Schlitterbahn demolished could mean new developments
Schlitterbahn demolished could mean new developments
and last updated 2021-07-21 19:34:00-04
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas â Many people might recall a lot of relaxing and fun memories at Schlitterbahn and the Waves Resort, but thatâs all theyâll be for now- just memories.
The water park and resort was demolished Wednesday after they werenât bringing in revenue. They opened in 2016, but when the pandemic hit they shut down and never re-opened.
Corpus Christi Councilman of District 4 Greg Smith said the land is owned by Diamond Beach Holdings, which is a wholly owned subsidy of IBC Bank. He said they are thinking of putting residential areas, shops, hotels, and restaurants on the 150 acres of land, but they are still in talks with the city about the future of the development.
Nearly a decade ago, Schlitterbahn Corpus Christi was dream come true for many in Corpus Christi, including local officials.
So much so that in May 2012, City Council unanimously approved a $117 million incentive agreement to help the company build the water park on North Padre Island.
The city allocated $5 million of Type A unreserved funds for the park, and roughly $12 million of economic development grants. The economy wasn t doing any good, said Greg Smith, who represents the island on the City Council. And it was way to jumpstart things on the island health tourism now.
However, the water park operated only four years; it opened in 2016 and closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.