Corpus Christi Integrated Sustainability Plan by Chad Magill

Corpus Christi Integrated Community Sustainability Plan

Summary Document

August 2011

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability

Table of Contents

corpus christi sustainability plan

02 03 05 07 08 12 21 23 25 27 29 31 33 35 39 41 43 45

Introduction The Elements of a Community Integrated Community Planning (ICP) The Corpus ICP Process Analysis & Assessment General Recommendations Destination Nodes 01 Downtown/Uptown 02 Annaville 03 Morgan Avenue/Baldwin Boulevard 04 Six Points 05 Bear Lane 06 Weber Road/Saratoga Boulevard 07 Old Sunrise Mall 08 Flour Bluff 09 The Island Implementation Acknowledgements

In April of 2010, after 8 months of baseline energy analysis, goal setting, and coordination, the City of Corpus Christi received $2.7M in direct allocation Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) funds from the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus Package). The largest of the nine projects funded by the EECBG grant was the creation of an Integrated Community Energy Efficiency/Sustainability Plan and Implementation Program, which built upon preliminary community sustainability visioning conducted in the fall of 2009. This integrated community sustainability planning effort included consideration of community-wide issues as well as site-specific opportunities for key locations around the City. It yielded implementation recommendations on topics from urban agriculture to bicycle trails (see General Recommendations, pg. 12) in the form of bite-sized action items that range from no-cost community-based activities to major capital improvements to City infrastructure. This undertaking combined community visioning and planning with the code reform and policy change necessary to realize those plans. In association with this project, approximately a dozen land use and development codes were drafted or revised in order to foster quality growth and development.

Once fully adopted, these updated codes and ordinances will set the stage for a Corpus Christi with more diverse housing choices and safer neighborhoods that promote wellness and community among residents. These codes will enable us to build vibrant, compact neighborhood and community centers that are more resource-efficient and interesting enough to lure us out of our cars. These codes, coupled with long-range planning underway in partner agencies like the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority and Metropolitan Planning Organization, highlight the path to more transportation options and safer, more accessible streets that are designed for pedestrians and cyclists as well as automobiles. All of these changes will influence the way in which we consume resources to fuel (directly and indirectly) the activities of our daily lives; in this way, all of these changes are fundamentally linked to energy efficiency.

2 introduction

Introduction

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The Elements of a Community

corpus christi sustainability plan

The project planning team, working closely with City staff members from several departments, identified twelve broad categories, or Elements, of a complete community; these elements provide the framework for a comprehensive, integrated community sustainability plan. These Elements range in scope and type from essential, quantifiable municipal services such as Energy, Water, and Waste to issues that pertain more to quality of life, such as Knowledge and Culture.

As our communities mature beyond mere subsistence, we begin to alter the pre-existing environment in order to accommodate our needs for shelter, access, and security, furthering the transition from a “natural” to a “built” environment. Primary improvements include the construction of buildings, modes of transporting goods and people by means of mobility infrastructure, and public safety and health institutions such as police, fire, and natural disaster preparedness services.

Our communities emerge out of a pre-existing natural and biological context, and we depend upon the natural environment for critical life-support resources and services, including: energy, water, air, food (sustenance), and natural resources. In combination, these Elements provide essential inputs for our survival. Our processing and use of these natural inputs yields waste outputs—air pollution, wastewater, organic waste and solid waste—the re-sourcing and proper treatment of which is key to the sustainability of a community. Thus, the first six Elements of a community sustainability plan are those systems and services essential to meeting basic human needs; services to meet these needs are typically provided by a local municipality or local utility.

Buildings and mobility infrastructure help form the foundation for a system of trading goods and services, i.e. a local economy. With stability and security, community members find the capacity to enhance personal well-being and growth by providing amenities for knowledge and culture and pursuing opportunities for recreation. These Elements of the social environment are the principal determinants of the soul or character of a community. The integration of all 12 of these Elements in one community determines its community form, the unique physical manifestation that is both a function of and a determinant of the relationship between each of the basic Elements in that community. In modern communities, land-use codes and regulations describe the DNA of that community form.

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The Elements of a community, organized according to a hierarchy of basic needs, where the fundamental building blocks of a community are at the bottom and the features that enhance the quality of life in a mature community are at the top. The essential Elements of any community are derived directly from the natural context out of which the community emerges. The unique combination of these 12 Elements in a particular location can be described as community form, which is influenced by land development regulations.

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For each of the 12 Elements, the planning team identified measurable characteristics that, when considered together, reflect the condition of that Element in the community. Where possible, the planning team mapped the data acquired for each Element; maps capturing key measures for the Elements ENERGY and FOOD are shown here. Larger, more interactive versions of these maps as well as maps for the other 10 Elements are found on the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan website (http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability).

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N I T Y F U M O M

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Communities are much more than the sum of their parts. They are dynamic organisms, complex systems whose component elements are systems in their own right. It is only through holistic consideration of the systems within the system that we are able to plan for the sustainable growth and re-development of our communities. This process necessitates an interdisciplinary team of technical specialists who understand the ways in which changes in one community system affect other systems within the whole.

