CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A developer is looking to build a large entertainment district next to Rockport's old downtown.
It's two areas of land that have gone unused for at least the past 30 years, largely because of all the money it would take to get that property in shape to build on.
Rockport City Council recently passed on the first reading of a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone because the financial tool would help to construct needed city infrastructure. It would also allow the developer to recoup some of their upfront costs, but only if they follow through with the plan.
However, now, there's a petition to let city leaders know that not everyone is in favor of the idea.
Community activist Andrew Kane says the 25-year TIRZ is not good for the city and would like leaders to abandon the plan.
"It's a private business venture, it's a private investment and it needs to be done so with private investment money, not citizens participation, $35 million is a lot of taxpayer money," Kane said.
Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jeffrey Sjostrom says it's a great deal.
"They're on the hook up front to make the investments, to make the infrastructure improvements, to create the economic activity that they think they can," he said. "And only after they've done that, can they then be eligible to receive reimbursements out of the tax increment reinvestment zone fund."
Developer Scarlett Embrey is ready to transform this land behind Austin Street in old downtown into a public entertainment district.
This project could take advantage of the TIRZ.
"Our development is gonna be an infrastructure project, so fixing the bulkhead, fixing soil, stabilizing the soil, lifting up the sinkholes by adding fill dirt and then extending the city streets," Embrey said.
Kane is concerned that the process is moving forward too quickly, however, Mayor Tim Jayroe and downtown business owners are all for the TIRZ.
"Setting up a tax increment reinvestment zone is to the benefit of the people they're doing the development itself and for the city because we can include some other areas that also need some help," Jayroe said.
"I feel like the TIRZ is also going to benefit us because we're going to get some facelifts hopefully," Marsha Reid, owner of Sassy's Boutique told 3NEWS.
Council is set to vote on the TIRZ for a second and final time on Tuesday. That's when and where Kane will present his petition which he expects to be at 2,000 signatures by then.