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HomeMy WebLinkAbout025658 ORD - 02/17/2004AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI ("THE CITY") BY ADOPTING THE REVISED SOUTH CENTRAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN; ESTABLISHING THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES ON THE DOWNTOWN, UPTOWN, BAYFRONT, BAYFRONT ARTS AND SCIENCE PARK AND SURROUNDING AREAS FOR PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT, FUTURE LAND USE, TRANSPORTATION, PUBLIC SERVICES, AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS; RESCINDING THE SOUTH CENTRAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN PREVIOUSLY APPROVED BY RESOLUTION 021169, MAY 21, 1991, AND AMENDED BY ORDINANCE 022166, FEBRUARY 28, 1995; AMENDING RELATED ELEMENTS OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCLUDING THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN; PROVIDING FOR SEVERANCE; AND PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION. WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has forwarded to the City Council its reports and recommendations concerning the amendment of the South Central Area Development Plan, an element of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Corpus Christi; WHEREAS, with proper notice to the public, public hearings were held on Wednesday, November 19, 2003, during a meeting of the Planning Commission, and on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, during a meeting of the City Council of the City of Corpus Christi, during which all interested persons were allowed to appear and be heard; WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that these amendments would best serve public health, necessity, and convenience, and the general welfare of the City of Corpus Christi and its citizens. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS: SECTION 1. That the South Central Area Development Plan (a part of the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas), including the Introduction, Policy Statements, Figures, Tables and all other elements and parts of the South Central Area Development Plan, are hereby adopted as an integral part of the Comprehensive Plan to read as shown in Exhibit "A" attached and incorporated by reference. '.)256b8 SECTION 2. That the South Central Area Development Plan adopted by City Council Resolution 021169, May 21, 1991, and amended by Ordinance 022166, February 28, 1995, are hereby rescinded. SECTION 3. That to the extent the amendments made by this Ordinance represent a deviation from the Comprehensive Plan, the Comprehensive Plan, including the Urban Transportation Plan, is amended to conform to the amendments made by this Ordinance. SECTION 4. That the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Corpus Christi, Texas as amended from time to time, except as changed by this Ordinance and any other ordinances adopted on this date, remains in full force and effect. SECTION 5. That any ordinance or part of any ordinance in conflict with this ordinance is expressly repealed by this ordinance. SECTION 6. The City Council intends that every section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word or provision of this ordinance shall be given full force and effect for its purpose. Therefore, if any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word or provision of this ordinance is held invalid or unconstitutional by final judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, that judgment shall not affect any other section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word or provision of this ordinance. SECTION 7. Publication shall be made in the official publication of the City of Corpus Christi as required by the City Charter of the City of Corpus Christi. That the foregoing ordinance was read for the first time and passed to its second reading on this the )04k day of 1� hrwri-r7 , 2004, by the following vote: Samuel L. Neal, Jr. Bill Kelly Brent Chesney Rex A. Kinnison Javier D. Colmenero Q L1p Jesse Noyola ,,Z Melody Cooper Mark Scott 651 Henry Garrett C. That the foregoing ordinance was read for the second time and passed finally on this the r] day of f'.t,IJfa-A-f'c.- , 2004, by the following vote Samuel L. Neal, Jr. Wit' . J Bill Kelly Brent Chesney 1 4-I{ IImo^^ Rex A. Kinnison Javier D. Colmenero Q.--Auf- Jesse Noyola �?, Melody Cooper ONevkf Mark Scott Henry Garrett 011)(C- PASSED N1-� PASSED AND APPROVED, this the I, -day of feblic rir , 2004. CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI Armando Chapa Samuel L. Nea , Jr. City Secretary Mayor Approved t; ,2004 By: Jose�i Harney Assistant City Atto ey For City Attorney Cary of S Corpus _ - Christi wY SOUTH CENTRAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN An Element of the Comprehensive Plan Adopted February 17, 2004 South Central A rea Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 11 Lopt c„ pt South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 111 SOUTH CENTRAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN Adopted by City Council Ordinance #025658, February 17, 2004 Supersedes the Plan approved by City Council Ordinance #22166, February 28, 1995, which amended the original Plan adopted by City Council Resolution #021169, on May 21, 1991 The preparation of this document was financed in part by a Community Development Block Grant from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and a Metropolitan Planning Organization grant from the Federal Highway Administration. Brent Chesney At Large Henry Garrett At Large Melody Cooper At Large Corpus Christi City Council 2003 Mayor Loyd Neal Bill Kelly District 1 Javier Colmenero District 2 Jessie Noyola District 3 Mark Scott District 4 Rex Kinnison District 5 nYYW (6",4,;:', South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page IV Corpus Christi Planning Commission November 19, 2003 David Berlanga, Chairman Shirley Mims, Vice chair Elizabeth Chu Richter Robert Zamora Richard Smith Eloy Salazar Neill F. Amsler Bryan Stone Michael Pusley South Central Area Stakeholders Group Norma Urban Brooke Sween -McGloin Bunny Arnim David Seiler Brad Lomax Tom Niskala Gordon Landreth Greg Brubeck Tim Clower Bert Quintanilla Wayne Lundquist Roy Pell Dusty Durrill Linda Hodge Larry Urban Neill Amsler Elizabeth Chu Richter Mohammad Farhan IW�Y c%i;. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 2 CONTENTS INTRODUCTION 4 POPULATION AND EXISTING LAND USE 5 PLANNING PROCESS 8 STAKEHOLDER AND CITIZEN INPUT 8 PLANNING ISSUES 9 MISSION STATEMENT 9 PLAN GOALS AND OBJECTIVES 9 A. ENVIRONMENT 12 B. LAND USE 13 AREA A: BAYFRONT AND DOWNTOWN LAND USE POLICIES 14 AREA B: UPTOWN OFFICE AND GOVERNMENTAL CENTER 20 AREA C: SOUTH BLUFF AREA 21 C. TRANSPORTATION 24 D. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 28 E. PUBLIC SERVICES 30 PARKS 30 BAYFRONT PARK 30 FESTIVAL PARK 30 BLUCHER AND SOUTH BLUFF PARKS 31 BLUFF BALUSTRADE 32 DOWNTOWN PARKS 32 MARINA 32 PUBLIC FACILITIES 33 UTILITIES 34 WATER SYSTEM 34 WASTEWATER SYSTEM 34 STORMWATER SYSTEM 34 OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES 35 F. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDS 36 UTILITIES 36 MARINA 36 SHORT RANGE NEEDS 36 MEDIUM RANGE PROJECTS 37 LONG RANGE PROJECTS 38 NORTH BASIN 38 BAYFRONT 38 PARK AND RECREATION 39 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 39 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 40 TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT 40 G. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION 42 South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 3 EE FIGURES FIGURE 1: SOUTH CENTRAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN STUDY AREA 5 FIGURE 2: EXISTING LAND USES IN THE SOUTH CENTRAL AREA 6 FIGURE 3: SUB -AREA BOUNDARY MAP 11 FIGURE 4: FUTURE LAND USF 13 FIGURE 5: PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PLAN 19 FIGURE 6: FUTURE TRANSPORTATION PLAN 25 TABLES TABLE 1: 2000 CENSUS POPULATION AND HOUSING 5 TABLE 2: 2002 EXISTING LAND USE ACREAGE 7 South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 4 South Central Area Development Plan INTRODUCTION tt ... establish comprehensive planning as a continuous governmental function to guide, regulate, and manage future development .. . The Comprehensive Plan is mandated by the City Charter. It requires the City Council to "...establish comprehensive planning as a continuous governmental function in order to guide, regulate, and manage future development..." and, that "all city improvements, ordinances, and regulations shall be consistent with the comprehensive plan." The Comprehensive Plan is a product of various plan titles such as Policy Statements, Area Development Plans, Capital Improvement Programs, and Master Utility Plans. The comprehensive planning process is a means whereby citizens and community leaders guide community development. The Comprehensive Plan, by definition, is general, long range, and broad in scope. To help formulate the Comprehensive Plan, City Council divided the city and its environs into 10 Area Development Plan (ADP) study areas. NORTH CENTRAL SIJLTH CEUTRT BOUTHE4ST TOi. THROE FLOOR 'ELUTE PADRE CAAND Development plans for these areas will help resolve basic issues such as zoning and platting of properties, allocation of public services and facilities contained in the Capital Improvement Programs, and other area specific issues. In any case, follow-up programs are needed to implement the many policies in the Plan. Implementation of these plans will help assure the most appropriate land development and provision of public services. Coordination of the Capital Improvement Plan, various Area Development Plans, and day-to-day actions of lint agencies responsible for implementing the Comprehensive Plan. will result in more cost effective development and tax dollar savings. The South Central Development Plan Area, located south of the ship channel, was originally part of a larger Central ADP area which included the Corpus Christi Beach area north of the ship channel. The "Central Area" was separated into "north" and "south" study areas to expedite formulation of a plan for the Corpus Christi Beach area when the Texas State Aquarium was being planned for development. The South Central study area embraces the downtown, uptown. waterfront, and is bordered by the Ship Channel to the north; Corpus Christi Bay to the east; Morgan Avenue to the south; and Crosstown South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 5 Expressway/West Broadway to the west. (Figure 1). Historically, this area has been the most planned area of the City . A bibliography of many of these plans is available from the Development Services Department. FIGURE 1: SOUTH CENTRAL AREA DEVELOPMENT PLAN STUDY AREA Sc-4efitrat-A-r-e- be,;(e b Plan ,: Corpus Christi Ship Channel ntstff , '`-1.' w, ;r IRHf r —ILA* inti ,F- ,, om. T Corpus Christi Bay POPULATION AND EXISTING LAND USE Study Area Boundary Map According to the 2000 Census, the South Central area contains 7,270 residents and 3,111 housing units. The South Central area has experienced a significant decline in population over the last 40 years. In addition, the area has experienced a major exodus of retail businesses since the 1970s. The original South Central Area Development Plan (1991) identified the decline in resident population and retail businesses as major areas of concern. TABLE 1: 2000 CENSUS POPULATION AND HOUSING 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Population 12,567 9,020 8,312 7,906 7,270 Housing Units 5,072 3,895 3,591 2,941 3,111 South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 6 FIGURE 2: EXISTING LAND USES IN THE SOUTH CENTRAL AREA ji 1 II ■ rid « ■ !Pr South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 7 gn- >r IWIw hn.ii TABLE 2: 2002 EXISTING LAND USE ACREAGE Land Use Acreage 127.00 % 11% Low Densit Residential Medium Densit Residential 78.33 7% Hi.h Densit Residential 8.23 1% Professional Office 65.27 6% Commercial 165.60 15% Li•ht Industrial 153.75 14% Heav Industrial 4.91 0% Park 36.86 3% Public Semi Public 199.93 18% Draina•e Corridor 4.10 0% Ri•htofWay 17.72 2% acant 243.63 22% otal 1,105.33 100% Over the last 10 to 15 years the downtown has emerged from a period of deterioration and loss of downtown residential and commercial usage to a healthy and attractive area for new entertainment, commercial, hotel and office businesses. In the last five years, the downtown has experienced several new residential redevelopments that are now in high demand. A series of proactive City Councils, the Downtown Management District and aggressive downtown property owners are largely responsible for the resurgence of the Downtown. Some of the small and large successes over that last 15 years which are now building the momentum for redevelopment in the downtown include: • Several major public projects approved by vo ers in 2001 include: O Convention Center Expansion O New Multi-purpose Arena O New Baseball Stadium O Seawall Repairs O Marina Improvements - includes renovation of bulk heading, slip repair and additional large boat slips • Night life entertainment, i.e. restaurant and night club development in Downtown • Small retail shops development primarily located on Chaparral Street • Concrete Street Amphitheater • Recreational Development of McCaughn Park and old City Hall Site • Miradores on Seawall • Selena Memorial • New Federal Courthouse • Gateway realignment and landscaping at 1-37 and Shoreline Boulevard. • Downtown Lighting with retro style lighting standards • Corpus Christi Art Center Expansion • South Texas Art Museum Expansion • Solomon Ortiz International Center • Asian Cultures Museum • Museum of Natural History expansions including the Columbus Fleet exhibit • Regional Transportation Authority's Downtown Trolley Circulator and Harbor Ferry Systems • Renourishment of McGee Beach r. