Resorting to rumors: Dickinson economic development officials have been tight-lipped about their May trip to Grand Prairie, where they toured a major development.
But rumors are swirling. Some say officials were hoping to lure a golf course developer to Dickinson. Others say officials are aiming for a major “touristy, sports-type thing.” Hmm.
Absent any official information, Buzz is forced to surmise and speculate about that mysterious visit to the North Texas town near Dallas. Could it be that Dickinson officials were interested in Grand Prairie’s plans for a $358 million waterfront resort on Joe Pool Lake? The project has been stymied by years of false starts, developer financial difficulties and legal woes but appears to be again in the works, according to reports. The land is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which built the lake. Grand Prairie leased the land for 99 years with hopes of subleasing it to developers who could produce a swank resort on the property, including a luxury hotel, convention center, spa, fitness center, a 36-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, residential villas and an entertainment village, according to reports.
What should Dickinson go after? Visit Buzz Blog at galvnews.com.
Demolition man: It’s not often that buildings in the island’s downtown meet the wrecking ball, what with the huge concentration of protected historic properties.
But look for crews next week to bring down the 14,000-square-foot building at 711 25th St. that most recently housed Galveston Medical Supplies.
Businessman Mony Shlomo Hamo, known for island souvenir chain Dolphin World, said he plans to build a convenience store and a Phillips 66 gas station at the site. (It’s been a while since downtown had a gas station.) The store also would offer check-cashing and money-wiring services, kolaches, burritos and doughnuts, said Hamo, who with wife Maria purchased the building a year ago.
W.B. Benson built the structure in 1944 as an auto supply, service and painting shop. Benson made additions to the building in the late 1940s and 1964, Galveston Historical Foundation officials have said.
Because the building isn’t protected in a historic district, Hamo is pretty much free to demolish it, said Brian Davis, director of the foundation’s preservation services.
Still, the foundation would like to see it saved, he said. “Every time we lose one, it diminishes the commercial district,” he said.
Dispatch: Buzz finally hailed down Robert Rugg, president of Yellow Cab Houston. Rugg said there was no truth to the rumor that Yellow Cab was steering toward an acquisition of A-1 Taxi of Texas City.
Belated buzz: Family-owned pharmacies are getting rarer. A few weeks ago, Plaza Drug, 12430 state Highway 6, in Santa Fe, closed after 24 years, just as mega-chain CVS opened a store on the northwest corner of state Highway 6 and FM 1764.
CVS is filling Plaza Drug prescriptions.
Turning heads: Which River Oaks Realtor has opened an office in the Clear Lake area? Find out in Monday’s Biz Buzz.
