Navigation District Reviews $52 Million Port Improvement Plan
The Aransas County Navigation District Board of Commissioners reviewed a multi-year capital improvement plan Sept. 14 that identifies more than $52 million in major port, harbor, and coastal infrastructure needs.
District management presented the plan during a budget workshop as part of a broader capital expenditure and infrastructure planning matrix covering projects proposed from 2027 through 2029. The document is intended to help commissioners prioritize repairs, upgrades, and grant applications across district-owned facilities.
The four largest proposed port projects account for the full $52 million estimate:
Project | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
Cove Harbor stormwater and bulkhead restoration | $25 million |
Little Bay navigation channel restoration and dredging | $15 million |
Fulton breakwater improvements | $8 million |
Rockport Harbor bulkhead and infrastructure repairs | $4 million |
District officials said they intend to pursue state and federal grant funding for the larger initiatives. Depending on the program, grants could cover between 75% and 100% of eligible project costs, with the district responsible for any required local match.
Commissioners also reviewed a list of smaller capital and maintenance projects proposed over the next three years. Among them is an estimated $640,000 phased renovation of the Rockport Beach band shell, along with electrical upgrades intended to support food trucks at Mid Beach.
Near-term winter maintenance priorities include redecking the Rockport Beach boat ramp dock, repairing the fish-cleaning station, replacing handrails at the Cove Harbor north boat ramp and beginning a multi-year effort to re-thatch about 65 beach palapas.
The project list also includes accessibility improvements at Rockport Beach. Proposed work includes ADA-compliant walkways and beach matting extending toward the high-tide line, as well as repairs to the wooden ADA-accessible playground.
In addition to physical improvements, district staff identified several administrative technology needs. Proposed software purchases include a new point-of-sale system for beach booths, an expanded document-management portal and a real-property lease tracking system. The lease system would help the district manage about 100 land leases and 300 marina slips.
Commissioners directed staff to reorganize the capital project list by location, including individual harbors and beach areas, before posting it to the district website. Board members said the reorganization would make the plan easier for residents to review and follow.
The board also directed staff to begin the legal and administrative process needed to address abandoned and derelict piers in district waters.
