Officials line up with golden shovels to break ground on the new Port of Corpus Christi headquarters. The new administration building should take about 18 months to build, opening in early 2021. Courtesy photo
Port of Corpus Christi officials broke ground April 12 on a new $23 million administration building, which they expect to be complete in 18 months. It is being built adjacent to the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center at 401 Harbor Drive. The building will allow all port employees to work out of the same building, which has not been possible for years.
“This is an important step forward for the Port of Corpus Christi,” said Sean Strawbridge, CEO for the Port of Corpus Christi. “Our team members are doing impactful work as we grow our presence in the global energy marketplace, and it is time to bring our facility up to date. The new facility will include state-of-the-art technology, collaborative workspace, and the latest in energy efficiencies.”
A design-build contract was awarded to Bartlett Cocke Beecroft in August 2018. The building will replace office space in the Ortiz center, which was built in the 1960s. As the nation’s largest energy exporter, the Port of Corpus Christi needs the space and upgrade to continue to grow, Strawbridge said. The building is expected to become an iconic piece of the city’s skyline.
“I think this is something that will be a landmark just as important as the Harbor Bridge,” said Port Commission Chairman Charlie Zahn. “This project is important to the future of the port.”
Zahn went on to call the new building “a feather in all of our hats.”
“We could not be more excited to celebrate this historic moment with our community,” he continued. This will … elevate the Port of Corpus Christi to a position better suited to serve the needs of the Coastal Bend.”
