The Corpus Christi City Council unexpectedly ended negotiations for a mixed-use development that called for the renovation of Memorial Coliseum, but local residents rallied to show their displeasure with the decision.
The Corpus Christi City Council unexpectedly ended negotiations for a mixed-use development that called for the renovation of Memorial Coliseum, but local residents rallied to show their displeasure with the decision.
Last week the council pulled the plug on negotiations with Brass Real Estate, which had proposing a Coliseum renovation as well as a mixed-use development on surrounding land. Previously some council members had expressed reservations that the plan was too ambitious, but there had been no indication they felt the plan was untenable after some tweaking.
Memorial Coliseum is a old hangar-style arena that opened in 1954. It's been sitting empty since 2004 when the Corpus Cristi Ice Rays (CHL) moved to American Bank Center. The Brass Real Estate plan would have reopened the arena as the new home of the Rays — which, of course, would cut into city revenues if the team moved from American Bank Center — something not lost on many of those protesting the council's action last night.
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