Baytown: Longtime city manager departs

Baytown, Texas City Manager, Rick Davis

Baytown Sun
By Matt Hollis matt.hollis@baytownsun.com

One of the top stories of 2022 for the Baytown area was the announcement of City Manager Rick Davis’ departure at the end of the year. 

In July, Davis said he would be leaving as city manager, a position he has held since 2015. At the time, Davis said it was time to “turn a page” and focus on other life needs and opportunities. 

“It becomes apparent to all of us at some point that the citizens can and should benefit from a newness of perspective and approach,” Davis said in July. “Change is always difficult, but it is at the same time essential if we are to continue evolving into the kind of Baytown you and I know we can become.”

Davis first came to Baytown from West Jordan, Utah, where he was serving as city manager. During his tenure, the Brunson Theater was transformed into the Brunson Entrepreneur Center, which opened in 2019. Today, it houses the city’s Tourism Development Office and a business incubator, providing entrepreneurs affordable office space, along with advice and support. 

Davis also oversaw the construction of the Bayland Island Hyatt Regency hotel/convention center. He helped utilize a public/private partnership with Garfield Public/Private, with DPR Construction building the actual structure for the $42.5 million project. In September 2021, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the long-awaited project. It will have 208 rooms and suites, a 900-seat convention center, nearly 18,000 square feet of meeting space, and an 88-seat, 2,000-square-foot, three-meal restaurant in the hotel. It is slated to be open in Spring 2023.  

Davis also helped to implement the five-year Strategic Plan, a citizen-based blueprint of what they want to see happen in Baytown. Among other projects Davis administered was the renovation of the old Citizens Bank building into the new utility billing office. 

Another significant event that happened while Davis was city manager was the agreement with Fidelis Realty Partners for the new San Jacinto Marketplace, which will be built at the site of the old San Jacinto Mall. The new marketplace is expected to open around Christmas 2024. 

Other projects initiated under Davis include:

•The Garth Road Widening project

•The addition of right-turn lanes to Baytown roads 

•New businesses at Highway 146 and Interstate 10

The city announced in December that Jason Reynolds, who had been serving as the city’s assistant manager since the summer, was going to be the interim city manager. A meet-and-greet event was held with Reynolds and three other candidates - Caluha Barnes, Beverli Marshall and Michael Cleghorn – before council decided on Reynolds. 

Council is expected to approve Reynolds’ contract Jan. 12 with two new members – Sarah Graham and Ken Griffith – seated on council and voting as well.