La Posada – Toys For Tots

December 15, 2023 By

With the holidays in full swing, it’s the perfect time for the residents of the
Coastal Bend to join together to assist those less fortunate. In the spirit of the holidays, I
wanted to take this opportunity to bring attention to certain efforts in our area that will
benefit many families this holiday season.

Toys for Tots is a nationwide campaign and has very strong roots and
participation in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Rockport-Fulton, and the Coastal Bend
area. The initiative began in 1947, when Marine Major Bill Hendricks collected and
donated 5,000 toys to children in their city. The campaign was so successful that Marine
Reserve Units around the country began collecting and donating toys, under the shared
objective to “bring the joy of Christmas to America’s needy children.” Since its inception
in 1947, the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program has distributed over 452
million toys to more than 209 million needy children across the country. Events are held
around the area to promote the Toys for Tots holiday drive effort from the public, along
with Marines from the local Naval Air Station who collect donations. With a great
military base, strong charity presence and generous-minded people and industry, District
32 is a great place for Toys for Tots to contribute to the children of our area. If you would

like to learn more or get additional info, please visit their website at: https://corpus-
christi-tx.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/default.aspx
In addition to this great organization, there are many other charitable events in
the area occurring this holiday season. To find volunteer opportunities, you can look at
Feeding Texas’s website https://www.feedingtexas.org/get-help/. As we prepare for the
holiday season, let’s join together in helping the community and bettering the lives of
those around us.

If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this week's
article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. Please always feel
free to contact my office if you have any questions or issues regarding a Texas state
agency, or if you would like to contact my office regarding constituent services. As
always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or
comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).

– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas County and part of Nueces County. He can be contacted
at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.

Filed Under: Barefoot Mardi Gras, BeachWalk Development, buying a home, chamber of commerce, Charities, Holiday Parties, home maintenance, Local Food, Local Schools, mustang island, New Homes Padre Island, Packery Channel, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, Padre Isles POA, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, port aransas, realtors, Restaurants

BBB Scam Alert: How to spot a credit check scam when apartment shopping

September 25, 2023 By

Planning a move this summer? According to multiple BBB Scam Tracker reports, scammers
are using a new twist on fake rental ads to trick potential renters into compromising
sensitive personal information. While credit checks are a routine process many landlords
and rental companies use to evaluate potential renters, fraudulent rental listings are being
used to direct interested tenants to a website that requires personal information to run a
credit check. Unfortunately, the website is a data-mining operation that collects and sells
the information provided to the highest bidder, placing people who use it at an increased
risk of having their identity stolen.

Most often encountered while browsing rental listings online, scammers entice victims by
advertising a rental unit or home at prices significantly lower than what is typically found in
the area. They may claim to represent an established property company or an individual
landowner searching for trustworthy tenants. The listing often includes pictures, videos,
layouts, and other specifics that renters expect to see included in a rental advertisement.
Unfortunately, most of these pictures are either fabricated or stolen from a legitimate
listing, and the supposed landowner quickly disappears after the applicant submits their
information to the credit check website.

One consumer reported to BBB Scam Tracker they “gave my name, address and Social
Security Number to obtain my credit score from this website. I was asked to take a
screenshot of my score and send it to the same address that emailed me the link.
Afterward, I was sent an email with a showing time, but the house number was not listed on
this email or the listing on Craigslist.” All additional attempts to call and email the supposed
landowner went unanswered.

To avoid credit check rental scams, Better Business Bureau recommends renters:
Be wary of lower-than-usual prices. If the rent for an apartment or home is significantly
less than the going market rate for the area, consider it a red flag. Scammers often draw
people in with claims that sound too good to be true. Spend the time to compare the price
with other similar rental properties in the area to make an informed decision.
Do some research. Search the listing online through multiple sources using the associated
phone number, email address or physical address. If you find another listing for the same
property in a different city, you’ve spotted a scam. Reverse image searches can be helpful to
determine if the photos have been stolen from another listing, as well as searching for the
landowner’s name to check if anyone else has encountered a scam when interacting with
them.

