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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes City Council - 07/12/1976 - SpecialMINUTES CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING ART MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS AUDITORIUM July 12, 1976 7:00 P. M. PRESENT: Mayor Jason Luby Mayor Pro Tem Bill Tipton Commissioners: Eduardo E. de Ases Ruth Gill Bob Gulley Gabe Lozano, Sr. Edward Sample City Manager R. Marvin Townsend %Exec: Assistant'.7Ci.ty'Attomey Michael May City Secretary Bill G. Read Mayor Jason Luby called the meeting to order -in the Art Museum of South Texas Auditorium and stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss and solicit citizen input on the design of the proposed Community -Convention facility. He laid out procedures for conducting the meeting and at this point, asked Architect Dave Wilson to detail the up-to-date plans and design of the facility after which the meeting would be opened to comments and participation of the citizens present. Mr. Wilson introduced himself, other members of SHWC, Inc., including Mr. Romeo Garcia and Mr. Frank Lawyer and other representatives of Caudell, Rowlett and Scott of Houston, Texas, who would participate in the presentation. Mr. Wilson explained that the presentation would give the history of the project and include studies made up to the present time and work from several years ago before sites and designs were discarded in favor of the Bayfront Arts and Science Park location. He asked that it be noted that the plans and specifications are schematic and subject to change and that his firm and the Houston firm will be redrawing the schematics throughout this week in sessions to be held here in Corpus Christi. He outlined goals which include an attempt to make Corpus Christi competitive with other cities; achieve identity by establishing for Corpus Christi a national image as a unique convention and tourist center; stimulate economic growth, encourage cultural community unity, and improve the cultural environment. He pointed out basic facts, stating the facility will accomodate more than'one function at a given time, and handle approximately 70 percent of all types of conventions which occur in the United States. He emphasized that special consideration had been given to blending the facility with the other four buildings which exist in the Bayfront Science Park to encompass the entire area into a cultural center. Mr. Lawyer described general and specific concepts from a projector showing that the plans had been drawn to allow a good panoramic view of the Bay from the banquet and assembly halls, but the exhibit area will be windowless because the MI SEP 0 21980 ..utes Special Council Meeting July 12, 1976 Page 2 exhibitors would not want the interest distracted from their exhibits, arranged so the people will have to circulate through the exhibit hall to get to the meeting rooms, banquet rooms, restrooms and lounges; that the exhibit hall is planned to be as large and columnless as possible to permit flexibility for conversion into more than one room with adequate access to each. He explained that the parking areas will provide approximately 1,625 spaces with turn -around area for possible shuttle buses, loading docks and truck service. He stressed that special consideration had been given to making the arrival points of conventioneers as pleasant and attractive as possible including wind and weather protection; that the design includes adequate lighting of the parking areas to make them an extension of the lobbies since the facility will be used as much for night activities as for daytime use. He described in detail the materials to be used which are to be compatible with the semi -tropical Corpus Christi weather conditions; that the roof would be carefully and attractively designed since it will be seen from the air; the air conditioning and -acoustics to be the best that can be obtained with noise control and adequate ventilation; and included are breezeways, walkways and a landscaped outdoor lobby. Mr. Wilson explained that Mr. Lawyer's presentation brings the architects' plans up to date but commented there had since been another design by the staff and there will be more additions and deletions. He emphasized that the entire project should be viewed with a new perspective. City Manager Townsend invited comments, questions or suggestions regarding the architects' presentation. He stressed that the architects will be in Corpus Christi all this week to review and revise the plans, and to solicit any input available. Mr. Bill Brown, President of Southwest Shows of Dallas, stated he had been involved with buildings such as the one proposed throughout the United States and felt he was, through his experience, qualified to point out things that are commonly lacking in many convention centers. He cited buildings that have had to be redone at taxpayers' expense because the right people had not been contacted beforehand. He complimented the architects thus far, but stressed that specific qualifications and professionalism are needed before actual construction is begun to avoid expensive mistakes. He stated he knew of buildings completed without adequate restrooms; without considering the kind and size of equipment which will have to be moved in; and without adequate provision for necessary exits. ;- He suggested that a committee be appointed composed of persons who are professionals in this field and experienced in the handling of crowds to work out some of the problems before costly mistakes .utes Special Council Meeting July 12, 1976 Page 3 are made. He commented that the wonderful people who helped to put this bond