Horrible news for the city of Corpus Christi... (Houston, Dallas: transplants, real estate)

[bb54321]

GabeTX,

Most of the projects you see popping up in other cities were projects that the retail stores had already committed to. They signed leases before much of the economic crisis began and they couldn't back out. There are projects all over Austin, San Antonio, Dallas and the Valley that have been stalled as well. I have friends and family members that live in all of them. It's not just Corpus Christi.

The Commons and the outlet projects just had really bad timing. Look at La Palmera. Trademark is still moving forward with it's project. Why? Because they already signed the deal and committed to it. The other projects will happen when the time is right or these outside companies wouldn't even be sticking around. They would have pulled out of town altogether.

I agree that our population hasn't grown that much, but during that time we've made some really big improvements to quality of life which you mentioned above (WB Field, American Bank Center). The may seem small to you but what other cities our size have the venues that we have? El Paso, Albuquerque and a handful of other cities have featured articles spotlighting these projects and discuss the possibility of doing the same in their city. We've made some great progress for being a city in the middle of a rural area. We don't have all the neighboring cities to feed off of like other major Texas metros do. We're essentially in our own world over here.

As far as the Valley. I know they have halted some retail projects down there, but probably less than the rest of the state because the feed off of the Mexican shoppers. If Mexican shoppers ever decline or American retailers cross the border, the valley is going to be left with a lot of empty big box retailers. Yes, CC has slow growth, but it sure beats no growth.

[Scarface713]

Corpus Christi is not that isolated. Houston and El Paso are the largest isolated Texas metros. You have San Antonio about two hours away, and The Rio Grande Valley not too far away.

[LivingLikeAGradStudent]

Moving past Whataburger (decent, not great), it always struck me as odd how unimpressive Corpus is for its size and coastal location. You would think there would be more relevance to a a city of 300k with miles of beach frontage that serves as a gateway to the Aransas and Rockport areas.

[crbcrbrgv]

Originally Posted by gabetx

Whataburger has announced it is relocating its HQ to San Antonio. After being started and HQ'ed in Corpus since 1950, its now moving away from Corpus.

Here is the thread:
Whataburger's move is a severe jolt to the city : Corpus Christi Editorials | Caller-Times |

Very interesting bud saddening thread. Anybody have any thoughts on what this may mean for or say about Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi is really just the Rio Grande Valley with nice beaches and a Selena museum. You have to do better than that to attract top business leaders. Sorry.

[gabetx]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

Corpus Christi is really just the Rio Grande Valley with nice beaches and a Selena museum. You have to do better than that to attract top business leaders. Sorry.

What is that supposed to mean?

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

I started not to say this. But just can't resist any longer. However, few will now read this. This is more like "Horrible News"

Tyler with a little more than 1/3 the population of Corpus. After 40 years in Tyler the Goodyear Tire Plant completely closes with 1,500 job lost. The Trane Corp. job loss 300. The Carrier Corp. 200 Tyler Pipe and Foundry 30% job loss or about 300 jobs. No sizable jobs gains in years. Now, for a Metro Area in the bottom 1/5 in job "growth" for the last three years - that is more like HORRIBLE. imhp

[Scarface713]

Originally Posted by Mark-Tyler is Special

I started not to say this. But just can't resist any longer. However, few will now read this. This is more like "Horrible News"

Tyler with a little more than 1/3 the population of Corpus. After 40 years in Tyler the Goodyear Tire Plant completely closes with 1,500 job lost. The Trane Corp. job loss 300. The Carrier Corp. 200 Tyler Pipe and Foundry 30% job loss or about 300 jobs. No sizable jobs gains in years. Now, for a Metro Area in the bottom 1/5 in job "growth" for the last three years - that is more like HORRIBLE. imhp

Tyler is actually growing at a pretty good clip for a metro area of its size.

[Mark-Tyler is Special]

Yes, until the period after the last census estimate of July 1, 2007. I look monthly at the Texas Workforce Commission emplyment figures and Tyler has been ranking anywhere from 18th to 23rd out of 25 metro areas in job growth.

I really was just referring to "crying" over such a small loss for a city the size of Cropus

But we elected a new mayor in the fall, she was mainly running on "creating" good paying new jobs.

[awecelot]

Originally Posted by Mark-Tyler is Special

I really was just referring to "crying" over such a small loss for a city the size of Cropus

I think what is at issue here is that the city of Corpus Christi has an emotional bond to Whataburger. It was founded in Corpus, and has always been HQed in Corpus. The flagship restaurant, Whataburger by the Bay, is located in CC. The minor league baseball stadium is named after the company. The city even named a street Whataburger Way as recently as a few years ago.

It's not just any job loss - it's the loss of a favorite child of the city.

Think of it as your kid growing up with you, then saying "I'm going to move out because I think the B Family is better suited for making me who I want to be." That's the level of attachment Corpus has with Whataburger, and now that Whataburger is leaving, it's making CC question what went wrong (this process should lead to better things for the city's future).

[bb54321]

Well said. It's is a major blow to the city's ego, but I think better days are ahead for Corpus Christi.