Always see the property in person. Many rental scams involve listings for properties that
don’t exist, are vacant lots, or are for sale. Be very wary if the property owner refuses to
disclose the rental property's location before you complete a credit check or pay them a
deposit. If the address provided is for a house that has a ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard, be
cautious because you might not be in contact with the actual owners.
Verify the property owner’s information. Contact a licensed real estate agent to see
who owns a property or check the county’s property appraiser website. Ask the property
owner for a copy of their ID to verify they are who they claim to be before you offer
sensitive information like your Social Security Number for a credit check.

Be cautious about credit check websites. Scammers are well-versed in making websites
appear legitimate and often create fake testimonials and reviews. Use reputable sources to
prove credit history, such as AnnualCreditReport.com or consumer reporting companies
listed by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
For more information about how to avoid scams while moving and renting,
visit BBB.org/Moving.

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, Charities, COVID-19 Virus, cybersecurity, North Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, Padre Isles POA, property taxes, spring cleaning, Todd Hunter, windstorm insurance

HOW TO FEEL PART OF THE ISLAND COMMUNITY

August 28, 2023 By

Whether you’ve lived here for several decades or just a few months, it can take a while to feel like you belong. Often it’s not painting the walls and installing a new chandelier that will make you feel “at home” … try rather engaging in your community! But HOW?

Shape where you live:

Knowing what’s going on in your neighborhood gives you an opportunity to speak up on things that matter to you, like voting on a local ordinance, participating in school board elections, or petitioning for the new dog park you’d love to have. By getting involved, you can help make your community a better place to live.

Create stronger social ties:

Meet your neighbors – This is the easiest first step, and they are the perfect entry point for getting to know the larger community. If you’re a bit reserved and initiating a coffee invite seems daunting, try breaking the ice through neighborhood apps such as Nextdoor or Padre Island Neighbors They are a great avenue for starting conversations and can open the doors (literally!). People are the heart of any community, and when you get to know the neighbors, shopkeepers, and service people around you, you’ll feel like you belong.

Attend a neighborhood meeting – Our monthly POA meetings are open to the public! Come, listen, ask questions…this gives you a platform to discuss concerns and improvement opportunities, while also introducing you to key people within the community.

Get involved:

After you’ve met your neighbors and have attended some neighborhood meetings, have some fun!

Shop local – Your local coffee shop, friendly hardware store, welcoming car repair spot, pet store…just some of the shops that make our Island unique. Dine at our delicious family-owned restaurants, get your hair cut by our resident barber. Small businesses are at the core of a thriving community, and shopping local ensures the money you spend goes back into keeping our community vibrant.

Take to the streets – The Island is known for fishing tournaments, farmers’ markets, parades, races, etc. Show up! The more you stroll the booths and cheer on your fellow Islanders, the more social connections you’ll make.

Volunteer your time – There are ALWAYS places to volunteer. You’ll find shared interests and gain a sense of self reward. Clean up the beach, organize a food drive…giving back will always bring you closer to the community. This can also be in the form of joining or starting a club.

Protect your property value:

When you partner up with others in our community to work together to make The Island a safe, clean, fun place, you make the neighborhoods more attractive to people looking for a new home, driving up the area’s desirability and boosting property values. Better for ALL of us!

Your community is an extension of your home. When you invest in your community, it returns the favor by helping you.

Filed Under: Holiday Parties, North Padre Island, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, Padre Isles POA

Padre Island Housing Data – November 2021

December 17, 2021 By

The Local Real Estate Market is still going strong as we turn the corner into 2022!
Low inventory, consistent low interest rates that are still holding right now until the first quarter of 2022, where will see a likely small rate hike according the recent FED meeting.

Days on the market for sale has decreased to an average of 33 days on the market. 48.8% of all the sales in November were priced between $300,000 – $499,999. Median Price of homes has risen slightly by 10.8% to a price of $384,000. The market is certainly holding steady and it’s a still a phenomenal time to list your home with inventory nearing it’s lowest point of the year with increased buyers looking for their dream homes.

