CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Rooftop bars and entertainment areas could become more commonplace in downtown Corpus Christi now that the first business has applied for and received a rooftop activation incentive.
This program, approved by City Council last year, uses tax money from businesses in the downtown area to offer incentives for improvement to local bars, restaurants and hotels.
The first business to receive the grant of up to half a million dollars will be the Holiday Inn Express. That's being built directly behind the Emerald Beach hotel on Shoreline.
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 board chair, Mike Pusley, said looking at downtown from any of the gateway streets can be a little disappointing.
"If you're driving down the hill in Corpus Christi, you look at some of those rooftops, some of them are less than desirable," Pusley said. "And there's been a lot of requests from the restaurants and hotels about dressing up their rooftops. Taking advantage of our downtown view."
Pusley said they will keep offering the grants as long as there are business tax funds available.
Downtown Management District director Alyssa Barerra-Mason said they've heard from many businesses.
"We think the Holiday Inn Express is going to be one of many rooftop activations," Barrera-Mason said. "We've targeted as many as 10 projects over the course of the next few years and so we're excited that there's been a lot of interest. We're in conversations with four downtown properties already about potentially moving projects forward, so you should see a lot of activity. "
From the amount of new construction in the business district, there may soon be more businesses ready to create a rooftop escape.
Each business has to qualify for the help and must first be approved by the TIRZ 3 board as well as City Council.
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