02-01-10 Regular Meeting of the La Porte Development Corporation Board of Directors minutes

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Any relocation to a new site (presumably also on the Houston Ship Channel) means that land must be located and purchased and the new site dredged just to get to the point where she is right now. It has been estimated that the purchase of a new site, plus the cost of facilities at that site, plus the cost of dredging could total in excess of $22 million. How many taxpayers want to spend an additional $22 million just to place the ship at some new location on the Houston Ship Channel? Q3. How does the presence of the Battleship Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground complement and enhance the State Historical Park? A3. The Texas helps to draw visitors to the San Jacinto Battleground and generate revenue for TPWD. TPWD uses this revenue to support the maintenance of the entire State Historical Park. As directed by the state of Texas, TPWD subsidizes visitors to the Park by charging a low admission price and by offering free admission to children. When the Texas was removed from San Jacinto in 1988-90 to be dry- docked, overall Park attendance declined by over 40%. When the dry-docking was completed and the ship was returned to her San Jacinto berth, overall Park attendance increased dramatically. A 2005 economic study by TPWD concluded that the San Jacinto Battleground - Battleship Texas State Historic Park has a significant positive impact on Harris County. TPWD estimates that, on an annual basis, the Park generates over $10 million is direct and indirect sales, generates over $51,000 in sales tax revenue and creates over 120 jobs. More recently, TPWD documents that attendance at the Battleship Texas increased from 58,700 in FY 2006 to over 94,000 in FY 2008. This year, the Battleship generated 57% of the total revenue (admissions and souvenir sales) at the San Jacinto State Historical Park. The Battleship and the Battleground complement each other and constitute a mutual "draw." More visitors come to see both the Battleship and the Battleground than come to see either one alone. Neither the Battleship alone, nor the Monument/Museum alone are financially viable; together, they are a growing source ofTPWD revenue. Q4. Why do you believe the San Jacinto Battleground is the best place for the Texas? A4. The Battleground and the Battleship represent a part of a historical continuum that helps to tell the tale of Texas and its honored place in United States history. It is a little-remembered fact but, in 1836, it was the action of the fledgling Texas Navy that denied water transportation and re-supply to the Mexican Army. This forced General Santa Anna to rely on extended overland supply by wagon trains which were raided by Texians. He and his army were near the end of their supplies when they were defeated on April 21, 1836 at the Battle of San Jacinto. In 1947, General Sam Houston's descendents lobbied the Texas Legislature to place the Texas at the San Jacinto Battleground, believing that the two, Battleground and Battleship, not only were complementary, but helped to present a broader sweep of Texas' history than either one could alone. 2