Port of Houston Authority Community Advisory Group

In 2005, the Port of Houston Authority proposed a controversial 1,000-acre shipping terminal in Galveston Bay, Texas. The small coastal community had deep concerns about the noise and light pollution associated with large shipping container traffic, not to mention the environmental impacts on their beloved coastline. Meridian led a Community Advisory Group to develop consensus recommendations on key pollution mitigation measures to inform the construction of the facility. 

Meridian’s expertise in community engagement made us a clear choice to engage the community and document their concerns. We convened 45 people over three years in order to consider the key concerns related to the terminal. We also oversaw a work group that monitored siting for the facility, which was important to community members. 

Meridian’s thoughtful and long-term community engagement process ensured constructive relationships between the community and the Port of Houston Authority. Equipped with both our insights from the Community Advisory Group and outcomes from the siting process that we facilitated, the Port of Houston Authority successfully opened the shipping terminal in 2007. It remains in operation today.