A renaissance has occurred in downtown Corpus Christi. It is a vivid expression of the community's spirit: open and clean with plants and trees to emphasize environment; a mix of usage to reflect community ownership; art and cultural activities to inspire creative thinking and embrace cultural diversity; and pedestrian-friendly spaces to encourage tourism and constant activity. Downtown is an exciting place - business is booming, people call it home and there is always something fun and festive happening.

The need to develop downtown Corpus Christi as a resource for area residents and visitors alike repeatedly surfaced in 16 task force meetings, interviews with over a dozen resource speakers and neighborhood meetings. Reviews of the Corpus Christi 90 Report and the Hyett Palma 1990-1991 Business Plan confirms the interrelated nature of goals for downtown Corpus Christi. This task force concludes downtown amenities must first improve and expand in order to attract a customer base which in turn will sustain it.

To insure downtown's economic viability and it's survival, special attention must be paid and financial incentives created. In order to insure the needed attention, there must be an organization devoted specifically to downtown's problems, needs, and opportunities.

The Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance will provide space to a credible entity dedicated to promoting downtown interest. Such organization, when created, will receive ½ of 1% of gross sales tax revenues generated by downtown businesses.

Downtown Corpus Christi should be readily accessible and attractive to pedestrians, many of whom will be visitors staying at adjacent hotels and motels.

The Downtown Management District shall persist in it's efforts to acquire ISTEA (The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act)funds, which were turned down in 1994. The funds shall be used for the Peoples Street Project. The project will include special sidewalk and crosswalk paving; enhanced lighting for improved safety; pedestrian amenities; landscaping and other beautification.

The historic bluff tunnel should be opened and enhanced. This tunnel once connected Lower Broadway and served for many years as the preferred pedestrian link between Uptown and Downtown. Extending east from the base of the Broadway Bluff, it bisects the heart of downtown, and crosses Shoreline Boulevard.

The Peoples Street project will attach to and enhance the historic Bluff tunnel, increasing pedestrian activity and leading to more new businesses and jobs.

The Marina should be enhanced, since it would be in the city's best interest to preserve the attractiveness and structural integrity of one of its most viable assets, the Bayfront. In 1986 a bond issue was passed to raise funds for repairs to the Marina. These repairs costing approximately $4 million dollars were performed on Marina facilities in 1989 and 1990. No repair was done on the seawall at that time.

In order to enhance the Marina and incorporate the facilities into the mainstream of downtown, infrastructure repairs must be completed to insure the continued integrity and safety of the Marina and seawall for visitors and local citizens. The repairs (sheet piling and bulkheading) to portions of Lawrence T-Head and Coopers Alley which are not repaired in 1989 or 1990 will cost an estimated $5 million dollars. The Marina must be dredged in order to maintain boating access to and from Corpus Christi Bay. Originally, the depth was fifteen feet, but currently there are areas where the depth is seven feet or less.

The water taxi landing should be enhanced by construction on the rock promontory. This will create an attractive water walk with an imposing view of the shoreline. The project should include capping the rocks, removing the existing gate and providing lighting as well as canopy and beaches at the entrance to the rock promontory on the Peoples Street T-Head.

Lighting in downtown Corpus Christi must be improved in order to provide a safe, pedestrian friendly environment. Currently the lighting is insufficient.

A comprehensive landscape plan must be established for downtown open space and T-Heads. Utilizing plants that are indigenous to this area would not only be aesthetically appealing but would bring the advantages of being drought tolerant and hardy. Downtown would be more inviting to pedestrian traffic.

Privatization of landscape maintenance is recommended. This would ensure that maintenance would be consistent and that landscaping would look appealing at all times.