City of La Porte Moves Forward with Sylvan Beach Pier Reconstruction

The City of La Porte is taking steps to restore the Sylvan Beach Park Pier, which sustained significant damage during Hurricane Beryl on July 8, 2024. The La Porte City Council approved a contract with Cobb Fendley and Associates for professional engineering services to design the pier’s rehabilitation during their meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025. The $106,838 contract covers structural analysis, geotechnical studies, ADA compliance, and permitting.

A joint review by the City of La Porte and Harris County Precinct 2 determined that while the pier’s substructure can be partially salvaged, major repairs are required. The 1,100-foot pier needs a full replacement of its wood deck, a complete reconstruction of the T-head, and repairs or replacements for its railings.

To enhance durability against future storms, the new pier will feature ThruFlow decking or a similar material, which allows water to pass through and reduces storm damage.

The City will fund the design phase through an escrow account established for pier maintenance, while additional funding sources for reconstruction are still being identified. The estimated reconstruction cost is $1.56 million, which exceeds currently available funds. During the design phase, the City and Harris County will continue working together to finalize reconstruction funding.

Sylvan Beach Park is a cherished community destination on Galveston Bay, offering a playground, boat ramp, pavilion, and fishing pier. La Porte’s Mayor Rick Helton and City Council members are committed to reopening the pier as soon as possible, ensuring residents and visitors can once again enjoy this vital waterfront amenity.