Integrated Community Planning (ICP)

Integrated Community Planning (ICP) for Sustainability is an exercise in strategic planning. What is strategic planning? It is different thanâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;arguably the converse ofâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;long-range planning. Long-range planning begins with current status and existing trends and determines a path to meet future growth and demand following business-as-usual projections, often addressing only supply-side considerations. In contrast, strategic planning begins with a vision of the desired end and works backward to identify the steps necessary to reach that end, even if they mean a change in the current course or trends. In short, strategic planning is the process of:

1. Envisioning a desired future 2. Back-casting from that desired future to current (baseline) conditions 3. Determining the means to attain that future in a sequence of achievable steps. If ICP is a mode of strategic planning, then it follows that in order to determine its future, a community must set its sights on where it wants to be and, starting from where it is now, decide how and when it will get there. Thus, Integrated Community Planning is the process of:

1. Envisioning what kind of place you want your community to be 2. Assessing what kind of place it presently is 3. Developing and implementing a detailed, achievable plan to make it that place where people want to live, work, play, and learn in the future.

integrated community planning

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability

The Corpus ICP Process

In the face of difficult economic times and diminished City budgets, the availability of EECBG funds represented a rare opportunity to conduct proactive planning. This integrated community planning process was, at its essence, about defining key steps for protecting and enhancing the quality of life in Corpus Christi so that the City will continue to be a fantastic place to live, work, play, and learn. Among the principles guiding the work of the project team, two were fundamental to all aspects of this project. In developing the framework, recommended actions, and concept-plans captured in this document, the project team strove to produce a vision of a livable and sustainable Corpus Christi that is both inspiring and achievable so as to empower community members from all walks of life to take ownership and contribute. Secondly, the project team took a data-driven approach to all aspects of this work, from defining baseline existing conditions and targets to the process by which priority areas were identified for concept planning.

corpus christi sustainability plan

An interdisciplinary team spent a week in downtown Corpus Christi applying the Integrated Community Planning framework to develop concept plans for 9 key locations— Destination Nodes—within the City. The planning team identified site-specific opportunities that might help guide future land use planning and development decisions with the hope of inspiring collaborative action by the development community and invested citizens.

With essential input from City department leads and the Project Steering Committee, the project team identified a set of high-priority metrics—indicators of the City condition with respect to each of the twelve Elements of a community—and collected data for each metric. Where data for priority metrics were available, the team specified performance targets based on the baseline condition in the City and on benchmark reference points in comparable communities; where the team found critical gaps in

available data, they made recommendations as to how the City might address them. During the first meeting of the Steering Committee for this project (December 8, 2010), there was unanimous recognition of the need and opportunity to identify locations in Corpus Christi that have potential as community focal points or demonstrations of Smart Growth development. As a result of this input, the project team endeavored to identify and plan (concept-level) key Destination Nodes around the community. The concept plans for each Node are intended to reflect the character of the neighborhood in which it exists (i.e. be context sensitive), thereby creating an inviting attraction and unique place to be for both residents and visitors to the City. Rather than produce detailed master plans for each Node, the project team sought to identify site-specific opportunities that might help guide future land use planning and development decisions and will inspire collaborative action on the part of the development community and invested citizens. While the concept-level plans were derived from site-specific opportunities at each Node, aspects of these concept plans are relevant and applicable to other locations around the community where comparable conditions and opportunities exist.

Measuring the Elements

When applying the framework of the twelve Elements of a complete community, the planning team must identify measurable characteristics that, when considered together, reflect the condition of a given element in the community. For example, the Element WATER is divided into the following six Measures:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Water Supply Water Quality Distribution Losses Water Use Wastewater Energy Intensity

MEASURE 1. Water Supply 2. Water Quality 3. Distribution Losses 4. Water Use 5. Wastewater 6. Energy Intensity

In order to assess the status and progress of each of these measures in Corpus Christi, the planning team identified Metrics—indicators of performance over time—for each measure. Ideally, the data for each metric come from a mix of local, state, and national sources in order to ensure that the data are both locally relevant and comparable to indices from other communities. For each priority metric, the planning team analyzed data from 2-3 recent years to establish a Baseline condition for Corpus Christi. For example, the table of six WATER Measures is presented below with associated Metrics and Baselines.

METRIC 1.1 Water supply reliability as a % of annual reservoir system storage 1.2 Total supplies as a % of future demand in 2020 2.1 Number of exceedances of TCEQ* drinking water quality standards per year 3.1 Water pipeline losses per year as % of total supply 3.2 Number of main pipeline breaks per mile of distribution 4.1 All uses (commercial,residential) except industrial (gal/person/day) 4.2 Residential use only (gal/person/day) 5.1 Reclaimed water use as % of total wastewater effluent 5.2 Peak wastewater treatment load as % of capacity 6.1 Electricity use of Water/WW system (kWh per million gallons)

BASELINE BENCHMARK 66% 106% 1 7% 0.9 153 80 11% 72% 4,979

>50% >100% 0 <10% 0.5 130 65 20% <75% 4,000

* TCEQ = Texas Commission on Environmental Quality The Element WATER is divided into 6 Measures; multiple Metrics—indicators of performance over time—were identified for each Measure. The Baseline values define the current condition of each metric; Baselines were established with data from a variety of sources. Realistic targets for improvement, or Benchmarks, were defined on the basis of data from communities that are comparable to Corpus Christi in geography, climate, and/or demographics.

