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City to Decide Future of Beachfront Property?

City to Decide Future of Beachfront Property?

Michael Zamora/Caller-Times
Landowner Paul Schexnailder wants the city of Corpus Christi to help decide the fate of about 60 acres of beachfront property on Padre Island, as long as the land is used for a resort, the city moves forward in a reasonable time period and Schexnailder reserves the right to refuse any proposed price. This 60-acre area located near the first major intersection on the island offers beach views and quick access to boating, surfing and fishing in Packery Channel. Any development here, near Park Road 22 and State Highway 361, could substantially change the island's image and economics.

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Schexnailder owns more than 1,000 acres on the island

Property-owner Paul Schexnailder wants the city of Corpus Christi to help determine the destiny of his beachfront property on Padre Island.

A resort neighborhood at this location was intended to kick off development, but voters in November 2006 rejected a vehicle ban on the nearest beach that resort company Intrawest said was needed for its plans. Intrawest withdrew from the project, leaving Schexnailder's plans in doubt.

He announced Tuesday he's going forward with his developments, which consists of houses, condos, entertainment areas and marinas. A Florida consulting company called i.d.e.a.s. is helping him outline the design under the brand "Home of the Beach Country Blues."

He also invited City Hall to take charge of the property, saying the City Council could issue a request for proposals to see if another resort partner could be found. He, of course, would retain ownership and would find something else to do with the land if the city declines or fails. He says he doesn't have a backup plan at the moment.

Reaction from council members varied. "Right now, I don't see a whole lot of benefit, but I also am very aware of how critically important that piece of property is," Mayor Henry Garrett said. "If the city has to step in and make sure it's done right, then maybe we should do that." Read More

Padre Island development timeline

Here's a look at his planning process and major votes affecting island development.

1999 Schexnailder hires Landmark Entertainment Group to conduct an entertainment assessment of the region and Economic Research Associates for tourist feasibility studies (redone in 2005).	2005 Schexnailder presents a plan from Intrawest to build a resort on 60 acres of his land south of Packery Channel. The company asks for 7,200 feet of pedestrian-only beach.
2001 Voters agree to dredge Packery Channel, a $30 million project local officials and business people, including Schexnailder, said would spur Padre Island development.	2006 Packery Channel officially opens, forming a waterway for pleasure boats to travel from Corpus Christi Bay to the Gulf of Mexico.
2002 Schexnailder hires PKF consultants to conduct the first feasibility study for a resort hotel/conference facility on Padre Island (redone in 2006). RTKL performs land massing studies that result in the creation of development districts on the island known as the resort district, beach district and marina district.	2006 Voters reject the vehicle ban proposal, and adopt a provision that any future vehicle bans go to a public vote. Intrawest pulls out of the development plan.
2003 Schexnailder hires Cooper Robertson and Partners to begin land planning for all three districts and the residential canal neighborhoods.	2007 A Florida consulting group, i.d.e.a.s., hired by Schexnailder, conducts its first focus groups to gauge locals' feelings on island development. Their process should be done by this summer.
2004 Schexnailder begins securing development partners who must agree to plans set forth in the studies.	Today Schexnailder announces plans will move forward to develop the beach and marina districts (with i.d.e.a.s.' help) and offers the city a chance to control the resort district. Schexnailder also announces that he will brand Padre Island as "Home of the Beach Country Blues" with an Internet radio station and charity concert series.

Sources: Paul Schexnailder, Caller-Times Information Services

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Comment By SuperUser Account - Read more...

Schexnailder has hired a Florida consulting company called i.d.e.a.s. to help him work with the community and develop a plan for his property. He has conducted several economic and tourism studies since 1999 to determine the best use for his land. About 16 other projects he envisions fit into three main districts of his island master plan -- the resort district, beach district and marina district.

I.d.e.a.s. owner Bob Allen said the company helps with the envisioning of large developments by helping write what the company calls the "story." The story creates a sense of place, character and direction for a project.

I.d.e.a.s. conducted the first step of the process last October, when two consultants visited with focus groups about Corpus Christi's economy, assets and vision. The focus groups included residents on both sides of the beach access debate and gave consultants a general idea of the area.

The second part of the process, called "story jam," is today and tomorrow, when i.d.e.a.s. consultants meet with about 25 people Schexnailder has chosen to help shape the development. The third step will be to take the ideas from story jam and put them into an actual concept, keeping both residents and tourists in mind, Allen said.

Then i.d.e.a.s. will work with a travel marketing company to test the resort's feasibility and refine plans according to those results. A plan could be presented to the public this summer, Allen said.

Schexnailder, who lives in Austin but has worked for about 12 years on the Corpus Christi project, said he realizes the importance of working with the community and other land owners.

"I know we are not all of like mind about how to move Corpus Christi forward, but I believe we can all agree that moving forward is important," he said.

Schexnailder asked the council to move forward with three plans he says enhance or allow for some of his other projects. One was a bridge on Park Road 22 that was included in the 2004 bond issue but has yet to be built. Another was island canal patrols the city agreed to when it annexed the island but hasn't started. The third was including island issues from the Mustang-Padre Island Area Development Plan, most notably a waterline to the island, in the 2008 bond proposal.

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