The former Macy’s store at La Palmera mall could transform into something very different — a space for an “experiential retail concept” by a popular national-branded sporting store.
As proposed, a location for a Dick’s House of Sport — an arm of the Dick’s Sporting Goods franchise — may take the place of the now-vacated department store staple
, which closed its doors in April, according to city documents.Dick’s House of Sport is described in a memo as featuring a new, “growing experiential retail concept” that would include a variety of interactive options for customers: a rock-climbing wall, outdoor sports field, golf simulator and batting cages.
Bringing plans to fruition will be contingent on the Corpus Christi City Council’s approval of an updated
existing economic development agreement with La Palmera mall, first brokered in 2008, records show.
That discussion is scheduled for Sept. 8, according to a council agenda.
If the agreement is approved, it is expected that the sport house would open in fall of 2028, according to the presentation by city staff expected to be shown to the council on Sept. 8.
The agreement
The original economic development agreement was aimed at redeveloping and renovating what was then Padre Staples Mall, city documents show.
Under the agreement, the city rebates 70% of property taxes above a baseline of about $357,000 and also rebates 70% of sales tax revenue over a baseline of about $2.6 million, for as much as $15 million.
Amending the agreement wouldn’t increase the incentives cap but would extend the term of the agreement to 2045, documents state. It currently ends in 2035.
About $6.5 million of the total $15 million has so far been rebated, an online presentation shows.
As described in a city memo, La Palmera mall would be required to perform about $9 million in prep work — including demolition of the former Macy’s space, relocating city utilities and environmental remediation — before selling the property to Dick’s, which would construct its facility with another $21 million in investment.
The 'House of Sport'
Staff asserts in the memo that a Dick’s House of Sport location would serve as a “regional attraction,” expected to boost annual visits to the shopping center from 62,000 to 2 million, bump revenue from $20 million to $40 million and create new jobs.
There are already several locations in Texas, including Arlington, Friendswood, Dallas, Katy and San Antonio, according to the company’s site, which describes the House of Sport branch as a “destination for sport.”
“From baseball, softball, golf to football, we will help you reach the top of your game — no matter how you stay active,” it states. “Find the top gear to perform your best, practice your skills, connect with your community and attend special events in our new interactive space.”
Kirsten Crow covers city government and water news. Have a story idea? Contact her at kirsten.crow@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: New sports store may take the spot of the old Macy's at La Palmera