8 the corpus icp process & analysis & assessment

Analysis & Assessment I

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For the example Element WATER, some national sources indicate that by implementing off-the-shelf water conservation measures, average residential water consumption can be reduced to approximately 50 gallons per capita per day (gcd). If the current Baseline for Corpus Christi is 80 gcd, and the City wishes to implement an aggressive water conservation policy, then incremental Targets for improvement over defined periods of time can be set based on the knowledge that reducing consumption to 50 gcd is technically feasible.

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The planning team compared Baselines for Corpus Christi with data from cities that are comparable to Corpus Christi in geography, climate, and/or demographics in order to establish Benchmarks. Benchmarks are reference points used to set goals and Targets for each Metric.

This map depicts key measures for the element WATER, including water supply sources as well as City water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure.

Water

Destination Node Selection Methodology

The project team used Geographic Information System (GIS) software—a sophisticated mapping and spatial analysis program—to prioritize candidate Destination Nodes locations. In order to limit the geographic scope of the analysis to those areas within the City’s jurisdiction, the area included in the GIS analysis was limited to a two-mile buffer outside the City limits. At the onset of the process, certain areas within the City boundary were excluded from the analysis if either natural environmental characteristics (e.g. wetlands, floodplains) or current/planned land use (e.g. cemeteries, airports, land fills) represent an overwhelming constraint to re-development. The project team compiled a diverse suite of the City’s GIS data; the data were then filtered by over 20 discrete criteria in order to identify areas that are well-suited for development or re-development as livable community centers based on Smart Growth principles. These criteria related to a range of key community characteristics, including land use, development density, and proximity to key features like parks and transit stations. Each criterion was weighted on a scale of 1-5; no negative criteria (e.g. proximity to major sources of pollution) were included in this analysis.

MEASURE Quarter Mile of Arterial with Scenic Route Quarter Mile of Bus Stops Quarter Mile of Bus Route Quarter Mile of Park and Ride Quarter Mile of Hike/Bike Trail Existing Quarter Mile of Bike Route/Path Quarter Mile of Arterial Quarter Mile of Light Rail Quarter Mile of Hike/Bike Trail Proposed Quarter Mile of Water Taxi Urban Infill Quarter Mile of Commercial One Mile of College Half Mile of Large Grocers Quarter Mile of Industrial Is Vacant Quarter Mile of Fire/Police/Health Quarter Mile of Civic Quarter Mile of Recreation Quarter Mile of Elementary School Quarter Mile of Parks Quarter Mile of High Density Residential Quarter Mile of Coast

WEIGHTED VALUE 2 5 3 1 5 1 2 1 3 2 4 4 4 4 0 3 2 4 3 4 5 4 3

In order to identify locations with strong potential as key community centers, the planning team filtered the City’s mapping data by the weighted criteria listed in the table above. These criteria address a range of community characteristics related to overall quality of life; those locations in the community that satisfied the greatest number of these criteria were determined to be strong candidates for enhancement as Destination Nodes.

10 analysis & assessment

Analysis & Assessment II

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Once candidate Nodes had been identified, the planning team visited each location to ground-truth the results of the analysis and to gather site-specific data. The team integrated these field data with information about potential constraints (e.g. imminent development proposals) and professional judgment to prioritize the candidate locations. Candidate locations with strong potential to be site-specific illustrations of key sustainability concepts were designated as Destination Nodes; candidates locations that merit special consideration by land use planning and development professionals on the basis of the analyses but for which planning and/or redevelopment would be constrained were designated as Special Interest Areas. In the face of limited resources, Special Interest Areas were not given detailed treatment by the project team.

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Recognizing that the results of the quantitative analysis would only be as good as the data that were available, the project team also met with key City staff in the Development Services Department in order to capture their intrinsic knowledge of the history, character, and future land use potential of the community. The results of this qualitative data collection effort were integrated with the results of the quantitative GIS analysis to yield a list of potential Destination Nodes.

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The colored graphics above depict the range of scores that resulted when the City’s mapping data were filtered by the weighted livability criteria listed on the previous page. Areas of dark blue color are locations that satisfy the greatest number of criteria and were thus determined to be good candidates for enhancement as Destination Nodes. Once candidate Nodes had been identified, the planning team visited each site to ground-truth the analysis; the map to the left depicts the final prioritization of Destination Nodes and secondary Special Interest Areas.

In addition to the place-based recommendations that were derived from the concept-level planning of the Destination Nodes, the interdisciplinary planning team also defined a wide range of objectives and strategies relating to a various aspects of the broader community condition. These general recommendations transcend the site-specific planning of the Destination Nodes and apply to the community as a whole. For each of the objectives listed in the table below, the planning team developed

multiple strategies, each of which constitutes a discrete action item. All of the teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s general recommendations, data collection recommendations, and recommendations for implementing the concept plans developed for each of the Destination Nodes are captured in a Master Implementation Matrix that is intended to serve as a step-wise recipe for implementation. A searchable form of this Matrix is available on the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan website: http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability .

