Jonathan Atwood was introduced as the new manager of the Corpus Christi marina at a media conference on Lawrence Street on Dec. 30. Staff photo
The city of Corpus Christi announced a new marina manager and a renewed commitment to upgrade and maintain what it calls “the only major downtown marina on the Texas coast.”
“Over the past 10 years or so, the marina has suffered from major storms, including two or three this summer,” said City Manager Peter Zanoni at a media conference at the Lawrence Street T-Head in downtown Corpus Christi on Wednesday, Dec. 30. “It has also suffered from poor maintenance from the city. The failure to modernize and properly maintain our marina is going to stop today.”
Newly hired marina manager Jonathan Atwood comes to the job with 13 years' experience in maritime maintenance and management and a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University-Galveston in marina management. He is originally from Corpus Christi and has sailed in competitions in the United States, Europe, the Caribbean, and Mexico.
“I’ve experienced marinas from all over the world, and I want to take the ideas I’ve seen there and put them into place here,” he said. “We have the ability to offer a well-maintained world-class facility right here in Corpus Christi.”
He noted several world competitions that have chosen Corpus Christi for their championship events. Two more are coming in the next few years: the J/22 Worlds in 2021 and the J/24 Worlds in 2023.
“The people coming to those competitions will be eating in these downtown restaurants and staying in these hotels,” he said. “My vision is to supply a marina we can be proud of.”
He also said a reimagined marina would attract more boaters, businesses, and competitions.
In outlining some of the improvements in the works, Zanoni included a new Cooper’s boater facility with restrooms and showers, four new piers, a new boardwalk on Peoples, and a new fueling station with competitive fuel prices. He also mentioned upgrading the marina’s 20-year-old Wi-Fi system and adding online check-in and concierge services for boaters to order groceries and supplies and have their laundry done.
“We are putting together a significant financial investment recommendation that will be presented to the Type A and B boards and the City Council in the next few months,” Zanoni said. “We want to attract customers. Right now, the marina has a 25 percent vacancy, which is unacceptable. Every slip should be filled with a boater.”
