posted on June 17, 2011 00:24
Elyse Lanier, Port of Houston Authority
commissioner, thinks the vacant Bayport Cruise Terminal should be redeveloped.
The wife of former Houston Mayor Bob Lanier commented on the controversial facility June 1 at the Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) luncheon, stressing that her assessment was personal opinion, and not reflective of views of the Port Authority as whole.
“It’s been sitting there awhile,” she said. “I think it would be great to turn it into something else.”
When pressed for ideas for the languishing facility, Lanier mused that it could be converted into a Wal-Mart or warehouse.
“It’s a big space,” Lanier quipped. “Make it a dance hall.”
As HBJ reported in March, the Port of Houston Authority has not been able to land a cruise ship for the $106.9 million Bayport Cruise Terminal since it was finished two years ago.
The Port Authority recently sent out formal requests for proposals seeking interest from cruise lines. The deadline to submit proposals is June 30.
Lanier only commented briefly about the recent controversy involving investigations by the district attorney and county attorney’s office into allegations of misdeeds at the PHA.
“We just want to protect our tax dollars and do what’s right,” Lanier said.
Lanier and Commissioner Janiece Longoria requested that Port CEO Alec Dreyer’s employment be put on the agenda for discussion after he entertained guests at a private function aboard a PHA tour boat. Click here to see their request in a letter dated May 12.
The two commissioners also opposed possible hiring of outside legal counsel concerning the matter, but high-profile defense attorney Rusty Hardin was subsequently retained by the PHA.
When I asked Lanier to describe the mood at the May 24 Port Commission meeting, she diplomatically said it was “interesting.” The item on Dreyer’s employment was discussed briefly but then tabled.
She also expressed concern about transparency at PHA’s public meetings.
“The Port of Houston Authority does not record any meetings,” she said. “That bothers me.”
6/2/11, Jennifer Dawson, Houston Business Journal