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 8 Other significant projects that may come to fruition are economic development of the marina landmasses, the South Wharf Project proposal, relocation of the Broadway Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the replacement of Harbor Bridge. PLANNING PROCESS The planning process for the South Central Area Development Plan consists of the following steps: I. Staff formulates planning process and schedule for plan update and begins inventory of land use, infrastructure, etc. 2. Creation of South Central Plan Stakeholder Group consisting of Downtown Management District, business and property owners and private and public entities with significant interests in Central Area and City Staff 3. Staff and Stakeholders Group identifies issues of concern in the South Central area and produces Issues Report. 4. Staff drafts Plan to address issues of concern. 5. Staff presents draft Plan to Stakeholder Group and respective City Committees and other interested organizations for input. 6. Staff revises draft Plan based on input received. 7. Staff presents draft Plan to Stakeholder Group for review and comment. Staff revises draft Plan based on Stakeholder Group input. 8. The draft Plan presented to Planning Commission for public hearing input. The Planning Commission may recommend revisions to draft and then recommends City Council approval of Plan. 9. The revised draft Plan presented to City Council for public hearing input. The draft Plan revised based on recommendation by Council and Plan is approved. STAKEHOLDER AND CITIZEN INPUT A primary goal of the planning process is to obtain input from citizens interested in the South Central Area and from stakeholder groups. Stakeholder groups and professions that have been involved in the planning process include: o Downtown Management District o Chamber of Commerce o Regional Transportation Authority o Convention and Visitors Bureau o Port of Corpus Christi o Metropolitan Planning Organization c Landmark Commission • Water Shore Advisory Committee o Architects Engineers o Commercial Realtors o Restaurateurs • Property Owners o Residents o City Staff e.g. Engineering Services, Park and Recreation, Marina, Public Works (Utilities), and Development Services. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 9 v WW vca„2,iiir, PLANNING ISSUES fhe identification of the major issues related to the South Central Area was primarily derived from several meetings with the Stakeholders Group. An Issues Report was prepared to identify the major issues determined by the Stakeholders Group. Staff used those issues as a primary basis in formulating the draft South Central Area Development Plan. MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the South Central Area Development Plan is to facilitate redevelopment of the South Central Area over the next 20 years for creating a thriving central area neighborhood community in which to live, work, play, raise a family, invest and visit. The City will focus on implementing the City's South Central Area Development Plan in order to promote an exciting central business district, revitalized inner neighborhoods, expanded economic opportunities, and many more choices for recreation and entertainment, from outdoor activities ranging from sports to cultural events with in the area. PLAN COALS AND OBJECTIVES The guiding goals and objectives for the entire City, ETJ, and all Area Development Plans including the South Central Area are contained in the Policy Statements adopted by the City Council in 1987. The policies encompassed by this Plan address not only current issues, but needs that the City and South Central residents, property owners, and businesses perceive will become pressing in future years. Recognizing that not all suggested implementations will take place immediately, it is important to foresee and note problems and opportunities, and develop a long term strategy to address them. The goals, objectives. and policies of this plan are consistent with the Bayfront Plan adopted in 1982 and amended in 1984, and the Project Plan for Reinvestment Zone No. 1 adopted in 1983. This plan supersedes all previous City plans for this area except for the Reinvestment Zone Project Plan which shall remain in force until State law provides for the termination of Reinvestment Zone No. I. In addition, this plan is an update to the original South Central Area Development Plan adopted May 21, 1991 and later updated in February 28,1995. Key goals, objectives, or policies of the Plan are printed in bold print. However, for a full understanding of each policy statement, refer to the entire text of that policy statement. The specific goal of the City and South Central Area Development Plan is to promote the South Central Area as a place of great vitality, with a mix of educational, residential, retail, office, service, government, arts and cultural, and entertainment development. The health and vitality of the arca can contribute in a major way to the city, its local and regional image, and quality of life. It is a place where residents can live, work, team, and play in the same neighborhood. A fully revitalized South Central Area will need a resurgence of residential and retail development activity. While a resurgence of retail activity has occurred during the last decade, resident population growth is needed to sustain and fully realize the retail commercial development potential in the central business district. Principal objectives of the Plan include: Sufficient Infrastructure Capacity — Infrastructure planning and design should be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Foremost of the principal objectives determined during the planning process was the critical need to continue immediate and short term improvements to the downtown stormwater system to prevent a repeat of the damages to businesses which occurred during several rain events in 2002. Other critical infrastructure needs include significant improvements to the wastewater and street systems. IYYI►YYI c (iffy, South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 10 • 24/7 Neighborhoods - Promote a uniquely attractive atmosphere for small and large-scale tourist attractions. Propose appropriate land use, with emphasis on increasing residential density and business intensity in the Central Business District. • Pedestrian Friendly District - Emphasize conflict -free, ADA accessible pedestrian district to enhance connections between downtown and uptown, the bayfront, the Bayfront Arts and Science Park, and outlying areas, and maximize use of public areas. Create shade from sun and shelter from wind through structures, trees and palm plantings, and landscaping on private property and in public right of way. Transportation network - Design transportation network and services to serve existing and future land uses with emphasis on unifying the downtown, uptown, bayfront, the Bayfront Arts and Science Park, Texas State Aquarium. and the expanding commercial/public complex at the Port of Corpus Christi. Promote efficient use of existing parking facilities balanced and coordinated with enhanced transit services and other intermodal choices in the Central Business District, Bayfront Arts and Science Park, and the Bayfront. • Parks and Recreation - Preserve and enhance public access and recreational opportunities along the Bayfront. Enhance public spaces and pedestrian movement in the area between 1-37 and the ship channel, and establish a clear and functional entryway to the Bayfront Arts and Science Park (BASP). Develop a Festival Park (or Parks). Expand Heritage Park to the east and west and promote pedestrian movement to, and through, the park grounds free from vehicular conflict. • Economic Development - Maximize redevelopment opportunities for the Central Business District, the RASP and the Port. Provide for economic development and expansion of the existing Marina possibly including a public beach, cruise ship berths, anchorages, and commercial development in the North Marina. Unique Quality of District - Encourage a high level of urban design consistency and construction standards for public spaces and facilities to promote residential and tourist -oriented development. Incorporate urban design elements which are sensitive to the large number of historic structures and districts in the CBD (e.g. Bluff Balustrade, the historic 1914 County Courthouse, Furman Avenue, and Downtown) and the Bayfront. • Downtown Management District - Recognize the unique role of the Downtown Management District, Regional Transportation Authority and Port of Corpus Christi in promoting development and enhancing the economy of the Downtown and encourage a dynamic process giving great latitude for these entities in managing their areas of responsibility. Since the late 1980s the Central Business District has experienced a revival that is continuing today. The City is committed to continuing this revival and making the Central Business District of the future a place of major public and private facilities of the highest quality. [his Plan is a proactive redevelopment strategy, to maximize market opportunities, assure adequate public facilities, and remove barriers to redevelopment. Capitalizing on the market potential of the Central Area, the City's role must not be only one of regulator, but one of partner and active participant. The key to this role is to achieve community consensus on what should occur in the area, then to aggressively pursue this common vision. Many of the detailed policies in the following sections related to the entire study area while some of the policy statements pertain to one of the sub Areas illustrated on Figure 3. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 11 Igh O. pi ca us FIGURE 3: SUB -AREA BOUNDARY MAP Corpus Christi Ship Channel cw; —Ghu run Planning' Department tea C 1 me CDD■■ —� [Ti 'UM LIODOO foo mmu�mmmcmmDEA .0D°a C���111@�CIC�[111ID� fr 2/c7/r7v -^A �ftIITUIIJ Planning Sub - Areas m „i South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 12 A. ENVIRONMENT POLICY STATEMENT A.I Pollution prevention devices should be incorporated into stormwater outfalls to capture floating debris, sediments and other pollutants before entering the Bay system. Dozens of stormwater outfalls are located along the bayfront which deposit Targe volumes of floating debris and other urban pollutants along the seawall, beaches and shoreline areas. POLICY STATEMENT A.2 All public and private construction should be in accordance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Compliance with these standards will ensure continued availability of flood insurance to the community through the National Flood Insurance Program. POLICY STATEMENT A.3 While preserving or increasing drainage capacity, the City will protect the flowing stream in Blucher Park which is overwhelmed during major rain events. Stormwater retention or detention facilities will be needed for drainage improvements in this area. They will not cause higher water levels in the park than presently experienced and will shorten the time of flooding. Where ever possible, the perennially flowing stream should be retained in its natural state and any channelization should be minimized. POLICY STATEMENT A.4 Maintain the one -mile minimum distance from the shoreline for any petroleum drilling operations. