The Future in Motion: Galveston’s Infrastructure and Livability

A Model in Steel and Asphalt

If Galveston wants to absorb millions more cruise passengers in the next decade, Brown argues, then cruise lines themselves must help manage the impact. He points to Royal Caribbean’s Pier 10 as proof.

“They bring in a number of vehicles into that cruise terminal, but most of those vehicles, they get them off of Harborside very quickly, because of the way they designed their traffic flow parking at Pier 10,” Brown explained. “I was one of the people who felt that could be a disaster if not managed properly … and we have had very few complaints about that traffic flow with that new cruise terminal.”

It’s an example that Brown wants to replicate. He envisions a future where cruise companies not only expand their presence but collaborate with the city on staggering embarkation times, structuring traffic exits and building smarter parking. Growth, in his view, is a shared responsibility.

Beyond Cars: Walkability and Green Space

Traffic isn’t the only lens through which Brown views infrastructure. For him, livability is just as much about bikes, walking paths, and parks as it is about roadways.

“We need to look at putting more focus on having walkability of our island and having, from a bicycle standpoint, having it be more friendly,” he said. Though he acknowledged the technical constraints of state and federal guidelines on bike lanes, he sees cultural momentum building from the community itself towards a more walkable Galveston. “I’m seeing a movement coming from the citizens demanding that.”

That cultural momentum is visible in partnerships with groups like Vision Galveston, which has raised funds for projects such as the design of Jones Park. Brown is particularly passionate about restoring neglected parks—mentioning Shield Park by name—and ensuring they once again invite families outdoors. “The first thing we need to do to enhance the green space here is to bring these parks back to life.”

The Mayor’s Excitement: Bridges, Boards, and Balance

When asked what excites him most about Galveston’s near future, Brown’s list is long and telling.

He speaks with pride about the Port of Galveston’s Wharves Board, describing its members as “very balanced in their thinking about increasing the business of the port, but doing it in a manner that supports community standards.” He envisions the port not only as an economic engine but as a place with parks and public-friendly green space that draws residents in.

He’s optimistic about the Park Board’s renewed direction, and especially about the long-delayed Pelican Island Bridge. “The city of Galveston … has stepped up and said, We will be the owner of this bridge if we can do it in a manner that does not put a burden on our citizens in any way.” That commitment, he believes, makes a once-distant possibility finally feel within reach.

And then there’s the flyover study—the potential game-changer that Brown admits may not materialize during his time. Still, he allows himself a rare moment of imagination: “If that could occur … that would be a game changer for us, greatly improving traffic flow for the island. That would be outstanding.”

The Echo of Legacy

At one point, I teased him that the new structure might someday be called the Craig Brown Flyover. He laughed, deflecting the idea as quickly as he had entertained it. But in that moment, the subtext was clear: whether or not it carries his name, Brown hopes to leave behind infrastructure that outlasts his tenure—bridges and pathways that move Galveston not just physically, but toward a more livable, balanced future. With characteristic humility, he reminded me that none of these projects belong to a single person; they require the alignment of countless interests—city leaders, state and federal partners, and community voices working in concert. And of course, he is right: only through that collective effort can such ambitious goals become reality. I feel confident that we will do just that.

For Galveston, the measure of progress is not just more ships docking or more tourists arriving. It is whether those who live here can move safely through neighborhoods, walk their dogs in revitalized parks, and cross bridges that connect communities instead of dividing them. And for Brown, the dream is simple: that one day, the island will look back on these years as the moment it chose to build not just bigger, but better.