OBJECTIVES t Expedite implementation of Integrated Community Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Program t Promote traditional neighborhood development (TND) t Promote the construction of healthier, less resource-intensive, buildings t Initiate long-range regional climate adaptation/sea level rise response and greenhouse gas management planning t Support, enhance, and further develop the local food production and distribution system t Enhance data collection to facilitate goal setting and assessment t Promote City-wide bike connectivity t Increase operational efficiency of the Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water and wastewater systems t Enhance monitoring and reporting of key economic performance indicators t Promote nature-based tourism t Enhance the environment for economic development In addition to place-based recommendations for individual Destination Nodes, the planning team also defined a range of objectives and strategies relating to the broader community condition. For each of the objectives listed in the table above, the planning team recommended a number of discrete action items, all of which are captured in a Master Implementation Matrix that is intended to serve a stepwise guide for City decision makers. A searchable form of this Matrix is available on the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan website: http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability .

12 analysis & assessment & general recommendations

General Recommendations I

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Examples of livable community features from around the globe

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability

Comprehensive Climate Adaptation and Greenhouse Gas Management Planning

CO2

Coastal areas such as Corpus Christi are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, particularly sea level rise and an increased intensity and frequency of tropical storms. These impacts have profound implications for public health and safety as well as for the local economy, as they can damage essential infrastructure, claim personal and public property, displace families and businesses, and threaten the viability of key industries, some of which are of national or international importance.

MH4

As carbon dioxide (CO 2), methane (CH 4), and other greenhouse gasses (GHGs) accumulate in our atmosphere, they trap solar energy that is reflected off of the earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surface, thus warming the atmosphere. Among other changes, this warming accelerates the melting of global ice stores, such as mountain glaciers and the Polar ice sheets, which flow into the ocean, raising sea level.

While the concentration of atmospheric greenhouse gasses and sea level have naturally fluctuated over earthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history, the rate of change over the centuries since the Industrial Revolution is unprecedented. The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates that global sea level rise of between 1.5 and 6.5 feet is possible by the end of the century. Sea level around Corpus Christi is projected to rise by about 2.5 feet by 2080. The development of a comprehensive climate adaptation plan would help the City plan for potential climate impacts by identifying preparedness goals and actions to reduce risk and increase resiliency. Public officials and community leaders have a critical opportunity to start preparing for the impacts of climate change, even while striving to reduce the GHG emissions that contribute to the problem.

14 general recommendations

General Recommendations II

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The major steps in developing a Climate Adaptation Plan include:

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Two of the numerous changes associated with a warming global climate are rising sea level and an increase in the number and severity of hurricanes and other major storm events, both of which have dramatic implications for flat, low-lying coastal communities such as Corpus Christi. The table above outlines the key steps in developing a climate adaptation plan, which would help the City plan for these and other potential impacts by defining goals and actions to reduce risk and increase resiliency.

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This map illustrates what portion of coastal lands would be intermittently or permanently submerged under various sea level rise scenarios.

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Typical Conditions with 1.94 ft. Sea Level Rise

Annual High Tide Conditions with 1.94 ft. Sea Level Rise The renderings on this page depict familiar locations around Corpus Christi as they would be affected at various tidal stages under the upper range of predicted sea level rise over the next century (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2007).

16 general recommendations

Existing Conditions

Strategies to enhance the efficiency with which people and goods move within a community are critical to addressing long-term environmental, social, and economic goals. Sustainable mobility solutions provide contextsensitive, multimodal transportation choices that support economic growth and social equity while protecting natural resources and promoting public health and safety.

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Mobility Planning

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The map to the left depicts existing and potential hike/bike trails and on-street bicycle connections with a focus on connections between the Saratoga Boulevard/Weber Road and Flour Bluff Destination Nodes and between the Flour Bluff and Six Points Destination Nodes. The potential facilities shown do not represent all possibilities; rather, they are limited to locations or connections considered to have particular promise based on a preliminary analysis of maps and aerial imagery as well as field observations.

A community can make significant progress toward achieving these objectives by designing and building Complete Streetsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;streets that accommodate the needs of all users no matter their age or ability, and allow for choice in mode of travel. Using key roadways and corridors associated with the Destination Nodes as examples, the planning team made specific recommendations as to how various complete street concepts might be applied, including: Hike/Bike Trails Hike and bike trails provide transportation alternatives and recreational opportunities and promote public health and wellness. As such, the planning team identified potential routes and facilities for non-motorized connections between key community locations. Connections include on-street bike lanes as well as existing natural land features, utility corridors, and other open space that might become part of a trail network.

Downtown Transit Circulator In order to promote economic growth and social equity through transportation alternatives, the planning team developed preliminary concept plans for a downtown transit circulator. Such a system would be a key step in creating a vibrant downtown district because it would provide connections to key destinations and enhance walkability.

general recommendations

Road Diets The road diet concept involves removing unneeded travel lanes from target roadways and rededicating the space for other travel modes or uses, such as on-street bike lanes or parking. Road diet projects promote public health and safety by reducing vehicle speeds and creating a safer environment for pedestrians and bicyclists, all while making traffic operations more efficient. As part of this planning effort, the planning team identified candidate roadway segments for road diets and suggested key steps for implementation.

Bike/Pedestrian Treatments at Intersections Busy intersections and midblock crossing locations are often intimidating places for bicyclists and pedestrians. As such, in the interest of enhancing walkability and promoting overall community livability, the planning team provided a range of design alternatives, or treatments, to create safer, more compact crossing locations. These model treatments could apply to a number of locations around the community.