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 13 C'iN of YYW Chn B. LAND USE POLICY STATEMENT 8.I The City Council hereby adopts the Future Land Use Plan map and the accompanying text as a guide for future land use decisions (see Figure 4). The intent of the future land use and development plan is to encourage high intensity mixed use development and civic oriented development of the highest order within the South Central Area. The plan provides guidance for future land use including rezoning, platting. fiscal management, and capital improvement planning. Specific policies for the various South Central Areas are grouped into sub -areas as illustrated in Figure 3. FIGURE 4: FUTURE LAND USE cita e u Sou0h Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 14 AREA A: BAYFRONT AND DOWNTOWN LAND USE POLICIES Seto -Gen t_Area $lekelo e'a( Plan kit Corpus Christi Ship Channel Corpus Christi Bag • rinL IH=AS��i[:i � f7t�fI es es _ _h 1 w d1 ni_jetfe biL Biu Clip ro 1m•ih ait DUE n ➢r L �� C ai d'mmm ma�Tm�l&L rr_ T c"' 3 t41 l.l 11 h i �� ntrAe- , Planning i! Sub -Areas POLICY STATEMENT B.2 - PLANNING AREA A The highest priority for creation of activities on the bayfront are activities that benefit the citizens of Corpus Christi and that take advantage of the unique natural amenities of the bayfront, including wind, water and temperate climate. POLICY STATEMENT B.3 - PLANNING AREA A Promote a mix of tourist, retail, entertainment, residential, and civic uses in the Bayfront and Downtown Business District. The City should encourage a much higher density and intensity of uses than currently exists in Planning Area A. Development potential for Area A, will depend on a mutually supportive, planned, and coordinated effort between private development and public service entities, of which the provision of adequate utility infrastructure has become of paramount importance (See Public Service Section). Special lighting, signage, landscaping, and street furniture should be used to help visually and functionally integrate public and private development projects. POLICY STATEMENT B.4 - Planning Area A Promote economically viable incentives for development of new tourist oriented uses on private properties fronting Shoreline Boulevard. The best use of these prime properties is tourist -related and residential uses - not office or non -tourism related business uses. These prime properties should be developed with high-rise hotels and residential uses with tourist -related retail uses occupying a majority of the ground floor. Drive-throughs and similar non -tourist uses should not be permitted on Shoreline Boulevard nor the half block nearest the bay along side streets. POLICY STATEMENT B.5 - Planning Area A Increase the number of housing units and achieve higher housing densities in the Downtown Area. Incentives should be established, including financial and regulatory, to promote significant increases of quality residential development and compatible mixed uses in the CBD and surrounding residential neighborhoods e.g. conversions to loft apartments, specialty grocery stores, "liveaboard" facilities in the marina, and other residential serving uses and to create a sense of community in the Central Area. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 15 Ci,l at WW c, p"; POLICY STATEMENT B.6 — Planning Area A Pursue designation of Downtown as a targeted area within the Corpus Christi Housing Finance Corporation's Mortgage Credit Certificate Program if Federal requirements can be met. This would eliminate the first time buyer requirement and increase the home purchase price limitations. POLICY STATEMENT B.7 — Planning Area A Encourage the Downtown Management District and City Staff to develop residential loan guarantee program proposal. The proposal should include possible foundations that could provide seed money and guidelines for guaranteed loans. POLICY STATEMENT B.8 — Planning Area A In order to create a significant resident population in the area, the City should consider incentive programs making residential development and redevelopment more attractive to property owners. Such program might provide Community Block Grant Funds (CDBG) for low interest loans, tax credits, etc. where a property owner agrees to rehabilitate a vacant building, with 25% percent of the building rehabilitation devoted to new downtown residential units. POLICY STATEMENT B.9 — Planning Area A The 1-37 corridor from the Crosstown Interchange to Shoreline Boulevard is the most important entrance to the City and should be as aesthetically appealing as possible. Recent improvements including the construction of the new federal Courthouse and the landscaping of the realigned 1-37 boulevard have begun the process to visually improve this important gateway entrance to the City, the Bayfront, and the Central Business District. However, remaining improvements which should be targeted for implementation include the following. Deteriorating buildings along this entryway should be repaired, rehabilitated, or removed in order to make way for redevelopment (the restoration of the historical 1914 county courthouse is certainly a significant improvement); • Billboards should be removed; • The City's organization seals should be more tastefully presented or removed: and • Heavy landscaping should be added within the 1-37 right-of-way and existing landscaping should be properly maintained. POLICY STATEMENT B.10 — Planning Area A Expand Convention Center grounds and take advantage of its bayfront location by creating a public park and plaza south of the Convention Center on Shoreline Boulevard medians and the Barge Dock. Creation of this public park plaza will complement the Convention Center expansion, the arena, enhance new hotel development on adjacent vacant lands and create a location for small festivals. POLICY STATEMENT 8.11 — Planning Arca A Trees and landscaping will be designed as a critical component of all roadway projects in Area A. Trees and other plantings will be properly coordinated with utilities to avoid conflicts and competition for limited underground space on city -owned properties and right-of-ways. The city will fully consider the significant value of trees for shading pedestrians when resolving infrastructure conflicts: and plant appropriate tree species on public rights-of-way that maximize planting potential while protecting the safety of the public. POLICY STATEMENT B.12 — Planning Area A Establish grand entrance features, i.e., special signage, landscaping, sculpture, fountains, etc., at key entrances to the BASP and improve the entranceways leading to Resaca and Chaparral Streets. Grand entrance features are similar to "gateways" except gateways will use more land and be larger in scale. POLICY STATEMENT B.13 — Planning Area A Develop a pedestrian walkway along the bayfront between the barge dock and the Solomon Ortiz International Center. The walkway would provide a special pedestrian way, or linkage, between barge dock South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 16 and sea wall, to Solomon Ortiz International Center. Other special pedestrian ways should connect the bayfront with Heritage Park, festival areas, the BASP, and Solomon Ortiz International Center. These pedestrian ways would be constructed with attractively designed and consistent pavement, lighting, landscaping, and public signage. POLICY STATEMENT B.14 Planning Area A Enhance the seawall with special pavers or concrete imprinting, landscaping, increased lighting on steps, and creation of shade. POLICY STATEMENT B.15 - Planning Area A Expand Heritage Park to the east side of Chaparral Street and to the west, up to the U.S. 181 right-of- way, between Fitzgerald and Hughes Streets with similar historic structures that exist in Heritage Park. This expansion will buffer Heritage Park from any future multilevel developments on the remaining portion of those blocks to the east. This will also create a more attractive entrance to the Bayfront Arts and Science Park. However. care should be taken that historic structures are not removed from original sites unless the structure is threatened by demolition. POLICY STATEMENT B.16 Planning Area A Promote visitor-oriented commercial activities including bed and breakfast uses, restaurants, coffee shops, gift shops, art galleries, and artisan working areas in Heritage Park. Activities that generate significant amounts of traffic and activity both from out of town visitors and residents are most desirable for this strategic location so that a high level of liveliness and interest is generated. · The first priority for obtaining greater use within the area should be to encourage high-quality local cultural restaurants (Mexican, Greek, German, Irish, etc.). · The City should aggressively encourage leases for gift shops, art galleries, artisan working areas and studios, and art and handicraft sales, etc. · Rental monies from Heritage Park activities should be used for the improvement of Heritage Park. POLICY STATEMENT B. 17 - Planning Area A To promote views of Heritage Park and the Arena from Shoreline Boulevard plant palm trees on thirty foot centers along both sides of Resaca Street between Chaparral Street and Shoreline Boulevard. POLICY STATEMENT B. 18 Planning Area A Encourage development of parking structures to avoid costly surface parking lots on high value downtown properties. Outright prohibition of surface parking or monies in lieu of required parking are two options that should be considered. Monies in lieu of should be used for creation of parking structures. In all cases in the Central Business District, the first floor of any parking garage should be constructed to ultimately provide mixed commercial/office uses. In addition, a balance must be achieved between personal use vehicle parking, pricing controls, and a public transit system designed to minimize congestion and provide flexible movement of people to multiple destinations and attractions on the same trip. POLICY STAIEMENT B.19- Planning Area A Consistent, high quality, metal halide and pedestrian-scaled lighting should be standardized along the Bayfront areas to tie the public waterfront and central business district together and provide high quality illumination. The "peach" colored lighting used in much of the marina does not emit a quality light conducive to the tourist oriented marina and bayfront, nor is it consistent with the new lighting downtown. POLICY STATEMENT B. 20 - Planning Area A The City will encourage pedestrian friendly retail, restaurant, and entertainment uses along street frontages combined with multi-family residential, hotel, office uses and parking garages on aboveground levels. POLICY STATEMENT B. 21 - Planning Area A Public and private signage requirements should promote a coordinated and cohesive design theme. South Central Area Development Platt February 17, 2004 Page 17 Consideration should be given to minimizing the number and size of allowable signs and allowing limited- sized monument-type signs within the required setbacks. Where no setback is required, signs overhanging the sidewalk are permissible. Billboards and portable signs should be prohibited. POLICY STATEMENT B. 22 - Planning Area A Replacing existing non-landscaped parking areas with public/private plazas and seating areas will be encouraged in combination with a reduction of required parking. Public/private plazas and seating shall contain landscaping, special light standards, fountains, and decorative paving materials. POLICY STATEMENT B. 23 