Neighbors Fuming Over Beyonce's Mom's Deteriorating Beach House: "We're Afraid It May Just Fall Into the Sea"
While millions know that Beyoncé hails from Galveston with deep roots in Louisiana, her mother Tina Knowles, a proud Born on the Island (BOI), is facing backlash from her Pirates Beach neighbors.
A report from Houston’s Fox 26 revealed that Knowles’ beachfront house, heavily damaged by Hurricane Ike in 2008, is now teetering on the edge of demolition. "It is a public safety and health issue," Galveston city councilwoman and fellow Pirates Beach homeowner Marie Robb told the local Fox affiliate. "We’re afraid it may just fall into the sea."
Neighbors have described the house as having visible pilings, a sunken slab, and deteriorating further with each storm. Robb expressed concerns about the deck, saying, "I'm concerned at least the deck, or a good portion of the house, could collapse, which is why we're moving forward with this demolition."
The city has been patient, Robb pointed out: "Considering it's 2024 and Hurricane Ike was in 2008, I'd say we've given them more than ample time to respond." The demolition could be approved within 60 days. After Ike, Knowles was reportedly offered around $450,000 as a buyback by the Texas General Land Office, with an offer of $150,000 still on the table.
Knowles' publicist mentioned that Knowles might be traveling, as she hadn't been reached for comment. Efforts to contact Councilwoman Robb's office for further comments were also unsuccessful.
Historically, Knowles has proudly flaunted her BOI status. Earlier this year, she chastised NBA Hall of Famer Charles Barkley for his comments about Galveston's "dirty-a-- water" during TNT's Inside the NBA. "We don't play in Galveston Texas! You better watch it sucker!" she told Barkley.
However, as neighbor James Munoz noted, "Barkley probably wouldn’t have any nice words to say about the condition of this house."