Roundabouts Modern roundabouts can significantly improve traffic flow and safety at intersections. Because they reduce speeds while keeping traffic moving, roundabouts help meet environmental quality as well as livability objectives because they reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Roundabouts also serve as landmark features, thus creating a strong sense of place, and they are very friendly for pedestrians and cyclists because they provide refuge areas and encourage slow speeds. Using one of the Destination Nodes as a case example, the planning team provided design considerations and outline key steps for retrofit roundabout installation.

The Ayers Street corridor between Ocean Drive and Port Avenue is a strong candidate roadway for a road diet project. This roadway section could be converted to three lanes, three lanes (one travel lane in each direction plus two-way center left turn lane) and bike lanes.

General Recommendations IV http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability

Economic Development

corpus christi sustainability plan

The greater Corpus Christi regional economy has rebounded faster than many areas of the country from the global recession of 2008-2010. Notable growth opportunities include oil and gas development in the nearby Eagle Ford Shale, record-setting Chinese foreign investment (Tianjin Pipe Corporation) in nearby Gregory, and the redevelopment of Naval Station Ingleside. In addition, the Port of Corpus Christi continues to handle huge volumes of bulk cargo, ranking 5th largest in the U.S. in 2009 with over 68 million tons of trade.

The project team defined the following guiding principals for the City of Corpus Christi and its partners in crafting a Regional Economic Development Strategy: t Establish a unified vision of a vibrant regional economy t Define clear, quantifiable short-, mid-, and long-term objectives that are steps toward achieving regional economic goals t Identify reliable metrics of progress and success; where metrics do not yet exist, initiate the data collection and analysis necessary to create them t Focus on actionable and implementable strategies t Optimize opportunities in traditional industries (manufacturing, oil and gas, port and trade) t Seek significant private sector involvement, input, and guidance t Recognize the regional importance of an economically vibrant Downtown Corpus Christi t Consider—and protect—those local assets (e.g. healthy natural waterways) that are the keys to residents’ high quality of life

The project team also identified a number of key regional economic opportunities: The City’s formal economic development department activities are largely integrated into the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation. While this arrangement capitalizes on the power of regional economies and makes the most of limited financial resources, effective prioritization of local and regional needs hinges on the development of a cohesive, regional economic development strategy.

t Growth of the professional/technical and financial service sectors t Transition of the existing, robust energy sector to a technology-based, clean energy economy t Creation of a vibrant, mixed-use downtown as a core engine for economic and tourist activity by: - Improving zoning/building codes (under development) that incentivize or subsidize in fill and redevelopment, encourage building rehabilitation, and reduce vacancy rates - Expanding transit and mobility options to spur compact, efficient pedestrian-oriented development - Cultivating cultural, social, artistic, and recreational opportunities t Support for small businesses and DIY entrepreneurial activity through the Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Business Innovation Center and similar assets t Targeted use of existing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) policy to implement green infrastructure projects and to encourage private development t Collaborative, subsidized training of the local work force to fulfill specialized, technical positions in target growth sectors (e.g. renewable energy production, health care, engineering) t Promotion of nature-based recreation and tourism to capitalize on unique coastal and environmental amenities

20 general recommendations

This map depicts key measures for the Element ECONOMY, including the location and relative size of key employment centers as well the projected distribution of jobs relative to population density for the year 2035. Areas in which there are a high number of individuals per jobâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;depicted as a high concentration of green dotsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;are predominantly residential and/or have a high population density relative to the number of employment opportunities. Conversely, areas shown to have a relatively low number of individuals per job are commercial or trade centers and/or have low population density, suggesting a high number of daily trips into the area; such areas may be good candidates for enhanced transit service. Those areas shown to have a moderate number of individuals per job may be more likely to include a mix of land uses, such as commercial or retail opportunities and residential areas within a close proximity; these locations may have the strongest potential for development as compact, walkable, and efficient community centers.

The 9 Destination Nodes for which concept plans are presented in this section of the document were identified by the project team (see Analysis and Assessment II section, pg. 10) as potential community focal points or demonstrations of Smart Growth development. The concept plans for each Node are intended to reflect the character of the neighborhood in which it exists, thereby creating an inviting attraction and unique place to be for both residents and visitors to the City.

Rather than produce detailed master plans for each Node, the project team sought to identify site-specific opportunities that might help guide future land use planning and development decisions and will inspire collaborative action on the part of the development community and invested citizens.

corpus christi sustainability plan

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability

Destination Nodes

23 25 27 29 31 33 35 39 41

01 Downtown/Uptown 02 Annaville 03 Morgan Avenue/Baldwin Boulevard 04 Six Points 05 Bear Lane 06 Weber Road/Saratoga Boulevard 07 Old Sunrise Mall 08 Flour Bluff 09 The Island

01 03

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01 Corpus Christi

Industrial Canal

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corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

The primary access to the urban core of Corpus Christiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s downtown is the IH 37/US 181 corridor, which, in its current form, bisects adjacent neighborhoods and creates a barrier between the main sections of the downtown district. The proposed realignment of this corridor as part of the planned replacement of the Harbor Bridge would create an opportunity to establish a new green gateway into the City that builds upon the vision of the Downtown Vision Plan (2008), the Bayfront Master Plan (2007) and the Destination Bayfront proposal (2010) to yield a cohesive, vibrant, 24-hour mixed use urban center that is both defined by and inextricably connected to the waterfront.

