Both the La Niña caraval replica and the old Nueces County courthouse are up for grabs again. The city has extended a deadline for requests for interest for the ship and renewed a call for proposals for the courthouse in an attempt to find history lovers with deep pockets and a desire to renovate.
The original Request for Interest for the rights of ownership for La Niña was extended through Feb. 22, 2019. The original deadline was in September.
The ship is a replica of the one sailed by Columbus in 1492. It was given to the city of Corpus Christi, along with replicas of the Pinta and the Santa Maria, by Spain to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the famous explorer’s voyage to the New World.
A few years ago, the other two ships were torn down for parts used in restoring La Niña. Now docked at the City Marina, the caraval, a small, easy-to-maneuver 15th-century Portuguese sailing ship, partially sank after Hurricane Harvey. The nonprofit Columbus Sailing Association had been in charge of maintenance and restoration over the years. After dropping to only three members this year, the association decided to return the ship to the city.
Details for how to submit an RFI to the city concerning La Niña can be found at cctexas.com/lanina. To set up a property visit, call (361) 826-3980.

OLD NUECES COUNTY COURTHOUSE

After a proposal to turn the Old Nueces County Courthouse into a boutique hotel fell through in August, the county has decided to go back to square one and call for new ideas.
Outgoing county Judge Loyd Neal killed the hotel deal this summer when developers were slow in coming up with a promised $1.5 million in back taxes. He said at the time that someone else was interested in the property but not the building. Neal then wrote a letter to the Texas Historical Commission asking it to lift a covenant that prohibits tearing down the structure — at least until 2027.
Now, however, with only a month left in office, Neal decided to make another appeal.
“We may keep it, we may restore it,” he said during a State of the County speech in November. “If we have to sell it, we’re going to have to have somebody help us.”
Built in 1914, the old courthouse is rumored to be haunted. It is certainly a danger, which is why the city erected a chain-link fence around the property on Mesquite Street. Closed since 1977, it sits at the entrance to the SEA District, home to museums, theaters, the convention center, and Whataburger Field.
Nueces County Purchasing Agent Elsa N. Saenz will be receiving sealed proposals in the Purchasing Office at the official Nueces County Courthouse, 901 Leopard St., Room 106. Deadline for bids is 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18. RFP packets are available in the purchasing office from 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 pm. Monday-Friday. They can be viewed online at publicpurchase.com.