Cheri Sperling is the owner of Coastline Properties with a dedicated team of agents specializing in residential listings, sales, and property management in the Padre Island real estate market. Coastline’s team is the most knowledgeable real estate office on Padre Island. No pressure style, patience, and an intimate understanding of the local market. They go to work for you!

 

Padre Island November 2021 Data (Click Pic below for Larger Image)

padre-island-housing-report-oct-2021

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, buying a home, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, Investment Property, Mortgages, Padre Isles POA, property taxes, Real Time MLS, realtors, selling a home

Social Media Scam Artists

April 6, 2021 By

 

Be wary of online messages

Do some research

Press for details

Report suspicious activity to Facebook.

Intro: Plenty of people who are connected to the internet are catching up with friends on social media or randomly surfing the web. Unfortunately, so are scammers. Here to offer tips on protecting yourself on social media is your Better Business Bureau.

How does this Scam Work?

There are several versions usually involving Facebook Messenger. A phony profile that seems like they are your friend shares an amazing deal with you. To benefit you need to select the link or share the deal. If you take part, you only have to pay a small processing fee.

In another version, the “friend” claims to be raising money for a charity to support emergency personnel, a food bank, or some other organization that has really been hit hard by the pandemic. They’ll push for a donation and yet, it sounds suspicious.

A third version is circulating where the “friend” believes their account has been ‘hacked’ and to friend them on a new request. Turns out, they were not hacked at all. The profile is publicly visible and copied by a cyber thief who then creates a new profile and is now sending out new friend requests to a bogus account.

BBB warns everyone before responding to such a request, check that the Facebook profile image is from who it says it is. Or, go the extra step and call, text, or email the friend to see if they really did send it to you.

 How do you protect yourself from Facebook Scams?

  • Be wary of online messages. A person may be trustworthy in real life, but online accounts can be hacked. Take a closer look before sharing, applying, or donating. Go to Give.org to verify a charity.
  • Do some research. If you can’t find a website, it’s most likely a fake. If you can find a website, look for contact information. No contact info is a red flag.
  • Press for details. Ask strategic questions without giving any personal information to confirm you are actually talking to someone you know.
  • Report suspicious activity to Facebook. You can report scammers to Facebook to help protect your real friends and family from a scam. You can reduce the risk of having your profile impersonated by tightening up your privacy settings and hiding your Friends list.

You can always find more information at bbb.org

Filed Under: Better Business Bureau, chamber of commerce, corpus christi, New Homes Padre Island, Padre Isles POA, spring break, spring cleaning

Padre/Mustang Island Area Development Plan Online

October 9, 2020 By

Welcome to the Padre/Mustang Island Area Development Plan Online Open House!

Click on the Image Below to get involved and have your voice regarding the future plans for our community. This public input to collect all responses will be available until midnight on October 15th, 2020.



Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, chamber of commerce, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, corpus christi business, Local Schools, mustang island, North Padre Island Marina, Packery Channel, Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, Padre Isles POA

PADRE ISLES PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION – DID YOU KNOW?

May 23, 2017 By

As a Real Estate Agent, I am commonly being asked questions regarding the Island’s POA. Whether you are new to the Island or have lived here many years, I hope to provide some clarity and possibly unknown information to those who may be wondering…what are they all about.

The POA oversees 26 subdivisions, with the exception of Packery Channel (who doesn’t have one), and Cane Harbor (who has their own). All but three subdivisions (Seapines, Section A and Section B) that DO belong to the POA pay the new fees (that aren’t really new anymore). Back in 2007, they changed. Annual POA fees are calculated by the size of the lot itself. Prior to 2007, the fees were .1 cent a square foot for an interior/water access lot, and .2 cents a square foot for a waterfront lot. With the exception of the three aforementioned subdivisions that did not approve the fee change, they’ve been .2 cents a square foot for interior/water access lots and .10 cents a square foot for waterfront lots for 10 years now. These annual fees cover the following: Maintaining the medians at Whitecap and Seapines, common area maintenance such as cul de sacs, canal end landscaping, and the 7 public boat ramps around the Island. The reason the cost is higher for a waterfront home is because these fees also cover canal bulkheads.

