Happy campers: Could La Marque soon hold the title of RV capital of the county? All that land clearing on the frontage road next to and north of Dienst Distributing, 3001 Interstate 45, is for a sizable RV park, city officials say.
Officials last week couldn’t immediately recall the developer’s name. That’s because land clearing doesn’t require permits and the developer has not officially submitted plans.
Officials say the RV park would accommodate about 140 recreational vehicles/motor homes on nine acres. Stay tuned.
Wheeling, dealing: A prominent Texas RV dealer plans to be in La Marque this week to firm up plans to build a retail complex. Late last year, Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers acquired 80 acres along I-45 South in La Marque with plans to build a dealership.
Ron Hoover, who owns five stores in Southeast Texas, purchased the parcel from developer and real estate investor Robert Greig for an undisclosed price. The acquisition also included the 20-acre Oasis Resort and RV Park at 1903 I-45 45 S. Hoover said Friday he’s firming up plans for the site.
Much hinges on the economy, Hoover said. Stay tuned.
Little birdie says: Meanwhile, big plans could soon be in play for Lakeview Country Club and its 18-hole golf course, 1219 Palm St. in La Marque. Greig purchased the 63-year-old golf course last year and closed it soon after, citing its unprofitability.
Last year, the property was under contract to a developer, but that deal landed in the rough. Stay tuned.
Saucy stuff: Don’t expect much lazing and lounging at the island’s shuttered Tony’s Lazy Lounge in the coming weeks. Crews soon will get busy revamping the building, 5703 Stewart Road, for a Roadhouse Barbecue. The brainchild of Gary Cagle and Tommy Napuli, Roadhouse Barbecue will have a modern biker theme.
The business partners say they’re inspired by the wildly popular Lone Star Rally, which each year brings thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts thundering over the Galveston Causeway. Look for a mid-May opening.
Wired for growth: Meanwhile, the hotel and condominium building boom on the island has been very, very good to Cagle, who along with business partner Brad Ender, also owns Hurricane Electric.
The partners plan to buy four lots next to the Roadhouse Barbecue from landowners Victor and Kelly Escamilla to build the future site of Hurricane Electric, which started with one truck and a few tools 15 years ago.
The company started out wiring custom homes on the West End. Today, it operates 10 trucks and employs 15 people.
Its most recent island projects include the Hampton Inn, 6431 City Central Blvd., which opened in May, and Springhill Suites, 6303 Broadway, which opened in February. Work in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Lake Charles, La., also is keeping Hurricane Electric humming.
“The sky’s the limit, and I’m reaching for the stars,” Cagle said. “I’ve been blessed and give a lot of thanks to God.”
Revving up: Restaurateur Jack Wernli is steering toward a midweek opening for his latest venture, Jack’s Garage Cafe & Pub, FM 518 and Perkins Avenue in League City.
The classic car aficionado plans to open the only restaurant in Texas — that he knows of — to boast memorabilia and themes relating to motor sports, including drag racing and NASCAR, along with classic cars. The restaurant, in the space formerly occupied by Shelly’s Steaks & Seafood, will offer home-style meals, including steaks.
The establishment also will include patio dining. Wernli, a Friendswood resident, has owned restaurants and pubs before. But he owned a hydroblasting business for 15 years before selling it more than a year ago. Wernli said he’s gotten good feedback about Jack’s Garage Cafe & Pub.
If all goes well, he could duplicate the concept, he said.
Mailbag: A readers asks: “What type of operation or business is planned at the construction in progress at the on-ramp or base of the Pelican Island Bridge? Large amounts of soil and rocks have been brought in to build up this area above the water on the side next to the sewage disposal plant.”
Answer: A year ago, the county’s largest homeless shelter, The Salvation Army, purchased a 2.2-acre parcel near the Pelican Island Bridge on the island. The land is on the northwest corner of 51st Street and Winnie, near the bridge’s south base. Former city councilmember Pat Hartnett ran a wrecking yard on the property years ago
Island Realtor V.J. Tramonte, who represented the organization in its purchase, said all the activity is in preparation for the shelter, which now operates at 23rd Street and Broadway on the island. The shelter, however, still is raising funds to build a new facility.
In the meantime, workers are clearing the property of debris, Tramonte said.
Biz Buzz appears Mondays and Thursdays. We welcome your tips and suggestions. Call 409-683-5248 or e-mail laura.elder(at)galvnews.com.