issue over are good politicians but are not qualified to say how crowds should be handled in a building of this size. He further commented that the architects employed to work out the plans on this facility are the finest known, but it has been said that "architects build monuments to themselves". He agreed with the Mayor that the whole movement should be slowed down until all problems have been carefully studied and solved. Mr. Brown also suggested that it is important to establish some kind of timetable for completion as soon as possible for the reason that it has been his experience that the best time for scheduling conventions is the first two or three years. Mr. Lawyer pointed out that a two-day users' conference had been held sometime ago where opinions had been received from various parts of the country before any plans on this project had been drawn at all. Councilman Lozano named various convention centers where he and a committee (appointed for this purpose) had visited, and they all told of serious mistakes which had been made. He emphasized that this City should profit by their mistakes. Various comments and suggestions from the audience were as follows: A gentleman from the audience suggested that the firm Bonner & Associates be employed for the important acoustical system, pointing out that the sound system can either break or make the functionality of convention centers, and this is quite often overlooked. Mr. Dean L. Flinn raised the question of what special provision had been made for wheelchairsfand special elevators. He questioned the practicality of locating the banquet facilities on the second floor. Mr. Lawyer explained that there will be no cooking in this building but everything will be catered. It was pointed out that more emphasis should be put to the size and seating capacity of --the building rather than other frills or unnecessary features in order toCacconmodate larger conventions to compete with other cities. It was suggested that '. it be built so it can be expanded for future growth. There was a comment that it appears from the plans presented that the proposed building will not seat many more people than the Coliseum. City Manager Townsend explained that this convention center is not intended to replace the Coliseum. Mr. Lawyer stated the building probably could be expanded but would require more land and did not recommend a con- vention center with more than two stories. Mr. Vicente Carranza opposed the construction of the facility stating it was the consensus of many people who voted against it that another election should be Minutes Special Council Meeting July 12, 1976 Page 4 scheduled to obtain a clearer mandate of the people. He referred to this group as the "elite" and not representative of all factions. Mr. Carranza was asked to confine his comments to the convention facility since that was the purpose of the meeting. Mayor Luby pointed out that the people have, by majority vote, asked for the facility and the Council should proceed on that basis. He commented that mandate does not always make the difference since "he was elected to his office by a very small margin". He also stressed that four meetings would be held for the purpose of reaching all the people for input on the plans and specifications. The Manager of the Convention Center of Acapulco, Mexico, advised the construction of large column -free exhibit.hall areas with flexibility for small or large groups. The question was raised as to what provisions had been made for exits and how long it would take for the building to be emptied. It was pointed out there are a multitude of exits provided and stressed that the building will be constructed according to building and fire codes which will govern safety and adequate exits. An inquiry was made as to the status of the recount of the May 26 Election and the alleged irregularities as to eligible voters, etc. City Manager Townsend advised that the recount revealed that the unofficial returns were correct except for one clerical error which resulted in 18 less votes against the bonds, that no lawsuit had been filed, and the opposition's request for copies of election records had been complied with. A member of the audience asked how much of the input from these four meetings would be used in the actual construction of the convention facility. City Manager Townsend explained that all that had been authorized by the Council was the design. He emphasized that much consideration would be given to questions raised regarding parking, size of the exhibit hall, air conditioning, acoustics, etc., but the basic facility which was that placed before the voters will guide the Council. He pointed out that there are limitations as to the size of the meeting rooms, etc. Col. Floyd Buch stated that exhibit space, meeting rooms and public service rooms need adequate facilities. He emphasized provision for adequate parking space and the importance of parking areas being as close to the building as possible. As to the matter of the shuttle bus previously mentioned, he pointed out that there is already underway a transit study on this possibility. Mrs. Majorie Brown, former Coliseum Manager for the City, reminded the Council that decisions made in the next few weeks are going to establish what this Minutes Special Council Meeting July 12, 1976 Page 5 ' community will live with for the next century and urged more long-range planning. She suggested that input be solicited from an organization called the Society of Executive Secretaries and that this information be fed to our architects. She highly recommended that the services of experienced and professional management ti persons volunteer their time and they