FACTS:

POA

  • When voting, POA board members need 50% + 1 to pass.
  • They have a seed account in the event of a hurricane in access of $9,000,000, of which they added $300,000 to this past year.
  • They spend roughly $500,000 a year on repairing canal bulkheads.
  • The architectural control committee (ACC) is responsible for reviewing plans for new builds, renovations, fencing, decks/docks, shade structures/any structure really, but NOT landscaping. Currently, the committee has 4 members, but they are seeking a 5th.
  • The ACC is also in charge of “unsightly properties,” defining them, and working on cleaning them up to maintain property values.
  • A gentleman is out on the canals every single day cleaning the debris.
  • On the POA website, you can find requirements for building, setbacks, decking depths, etc. for each and every subdivision.
  • The POA has three notaries.
  • The POA has a swapping library.
  • Approximately 5,300 residents are within the association, making PIPOA the largest HOA in Texas and possibly the United States.

ISLAND STATS

  • Available lots left:

629 interior

148 waterfront

87 multi-family

277 commercial

  • The population on the Island is approximately 13,000, compared to roughly 330,000 in Corpus Christi.
  • Of all crime committed in Corpus, only 2% of it comes from the Island, and 60% of that is “victim assisted,” meaning garages are left open, items in boats aren’t put away, etc.
  • 525 children are enrolled in the Island charter school.
  • All parks on the Island are actually owned by the city.
  • Water depths: 18 inches – 2 feet near the bulkheads, and roughly 6 feet in the center of the canals.
  • It is a NO WAKE ZONE until you get to the ski canals or the Laguna Madre.

ISLAND STICKER

  • Often referred to as the “vanity sticker” as Island residents are proud to show where they live, the sticker allows residents to park at the boat ramps.
  • Common misconception: the sticker DOES NOT allow you back on the Island in the event of an evacuation. Sticker or not, you’ll only be allowed back on with two forms of ID showing your Island address AND utilities have to be back on before anyone is allowed access.

 

 

Filed Under: Padre Island Business Association, padre island events, Padre Isles POA, property taxes, realtors, Upper Padre

LIGHT APPROVED AT INTERSECTION OF AQUARIUS AND SPID

September 10, 2015 By

LED_traffic_lightSTOP! Or, you soon will be! On August 18th, a traffic light at the intersection of Aquarius and SPID was approved by the City Council.

After years of monitoring the intersection, results showed a daily average of over 33,000 vehicles during the summer months of 2012, and that number has continued to increase over the years. And on other parts of our barrier island, such as Galveston and South Padre Island, the speed limit is much slower going through their business districts.

Drivers coming over the JFK Causeway toward the island will be given a warning to the upcoming light when the traffic is backing up to the high peak of the bridge. This is meant to decrease the likelihood of collisions with the cars that are stopped at the light. There have been numerous attempts over the years to place this light, but the short distance between the intersection and the top of the JFK has been a reason for several failures to get the appropriate approval. But, city traffic engineers have done their due diligence and have given it the thumbs up.

Word on “the street” is that Turner-Busby Development, based in San Antonio, is looking to use the site on the east side of SPID near the intersection of SPID and Aquarius Street for a development called Packery Pointe Subdivision. This traffic light is simply part of their plan, and is set to be coordinated with the other lights along SPID. The light may cost up to $600,000, and will provide a convenient physical stop for vehicles to turn into this new development.

Turner Busby Development has apparently been working on the plans for the $30 million development for a few years. It will likely include a hotel, retail sites, Starbucks, small bar/restaurant, and even possibly some single family homes.  Now that Schlitterbahn is in full swing, it sounds as though the developer is more confident in beginning the project.

But, change is often met with opposition, as many residents are weary to the whole thing. The main concern seems to be that the signal could cause large traffic backups, and the new development with its possible chain restaurant(s) and commonality feel will ruin the quaint, quiet, and familiar island feeling.

Hey, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em!

Filed Under: corpus christi business, North Padre Island, Padre Isles POA, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge

New Plans being Laid for Lake Padre Area

May 14, 2014 By

What do Bricktown, Oklahoma City and North Padre Island, Corpus Christi have in common? A water taxi system! Or at least, soon to be.

