The Rockport City Council approved a downtown master plan prepared by Halff Associates, Inc, as well as a downtown economic development study produced by T-I-P Strategies, Inc. in late 2005.

The economic development study is like an appendix to the master plan, focusing on the 17 acres of undeveloped property in an area commonly referred to as the Rockport harborfront. That property is bounded by Rockport Harbor on the north,Water Street on the west, Market Street on the south, and Aransas Bay on the east. The study also includes downtown Rockport.

The master plan covers the heritage district, which includes downtown Rockport and the harborfront. It is bordered by Business Highway 35 on the north and west, Market Street on the south, and by Aransas Bay on the east. The master plan focuses on the potential for development of downtown Rockport and the larger heritage district. It is intended to guide the redevelopment of the heritage district over the next decade.

The Bass family, who owns the fee-simple property on the harborfront, helped fund the Economic Development Study. The study determined the best use of the property is to construct a marina with high-density housing along with mixed-use structures, including retail. That formula will provide the most revenue for the city and county. It was noted in the study the future development of the harborfront must be viewed in the context of the larger heritage district, but what develops on the waterfront will have a major effect on the downtown area and the greater heritage district. The Bass family, who has had a vested interest in Aransas County for many years (they own San Jose Island), is intimately involved in the development of their property after two other proposals fell through for various reasons. However, there are no specific plans for the site at this time.

The final paragraph of the economic development study reads, “As it currently stands the harborfront property is more liability than asset. Access to the bay is blocked, new development in the heritage district is compromised and pedestrian flow is restricted. What should be a destination now confuses and confounds visitors. We are of the view Rockport cannot afford to postpone development any longer.”

Instead of looking so much to money making, please look at quaint, charming village making. Don't ruin the charm of Rockport for money!

I hope any development in the downtown area will address handicap accessibility. As it is many of the businesses are not accessible to those in wheelchairs or scooters due to a step at the entry. This is such an easy fix, yet sadly has not been addressed. I have heard via the grapevine that downtown parking is due to be changed. Please remember that unloading wheelchair passengers from the rear of vans into a lane of oncoming traffic is a hazard to all and provide enough handicap parking. We love Rockport ..... don't lose it's charm but please improve access.