Planning Area A Urban Design guidelines will be developed for the following areas of the Central Business District: · Primary Entryways to the Bayfront Business District, the Bayfront, the Bayfront Arts and Science Park (i.e. IH-37, Twigg Street, Leopard Street, Agnes/Kinney Street, Chaparral Street and Port Avenue). · Along Shoreline Boulevard and Ocean Drive. · All development and improvements in the Marina and on the Bayfront. · Along the Bluff Balustrade. · Bayfront Arts and Science Park. · Central Business District (Downtown and Uptown) POLICY STATEMENT B. 24 - Planning Area A Elements that will be considered for inclusion in any urban design guidelines for the CBD: · ttigher density mixed-use development · Mixed-use compatibility · Pedestrian/cyclist amenities including bike racks, lighting, shade trees, landscaping, street furniture, sidewalk widening and texturing, grating, etc. for private and public development for pedestrian comtbrt · Architectural and design controls including greater signage control, site plan review, etc. · Public and private parking lots · "Compact" parking spaces and shared parking uses/sites for multi-modal transit facilities to accommodate parking and transfer people to multiple destinations · Prohibition of street closures and skywalks affecting the original grid street network in the downtown, uptown, Old Irishtown, BASP, and the area to the west of Shoreline Boulevard in the general vicinity of the Coliseum and Sherrill Park in order to promote a healthy pedestrian environment · View corridors maximizing views to the Bay · Great Streets Program · Requirements lbr provision of retail/restaurant uses for a majority of street level frontages of new and restored buildings · Restrictions or prohibitions on dumpsters, chainlink fencing, utility units, and other unsightly, utilitarian facilities along ground floor street frontages. · Relocation of traffic control boxes/panels to undergronnd or to less visible locations. · Develop a master plan for public art POLICY STATEMENT B. 25 - Planning Area A The City will create a special zoning district for the area north of i-37 and east of U.S. 181, to encourage high-density visitor/tourist related uses. Objectives for the area include: · Reduction in the amount of parking required for preferred uses and pedestrian amenities and public plazas; · Preferred uses will include bed and breakfast, tourist shops, handy craft shops, hotels, motels, restaurants, museums, art galleries, sidewalk cafes, arenas, convention centers, festival areas, etc. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 18 Minimum and maximum setbacks to create storefronts ahmg the street. $ignage controlled, low level Reduction of billboards in the South Central Area especially the primary gateway into the CBD and the bayfront, that is, 1-37. POLICY STATEMENT B. 26 - Planning Area A The City, in conjunction with the Downtown Management District, will propose changes to the sign ordinance in "B-5" and "B-6" zoning districts. The sign requirements for these districts should be carefully reviewed and changed to conform with the intent of the South Central Area Development Plan. The sign changes should help ensure development of an attractive and appealing atmosphere in the downtown area. At a minimum City regulations for the area should: a. Prohibit off-premises signs (billboards). b. Require signs to be oriented and scaled for pedestrian traffic. Allowed signage should be calculated in proportion to linear feet of lot frontage, total building or site size. Allowing projecting or fin signs located in the public right-of-way, provided they do not extend beyond the curb. e. Allow wall signs. f. Prohibit portable signs Control banner signs according to a standardized design and restrict to a temporary time period related to special events. POLICY STATEMENT B. 27 - Planning Area A The highest priorities for installation of new public art projects are at: a. 1-37 at Shoreline Boulevard; b. La Retama Park; c. Shoreline Boulevard in fi-om of the Arena; d. L Heads and T Heads; e. Artesian Park: and f. Bayfront Park. These are very' important gateways/entrances to the downtown area. Prominent, enlivening art should be made at these locations with the help of grant money and private donations. POLICY STATEMENT B. 28 - Planning Area A Relocation of the Broadway Wastewater Treatment Plant is a high capital improvement priority. Once the Plant is relocated out of the area, and any remediation completed, the site should be redeveloped with a public use supportive of the City's downtown redevelopment goals. Potential uses include, but are not limited to, parking, festival park, executive mini golf course, etc. The Broadway Wastewater Treatment Plant serves the Downtown Area, surrounding neighborhoods, and provides an essential function for development in the area. However, the Broadway Treatment Plant, in it current location, and as the downtown redevelops will become a detriment to reinvestment of surround properties. POLICY STATEMENT B.29 - Planning Area A The City will pursue construction of strategic pedestrian linkages in the downtown, the marina, bayfront, the BASP, the Port's Cruise Ship Terminal. Pedestrian linkages will be heavily landscaped and include sidewalk widening, special sidewalk pavers or concrete imprinting, festive lighting, street furniture, public art, fountains, and small plaza areas along the routes. See Figure 5: Pedestrian Corridor Improvement Plan. South CentralArea Development Plan February 17,2004 Page 19 FIGURE 5: PEDESTRIAN CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENT PLAN Pedestrien Corridors with Existing ond Proposed Tmprovements Solomon OrUz IntT Center Bayfront Arts and Science Park I Londmork$ OB - Omni Bo/front 15 - One 5hor¢lir~ Plaza OM - Omni Marine BI - Bayfront Inn L(~ - Lo (~uinto Inn W$ - Woter St. 7 Linkages Existing Pedestrian E "Bump-outs" Proposed Pedestrian "Bump-outs", sidewalk widening, landscaping etc. Phase ! 0 Phase 2 ~) South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 20 POLICY STATEMENT B. 30 - Planning Area A The City will encourage the long-term conversion of industrial business uses between the Broadway Wastewater Treatment Plant and US 181 to convert to visitor oriented or public uses. POLICY STATEMENT B. 31 Planning Area A The City will work with the Port of Corpus Christi and the Union Pacific Rail Road to restrict storage of tank cars along West Broadway Street {between Port Avenue and Tancahua Street). Trackage in this area is used for storage of box and tank cars and is an incompatible ase and potential safety hazard with the future use of the Wastewater Treatment Plant site, the Washington-Coles neighborhood and Concrete Street Amphitheater. AREA B: UPTOWN OFFICE AND GOVERNMENTAL CENTER Plan Corpus A~'ea A Christi Planning ] Sub- Areas POLICY STATEMENT B.32 Planning Area B Promote the Uptown Office Area as the City's premier location for mid- to high-rise office development. The existing concentration of high-rise office towers, between the bluff and Tancahua Street, and the extensive governmental and quasi-public complex adjacent to the Nueces County Courthouse and City Hall, could efficiently serve as the nucleus ora more expansive regional office district. Within this tJptown Office District there are a number of historic or potentiall~ historic properties located on Leopard Street. Preservation of meritorious properties on Leopard should be pursued and efforts taken to minimize negative impacts of non-historical properties which are immediately adjacent. South Central A rea Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 21 AREA C:SOUTH BLUFF AREA Alrea A Christi B~U Planning ] Sub- Areas POLICY STATEMENT B.33 - Planning Area C Redevelopment within the Low- to Mid-Rise Professional Office and Residential areas of Area C, (see the Land Use and Development Plan, Figure 2) should be encouraged as long as the redevelopment does not detract from the residential neighborhood. Much of this area is used for single-family or multi-family residential or for professional offices. Professional office uses are generally compatible with single- and multi-family development in this area. Neighborhood serving commercial uses of Iow intensity may be considered for the area however, 24-hour commercial uses, bars or clubs should not be allowed. POLICY STATEMENT B. 34 Planning Area C The existing industrial development in Planning Area C, should not be expanded in area. POLICY STATEMENT B. 35 Planning Area C The commercial strips on Staples Street and on Morgan Avenue should not extend any farther into the adjacent residential areas than displayed on the Future Land Use Plan. POLICY STATEMENT B. 36 Planning Area C Continue to protect the residential neighborhoods from encroachment of non-residential uses. POLICY STATEMENT B. 37 - Planning Area C The Landmark Commission should evaluate areas in the South Central area for "historic district" designation and a property owner incentive program for areas to be designated historic. An incentive program encouraging property owners to preserve and restore designated structures should be developed. Restoration should allow lbr contemporary use and emphasize restoration of property exteriors. POLICY STATEMENT B. 38 Planning Area C The City should establish historic preservation incentive programs to encourage property owners who are willing to restore historic structures. Such programs may include tax abatements, freezes on taxes, low interest loans for restoration, etc. These incentive programs create a greater public awareness of' historic properties and provide a modest reward for properS' owners who wish to participate. Some cities have used South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 22 annual events/tours of historic homes and districts and historic plaques to educate the public and generate interest in historic preservation. Examples of historic districts which could be focused on include Furman Avenue, Upper Broadway. Leopard Street between Port Avenue and the Blufl; Downtown, and Old lrishtown. POLICY STATEMENT B. 39 - Planning Area C Establish development regulations to protect designated views from public rights-of-way and, to enhance scenic corridors and gateways. View corridors are defined as streets where the City wishes to preserve clear site to a natural or man-made feature. Those features might include the bay, harbor bridge, or an historic home. etc. Primaps emphasis is on the view from the corridor to the point of interest with secondary emphasis on the attractiveness of the corridor. Scenic corridors are defined as streets where the City wishes to enhance highly traveled streets or entryways. The primary emphasis is on providing an attractive view from a vehicle or pedestrian passing. Gateways give a sense of place marking passage from one area to another. Important gateways in the South Central area include: 1-37 and the Crosstown Expressway: 1-37 and Shoreline Boulevard, Shoreline Boulevard and Kinney Street; Shoreline Boulevard and Furman Avenue; Shoreline Boulevard and Resaca; 1-37 and Chaparral/Mesquite Streets; and Agnes/Laredo and Tancahua/Carancahua Streets. Major landscaping, sculpture, and lighting are appropriate at gateways, When these improvements are made they create a distinct and memorable place. Design objectives along view and scenic corridors include: · Development adjacent to these scenic corridors will be required to provide a higher standard of landscaping than for non-scenic corridor streets. The City's Landscaping requirements in the Zoning Ordinance should be changed to require all street yards for multi-family, public-semi public, business and industrial uses to provide a minimum of 0.04 points of landscaping per square foot where property is developed adjacent to a designated scenic corridor. Note: street yards are areas between structures and the street right-of-way. · Along the seawall creation of shade either through plant massing or shade structures is a high priority; · Private and public signage of all types should have stringent design controls consistent with the tourist and recreational theme of the Bayfront. Public signage should be standardized and billboards and portable signs should be eliminated; · Utilities