With Schlitterbahn, Harbor Marina, and Island Walk Village coming in phases to Padre Island, this picturesque canal system linking the island’s main attractions will bring new tourism and new life into the Island. Paul Schexnailder, a partner in the project, highlighted some of the main and most exciting aspects today at the State of the Islands talk, held at the Comfort Suites by San Jacinto Title Services.

CLICK ON PICTURE BELOW TO BLOW UP AND DOWNLOAD OR PRINT A COPY

Schlitterbahn, still set for a soft opening at the end of May, is part of Phase I. Although rain and labor has hurt the construction schedule, Jeff Henry, co-owner, has said this is the best park he has ever built. And we’re OK with that…good things come to those who wait! Here’s why!

The main clubhouse boosts four stories of fun.

  • 1st Floor: “Fajitas” restaurant and retail space
  • 2nd Floor: The floor for the locals – will have TVs, a lounge, a game room, and food and drinks
  • 3rd Floor: A 4500 square foot event center, equipped with 6 meeting rooms
  • 4th Floor: Fine dining open to the public, as well as  a private dining room for golf course and park members only
  • There will also be roughly 80 hotel rooms in the building 

To top it off? The clubhouse overlooks an Amphitheater that can hold approximately 2000 people. This was not in the original plans, but it sounds like the perfect place for some great island venues. You got fins to the left, fins to the right… 

Harbor Marina, set to be operating this time next year, will be instrumental in the “Water Taxi” System. Referring to the maps provided, Cruiser canal is being expanded to continue straight and curve to go toward the marina. See the arrows on the maps? That is where a new bridge is going to go (between Commodores and Whitecap). It will orchestrate boat and pedestrian traffic by 3 separate arches. The center arch will be for the boats, and the two arches on either side will be for pedestrians and golf carts. The canal archway will have a 13 foot clearance, whereas the two pedestrian archways will have a 10 foot clearance. The canals will be finished late 2015, early 2016, and the bridge has an end-of-the-year completion date. 

Island Walk Village is an Ingredient in Phase II. And yes, I am talking restaurants. It will be the site of at least 6 restaurants all up and down the newly dug canal system (will there be gondola rides in our future?). The structures will house the eateries on the main levels by the water, and then living spaces above that. Worried about parking? Don’t. The village has been drawn to have about 1400 parking spots.

..And even though gossip of a grocery store is spinning, those in “the know” are being understandably coy about the details. The good news is, there WILL be one!

This hardly touches the exciting developments the island will see over the next 5-10 years. The good news is that we have a built-in market here on our coast, and something tells me it won’t be “off the grid” much longer.

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, North Padre Island, North Padre Island Beaches, Packery Channel, Padre Isles POA, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, Restaurants, Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi Tagged With: , ,

Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi – 7 months from Opening!

November 16, 2013 By

KiiiTV3.com South Texas, Corpus Christi, Coastal Bend
Seven months. If all goes as planned, that’s how long it will be until the new Schlitterbahn Beach County Water Park and Resort on Padre Island is up and running.

If you have been watching the construction process, you know that things are now at the point of dramatic change.

“We’re really seeing some big changes now,” said Jeff Henry, co-owner of Schlitterbahn. “Really seeing this start coming out of the ground.”

From the beginning, there were plenty of people who were convinced the project was never going to happen; but now, 65 acres of what used to be the Padre Isles Country Club have been transformed.

“We’re running four-inch fire protection to the buildings that are going to be sprinkled, and we’re running two-inch fill lines that we’ll use to fill the rivers and fill the rides,” Henry said.

Jeff Henry is the creative genius behind all Schlitterbahn parks, and to say that he’s a free spirit doesn’t fully describe his reputation for thinking outside the box. He actually owns more than 60 patents for thrill rides that he has built all around the world.

“He’s always creating. He’s got a vision, and he tries to make the architects understand what his vision is,” said Sonia Gill, Henry’s assistant.

