PORT NECHES — The owners of the Neches River Wheelhouse restaurant are seeking more land for additional parking.

Port Neches City Council previously approved an option for 1.25 acres adjacent to the eatery, located at 720 Lee Ave., in Port Neches. Now the Wheelhouse Property LLC is asking council to grant the additional acreage in order to construct a concrete parking area for approximately 90 spaces.

Council will discuss the request during the 4 p.m. meeting Thursday at city hall, 1005 Merriman St.

Cost for the land has not been discussed.

“At this point this is the initial request that is being made to the City Council,” Port Neches City Manager Andrè Wimer said. “Beyond that, nothing has been defined in terms of how the request will be received or addressed.”

The group of investors came together two years ago with the idea of constructing a restaurant along the Neches River near Port Neches Riverfront Park. City leaders placed deed and zoning restrictions on the property for protection.

Council will also discuss erosion control for the city’s riverfront property.

City leaders noted the erosion problems in certain areas along the riverfront property and retained the assistance of LJA Engineers.

The firm was tasked with reviewing the erosion problems as well as providing alternatives that cold be implemented to abate the ongoing erosion, Wimer said.

Three potential solutions include construction of a breakwater approximately 30 feet off the existing shoreline for an estimated cost between $725,000 to $850,000; construction of a vertical bulkhead wall just inside the shoreline for an estimate cost of $500,000 to $850,000; and installation of a sloped stone revetment along the existing shoreline for an estimated cost of $325,000 to $450,000, according to information from the city.

Wimer said this would be the first discussion of the options for halting or slowing the erosion process.

The issue is for discussion only.

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