La Porte leaders vote to build new Gilley's music venue

Steve Campion Image
BySteve Campion KTRK logo
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Gilley's new family-friendly club
The countdown is on for the hopeful return of Gilley's in La Porte. abc13's Steve Campion reports.

LA PORTE, TX (KTRK) -- Looks like Mickey Gilley's music venue is making a comeback.

La Porte voted Monday night to include the venue in a $55 million proposed development, according to our partners, Houston Community Newspapers.

The mixed-use project is called "La Porte Town Center" and would be built along State Highway 146 in between West Fairmont Parkway and Wharton Weems Boulevard. The location is adjacent to the Bay Forest Country Club.

The development would include retail spaces, restaurants, and town homes. The centerpiece is a proposed 5,000 square feet entertainment center, which feature a dance hall.

In 1972, Gilley's first opened in Pasadena. By 1980, the club had garnered national attention after John Travolta's "Urban Cowboy" hit movie theaters. In 1990, the building burned down.

Gilley and a Friendswood developer told abc13 they want to see the club return to southeast Texas.

The commission meets at 6pm this Thursday, inside La Porte City Hall Council Chambers at 604 West Fairmont Parkway.