should be placed underground: · The City should establish a facade restoration program for designated corridors; and · Public art projects could be placed at gateways and strategically located in scenic corridors~ consistent with the Municipal Arts Commission's public art guidelines/plan. POLICY STATEMENT B. 40 Planning Area C Promote pedestrian activity at street level throughout the South Central Area (see Figure 5.) The highest priority pedestrian corridors include the following. See Section F - Capital Improvements for more detail. Shoreline Boulevard from the Solomon Ortiz International Center to Cole Park; Water Street between 1-37 and Coopers Alley; Peoples Street, Lawrence Street. and Coopers Alley between the Bluff and the marina landmasses; Resaca Street between Shoreline Blvd. and Chaparral Street: Chaparral Street from the Ship Channel to Coopers Alley: Twigg Street between Shoreline Blvd. and Mesquite Street: Concrete/Belden Street. between Water Street and its dead-end west of North Tancahua Street; and South Central A rea Development Platt February 17, 2004 Page 23 · Leopard Street between the Bluff and the Crosstown Expressway: POLICY STATEMENT B. 41 Planning Area C Pedestrian corridors should link points of interest in the area, such as tourist destination points, historical, recreational, cultural, and retail activities. The Park and Recreation Department should have jurisdiction over public amenities and maintenance in these corridors. Design objectives for these corridors should include: · Functional and attractive paving materials required on all pedestrian corridors. The City should determine the types of paving materials that would comply with this policy. · Coordinate mass transit services with pedestrian corridor improvements (i.e., assure corridor improvements are placed at bus stop locations and lead up to any water taxi, or high speed water terminals). · Construct greater pedestrian amenities such as sidewalk widening, unified lighting and street furniture, drinking fountains, storefront awnings, and shade structures, pedestrian "bump-outs", and public informational signage especially for the pedestrian. · Make all pedestrian improvements in the CBD compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act POLICY STATEMENT B. 42 Planning Area C Pedestrian improvements such as "bump-outs" at street intersections, sidewalk widening, street trees, etc. (See Policy Statements B.40 and B.41) should be prioritized for construction in the Central Business District. The construction of these pedestrian improvements will address the core of needed pedestrian connections along the Bayfront, from Uptown through Downtown to the marina landmasses, along Water and Chaparral Streets, and on Resaca Street at the Areua and Heritage Park. POLICY STATEMENT B. 43 - Planning Area C The City's Zoning Ordinance and Codes should continue to prohibit sexually oriented businesses from operating in the South Central Area. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 24 C. TRANSPORTATION POLICY STATEMENT C.I The City Council adopts Figure 6 as the guide for future transportation decisions in the South Central area. The transportation network of this Plan constitutes an amendment to the City Transportation Plan. Those changes requiring state or federal funding will be submitted for review and included in the Metropolitan Planning Organization Urban Transportation Plan. Changes to the City Transportation Plan include the following. a) Extend North Staples Street as a collector street (C I) between West Broadway and Fitzgerald Street b) Designate Fitzgerald Street as a collector street (C I) between North Shoreline Boulevard and US 181 c) Extend Mesquite Street as a collector street (C1) between Brewster Street and Port Avenue d) Delete Brewster Street as a collector street betweea Chaparral Street and Tancahua Street e) Designate Cooper's Alley as a collector street (CI) between Tancahua Street and Shoreline Boulevard POLICY STATEMENT C.2 A parking control policy with pricing controls recognizing the real costs of parking in the area and an equitable balance with transit services should be established. The underlying premise that the more economical parking is provided the less likely that transit services can be prudently provided. POLICY STATEMENT C.3 To ensure pedestrian safety, create a Shoreline Boulevard operations plan for temporary closure of travel lanes during large festival events such as Buccaneer Days and Bayfest. POLICY STATEMENT C.4 The City will pursue with TxDOT the relocation of the Power Street off-ramp from US 181 directly to Belden Street. As presently configured this off-ramp has a very short deceleration lane and a dangerous 90 degree turn onto Tancahua Street. TxDOT should evaluate the feasibility of extending this ramp to Belden Street and closing the current ramp at Power Street. POLICY STATEMENT C.5 Public signage for East Port Avenue aud the U.S. 181 on-ramp north of Belden Street should be improved to make the public better aware of these streets as secondary routes to and from the Bayfront Arts and Science Park (BASP). POLICY STATEMENT C.6 Policy objectives in descending order of priority for street improvements should be projects which will: a) Facilitate pedestrian and multimodal access. b) Facilitate access to and along the bayfront; c) Minimize right-of-way to promote high intensity downtown uses and provide for flexible and innovative redevelopment opportunities: d) Facilitate access to the Bayfront Arts and Science Park area including Solomon Ortiz International Center; and Facilitate creation of a traffic control center to betler manage traffic during high use events. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 25 FIGURE 6: FUTURE TRANSPORTATION PLAN Corpus Christi Future portation Plan Transportation Plan Legend South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 26 POLICY STATEMENT C.7 The following is a prioritized list of transportation improvement projects which meet policy objectives: Improve traffic control throughout the plan area with "real-time" traffic responsive signal and pedestrian activated controls. Shoreline Boulevard See Bayfront Park Policy (E.I) in Public Services section. Creation of designated park and ride locations in the downtown and uptown areas for shuttling to the BASP, Marina, and other downtown attractions and the Port of Corpus Christi. Extension of Shoreline Boulevard as a controlled access drive (for transit vehicles, etc.) to connect with Chaparral Street in the BASP. The conceptual master plan for the Bayfront Arts and Science Park envisions the extension of Shoreline Boulevard northward into the Water Garden area and terminating at Chaparral Street. This design would have a positive resolution to the dead end of the existing North Shoreline Boulevard and provide vital access to the future economic development of the Corps of Engineers site. However. the design comes with several issues which would need to be resolved. The running water "brook" which connects the Art Museum to the Water Garden should not be broken. Since the Water Garden and its "brook" connection was paid for by the Museum, any extension of Shoreline Boulevard should include participation in the planning and design by the museum. · Street improvements necessary for baseball stadium, arena and BASP access. Enhanced public transportation system, including but not limited to a fixed alignment streetcar system. This system will provide improved opportunities for park and ride services to various destinations to the downtown, marina, BASP, and Port and city connectivity via the RTA's Staples Street Station. A fixed alignment streetcar system will provide an economic stimulus and, with its unique features, a regional attraction. Extend Tancahua Street northward to Harbor Drive. This extension is needed to provide enhanced access to the PoWs Solomon Ortiz International Center and proposed new baseball Stadium. POLICY STATEMENT C.8 The City's Traffic Engineering Division in cooperation with the RTA shall establish a parking monitoring and management program to assure sufficient parking availability as the South Central area becomes more intensively developed. This monitoring program shall apply to all areas zoned B-6 (no parking is required in B-6 zones) and other areas deemed appropriate by the City. Currently, there is an oversupply, or "under demand" of available parking in South Central Area due to the high percentage of vacant buildings. As these vacancies diminish and the need for additional parking arises, Staff will make recommendations to the City Council regarding specific parking projects and programs to meet the need. a) Emphasis shall be placed on encouraging the private sector to work out agreements with adjacent uses to share parking. b) Improve signage to public parking lots in the South Central area. c) The City will support the provision of public satellite park and ride lots. POLICY STATEMENT C.9 The City in partnership with the RTA shall conduct a feasibility study to determine the most effective combination of on and off-street parking and RTA transit services with regard to serving the Bayfront Arts and Science Park including the arena and baseball stadium, the Central Business District (CBD), and marina development (existing and potential). Large increases in public parking in the vicinity of the South Central rtrea Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 27 arena and convention center may have significant negative impacts on enhanced transit services planned to serve these facilities. Any increase of additional public parking in the area should be critically analyzed in relationship to RTA's proposed enhanced transit services to serve the area. Parking metering expansion and premium pricing for on-street parking in vicinity of BASP should be considered in conjunction with this overall scheme to encourage transit usage. POLICY STATEMENT C.10 The grid arterial system in the CBD should be preserved as much as possible. Street closures should be minimized in the CBD so that the grid system's efficiencies for serving high intensity land uses will be maintained. POLICY STATEMENT C.I I The City will conduct a feasibility study to investigate the feasibility of reverting one-way streets to two- way streets in the downtown. This study will consider the use of head-in parking to slow traffic and make it easier for motorists to get out of their cars and enjoy and benefit from the "downtown experience" POLICY STATEMENT C.12 The City will continue to support and participate in studies that address the need for a new higher bridge over the ship channel to accommodate larger ships. The City will also ensure that sufficient future ingress and egress is provided to the CBD from the new Harbor Bridge. Landscaped public rights-of-way at each ingress mrd egress points will be required. Reuse of the existing U.S. 181 bridge right-of-way will be considered for a new entrance/exit near the BASP and Baseball Stadium. POLICY STATEMENT C.13 Promote multi-model transportation, including bike paths and bike parking. South Central Area Development Plan February l 7, 2004 Page 28 D. