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https://realtynewsreport.com/a-new-o...ustons-waters/

A New Oar in Houston’s Waters

by Realty News Report
March 18, 2024

HOUSTON – (By Ralph Bivins, Realty News Report) – The concept has been floating around downtown for months now.

The logic: Houstonians can travel on planes and trains, on light rail and bicycle lanes, on sidewalks, pathways and paved trails. Commuters travel in cars and trucks, electric vehicles and buses But what if Houston dives into the unthinkable – transportation by watercraft.

The initial vision is limited to a three- or four-mile stretch of Buffalo Bayou through downtown and the districts immediately to the east and west of downtown.

A fleet of water taxis will carry the load, transporting a steady flow of passengers to a series floating docks at key landing points that will give riders access to restaurants, residences and workplaces.

The water taxis will provide recreational trips for Sunday sightseeing or a fun Friday cruises to a new place for lunch, in addition to entertainment for conventioneers. At this embryonic stage it’s hard to fathom, but soon an optimist will be asking: “Could Houston’s water taxis become as popular as the boats at the San Antonio River Walk?“

Commuters wouldn’t be left out. Downtown workers who want to avoid expensive parking lots, or students at University of Houston Downtown could take the water taxi. A boat that stops at Allen’s Landing gives passengers access to downtown Houston, the METRO light rail and a five-minute walk to skyscrapers, high-rise residential and hotels.

The acclaimed development of the Buffalo Bayou linear park on west side of downtown made Houstonians see that maybe Houston isn’t the ugly duckling of old stereotypes.

The Buffalo Bayou park made people realize that the bayou could be a beautiful place and that it had been ignored and disrespected long enough, says Brad Freels, chairman of Midway, which is developing the 150-acre East River development that features a long stretch of bayou frontage. The bayou is municipal jewel, he says.

“We’ve never embraced one of our largest assets,” Freels said. “We need to show it off.”

Freels is ready to build a water taxi dock at East River and another at the East River 9 golf course at the other end of the property.

The water taxi concept could become another building block in downtown growth and the advancement of the convention business and tourism.