“This is fun. This is like artwork. It’s enjoyable,” Henry said. “I do get tired of corporate — that would be my brother and my sister, and all the people in New Braunfels who are trying to get me to comply with the rules and regulations of society, which I prefer not to.”

“He’s a wild and crazy guy, but he gets the job done,” Schlitterbahn Senior Designer John Schooley said. “He’s creative, and he really makes things happen.”

“These are treehouses that we’ve added,” Henry said. “Here, we’re doing something very unique.”

Henry was talking about the company’s unique upscale lodging for guests who want to extend their stay. The treehouses, as they’re called, are being constructed using wood left behind from the devastating fire in Bastrop, Texas, back in 2011. Ultimately, there will be a couple of hundred tree houses on the site.

Like the Schlitterbahn parks on South Padre Island and Galveston, the one in North Padre Island can stay open year round, but “this one is going to blow those other two away,” Henry said.

As of right now, construction workers — about 150 of them on any given day — are finishing up the in-ground infrastructure, working on foundations for the various slides and rivers, and adding a second floor to what will be a completely refurbished clubhouse.

As for the actual water slides and attractions, many are being built right now in the company’s fabrication plant in New Braunfels. Colorful butterflies and mushrooms, an elaborate locomotive, and a cool pirate ship — the C.C. Christi — all of it will be headed to Padre Island soon.

Also on the way are devices called Archimedes Screws. They work on a 2000-year old principle named after the Greek inventor who first used them. They will help propel the massive amount of water in the park’s moving rivers.

In New Braunfels, experts from around the country are collaborating online. They can actually stay in constant communication with project managers on the ground in Corpus Christi.

John Schooley, the company’s senior designer, is particularly proud of the park’s signature attraction. They call it “Shoot the Chute,” a unique adaptation of a classic waterpark ride that takes riders up a steep incline and then drops them into a large pool.

Local businessman Stan Hulse is the park’s general manager. He said he can’t wait until people can start splashing around in it. That’s still set to happen in June of next year.

Eventually, as 3News has reported, the $41 million water park will be the central component of a $550 million resort community on the Island. It will have more restaurants, shops and hotels. Plans also call for a riverwalk and new residential areas.

According to our sources, a major announcement about that is coming soon, and 3News promises to keep you posted. via KIITV.com

Filed Under: BeachWalk Development, North Padre Island, North Padre Island Beaches, Padre Isles POA, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi, Uncategorized

Design Plans for Island Water Exchange Bridge Takes Major Step Forward!

April 29, 2013 By

Design plans for the proposed Park Road 22/SPID Water Exchange Bridge will move forward before final decision is made on permitting by the Texas Department of Transportation, which means work on the bridge could begin much earlier than expected.

Until last week City Engineers did not plan to begin final design work on the $8.1 million bridge until the TxDot ruling on permitting which is not expected until at least the fall of 2013; this meant that final design of the bridge could not possibly be done until well into 2014, delaying the bridge’s construction and causing potential delays in the digging of the proposed IslandWalk Canal to connect the Schlitterbahn waterpark to amenities including a marina, on the east side of the highway.

That logjam was resolved last Friday when City Manager Ron Olson directed the city engineering staff to proceed with the detail
design of the bridge while awaiting the ruling from TxDot on permitting, which is expected within the next month and will likely be
followed by a public hearing.  Olson’s move clears the way for work on the canals to begin much earlier.  Under his existing permits developer Paul Schexnailder must build water exchange culverts under the roadway connecting the new canal on the west side of the
road to Lake Padre on the east.  However, last year the Corpus Christi City Council approved the use of $8.1 million in bond money to instead replace the culverts with the bridge which would allow for boats to pass underneath as well as pedestrian and golf cart paths.

The current design would allow for water passage through a six-foot deep channel and would include walking and cart paths on each
side along with about a 14-foot clearance from water level to the bridge for boat passage. It would take about one year to complete and
during most of that time traffic on SPID would be reduced to one lane each way As the city moves forward with the final design of the bridge all required permit work is proceeding on the IslandWalk Canal.

by Dale Rankin Island Moon Newspaper

Filed Under: Corpus Christ Real Estate Data, North Padre Island, Padre Isles POA, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge Tagged With: , ,

Schlitterbahn NEWS! Construction equipment expected to arrive this month!

