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Many projects in place to upgrade the American Bank Center complex

Renovations include upgrades for the Harbor Playhouse, Asian Culture Center, Art Museum, Science Museum, the Arena, Convention Center and Selena Auditorium.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — There are a number of projects going on right now at the American Bank Center complex designed to upgrade and improve the facilities now that the convention center idea did not move forward.

Corpus Christi City Council Member Mike Pusley said the needed renovations and upgrade work at the American Bank Center complex includes the Harbor Playhouse, Texas State Museum of Asian Cultures & Education Center, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History, the Arena, Convention Center and Selena Auditorium.

"You're probably looking in the neighborhood of at least a couple of hundred million dollars to do all the things that need to be done," Pusley said. "Air conditioners and chiller systems that control all of those places that I just named are all completely worn out and they have been literally buying parts off of eBay to try and keep them working," he said.

Along with that needed air conditioning system, the American Bank Center also needs a completely new roof.

In the meantime, the general manager of OVG360 — the company who manages the American Bank Center — Daniel Melise, gave a rundown of the $4.3 million worth of projects underway right now. 

Melise said new metal detectors that have been ordered will move people through three times faster. 

Assistant Director for the Office of Economic Development Elsy Borgstedte said up on the second floor is where there is a lot of construction work going on as the terrace is being enclosed and turned into a huge lounge area.

"The project is on time and should be opened during the summer for Buc Days which will be a big improvement for the customer experience," she said.

City Manager Peter Zanoni told 3NEWS that three of the five chillers for the American Bank Center complex have been ordered.  

He said progress on the renovation and repairs was slowed down because of the failure of Prop A which was voted down by residents in November. 

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