Kerry LaGrone’s pitch to the Port Arthur City Council this week drew some early, favorable reviews.

The Houston-area developer, formerly of Port Arthur, unveiled a proposal for substantial development on Pleasure Island, within easy eyesight of the fifth-floor council chambers at City Hall.

Councilmembers nodded, mostly approvingly, as LaGrone of LaGrone Services LTD talked about reviving the moribund golf course, The Palms, that rolled along the ship channel; constructing a major hotel; developing shopping and dining areas; and, in short, creating the tourist drawing card that Pleasure Island enthusiasts have long envisioned.

LaGrone himself held some cache among councilmembers. He’s developed and built several projects in Port Arthur, including those along Highway 69 to include Walmart, Lowe’s, Saltgrass, Cheddars, the Regional Professional Building and more.

His website cites numerous successful projects in Houston, too, including grocery stores, banks and more — none as ambitious as this. He talked glowingly about Pleasure Island past, where he played football and golf, and even talked about the island’s long ago glory years of almost a century ago. What’s not to love?

LaGrone said he’d love to see a carousel there. Why not a dock where cruise ships might pull up? Outside the chambers, he talked about high-rise condos.

District 2 Councilmember Cal Jones, for one, held some misgivings about the city selling Pleasure Island property. Jones, who represents the island, said he would prefer a lease — even a long-term one. Nonetheless, he’d love to see the business.

In short, most people would love to see the business. Pleasure Island holds substantial, natural beauty and is a destination now for fishermen and boaters. LaGrone’s plans might alter that natural setting somewhat. But the island is 18 miles long; isn’t there room for everybody?

There’s a long road to travel between Pleasure Island today and what LaGrone discussed. He says he has investors and — Lord knows — he has no shortage of appealing ideas.

We’d love to see a local product do well in developing the island; surely only a local could speak with such passion about reviving what many people recall as the glory of Port Arthur past. In our past, we might find our future.

But the city attorney said there are state and local laws to consider before land can be sold. The mayor said the golf course remains a city park; that may require a vote of the people to alter things.

Still, we should hold hope that things will work out. District 4 Councilman Harold Doucet talked about moving the property to the tax rolls and realizing some profit from Pleasure Island, rather than the expense of maintaining it. We agree.

Pleasure Island is special now, and might become more special still.

We have a right to hope.