By ABBEY KUNKLE
Special to the PRESS
With tourists pouring in from all over the world, the City of South Padre Island has been taking steps to position themselves alongside the nation’s leading tourist communities. Hoping to diversify the economy and increase spending throughout the year, the City Council has advocated for increased dining options, in the form of food trucks and beachside food service — from the City’s bustling streets to the relaxing tropical paradise —hoping to make SPI a true resort community.
Though there were initial concerns about the idea, last week, the first reading of an ordinance to bring food trucks to the City finally made it through the City Council. In July 2015, a draft ordinance was presented for council consideration to bring food trucks to the Island, but after hearing concerns from many brick and mortar restaurant owners, proponents for the food trucks, including Mayor Barry Patel and City Councilman Dennis Stahl, among others, encouraged the formation of a committee composed of Environmental Health Director Victor Baldovinos and local restaurateurs to weigh the pros and cons. Many local restaurant owners believed that mobile food options would roll in during the busy spring and summer seasons, taking their business and leaving year-round establishments to survive during the offseason with their usual overhead and property taxes.
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