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICY STATEMENT D.I Establish a continuous funding source and foster multiple partnerships for on-going capital improvements in the Central Business District. Possible funding mechanisms include tax increment financing, public improvement district, tax abatement / credits, or similar mechanisms. The TIF funding mechanism has contributed approximately one million dollars annually for the last 20 years to pay for construction of the Texas State Aquarium. If another TIF District is established these monies would be targeted for improvements in downtown and on the bayfront. If it is not feasible to establish another TIF District then some other funding mechanism such as a public improvemcnt district may be appropriate to provide a continuous source of funds for needed improvements in the Central Bnsiness District. In addition, multiple partnerships should include the Port of Corpus Christi, Regional Transit Authority, Nueces County, Metropolitan Planning Organization. Corpus Christi Independent School District, Downtown Management District, etc. POLICY STATEMENT D.2 Promote development of the marina landmasses with public/private joint ventures for retail, restaurant, entertainment, park, marina, residential, and/or hotel uses to generate monies for debt retirement of bonds used for construction of public facilities in the marina. It is clear that the significant demands for public improvements in other areas of the City balanced with scarce municipal funds available for debt retirement, funding for larger marina improvements may be best achieved through joint public/private ventures in the marina. This strategy serves at least two purposes. This funding mechanism provides I) a mechanism to pay for needed marina improvements, and 2) new private development which injects renewed life and economic vitality and appeal into the marina. Such programs have been successful in other waterfront communities across the country which have found ways of revitalizing their waterfront areas. POLICY STATEMENT D.3 Marina boat slip rental rates should be assessed at least every two years and should be set at a level that is at least the median amount charged by gulf coast public and private marinas. Currently, marina boat slip rental rates are some of the lowest found in comparable marinas on the gulf coast. Marina slip rentals play a fundamental or even a critical role in paying for marina operations, marina maintenance, and marina capital improvements. POLICY STATEMENT D.4 To assure a sufficient supply of revenue producing marina boat slips, begin design for additional boat slips in the marina when the marina is 75% of capacity. Construction on new slips should be completcd when the existing marina slip rentals are at 95% of slip rental capacity, POLICY STATEMENT D.5 Public/private ventures and public projects in the South Central Area including the marina should be designed and located according to the following criteria. a) Provides a public service or function that directly benefits the general public. b) Provides recreational, entertainment, retail, and/or other visitor and pedestrian-oriented types of activities available to the general public. A majority of ground floor uses should be of these visitor and pedestrian-oriented uses. These public uses should be accessible to the general public during peak daytime and evening hours and throughout the week. c) Improves the visual quality of the area. d) Leverages more private sector investment than public monies invested, e) Combines disjointed uses to form a cohesive environment where uses can interact and benefit from their relationship to one another. South Centrttl Area Development P/an February 17, 2004 Page 29 POLICY STATEMENT D.6 In order to promote a significant resident population in the area, the City will provide a full range of incentive programs to make residential redevelopment more attractive to property owners and developers. Such programs might include Community Block Grant Funds (CDBG), Renewal Community incentives, tax abatements, etc and revisions to the Building Code to reduce obstacles and barriers to adaptive reuse of existing buildings for residential purposes. POLICY STATEMENT D.? Promote the arts and cultural resources in the downtown to be engines of economic development through strategic funding and other forms of assistance. Many cities across the country have established successful arts and cultural programs and facilities as quality of life resources for the local citizenry as well as significant tourist attractions. Some of the more successful examples include the Torpedo Factory Ar[ Center in Alexandria, Virginia; the Louisiana Artworks in New Orleans: the Denver Performing Arts Complex in Denver; the West End Historic District and the Deep EIlum entertainment district in Dallas: and the Blue Star District in San Antonio. These successful programs and projects have created outstanding venues and incubator programs for the display of local/regional visual art forms and performing artists which otherwise would not have been available. In many cases older historic buildings and even entire historic districts have been put into productive use by creating art and cultural districts rich in a variety of entertainment and educational opportunities. Examples of assistance include limited property tax abatement, CDBG funding, and historic preservation funding assistance. Areas in downtown which may have potential in the creation of an arts and cultural district include in the vicinity of: a) Heritage Parlo'Old Irishtown: b) the old Frost Bros./l.ichtenstein Building; c) the Ritz Theater; d) the Kress Building (the emerging "K-Space" visual art project currently operates on the 3 floo ); and e) the old Montgomery Ward Building on Peoples Street. POLICY STATEMENT D.8 The City will work closely with the Downtown Management District.to revitalize and redevelop the area in and adjacent to the District's Boundaries. In order for the Downtown to become more economically successful and to provide more quality of life experiences for the general public, it is appropriate for a private non-profit organization to focus on the vision for Downtown and implementation of that vision. POLICY STATEMENT D.9 Relocate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office to a site away from the Bayfront Arts and Science Park (BASP). This current use does not complement the BASP location and is an inappropriate use of this strategic site. Promote development on the BASP site with a public/private joint venture for retail, restaurant, entertainment, and hotel development to capitalize on unique views and prime bayfront and harbor location. Policy Statement D.10 The ~xpanded Convention Center and new Arena will be a major economic stimulus to the regional economy by bringing in revenue from outside the region. The primary goal for the Convention Center and Arena is to operate continuously to host conventions or other events. Policy Statement I).11 The City will explore the use of the coliseum. Policy Statement D.12 Coordinate with Texas A&M University to create a new off-site campus with student housing in or in close proximity to the South Central Area. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 30 E. PUBLIC SERVICES PARKS BAYFRONTPARK POLICY STATEMENT E.1 The City, in partnership with the Downtown Management District, the Port of Corpus Christi, the Regional Transit Authority and the Metropolitan Planning Organization will conduct a special communitywide planning process to determine the most acceptable manner in which to create a bayfront park. Shoreline Boulevard is a formidable barrier to pedestrians attempting to cross the six travel lanes from downtown to the bayfront especially during times of large f~stival events. In addition, large festival events either block through traffic or reduce the City's ability to operate large convention and arena events. The special study ok[jectives are: · Identify the best location for a permanent festival site: Determine an appropriate location for a fixed rail trolley; possible issues include the visual impacl of overhead electrical lines and poles on the Bayfront; economic benefits of a trolley line located along Shoreline Boulevard with private development located on only one side of the line versus the trolley line located on Water. Chaparral or Mesquite Streets with private development on two sides of the line, etc.; · Determine the feasibility of reducing Shoreline Boulevard from six travel lanes to four taking into account existing and future traffic levels and street improvement projects: · Determine if traffic calming devices including reduced speed limits and demarcated pedestrian crossings on the travel lanes should be planned on shoreline Boulevard; · Address the possibility of using Water Street as a relief route for downtown commuter traffic: · Make signalized pedestrian crossings one cycle: · lllnstrate the visual impact of views from Shoreline Boulevard to the bay; Consider the AIA's 2003 concept plan to create a bayfront park, as well as other plans which have been considered over the last twenty years, e.g. Bayfront Activities Committee (1985), the Gateway Project of 1996-97, etc.; · Implement a community consensus building process to determine the most acceptable bayfront park design. FESTIVAL PARK POLICY STATEMENT E.2 Develop a permanent festival park. The need for a permanent festival park (or parks) is obvious because of the success of Bayfest and Buccaneer Days carnival and other smaller festivals. However, due to unique characteristics of these festivals and their current sites several safety and efficiency of use issues have come to the forefront. The new arena is under construction and scheduled to be completed in late 2004. The arena and convention center expansion projects are being constructed over the west portion of North Shoreline Boulevard South Central Area Developmeat Platt February 17, 2004 Page 31 north of Resaca Street. And the federal courthouse has imposed restrictions on festivals on the Shoreline Blvd. median in fi'ont of it. With these two portions of Shoreline Blvd. eliminated from effective use for festivals such as Bayfest, the area along North Shoreline Boulevard between Power Street and the Convention Center may not be large enough to accommodate large festivals cffectively. Alternative sites should be analyzed and a plan devised to develop a permanent festival site or sites. More than one festival park may be justified. One site could be for low impact type events and the other could be for high impact festivals. Possible sites include: 1) the medians north of 1- 37; 2) the Coliseum and adjoining parking lots and parks; 3) on what will become available land when the Broadway Wastewater Treatment Plan is relocated in conjunction with the adjacent Concrete Street Amphitheater; 4) the Kerr-McGee Tract; 5) South Bluff Park; 6)Hefitage Park/BASP; or 7) Corpus Christi Beach Park. POLICY STATEMENT E.3 Provide a much higher degree of maintenance of the landscaping improvements along IH-37 between the Crosstown Expressway interchange and the Bayfront. The significant landscaping installed at the Crosstown/l-37 interchange and the US 181/I-37 interchange in the late 1990's are not receiving proper maintenance, especially when taken into the context of the highest traveled gateway into the City. POLICY STATEMENT E.4 Additional shade structures, lighting, trash receptacles, bicycle lanes, informational signage and kiosks, water fountains, and widened sidewalk should be provided on the seawall and adjoining walkway. POLICY STATEMENT E.5 The Park and Recreation Department will determine the feasibility for an amphitheater on the steps of the seawall with a stage floating in the marina or located on McGee Beach. POLICY STATEMENT E.6 Identify and provide high priority public facilities for McGee Beach e.g. outdoor showers, public toilets with high frequency of maintenance, shade structures, etc. The restrooms located at the base of the breakwater are in need of substantial repair and regular maintenance and additional Pacilifies. BLUCHER AND SOUTH BLUFF PARKS POLICY STATEMENT E.7 Improvements to Blucher and South Bluff Parks will be included in the Capital Improvement Program. Blucher Park is a City-designated wildlife sanctuary which restricts the amount of improvements that can be placed in the Park. However, environmentally sensitive improvements are needed such as marked birding trails, selective landscaping, and the old railroad bridge restored as an historic landmark. South Bluff Park has several recreational facilities serving the surrounding neighborhoods and the City in general. Additional improvements such as playground equipment and improved lighting are needed. POLICY STATEMENT E.8 The Cit) will continue to pursue the expansion and connection of Blucher Park to South Bluff Park. