Port Arthur — When it comes to infrastructure, Mayor Thurman Bartie says he’s answering the call as there’s no shortage of projects to be done.
“Things like this have to be done so that you can ensure younger folk like my grandchildren will want to consider Port Arthur home because things have developed,” Thurman Bartie said.
Over the last six years, Bartie has put together what he calls a ‘masterplan’ to do just that. During his time in office, he said he’s gotten the City’s bond rating back to an A plus, which is critical to getting funding for big renovations.
“They are progressing again as I speak,” Bartie said.
Since taking office Bartie has restarted the Imagine Port Arthur program, revitalized historic buildings, kicked off the rebuilding of downtown with the Motiva project and began reconstruction of Woodworth Boulevard.
The Motiva project will use funds to employ around 500 workers to rebuild several buildings, including the Adams building. Leading the way into the Motiva project is the Woodworth plan.
“That boulevard is the gateway to what’s going to happen in downtown,” Bartie said.
Stretching from 19th Street down to Lakeshore Drive, the plan calls for adding new asphalt, art pieces, new pipes and palm trees. Bartie argues projects like these are dramatically more important than run-of-the-mill repairs.
“If this isn’t progress I don’t know what is,” Bartie said while holding up a rendition of the projects. “Now does this fix pot holes, no,” Bartie quipped. “Do we just focus on pot holes and not do things that would regentrify, redevelop, and prepare you for the future, no you continue to work on the pot holes but all you can do is fill them up because guess what, next week they’re coming back.”
When these projects are complete Bartie said the progress he started must continue in subsequent administrations.
“My estimate is we’re five to ten years off from seeing that growth when people will be able to embrace it,” Bartie said.
Bartie’s third term ends in May but he plans to continue moving forward with the projects until he leaves office. The Mayor unsuccessfully attempted to gather the will of the voters to get around term limits so he could continue his plans, however he fell short of his goal.