve Port Aransas and the Texas Coastal Bend.
Construction and Renovation Works
Further development in Port Aransas centers on restoring the building and infrastructures after 100% of them were damaged by Hurricane Harvey. FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), the federal agency assigned to respond and help the nation recover from man-made mishaps, terrorist events, and natural disasters, granted multi-million grant assistance to the city.
Some of the renovation projects funded by FEMA include the renovation of the Jerry McDonald Ball Field, Ancel Brundrett Restroom, City Hall, library, and the community center. New structures and facilities are also being built to replace wrecked or unusable old buildings. Some of which include the construction of a new gas distribution system, maritime museum, and commerce building in the city.
Booming Real Estate
Despite the unfortunate event, Port Aransas continues to be a rapidly growing real estate market, showing significant increases in median prices and sales year by year. One of the latest developments is the expansion of the Cinnamon Shore. Called the Cinnamon Shore South, the new subdivision will have a walking and jogging trail, Town Center, resort pool, fitness center, restaurants, gift shops, boutiques, and luxury residences.
In February 2021, Sunflower Beach Resort & Residences also had its groundbreaking ceremony for The Pool Residences, its latest project. A new apartment complex from Palladium Port Aransas will also rise. It will house 180 apartments, with the first 66 units expected to be completed in March 2022.