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Existing conditions in the Downtown/Uptown Destination Node. The IH 37/US 181 corridor, in its current form, bisects neighborhoods and creates a barrier between the main sections of the downtown district. Likewise, the natural topography of the Bluff creates a physical barrier between Downtown and Uptown that is reinforced by the division of land uses (commercial and attractions are concentrated Downtown while civic and government facilities are largely found Uptown). There is an opportunity to enhance connections across both of these barriers.

The concept plan for the Downtown/Uptown Destination Node builds upon the proposed realignment of IH37/US 181 corridor as part of the planned replacement of the Harbor Bridge to create an opportunity to establish a new green gateway in the City. This realignment would streamline highway traffic, reconnect historic neighborhoods that are currently isolated to the west of the highway corridor, and allow for a more cohesive connection between the active portions of the downtown district. Each of the white circles superimposed on the map has a Âź mile radius, a standard description of an urban neighborhood that indicates a 5-minute walk. As illustrated by the circles, downtown Corpus Christi covers a very large area and, as such, lends itself to the emergence of distinct neighborhoods. As proposed, each would have a diverse mix of uses, including residential and commercial, and all of them would be unambiguously urban, but they would likely differ in primary emphasis and neighborhood character. Multi-modal mobility systems (see the General Recommendations III, pg. 17) and open spaces will link these neighborhoods together and enhance the overall cohesion of the Downtown district.

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http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

While only a few minutes drive from downtown Corpus Christi, the Annaville neighborhood is a quiet riverside district with a distinct rural character. The Leopard Street corridor and accessory areas between McKinzie Road and Violet Road includes stable neighborhoods, a commercial corridor, schools, parks, civic institutions, and other building blocks of a rural satellite destination. Median household income and residential density are typical of the City averages. The concept plan for this Destination Node pays homage to the slower down-by-the-river pace of life and the ranch-inspired character of this community to create a destination that offers a flavor of the South Texas experience that can’t be found in Corpus Christi proper.

Annaville

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Leopard Street is the geographic and functional center of the Annaville Destination Node, but it is not currently operating as such. The stretch of Leopard Street from McKinzie Road to Violet Road could be re-defined as a “Main Street” that enhances community character and helps define a sense of place. Re-development opportunities in the Annaville could build on the existing ranch-inspired character of the community to create a pedestrian-oriented destination that offers a flavor of the South Texas experience that can’t be found in Corpus Christi proper.

nodes

These graphics illustrate the phased concept plan for potential infill development along Leopard Street within the Annaville Destination Node. Existing buildings are depicted in orange while potential infill development is shown in white. As illustrated here, the existing one- and two-story scale along Leopard Street would be preserved even as the intensity of development along this corridor increases. Buildings would be brought closer to the street to enhance the pedestrian- and bike-accessibility; parking might be moved to the rear of the buildings and treated as a district-wide amenity to be shared by adjacent users. Enhanced streetscape and landscape elements would further define Leopard Street as the social, cultural, and economic center of the Annaville community.

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

The intersection of Morgan Avenue and Baldwin Boulevard is a central, albeit underdeveloped, hub amidst the rich cultural fabric of Corpus Christiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Westside. The orientation of the major thoroughfares creates unique spatial opportunity for civic activities and community functions. Median household income in this Destination Node is lower that the City average; however, the Node includes two elementary schools, a state school, and adult learning center, and a senior center. The concept plan for this Node reinforces the character of the neighborhood and celebrates its cultural identity. Grassroots, community-based programs and opportunities are emphasized to achieve behavioral transformation and foster investment and cohesion among residents.

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The concept plan for the Morgan Avenue and Baldwin Boulevard intersection emphasizes infill development and community-based opportunities to build upon the Nodeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s distinct cultural identity and foster investment and cohesion among residents. Morgan Avenue and Baldwin Boulevard are both diagonals that cut across the rectilinear grain of the neighborhood street; the intersection is a truly unique and important location within this Node. At present, both streets are excessively wide given the volumes of traffic that they support, and this width results in vehicle speeds and an overall feel that is an obstacle to pedestrian activity. Key first steps in effecting a positive transition in this Node is calming of the traffic along both streets and highlighting the special nature of the point at which they intersect. Installation of a roundabout at this intersection would accomplish both.

nodes

These graphics illustrates the phased concept plan for potential infill development at the intersection of Morgan Avenue and Baldwin Boulevard. Existing buildings are depicted in orange while potential infill development is shown in white. The installation of a roundabout at this intersection would improve traffic flow and safety and would serve as a landmark feature. This feature would enhance the sense of place and cultural identity within the Node by helping to create common open space for community activities. Once the roundabout and associated street improvements are in place, the creation of design guidelines would help shape that the character of the surrounding infill development. In particular, moving new structures closer to the street would help to create a coherent, continuous street-face and further enhance the pedestrian experience. Relocating parking behind structures and implementing a shared, district approach rather than a lot-by-lot approach would encourage walkable connections within the Node.

Six Points

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Node

The Ayers Street corridor between the East Campus of Del Mar College and Shoreline Ocean Drive is anchored by two key employment centers and already includes a transit hub and multiple commercial enclaves. The concept plan for this Destination Node capitalizes on the presence of these two people-generators (Del Mar East and Christus Spohn Hospital Complex) and promotes their continued growth by expanding the commercial services, mobility options, and housing available along the corridor.

