The Mayor Visits SGA    

On Nov. 20, 2024, Galveston Mayor Craig Brown visited the Student Government Association to discuss the most important issues facing Galveston.

The mayor began by highlighting some of the strengths and weaknesses of the city’s infrastructure and how it can be improved. He noted that while Galveston is a model for how other cities can handle large events, it still needs improvements to plumbing, flooding, storm response, and more.

1,200 acres of land on Pelican Island are owned by the Port of Houston, and the mayor said much of this land is desired by the City of Galveston to support the city’s infrastructure, including water treatment, a fire station, and, most importantly, a new Pelican Island bridge because “this one is a mess,” Mayor Brown said.

The new bridge would cost $250 million, with partial ownership by Texas A&M, but the majority would belong to the City of Galveston. It would be funded using federal money and other sources, including contributions from Texas A&M. Additionally, the street in front of the campus would also be owned by Texas A&M. This is the current plan, but all of these proposals are subject to significant changes.

Mayor Brown also mentioned that Galveston students, including those from Texas A&M University Galveston, “per capita to the population, is No. 2 in the state of Texas,” after Bryan-College Station. Brown acknowledged the housing crisis on Galveston Island and believes there is a solution.

Brown’s solution is to relocate housing to nearby areas like Texas City, Santa Fe, and Hitchcock, and “treat those as our suburbs.” He added that improving public transportation is a key part of that plan.

Finally, Mayor Brown shared insights into Galveston’s economy, listing tourism as the top economic driver, including food, hotels, and related industries. The Port of Galveston is the second-largest economic engine, with a new cruise ship terminal and a large cruise line waiting list. Brown said, “We are becoming one of the largest cruise ports in the United States,” adding that “every major cruise line will be represented here,” further boosting the terminal’s influence on the economy.

The third economic engine Brown identified is the universities, including the University of Texas Medical Branch, Texas A&M University, and Galveston College.

Overall, Mayor Brown visited the Texas A&M University Galveston Student Government Association to discuss key issues facing Galveston today. His six-year term ends in May. The Student Government Association meetings are open to all and take place Wednesdays at 8 p.m. in Main 117.