Beaumont Mayor seeks grants for downtown riverwalk, mayoral conference teaches resources

Beaumont Mayor seeks grants for downtown riverwalk, mayoral conference teaches resources

KFDM
by Sydney Ferguson
Monday, January 22, 2024

BEAUMONT — After attending the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Washington, D.C., Beaumont Mayor Roy West says he returned with a new understanding of how to bring the downtown riverwalk plans to life.

Mayor West met with U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, as well as state representatives who were able to show him resources that could result in funding for the downtown riverwalk project.

"This is very doable, I mean it is going to be a process and we have to work with various federal agencies in terms of applying for grants," said West. "It’s a combination of working with federal agencies and in some cases state agencies, and meeting their thresholds."

The proposed downtown riverwalk is expected to cost about $120 million. Mayor West hopes to cover all of It with grants.

"One thing I did learn is often times there’s not a lot of competition in this, but you do certainly need the public and the community support in all that you’re doing," said West. "That is one reason we’re going to continue to provide as much information as we can about these projects."

Meeting with different Mayors also allowed West to discuss some of Beaumont's other issues like infrastructure and homelessness.

"There were very few topics that weren't touched on," said West. "I’ve learned a lot and I’m very excited about it, but there’s a whole lot more we have to learn."

Mayor West says the next step is to continue building relationships and gathering information at conferences like the one in Washington.