CORPUS CHRISTI - Buildings for a car dealership and electric motor business join a tool company and kid's swimming school as new commercial projects submitted last week to the city. Flour Bluff also will be buzzing as their Hornet Stadium awaits permits for a 2013 bond-approved $285,000 upgrade.
"It's going to be a state-of-the-art field for our phenomenal sports programs," said Lynn Kaylor, spokeswoman for Flour Bluff ISD. The stadium, built in 1955, is getting artificial turf and upgrades on its 1981 concession stands and restrooms, in addition to a new field house and entryway.
These five projects, totaling more than $4.5 million, await approval, while some $2.3 million for five others were given construction permits last week at the city's Development Services Department. These newly submitted and permitted projects end February with more than $22 million in commercial development activity.
One of two new construction plans is for Lithia Dodge, for a more than $3 million showroom, offices and service building at 4313 Staples St.
"We figured by staying here, instead of relocating to SPID, we could avoid higher real estate prices and provide better savings for customers by keeping our prices and service rates lower," said General Manager Mike Ishak.
He hopes to be moved into the new building by November.
The other new construction item submitted last week is for C-D Electric Motor Sales and Service's 12,000-square-foot steel building at 617 High Starr Drive.
Two big spenders given the go-ahead with construction permits are both about $800,000. One is for At Home 1's 132,261-square-foot professional offices at 4949 Greenwood Drive. The other is for KJM Construction to build a children's splash area at the Corpus Christi Country Club's pool, officials said.
"It's going to be very nice," said club General Manager Dale G. Telford. In addition to the splash area, a new pump house is being built, and new decking is being installed for an indoor-outdoor dining area with seating for several dozen members, Telford said.
Two of the remaining three projects receiving construction permits are for office space developments: for Bearden office and warehouse at 7925 Bearden Drive, and more than 13,000-square-feet of new offices at 6314 Yorktown Blvd., suite 107. The other is for To Ce Chi restaurant to finish its space in Hamlin Center.
Another pool-related project presented to the city last week is for tenant Aqua Tots Swim School in the 5700 block of Staples Street. The other tenant finishing work still awaiting permits is for Magnum Oil Tool's approximately $350,000 4,500-square-foot offices at 5660 Bear Lane.
Twitter: @Caller_BizMike