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 32 BLUFF BALUSTRADE POLICY STATEMENT E.9 The City in conjunction with the DMD will pursue the creation of public plazas along the Bluff Balustrade, Upper Broadway, "Middle" Broadway at Start Street, and La Retama Park. The Bluff Balustrade ("Broadway BlufF')is only one often National Register properties in the City. This facility needs to be protected and supported with compatible improvements recognizing the historical integrity of this unique man-made resource. By the same tokem War Memorial Park/Spohn Park due to the sacredness of the memorial should not be altered by a plaza. POLICY STATEMENT E.10 The City in conjunction with the DMD will pursue ADA accessibility and retail uses in the Bluff Tunnel. This unique resource has much potential to provide cost effective ADA accessibility from above to below the Bluff, as well as opportunities for limited commercial activities since it included commercial uses up until the time the tunnel was closed in the mid-1970's. DOWNTOWN PARKS POLICY STATEMENT E.I I Develop a series of highly usable and pedestrian friendly parks in the Central Business District to serve the resident population's needs. South Bluff, McCaughn, La Retama and Artesian Parks are likely candidates. POLICY STATEMENT E.12 Develop along the seawall an amphitheater with a "floating stage" in the marina and/or a permanent stage on McGee Beach for regular entertainment venues to increase variety of activities on bayfront. The steps of the seawall would serve as seating area for attendees of performances. POLICY STATEMENT E.13 The Park and Recreation Department will develop public lighting, signage, landscaping, and street furniture of a special design theme establishing McGee beach and McCaughn Park as a safe and uniquely attractive urban beach and park. Any adjacent private development should be required to install compatible features and lighting to achieve similar lighting levels and types. MARINA POLICY STATEMENT E.14 The potential of the marina will be maximized as a major destination to draw more visitors to the waterfront zone and the downtown area, from the metropolitan area and the City's tourist marketing area. A diverse and vital marina is key to a revitalized downtown and successful convention center. The recommendations of this Plan seek to identify and stimulate future growth, vitality, and economic development in the Marina for a wide spectrum of uses. Redevelopment objectives should include the addition of restaurants, retail activities~ and public park and recreational uses and enhanced marina facilities and services to attract more people by providing more variety, color, life and activities to choose from. POLICY STATEMENT E.15 Protect and promote the Marina primarily for marina uses. Enhanced marina facilities will include expansion and improvement of the existing Marina facilities. Improvements should include additional boat slips, both large and small berths, transient and charter boat slips, restrooms with showers, pump out station and holding tank, fueling station, a ship's store, laundry, marina offices, etc. A more comprehensive and detailed capital improvement project list is listed in the Capital Improvements Chapter F. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 33 POLICY STATEMENT E.16 The area devoted to parking lots on the T and L-heads (landmasses) as permanent uses should be balanced with the need to provide park and open space uses. It has been observed that the existing landmasses are the most expensive, in terms of land value, surface parking lots on the Gulf coast. Existing parking areas on the landmasses should be balanced with the need to provide park and open space for use by the general public~ Additional demand for parking to serve increased retail/restaurant and marina development should be provided by on-street parking on Shoreline Boulevard and downtown, and parking garages in the Central Business District with enhanced linkages via transit services and pedestrian corridors. POLICY STATEMENT E.17 Linkages to the landmasses from remote parking areas in the CBD should be significantly enhanced with transit service and pedestrian corridors. The landmasses should be used more efficiently for pedestrian oriented retail/restaurants and public park, recreation and marina uses. Much of the existing parking on landmasses can be used in the interim until alternative parking/transit service is provided for restaurant and retail uses. The ultimate use of the landmasses should be predominately for pedestrian friendly uses with strong transit and pedestrian linkages to downtown parking. Enhanced transit service should be required as a condition of doing commercial business on the bayfront by any private development. POLICY STATEMENT E.18 The Cooper's Alley landmass will be improved with more pedestrian friendly amenities and landscaping. The L-head beyond the stem is totally paved and primarily devoted to automobiles or boat service areas. It is devoid of any green open space and is visually unappealing. Even though the function of the L-head landmass is primarily a marina service area, it should be landscaped to visually soften its image and made more attractive. The boat storage area located on the [.-head would be ideally relocated to an off-site location, however, a less conspicuous location on the L-head with attractive screening may be acceptable. In addition, the boat ramp and associated parking area devoted to vehicles with boat trailers should be relocated to the north side of the L- head to reduce congestion at the terminus of the L-head access stem and the bait shop. POLICY STATEMENT E.19 The City Code will be amended to permit "liveaboards" in the marina only when minimum improvements and services are provided to serve them. Minimum services needed to serve this population include a ship's store and a bathhouse with showers and restrooms. This innovative concept will enhance security of the marina by adding the presence of people on a 24 hour basis in the marina. POLICY STATEMENT E.20 Add attractive metal halide lighting on the breakwater to the fairway opening. attractive waterfront feature at night with appropriate lighting. This will add a very Policy Statement E.21 Extend the marina breakwater southward to create a protected sailing area in front of McGee Beach, Emerald Beach and Cole Park. PUBLIC FACILITIES POLICY STATEMENT E.22 Public amenities should be provided throughout the bayfront to make a more attractive and "people-friendly" activity center. These amenities should include design-integrated shade structures, street furniture, heavy landscaping, public parking, public restrooms, recreational facilities, drinking fountains, water features, attractive metal halide lighting, and pedestrian oriented informational signage. This would create a much more attractive ~'front door" to the City and provide needed pedestrian ~acilities. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 34 POLICY STATEMENT E.23 The Corpus Christi Independent School District should be lobbied to retain the George Evans Elementary School, and the Corpus Christi Catholic Diocese to retain Central Catholic Elementary School, to serve existing and future residents' children. Retaining existing schools to serve the South Central Area is a critical element of Fostering residential development in the South Central Area. UTILITIES WATER SYSTEM POLICY STATEMENT E.24 The City will conduct critical analysis and needs assessment of the water distribution system in the Plan area for potable water and fire protection needs. This assessment should include a long-range improvement program which addresses not only existing and imminent uses, but projected long-range uses according to the proposed Land Use and Development Plan. WASTEWATER SYSTEM POLICY STATEMENT E.25 The City will conduct critical analysis and needs assessment of the wastewater system in the Plan area. This assessment should include a long-range improvement program which addresses not only existing and eminent uses, but projected long-range uses according to the proposed Land Use and Development Plan, and specially the redevelopment of the marina. POLICY STATEMENT E.26 Remove silt and debris in the existing main trunk sewer in Water Street from Resaca to Furman Streets. This trunk was installed approximately 50 years ago and has never been cleaned. POLICY STATEMENT E.27 Determine the feasibility of providing treated wastewater (graywater) to the large expanse of (public and private) landscaped areas in the CBD. If found to be feasible, graywater should be provided to these very expansive landscaped areas. STORMWATER SYSTEM POLICY STATEMENT E.28 Significant stormwater system improvements will be implemented as soon as possible to protect the downtown area from localized rain event flooding. The City will conduct a critical analysis and needs assessment of the stormwater system in the plan area. Some of the stormwater system problems include siltation of pipes, inadequate design and sizing of stormwater lines, and deterioration of lines. This issue was determined by unified consensus of the Stakeholders Group to be the single most important short range issue lbr the Downtown area. The Group felt that the City should do everything possible to prevent the reoccurrence of the damages and loss of business due to the flood events of 2002. POLICY STATEMENT E.29 The City should establish long-term monitoring and maintenance programs for the stormwater and wastewater system and establish best management practices to keep the systems in good working order. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 35 OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES POLICY STATEMENT E.30 Consolidate electrical, fiber-optic, cable TV, telephone, and other compatible utility lines into shared conduits to minimize the many utility cuts incurred in the Central Business District. This will provide for a much more efficient and cost effective manner for the provision of these type of services. POLICY STATEMENT E.31 The City should initiate programs to deal more effectively with the transient and homeless population and facilities in the South Central Area and adjacent area. The private agencies and organizations which provide services and facilities to the transient and homeless population are in serious need of governmental assistance. Innovative programs and services have been provided by other cities to assist in this important social service. POLICY STATEMENT E.32 Additional sources of funding should be aggressively pursued for the continuation of restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1914 Historic Nueces County Courthouse. This prominent public building has sat vacant and deteriorated at the entrance to the City and Bayfront for over 25 years. The first phase of restoration began in the fall of 2003. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 36 F. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDS UTILITIES 1. Additional stormwater system improvements are needed as soon as possible to protect the downtown area from heavy localized rain event flooding. Some of the stormwater system problems include siltation of pipes, inadequate capacity of stormwater lines and pump stations, and deterioration of drainage pipes and boxes. NOTE: Utilities item 1. was determined by unified consensus of the Stakeholders Group to be the single most important short-range issue for the Downtown area. Critical analysis and needs assessment of the xvater distribution system in the Plan area for existing and future potable water and fire protection demand. 3. Critical analysis and needs assessment of the wastewater system in the Plan area tbr existing and future wastewater demand. 