A small part of the Schillterbahn waterpark on North Padre Island opened in the summer of 2014 while construction continued on other parts. Construction stopped in the fall due to nine liens filed by unpaid contractors. Staff photo
Schlitterbahn may still receive $117 million in tax-funded incentives, the Corpus Christi city council decided at a meeting Feb. 10. The council voted 8-0 to give the waterpark seven additional months to complete its first phase of construction on Padre Island. The Feb. 24 deadline for eligibility was extended to Sep. 30.
Park owners said they needed the time to pay off creditors, who have filed nine liens against the construction site, and to complete several of its main attractions. A number of announced grand opening dates have been deferred as the project grew in scope over the last two years. July 2014 was the last projected — and missed — deadline made public,
Schlitterbahn should open sometime this summer with a few of its most popular rides, said a spokesperson for the park. Those rides include a flume ride, surfing ride and water slide. A swim-up bar and kiddie pool are open now.
Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez announced her support of the extension request during her State of the City address Feb. 5, six days before the council vote.
“I am committed to make sure to be part of the solution to make sure Schlitterbahn will be completed,” she said with emphasis during the speech. “Because when completed, it will be a game changer — not only for the island, for the whole region.”
Work has mostly stopped on the park, which has been under construction on Padre Island just over the JFK Causeway since its groundbreaking in February 2013. Located at 14353 Commodores Drive, the project has doubled in size and scope since its inception.
The estimated cost of $552 million includes a marina, golf course, hotel and residential property. These were added to the original plans as the scope of the project grew.
The $117 million incentive agreement for the project was approved by the city council two and a half years ago. To qualify for $112 million in performance-based Chapter 380 funding and $5 million in Type-A grants, the resort had to begin construction within nine months of the approval. Also, the first phase of the project was required to be finished within two years of that start date, which happens this month.
Once open, the park is expected to be a huge draw 300,000 tourists to the area each year.