be supported by a committee of knowledgeable persons and given full confidence of the City Council, that so far as the functional use of the building, they should be given full authority and responsibility to make every final decision as to. the , use of the building. Further, she stated all of the community have the responsibility to see that this financial obligation is met, but that it can only be met through delegate spending. She commented that she, through her experience in this field, could save the City as much as $25,000,, would like to make suggestions regarding such things as service quarters, adequate openings for moving large equipment, provision for adequate storage space for surplus seating equipment, etc. Ms. Mary Lou Huffman, Chairman of the Park Board, stressed the importance of landscaping and trees, commenting that many times after a facility of this kind is completed, there is no money left for landscaping. A comment from the audience was an expression against landscaping with palm trees, commenting that Corpus Christi'has been "palmed tree'd 'to death". The color of the building was discussed. Mr. Wilson explained that the color suggested by the architects was a "warm tan", pointing out that they considered it wise not to detract from the Art Museum by making it white. It was decided the tan color would tend to compliment the Museum. It was further pointed out that a building of this size would be too large for white and would dwarf the Museum. Mr. Larry Parks inquired as to what provision had been made for some type of energy saving devise. Mr. Lawyer explained that energy would be saved by the careful placing of glass, and that some windows would open out onto terraces, but were not intended to operate as windows. Mr. Neil Whiting, representing the Harbor Play House, put the record straight as to the distinction between the Corpus Christi Little Theatre and the Harbor Play House. He agreed that this large new convention facility should not be white, emphasizing that it would be too much glare. Regarding the planting of palm trees, a suggestion from the audience was that our Yankee friends we are trying to encourage to come here, love palm trees. Minutes Special Council Meeting July 12, 1976 Page 6 A gentleman from the audience suggested that wind barriers be provided since strong winds are prevalent in this area. Mr. Lawyer explained that the main entrance will be protected by the building itself. He agreed that perhaps some type of wind screening would be a good idea on the plaza at the pedestrian entrance. Mr. Clay Moore, longtime resident of the City, suggested landscaping with Oleanders or banana trees, pointing out that both provide good landscaping, screening and wind protection. Mr. Steve Howell agreed that a shuttle bus would be an asset, and inquired as to where it would be placed. He also suggested some type of underground or above ground parking. City Manager Townsend responded that there are surplus buses at the Transit Yard approximately six blocks away from the Center site. Mr. Lawyer stated that structural parking could not be financed at this time under the bond program. The question was raised if this could be on a revenue basis to pay for the parking. Margaret Ramage inquired if the parking area around the old Courthouse could or would be used for the convention center. City Manager Townsend explained there are at least three sites under consideration. He stated that paid parking should be studied but is not part of the plan at present. Commissioner de Ases reported that he had attended a convention of the Texas Bar Association recently which was a disaster because of the failure of the air conditioning system. He suggested that consideration should be given to emergency equipment in the event of power failures. Mr. Lawyer explained there will be multiple units with standby equipment. A question was raised as to provision for sprinkler system in the building. Mr. Lawyer explained that these provisions would be according to the Fire Codes. Mr. Clifford Cosgrove offered his services in any way possible to bring to completion the building of the center. He suggested that the entire project be com- pleted at one time and that it be adequate to serve all types of conventions in the best manner possible. He pointed out that one bad convention can cost the City ten good ones. An inquiry was made as to the hurricane resistance of the glass in the building. There was no direct response to this question. Minutes Special Council Meeting July 12, 1976 Page 7 Mr. Dean Flinn suggested that there be plenty of communication facilities in the building. Mr. Bill Brown pointed out that this convention center is not to replace the facility we already have, stating that money that•will be derived to revert to the tax payers will have to come from shows staged in the present facility, and will ti be attended by people who do not have the faintest interest in the kind of building. He urged that the present building not become a step child because it is a good money -making facility for the City. Mayor Luby thanked those in the audience who responded with questions and suggestions. Approximately 100 persons signed the registry in attendance. (Attacl There being no further business to come before the Council, the meeting was adjourned at 9:01 p.m., July 12, 1976. l A-TT6711DEb. T7,E /0b-E7//U4 ON 7 ' - .o44 ,t//TY cop!/E71/T/Ov JULY /z, /9 RTr%/1F_,)f7-M0sa144 `Nfl4 t - ifs ,e_4._ _cVo 5-- ip 4124 3S L7 4g24,10r1 7/S /fid /443 684-33 /3 c`T.( AMhsoA) .4213 ke-rsl " 5`5-`f-7127 (JC7RLF�FICLI� 3430____Wczan y_ DD' Ss8"Z- 95-‘15-- 0 '7 '? F,-EnoA E'S- 0a 3 r S7.e. 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