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This map highlights the opportunities to expand commercial services, mobility modes, and housing options along the Ayers Street corridor between the East Campus of Del Mar College and Ocean Drive. It also illustrates the unique role of the Six Points node as a link between the commercial activity along Ayers Street near the Del Mar campus and the Bayfront and nearby residential neighborhoods.

nodes

30 The image to the left displays the current conditions along the Ayres Street corridor. Large buildings are set back from the street and surrounded by surface parking, undermining any sense of continuity and connectivity. The image to the right illustrates the phased concept plan for potential infill development along the Ayers Street corridor between the East Campus of Del Mar College and Ocean Drive. Existing buildings are depicted in orange while potential infill development is shown in white. This plan highlights the opportunity to reinforce the original block structure of the neighborhood by incorporating a range of residential, retail, and commercial uses into a coherent street frontage. The relatively small scale of each building supports the notion of incremental neighborhood redevelopment by a range of development enterprises.

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http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

The quadrant on the north side of South Padre Island Drive (SPID) between Bear Lane and Old Brownsville Road is home to one of the largest employers in Corpus Christi (First Data), yet the surrounding land is almost entirely undeveloped and there are currently no basic services or amenities available to the thousands of employees who commute to this location daily. This Destination Node is characterized by below-average median household income and low residential density. The concept plan for this node focuses on fostering infill development that capitalizes on the accessibility of the site and the existing people generator to create a thriving data-sector employment hub.

Bear Lane Mixed-Use Service/Employment Infill & Redevelopment Opportunity Area

Gateway Opportunity

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This map highlights the strategic location of the Bear Lane Destination Node, which is positioned between Downtown and the population centers on the south side of the City and provides easy access to the SH 358 as well as relative proximity to the airport. The vacant land around the existing employment centers within this Node provides a range of infill development opportunities that could help establish a thriving data-sector employment hub, wherein a range of amenities are within walking distance for the high density of employees.

32 nodes

These graphics illustrates the phased concept plan for potential infill development within the Bear Lane Destination Node. Existing buildings are depicted in orange while potential infill development is shown in white. Potential infill uses include additional commercial office, regional and support retail, hospitality and civic uses, and a range of residential options.

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http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

The intersection of Saratoga Boulevard and Weber Road is representative of many of the major intersections along Southside corridors, wherein strip commercial centers are surrounded by, but not connected to, residential development. The concept plan for this Destination Node aims not to replace the auto-oriented/ suburban lifestyle but rather to enhance transportation options by fostering pedestrian and bicycle connections within the discrete quadrants of the Node. Additional outdoor gathering and recreation spaces are intended to promote neighborhood cohesion and overall wellness among residents.

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The map above highlights the current conditions at the intersection of Saratoga Boulevard and Weber Road. This intersection typifies suburban fringe and ex-urban conditions, where a concentration of auto-dependent development is surrounded by vacant land and/or agricultural uses that represent opportunities for future development. The realization of these development opportunities can help bring cohesion to the existing development to create a coherent, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use center. As illustrated in this map, existing stromwater and utility easements near the Saratoga Boulevard/Weber Road intersection provide opportunities for off-road hike and bike trail development to enhance non-vehicular connections and recreation access.

34 nodes

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This graphic depicts the potential for a coherent development pattern based on the notion of three linked neighborhoods organized around a Âź mile radius, which correlates to a five-minute walk and is the functional unit for a walkable neighborhood. As drawn, each of the three distinct neighborhoods is defined by a civic open space at the center. The outer neighborhoods also include neighborhood-supporting retail and restaurant uses, which are woven around current structures and land uses and are enhanced by their proximity to the regional arterial system (Weber Road and Kostoryz Road, respectively). Retail and restaurant uses are shown in red, single-family residential in yellow, and slightly higher-density residential options in orange.

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

While once a prominent commercial center at the geographic heart of the City, the Sunrise Mall has been overshadowed by the more contemporary La Palmera Mall and the more utilitarian Moore Plaza. Because of its central location and accessibility, the Sunrise Mall property—available for sale at a very competitive price—could be an ideal location for a walkable, mixed-use center that is the archetype for state-of-the-art development in Corpus Christi. The concept plan for this Destination Node capitalizes on the high visibility and favorable orientation of the site for a self-contained, net zero energy campus that is a declaration of Corpus Christi’s place in the renewable energy marketplace and a learning laboratory for the young professionals who will keep us there.

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Because of its central location, accessibility, and high visibility, the old Sunrise Mall property could be an ideal location for a pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use center that could serve as the model for state of the art development in Corpus Christi. This graphic illustrates that the site is well-oriented for renewable energy development and could be designed as the City’s first net-zero energy development.

36 nodes

These graphics illustrates the phased concept plan for potential infill development on the old Sunrise Mall property, which includes the retention and re-use of existing parking structures and other key buildings. The concept plan features a series of connected green spaces along the center axis of the property that could function as recreational amenities as well as community gardens, both of which could be designed to manage stormwater runoff. The drawings also depict a program of incremental, small-scale development, including commercial, retail, restaurant, and a range of residential uses. Existing buildings are depicted in orange while potential infill development is shown in white.

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

This illustration depicts infill redevelopment of the Sunrise Mall property into a mixed-use, pedestrian-oriented center. The concept plan for this Destination Node capitalizes on the high visibility and favorable orientation of the site for a self-contained, net-zero energy development that functions as both a demonstration site and a learning laboratory for renewable energy technology.