October 3, 2012 By

schlitterbahn corpus christiCORPUS CHRISTI — Some construction on the proposed Schlitterbahn water park and resort has begun — just not on Padre Island.

Materials are being prefabricated in New Braunfels — where the company opened its first water park in 1979 — said Gabriele Hilpold, chairwoman of the committee that advises the city on island development.

Members of the Island Strategic Action Committee said they’re baffled when they hear from people who still don’t believe the park and resort will become a reality.

But they may not hear as much of that by the end of October, when construction equipment is expected to arrive near the Padre Isles Golf Course, said developer Paul Schexnailder, of Asset Development. He briefed the committee Tuesday night.

Drawings and surveys are being completed, he said. Schexnailder wouldn’t say whether they’ve found a way to keep nine holes of the golf course open during construction — as hoped by some island residents — but said project details are being worked out.

The $41 million resort planned west of Park Road 22 tentatively is set to open in March 2014. Early designs showed the park would include a 65-acre water park with lodging, golf and restaurants. It will be built on the existing golf course and tied into a master plan for the area that includes a marina in Lake Padre, an extension of the residential canal system, hotels, condos and single-family homes on about 500 acres of mostly undeveloped land.

Under a $117 million incentive agreement with the city, Schlitterbahn must begin construction within five months and be finished with the first phase by summer 2013.

Schlitterbahn is part of a proposed $552 million master plan for the island, which investors Willard Hammonds, Schexnailder and the Henry family, owners of Schlitterbahn, are developing.

via caller.com
Filed Under: North Padre Island, North Padre Island Beaches, Padre Isles POA, Park Road 22 Proposed Bridge, Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi, Uncategorized Tagged With: , ,

IMPORTANT NEWS FROM PADRE ISLES POA

July 20, 2012 By

UPCOMING ROAD CLOSURES ON WHITECAP

Improvements are being made to equipment at a waste water lift station.  Existing equipment was installed in 1974 and is approaching its useful service life, resulting in multiple repairs in the past year.  The improvements will restore the structural integrity of the line, which should last approximately 50 years.

Phase 1 – Monday, July 23 for approximately 1 week

Eastbound Whitecap traffic will be reduced to one lane as the left lane between

Gypsy and Cruiser will be closed for pipe welding and site preparation.

Phase 2 – Monday, July 30 for approximately 1 week

Eastbound traffic on Whitecap will be shifted onto the westbound lanes between

Cruiser and Barataria.  Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction.

WINDSTORM INSURANCE

You may have read the various articles regarding proposed legislation from the Texas Department of Insurance to divide the fourteen coastal counties based on proximity to the Gulf.   A surcharge to all insurance rates (Windstorm, homeowner policies, automobile policies, boats and RV policies) would cost Island property owners the most, and increase in lesser increments the farther inland you go.

Right now the 14 coastal counties are treated differently than the other 240 counties in Texas.  In the other counties, wind and hail are included in their homeowner’s policy.  It is only in the 14 coastal counties that we have separate windstorm and hail insurance in addition to a homeowner policy which specifically excludes wind and hail.

The other counties have their share of wild fires as well as wind and hail damage. Hurricanes are not the only potential disaster for Texas. We are all Texans and should all be treated equally. The Texas Department of Insurance should develop an equitable and reasonable statewide funding formula that does not target and discriminate against the fourteen coastal counties.

A task force has been created and our local Legislators, Representatives Todd Hunter and Senator Hinojosa are on top of this.  It is time to fix the windstorm insurance problem in Texas.

If you would like to write letters to State officials to ask for this fair and equitable funding formula, please contact our office for addresses or a sample letter.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS:

NO BOARD MEETING FOR JULY – NEXT ONE WILL BE AUGUST 28

LITTER CRITTER WILL BE IN THE POA PARKING LOT ON SATURDAY – JULY 28

Filed Under: North Padre Island, Padre Isles POA