4. Relocate, expand and improve the efficiency of the Broadway Wastewater Treatment Plant. MARINA Enhanced marina facilities should include expansion, improvement and replacement of existing Marina facilities. Improvements should include new Marina Offices, additional boat slips, both large and small berths, transient boater slips and restrooms with showers, pump out station and holding tank, fueling station, a ship's store, laundry, etc. A more comprehensive and detailed capital improvement projcct list is listed below. SHORT RANGE NEEDS The following projects are grouped by highest priority to produce the highest quality of services and facilities for the marina. The time frame to implement these improvements realistically should be within the next txvo to three years. These improvements and maintenance of these facilities should be of the highest quality in order to accommodate large yachts and vessels. Quality facilities and services will be rewarded with positive referrals. A more comprehensive and detailed capital improvement project list is listed below. · Relocate and expand boat ramp to northwest quadrant of L-head South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 37 · Boaters' Facilities and Public Restrooms on all landmasses (including boaters' restrooms with showers and lounge, laundry facilities, lockers, etc.) · Four new piers with 240 boat slips and approximately 48 large boat slips on Peoples Street T-head · Marina administration office, with public rcstrooms, conference center, weather and sailing plan center, meeting facilities with television and satellite systems, and landscaping and lighting improvements · Boater's center with fuel station, pump-out facility, snack store and ship's store, lounge, sail library, internet access, sailing promotion, and education center · Piling existing slip repair and replacement · Trash and litter dump sites · Security cameras and electronic gate controls · 1,andscaping entire marina · Lighting for security and special events · Sanitary pump-out boat and cart · Cable and satellite television at slips · Water toy area · Shade structures, picnic tables, barbecue grills · Add metal halide lighting on the Breakwater to the fairway opening. MEDIUM RANGE PROJECTS The tbllowing projects are needed for the marina, however, are not as urgent as the above listed projects. They are medium range in timing (3 to 5 years out) and are generally needed to create more tourism and visitor activity such as national and international boating events, hosting of "tall sailing ships", and major restaurant and retail development. · Relocation and berthing of the Columbus Ships in the marina as a tourist attraction · Boat sales office and showroom with retail and sailmaker, etc. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 38 Improvements to existing slips New state of the art boat repair and haul out facility, dry stack storage facility with large boat ramp for large events, and facilities for full service sailmakers, riggers, electricians, painters, boatwrights, etc. R-pier replacement, 128 covered slips Dry boat storage Parking improvements and asphalt overlay Seatbod Market/Fisherman's Wharf and permanent mooring for shrimp boats Anchorage area for visiting boats Extend the Marina Breakwater southward to create a protected sailing area in front of McGee Beach, Emerald Beach and Cole Park. LONG RANGE PROJECTS · Dredging of the marina NORTH BASIN Establish a master plan for the ultimate development of the north basin (generally north of Peoples Street Breakwater). The master plan should be done as soon as possible to determine if dredge from the ship channel deepening will be needed for Corpus Christi Marina improvements. Possible improvements could include new land masses, cruise ship berthing adjacent to the Ship Channel, beaches, anchorage for large water craft, etc. BAYFRONT The tbllowing projects are proposed for the bayfront. All of these projects should be compatible with the architectural elements of the seawall i.e. steps, cap, Miradores, and benches. Additional shade structures, lighting standards and type of lighting, trash receptacles, bicycle lanes, informational signage and kiosks, and water fountains should be provided on the seawall and adjoining walkway. Provide additional McGee Beach facilities, e.g. public showers, public toilets with high frequency of maintenance, shade structures, replacement of concession building and restrooms Develop a small amphitheater utilizing the seawall steps with a stage floating in the marina and/or on McGee Beach for regular musical venues/sports events to increase variety of activities on bayfront. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 39 PARK AND RECREATION Expand Convention Center grounds and take advantage of its bayfront location by creating a public park and plaza south of the Convention Center on Shoreline Boulevard medians and the Barge Dock. Recreation park improvements for Blucher and South Bluff Parks. Possible expansion and connection of BLucher Park to South Bluff Park. Develop public plazas on the Bluff Balustrade and improvements to Upper Broadway and La Retama Park. Place public art at: · 1-37 at Shoreline Boulevard; · LaRetama Park; · Shoreline Boulevard in f¥ont of the Arena and expanded Convention Center; · Bayfront landmasses; · Artesian Park; and · Bayfront Park ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Promote development of the marina landmasses xvith public/private joint ventures for retail, restaurant, entertainment, park, marina, residential, and/or hotel development to capitalize on the unique views and prime bayfront location. Establish a Tax Increment Financing District or equivalent mechanism to provide financing for capital improvements in the South Central Area Development Plan. Relocate the Army Corps of Engineer Offices to a site away from the Bayfront Arts and Science Park. Promote development with a public/private joint venture tbr retail, restaurant, entertainment, and/or hotel development to capitalize on the unique views and prime bayfront and harbor location. ,Additional sources of funding should be aggressively pursued for the restoration and adaptive reuse of the 1914 Historic Nueces County Courthouse. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 40 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION 1. Pollution prevention devices at all stormwater out/ails along the bayfront to capture stormwater debris and reduce pollution in the bay waters especially at the Marina. 2. Drainage improvements within Blucher Park to prevent periodic wash out of the Blucher Park stream and adjacent wildlife habitat. AMENITIES AND LANDSCAPING Contract with a nationally recognized urban designer to provide comprehensive urban design guidelines for downtown, uptown, the BASP, the bayfront, and the marina. 2. IH-37 landscaping improvements need a higher degree of maintenance between the Crosstown Exchange and the Bayfront. 3. Establish grand entrance features to the Bayfront Arts and Science Park at Resaca Street and Shoreline Boulevard and Chaparral Street and 1-37. 4. Develop a pedestrian walkway along the bayfront between the barge dock and the Solomon Ortiz International Center. 5. Enhance the seawall with special pavers or concrete imprinting, landscaping, increased lighting on steps, and creation of shade. Install consistent, high quality, metal halide lighting in the Marina including the breakwater, to tie the public waterfront and downtown together and provide high quality illumination. TRANSPORTATION AND TRANSIT Create a Shoreline Boulevard operations plan for temporary closure of travel lanes during large festival events such as Buccaneer Days, etc. to ensure pedestrian safety. Construction of pedestrian "bump-outs'q, sidewalk widening, planting of street trees, etc per Policy Statements B.C.6, B.C.7, and B.C.8. The construction of these pedestrian improvements will address the core of needed pedestrian connections in the Central Business District, on the bayfront, and the Bayfront Arts and Science Park. Construction of all pedestrian corridors shall be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. South CentralArea Development Plan Februaryl~ 2004 Page 41 ll. Commission a transportation study to determine the feasibility of changing one-way streets downtown to two way for the purpose of creating better interconnectivity and enhanced access to storefront business in the downtown. Improve public signage for East Port Avenue and the U.S. 181 on-ramp north of Belden Street should be improved to make the public better aware of these streets as secondary routes to and from the Bay Front Arts and Science Park (BASP). Improve traffic control throughout the plan area with "real-time" traffic responsive signal and pedestrian activated controls. Creation of designated park and ride locations on the edge of the downtown for shuttle tn the BASP, Marina, and other attractions in the downtown Extension of Shoreline Boulevard to connect with Chaparral Street in the BASP. Improve access from U.S. 181 (Harbor Bridge) to Padre Street (I-37 frontage road.) Street improvements necessary tbr baseball stadium, arena and BASP access. Extend Staples Street to Fitzgerald Street after the Broadway Treatment Plant is relocated. Enhanced public transportation system, including but not limited to a fixed alignment streetcar system. 12. Relocation of the Power Street off-ramp from US 181 to Belden Street. South Central Area Development Plan February 17, 2004 Page 42 G. PLAN IMPLEMENTATION POLICY STATEMENT G.I This Plan constitutes the primary guide for the development and redevelopment of the South Central Area. The Plan provides thc overall basis for which the City' makes determinations concerning zoning, capital improvement projects and programs such as street improvements, park and marina improvements, and infi'astructure improvements, and to a somewhat lesser degree building code issues. POLICY STATEMENT G.2 A Strategic Action Committee will be established by the City to implement this Plan. This group should consist of entrepreneurs and property owners with businesses or property located within the South Central area, professional architects and engineers, commercial realtors, at-large citizens who have no financial interest in the Area, and representatives from governmental agencies which provide services to the Area, and representatives from the applicable City advisory committees~ e.g. Watershore~ Parks, etc. The primary charge to this ad hoc group is to aggressively pursue the implementation of this Plan. The committee shall develop specific strategies for implementation of the Plan xvith specific timelines to implement the respective strategies and a clear determination of which agency or individual is responsible to implement specific projects or programs. The highest priority projects for the Strategic Action Committee include: · South Central Area Development Plan projects to be recommended for inclusion in the next City Bond Program: · Implementation of sustainable new or additional funding sources for Central Business District improvements, i.e., Tax Increment Financing District, Public Improvement District, increase in marina slip rental rates to upper range of coastal marinas, or other mechanisms to fund projects. Identified funding sources should be in place within 12 months of adoption of the South Central Area Plan; · Final resolution of the "Bayfront Park" including funding for improvements and construction, if any is required. · Annual input into the City's Capital Improvements Program. South Central ,4rea Development Platt February 17, 2004 Page 43 State of Texas County of Nueces SS: PUBLISHER'S AFF:I~I~{;~ D~ CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI Ad # 4813960 PO # Before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public, this day personally came Diana Hinoiosa, who being first duly sworn, according to law, says that she is Credit Manager of the Corpus Christi Caller-Times, a daily newspaper published at Corpus Christi in said City and State, generally circulated in Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Duval, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karnes, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Webb Counties, and that the publication of, NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE NO. which the annexed is a true copy, was inserted in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and on the World Wide Web on the Caller-Times Interactive on the 23RD day(s) of FEBRUARY, 2004: $133.25 TWO (2) Time(s) Credit Manager Subscribed and sworn to me on the date of FEBRUARY 24, 2004. Notary Public, Nueces County, Texas ROSA MARIA FLORES Print or Type Name of Notary Public My commission expires on 04/23/05. ~/Corpus Christi Call~ , NOTICE OF PASSAGE OF ORDINANCE NO. 025658 Amending the Comprehensive Plan of the City of Corpus Chdsti "the C~") by adopting the revised South Central Area Development Plan; establishing the City's Comprehensive Plan Policies on the downtown, uptown, bayfront, bayfront arts and science park and surrounding areas for protection of the environment, future land use, transportation, public City Secretary ruar~ 23, 2004