One of North Padre Island’s most popular beach spots is expected to get a major revamp.
The board that oversees the island’s tax increment reinvestment zone gave the green light Oct. 20 to contribute about $1.4 million to cover the remaining costs to repair and refresh the Michael J. Ellis seawall, a gathering place for visitors, pedestrians and beach-recreation fans.
Located between a beach of the same name and a series of condos and hotels, it serves as seawall infrastructure protecting the area behind it from Gulf-born surges in a storm — but it has also become a favorite feature along one of the higher-traffic beaches on the island.
Included within the project scope are various repairs to the seawall, as well as replacement of stairs and ramps
for egress and ingress to the beach, according to a city memo.
There are also plans to make the area, described as a promenade, more visitor-friendly. These include the installation of shade structures with accompanying seating and a more aesthetical appearance, such as adding artistic patterns to the concrete and developing a “plaza area,” the memo states.
The plaza area is proposed to add new features, such bike racks and a swing set, according to the memo.
The $1.4 million in funding — intended to cover a shortfall in the seawall project — would be drawn from another project in the TIRZ budget, said Jeff Edmonds, the city’s engineering director.
It’s a reference to a planned street named Sand Dollar, the agenda shows.
The street project would likely be included as part of a future bond package, Edmonds said.
The money earmarked for both projects is drawn from a pool of tax increment revenue collected within a “zone” on North Padre Island.
Known as a TIRZ, it functions by taxing entities agreeing to contribute a portion of new property tax generated within the zone to the TIRZ fund, which is used to improve areas within a given zone.
The revenue cannot be used for projects outside that geographical area.
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: Popular Mike Ellis seawall to soon boast new visitor-friendly features
