Corpus Christi: why underdeveloped? (San Antonio, Austin: best city, real estate, lease)

[yankeeheart]

As a past resident of Corpus Christi there were things I absolutely loved about it; the weather, the beach, the free summer concerts at the bayfront. The bayfront itself is beautiful, but there's so many empty lots, it seems like a waste. There are few, if any good local-type restaurants, few jobs that pay a decent wage, and there's not much sense of community. There is so much potential down there and yet there it sits. Why?

[crbcrbrgv]

I am by no means saying this is right, but I do believe this is the attitude many Texans have. You can draw a line starting about 10 miles north of Corpus across to 10 miles north of Laredo and pretend everything south of this line doesn't exist. Many Texans and Austin in many regards does this already. In the eyes of many Texans, these parts aren't really Texas but rather Northern extensions of Mexico. The Valley doesn't count, Laredo is a crime hotbed and Corpus is dull and boring. Couple this with the low levels of education in these areas and you get low wages and underdevloped land. Potential is meaningless when people have this attitude.

[Philip T]

And the pollution is nasty. Just plain nasty.

I would think real hard about taking the family that way and opening up a serious business down there, but what are you going to do with the refinery?

My personal view of where Texas falls down is they (we) are simply too dumb, too lazy, and too greedy to throw out the trash.

And sure the education problems and the rest of the mess all stem from that same root.

[Insomniac]

Originally Posted by crbcrbrgv

I am by no means saying this is right, but I do believe this is the attitude many Texans have. You can draw a line starting about 10 miles north of Corpus across to 10 miles north of Laredo and pretend everything south of this line doesn't exist. Many Texans and Austin in many regards does this already. In the eyes of many Texans, these parts aren't really Texas but rather Northern extensions of Mexico. The Valley doesn't count, Laredo is a crime hotbed and Corpus is dull and boring. Couple this with the low levels of education in these areas and you get low wages and underdevloped land. Potential is meaningless when people have this attitude.

Did these "Texans" along with yourself also some how forget San Antonio? Or are you seriously clumping us with Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley? Also, you may need to visit Corpus because it is by no means "northern Mexico", you and whoever else wants to call the Valley or Corpus northern Mexico (and for that reason doesn't exist) need to go look in the mirror and analyze your lives.

[imaterry78259]

SA is the second best city in Texas

[FarNorthDallas]

I heard it was because of the local govt in CC. They were not/are not thinking growth and development.

[RGV]

Here's a recent article about CC's retail market. CC's retail, as well as residential construction is starting to come around:

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Texas Real Estate Business


Corpus Christi Retail Market

According to a recent “Best Places” survey in Forbes magazine, Corpus Christi was voted as one of the top 20 cities in which to do business. Conveniently located midway along the Texas coast of the Gulf of Mexico, the city is in an ideal location for many businesses due to its easy access to rail lines, highways and the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. And, as more and more businesses are locating to the area, the population growth has created a demand for housing and, subsequently, retail.

The majority of retail growth in Corpus Christi is taking place with the neighborhood centers ranging from 12,000 to 24,000 square feet, according to Laura Schaberg, a retail specialist with Joe Adame & Associates in Corpus Christi. “These centers appear to be at least 30 percent leased before construction,” Schaberg says. “Rates range from $19 to $22 per square foot for the new construction.” A few of the 20- to 30-year-old centers also are being refaced in an attempt to trade up in their quality of tenant, but, overall, Lamar Park remains the premier lifestyle center with its upscale tenant mix offering a unique shopping experience in the market. ..........

[RGV]

Here's another article regarding a major residential/commercial development in the CC area:

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Subdivision will break ground
Ingleside leaders approve plan after hearing
By Barbara Ramirez (Contact)
Originally published 02:32 a.m., August 31, 2007
Updated 02:32 a.m., August 31, 2007

Ground-breaking for an estimated $870 million redevelopment project in Ingleside is tentatively scheduled for the end of the year, developers said.

Council members on Tuesday held their last public hearing to discuss the matter, and with no opposing voices in attendance, the council voted to move forward with its plan to bring a subdivision of upscale homes and condos with a town center, golf course and marina.

Plans for the 10-year project, Live Oak Preserve, include 2,360 homes and condos, a 50-room boutique inn and spa, a 46-acre town center, about 134,000 square feet of commercial space and an 18-hole golf course and club house.

Corpus Development L.P., headed by former Ingleside resident Leon Heron, plans to develop about 1,300 acres south of Live Oak Park, next to Naval Station Ingleside, expected to close in 2010.

Subdivision will break ground : Corpus Christi Local | Caller-Times |

[RGV]

And yet another article regarding the new Crosstown Commons Mall to be built in CC:

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Westside mall proposed
Outdoor center would include major retailers

By Beth Wilson Caller-Times
April 11, 2007


Moderator cut: do not repost copyrighted articles

[RGV]

And here's one regarding the CC museum of natural history:

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Ships take center stage in museum plan
Proposal includes exhibits on oil, Indians, ranchers
By Beth Wilson (Contact)
Originally published 03:11 a.m., September 12, 2007
Updated 03:11 a.m., September 12, 2007



Ralph Appelbaum Associates A consultant hired by the Friends of the Museum group has proposed that the Columbus ships be visible from the lower lobby of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History.

The Niña, the Pinta and the Santa Maria will go inside under a protective dome in a new building under the latest concept for the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History.

The replicas of Columbus' ships connect to the diverse cultures of South Texas with digital exhibits exploring the lives of the people who settled the area and the history of how the land has changed over time.

In a study presented Tuesday to City Council, Ralph Appelbaum, a museum design consultant hired by the Friends of the Museum group for about $185,000, said the ships will take center stage in a new site.

The ships would be suspended above the floor, allowing visitors to see the hulls of the boats from the lobby and walk above the decks from a second story.


Ships take center stage in museum plan : Corpus Christi Local | Caller-Times |

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Plans also include planet exhibit
By Beth Wilson (Contact)
Originally published 03:11 a.m., September 12, 2007
Updated 03:10 a.m., September 12, 2007


A bayfront walk becomes a trip around the universe under a plan for a new museum exhibit along Shoreline Boulevard. The Voyage exhibit scales back the solar system 10 billion times and puts up models of the planets dispersed as they would be in space.



Plans also include planet exhibit : Corpus Christi Local | Caller-Times |