Landry’s Inc., a well-known Houston-based company in the dining, entertainment, and hospitality industry, has decided to pull out from managing the Battleship Texas under a berthing agreement made last Tuesday. This news was first reported by the Galveston County Daily News.
The Original Plan for Pier 21
Landry’s was initially planning to manage the marketing and ticket sales for the Battleship Texas once it was set to dock at Pier 21, located close to their other properties like Harbor House Hotel and Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks.
According to Jeff Cantwell, Landry’s executive vice president of development, the company was only interested in the management role if the ship was placed at Pier 21. The proximity to their existing operations was crucial for them.
Change in Location
The plan was altered when the Battleship Texas Foundation, along with the Wharves Board, concluded that Pier 21 was not suitable for the ship. It was considered a safety risk due to nearby vessel traffic and potential storms.
Furthermore, local businesses, like Katie’s Seafood House, expressed concerns about the ship obstructing their customers’ views of the bay.
As a result, the ship’s location was moved to Pier 15, which is more than seven blocks away from Landry’s properties. Since Landry’s does not own any property near Pier 15, and had no development plans there, they decided not to move forward with the partnership.
Battleship Texas Foundation’s Statement
Tony Gregory, the president and CEO of the Battleship Texas Foundation, acknowledged Landry’s decision to withdraw, understanding that the distance from the ship at Pier 15 to Landry’s operations made the partnership less feasible.
Despite this, Gregory believes that the Battleship Texas will still be an important tourist attraction for both Galveston and Texas.
What’s Next for the Battleship Texas?
The Wharves Board of Trustees recently approved the lease agreement with the Port of Galveston, allowing the Battleship Texas to be docked at Pier 15. If all leasing and safety requirements are met, the ship could be moved to its new home in September 2026.
Landry’s has expressed support for the Battleship Texas as an important attraction, even if they won’t be involved in its management.
