City of Galveston, Texas - Government

09/15/2026

We're excited to share that the state has designated a new cultural district in Galveston!

The Texas Commission on the Arts earlier this month approved the city’s application for the designation of a Galveston African American Cultural Heritage District in the area from Broadway to the beach between 20th and 35th streets.

The Texas Commission on the Arts is the only body able to officially designate cultural districts on behalf of the state. Cultural districts are marketable tourism assets that highlight the distinct identity of a community and encourage in-state, out-of-state, and international visitors.

The city has been working since 2024 to receive the designation for the cultural heritage district. The designations are highly coveted because they open opportunities for state and federal grants. In its application, the city highlighted the area’s museums, parks, and performance venues, as well as the ongoing programming that happens in these spaces throughout the year.

The area has historically been an epicenter for African American life and culture and includes landmarks such as the Old Central Cultural Center.

Cultural district development helps a community boost its economy while realizing other cultural and civic benefits. The outcomes of cultural districts extend beyond the arts and benefit all members of a community as official designation allows cultural districts and qualifying resident arts organizations to be eligible to apply for significant Cultural District Project funding through TCA (Texas Commission on the Arts.)

“We’re grateful to the Texas Commission on the Arts for recognizing the significance of this area and designating it a cultural district,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said. “This will open up opportunities for investments in the community for years to come.”

“This designation represents years of work and a commitment to preserving and celebrating the extraordinary African American history within this cultural district and throughout the City of Galveston,” District 1 Councilwoman Sharon Lewis said. “I am proud to have been part of this effort from its early planning stages, and I look forward to seeing the cultural, educational, and economic opportunities it will bring to our community.”

This will be the second TCA designation in the city’s history. The City of Galveston’s Commission on the Arts (now the Arts Development Commission) in 2012 applied for and received a Cultural Arts District designation from the Texas Commission on the Arts for downtown Galveston. To date, total funding received from the TCA by organizations in the Galveston Historic Downtown Cultural Arts District, since its creation in 2012, exceeds $1.38 million.

09/15/2026

Sharing from Galveston County Health District:

🌊 Red Tide Update: Galveston County Coast
The Galveston County Health District is monitoring current Red Tide conditions along the Galveston County coast and encourages residents and visitors to take precautions.
⚠️ If you have asthma or other respiratory conditions, you may be more sensitive to Red Tide and should take extra care when visiting the coast.
Stay informed, monitor conditions, and follow guidance from local health officials to help protect yourself and your family.

09/14/2026

Officials from the City of Galveston and Málaga, Spain gathered Sunday at Menard Park to celebrate the island’s newest mural during the Galveston Loves Málaga: An International Celebration of Art in the Parks at Menard Park.

The mural, by Málaga-based public artist Eduardo Luque Puertas, known as “Lalone,” honors the island’s namesake, Bernardo de Gálvez he longstanding historical connections between Spain and the United States.

The mural, a gift from the City of Málaga to the City of Galveston is part of the De Gálvez 250 initiative and the international cultural exchange surrounding the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Members of Act 3 Galveston performed selected pieces from the chamber opera "Yo Solo'" which honors the life and legacy of Bernardo de Gálvez and his contributions to the American Revolution.

The celebration also featured an art market, live music, spoken-word performances and family-friendly activities.

09/14/2026

The Galveston Park Board and Visit Galveston are conducting our Resident Sentiment Survey to better understand how Galveston residents view tourism and its impact on life on the island. This is a follow-up to surveys conducted in 2020 and 2024, giving the agency an opportunity to see how resident perspectives have changed over time.

The survey takes 10-minutes and can be completed here: https://survey-d.yoursurveynow.com/survey/selfserve/53b/2608191 #$

09/11/2026

Dont’ forget that the Galveston Loves Málaga: An International Celebration of Art in the Parks is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 13, 2026, at Menard Park, 2222 28th Street.
The free community celebration will highlight art in Galveston’s public parks while recognizing the cultural partnership between Galveston and Málaga, Spain. The event will include the official ribbon cutting for the new mural honoring Bernardo de Gálvez and comments from Galveston and Málaga officials, along with an art market, live music, spoken-word performances, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to celebrate Galveston’s creative community.
At 10:30 a.m., Mayor John Paul Listowski will read an official proclamation, followed immediately by a preview performance of two selections from the opera Yo Solo in honor of Bernardo de Gálvez and his contributions to the American Revolution.
The event’s central feature is a new mural created by Málaga-based public artist Eduardo Luque Puertas, professionally known as “Lalone.”
The mural was gifted by the City of Málaga to the City of Galveston as part of the De Gálvez 250 initiative and the international cultural exchange surrounding the United States’ 250th anniversary. Málaga provided the mural design and artist support, including artist travel, fees, accommodations, and painting supplies. The City of Galveston coordinated the project locally and provided site preparation, equipment, logistical assistance, and public programming.
The project honors Bernardo de Gálvez and celebrates the longstanding historical connections between Spain and the United States. It is the second mural created this year by an international artist in Menard Park.
“This celebration gives our community an opportunity to welcome an international artist, recognize an important chapter of American history, support local creatives, and experience the many ways art brings public spaces to life,” City Manager Brian Maxwell said.
Event Details
Event: Galveston Loves Málaga: An International Celebration of Art in the Parks
Date: Sunday, September 13, 2026
Time: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: Menard Park, 2222 28th Street, Galveston

09/11/2026

Every Friday through Sunday, the Seawall route and rail car trolley will operate on an hourly service until 12 p.m. Beginning at 12 p.m., both services will transition to half-hourly service until 6 p.m. From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., service will resume on an hourly schedule. Fare is just $1. Thank you for riding the trolley!

09/11/2026

On or about October 1, 2026, the City of Galveston will submit a request to the Texas General Land Office for the release of Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds appropriated under the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-123), as amended, to undertake a project known as Galveston Causeway Waterline for the purpose of installing a waterline across the I-45 Galveston Causeway.

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS CAUSEWAY WATERLINESeptember 11, 2026 City of Galveston 823 RosenbergGalveston, Texas,&nbs

09/11/2026

On or about October 1, 2026, the City of Galveston will submit a request to the Texas General Land Office for the release of Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds appropriated under the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-123), as amended, to undertake a project known as 59th Street Water Storage Tank for the purpose of demolishing three existing water tanks and replacing them with one new 7.5 million gallon water tank.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDSOn or about October 1, 2026, the City of Galveston will submit a request to the Texas General Land Office for the release of Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (C

09/11/2026

The second annual Run For a New Day 5K will be from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. The event, sponsored by the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention Galveston Chapter, will begin and finish at Galveston Island Brewing, 8423 Stewart Road.

There will be a temporary road closure from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on 85th Street between Stewart Road and Seawall Boulevard.

There also will be a modified traffic lane from 6:30 to 9 a.m. on Stewart Road from 85th Street to Alice Street.

Police officers will assist with participants crossing Seawall Boulevard from 85th Street to the south sidewalk nearest the water.

09/11/2026

Arrrrrrgh!
The Captain Kid’s Triathlon, a pirate-themed tri for athletes ages 6-16, is sailing into Moody Gardens from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 13.

There will be temporary road closures for the bicycle course on Hope Boulevard, Lockheed Drive, Piper and 83rd Street from 6 a.m. through 9 a.m. Stewart Road will NOT be impacted by this event.