Design puts pedestrians first

Fanny S. Chirinos, Caller-Times
May 25, 2006
All one needs to do is show up, exist and be happy in the perfect beachfront community.

That's what developer Jeff Lamkin, a Texas native, hopes to establish with Cinnamon Shore, a planned community on Mustang Island. Located in Port Aransas between State Highway 361 and the Gulf of Mexico, the project will feature more than 275 living units, about 240 single-family homes, at a cost of more than $235 million.
The project will not incur a debt, as it is being funded from Lamkin's February sale of his advertising agency. He says he doesn't want debt to short-sight the quality or goals of the project.
The design centers on a town icon, great architecture and pedestrian-friendly streets, and Lamkin said it's the first of its kind on the Texas coast - an attempt to bring the concept of new urbanism.
New urbanism principles include walkability, connectivity to the neighborhood, mixed use within neighborhoods and buildings, mixed housing and minimum environmental impact.
"This type of community fosters the best amenities and best products on the island," Lamkin said. "People want to be able to walk to the coffee shop or ice cream shop and meet people without making a big production out of it. That's what they want. This community will give it to them."
Florida-based urban designer Mark Schnell said his intention in designing the community was to change the balance of power from vehicles to pedestrians.
He narrowed streets, landscaped streets with trees, brought houses nearer to the sidewalk and shortened yards, which are low-maintenance, he said.
"It's a contemporary version of the cradle of neighborhoods built in the 1920s and more than just racetracks for cars," Schnell said. "People want other choices than just cars. The hope is that people reconnect with each other and the environment."
Although not finalized, Schnell said the design includes an entrance boulevard with retail
stores on either side and an observation tower in the middle of the community. In front of the tower is a little beach, while the opposite side consists of an artisan center on the lower level and condos on the upper ones. It also includes 1,200 feet of beachfront and is set on more than 60 acres.
Phase I of the project consists of 88 individual parcels of varying sizes and values designated for single-family homes. Prices for the lots range from $125,000 to $595,000, according to Coldwell Banker Island Realty, the project's brokerage firm.
New urbanism is a growing trend in Florida, and Lamkin said he's trying to prove this type of community can work in Texas. Lamkin, who owns property in Galveston and South Padre Island, said the timing was right for Mustang Island.
"People are younger here and have a little bit more money, the town is inviting and the culture is cool and active," he said. "Research indicates the number of buyers ages 35 to 60 earning more than $100,000 a year will double within five years within a 500-mile radius. That's a huge number."
Graphic: Locator map
Cinnamon Shore Development
Credit: Caller-Times
Graphic: First reported on Caller.com
Graphic: Different Look
The new urbanism concept for this development on more than 60 acres of Mustang Island includes:
* narrower streets
* houses nearer to the sidewalk
* beach at the town's center
* retail stores
* artisan center
* 1,200 feet of Gulf beach
* 275 living units
* landscaped yards
* cottage-style architecture
* five recreation areas
* private bathhouse
* workout facility
* at least four swimming pools
* Internet gazebo
* children's playground
* walking trails with exercise stations
* boardwalk over the dunes with outdoor showers and foot sprayers
Source: Mark Schnell, Jeff Lamkin