TOP STORIES
| Recommended 
Landmark eyesore reduced to rubble
01:07 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 7, 2007
LA MARQUE — An eyesore that has blighted the city for years met its fate Monday, as heavy machinery knocked to the ground most of a vacant, dilapidated apartment complex.
The Crossing at La Marque, alongside Interstate 45, sat vacant for more than a year.
Jerry Grooms, director of the city’s Economic Development Corp., said GC Wealth & Investment Group bought the property and got a demolition permit that also requires debris removal.
Jennifer Reynolds / Galveston County Daily News
The Crossing in La Marque met its fate Monday.
“They have not to date shared with the EDC their plans for the property,” Grooms said.
He said the last time he spoke with the owners, they hadn’t advanced their decision beyond the demolition.
“In my opinion, I believe they’ll have something done with the property fairly soon, simply because it’s a prime piece of property that fronts I-45 on the edge of town,” Grooms said. “It’s an ideal location.”
La Marque Mayor Larry Crow said the buildings were definitely an eyesore and the city began the legal process of demolition.
“We want people coming into La Marque to see something positive,” Crow said. “The frustration has been out of this world. The removal can’t happen soon enough.”
Representatives with GC Wealth weren’t available for comment Monday.
La Marque resident Doug Palmer, who stopped by the property at 1720 I-45, said the apartment complex was a blight on the community long before the final tenant vacated.
“It’s been an eyesore for too long, at least 10 to 15 years,” Palmer said.
“This place has been pitiful. I remember it being here 30 years ago.”
Grooms said other deals are in the works to develop the city’s interstate corridor.
“Bob Greig is selling his RV Park, but he’s not ready to reveal prospective buyers,” Grooms said.
“They’re going to be resident owners and plan to do the development themselves. It will have boat and (recreational vehicle) sales.”
Greig also bought the former Lakeview Golf Course but has not disclosed plans.
Bryan Springer also plans to build and occupy a shopping center along I-45 at Grebb Street, Grooms said.
“He has a pest-control business in Texas City,” Grooms said. “That’s one of the things he has planned, along with some retail pest control products.”
Inside KHOU.com
News Your Way: Get KHOU.com headlines
delivered to your favorite RSS reader.
Submit Your Video: Upload your videos and browse others in our video section.
Find Activities: What's happening in your neighborhood? Community Calendar.
Discuss the News: Talk about the latest news, weather and entertainment headlines in our online forums.
Headlines in Your Inbox: Sign up for our e-mail alerts.
More Top Stories
Popular Stories
You must be logged in to contribute. Log in | Register Now!
You are logged in as screenname | Log Out
You are logged in, but do not have a "screen" name. Create a Screen Name