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http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

The Flour Bluff Node currently includes strip-style retail and commercial development along the South Padre Island Drive (SPID) corridor that is bordered to the south by single and multi-family residential development at above-average densities. The concept plan for this Node focuses, in large part, on enhancing nonvehicular connections between key amenities and between the residential neighborhoods and nearby commercial development. The recommended actions are also intended to build upon the existing big-box retail to create more cohesive commercial development that takes advantage of shared parking and maximizes the street presence of the buildings.

As illustrated in the map above, the Flour Bluff Destination Node currently includes strip-style retail and commercial development along the SH 358 corridor that is bordered by, but not well connected to, single- and multi-family residential development. This Node is distinguished by proximity to the Caya de Oso to the west and the Laguna Madre to the east, yet public access and shoreline amenities are limited.

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40 nodes

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The map of proposed and potential redevelopment opportunities within this Node highlights the opportunity to transform, via mixed-use infill development, the existing commercial center along the south side SH 358 into a pedestrian-oriented, “park once” district; the ¼ mile radius shown on the map correlates to a five-minute walk, which is the functional unit of a walkable neighborhood. This concept plan includes establishing a gateway landmark on Waldron Road to enhance the sense of place within the Node. The plan also highlights opportunities for infill, mixed-use development along this corridor to serve the nearby residential neighborhoods. This map also reflects the opportunity to use existing stormwater utility easements and the old Holly Road road bed as the cornerstones of a multi-use, off-road trail that provides recreational coastal access as well as enhanced mobility options.

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability corpus christi sustainability plan

Node

09 The Island

The principal concept behind the proposed plans for the Island Destination Node is the creation of a low-impact, context-sensitive beach destination that affords visitors and residents alike a wide range of recreation options and an enhanced sense of connection to the unique natural amenities of a South Texas barrier island. The current automobile-dependent character of the development on the northern end of Padre Island presents an opportunity to enhance non-vehicular transportation options to foster a simpler, slower island feel.

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The map of existing conditions within the Island Destination Node highlights the abundance of undeveloped land along and to the east of the Park Road 22 corridor. At present, there is no central point of east-west connection across Park Road 22, and as such, it represents a physical barrier to the development of a pedestrian-oriented core within this Node.

As illustrated in the map of potential infill and redevelopment opportunities, the concept plan for this Node includes various steps intended to redefine the stretch of Park Road 22 between Commodores Drive and Whitecap Boulevard, including planting and beautification of the median, establishing gateway landmarks to enhance the sense of place within the Node, accommodating multi-modal mobility options, and fostering pedestrian-oriented retail and commercial development around the proposed Park Road 22 Bridge. Infill development opportunities along Park Road 22 and residential and tourism development opportunities to the east of the corridor have the potential to enhance the simpler, slower island character of this Node.

Tourism/ Recreation Development Opportunity

Mixed-Use Service/Employment Infill and/or Redevelopment Opportunity Area

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42 nodes

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Specific action items recommended by the project team as key steps toward realizing the Destination Node concept plans that are presented in this document are captured in a Master Implementation Matrix. This Matrix is essentially a stepwise recipe that includes (where possible) a suggested lead entity for administering the action, relative priority, and potential teaming partners. The Master Implementation Matrix also includes a diverse suite of General Recommendations that apply to the entire community as well as a number of Data Collection Recommendations, which identify strategies by which the City might begin to fill critical gaps in available data so as to facilitate future assessment and goal setting efforts.

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As of the printing of this publication, approximately a dozen new and revised land use and development codesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; borne, in part, from technical support provided under the auspice of this community planning effortâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;were undergoing final review in anticipation of consideration by City Council. In aggregate, these new codes will foster the growth of vibrant locations such as those depicted in the concept plans for the Destination Nodes presented in this document by: t Creating incentives for infill development and adaptive re-use over existing infrastructure t Making it easier for developers to offer more diverse neighborhood and housing t Encouraging pedestrian- and transit-oriented development t Facilitating mixed-use development, wherein residents may not need to get in their cars to shop or go to a restaurant t Providing guidance on the design of streetscapes that are scaled for pedestrians rather than automobiles

44 implementation

In the digital form of the Master Implementation Matrix that resides on the Integrated Community Sustainability Plan website, individual strategies can be sorted and searched by Element, Geography (individual Destination Nodes or the community as a whole), and Activity Type. For example, with a few clicks of a mouse, users can view all recommended strategies that involve planning/policy action items relating to the Element MOBILITY within the Downtown/Uptown Destination Node. Visit http://www. cctexas.com/sustainability to explore the Implementation Matrix and to see more detailed plans for each of the Destination Nodes presented in this document.

http://www.cctexas.com/sustainability

Acknowledgements

corpus christi sustainability plan

The decision makers at the City of Corpus Christi must be commended for their vision and commitment in their decision to use a significant portion of EECBG funds to support long-range planning. From the onset of this project, Assistant City Manager Oscar Martinez emphasized the need to balance community-based action with policy change and capital improvement projects. Planning Commission and City Council members displayed strong leadership in their endorsement of this planning effort and, in particular, of the code reform process. Throughout the implementation of this project, City staff at all levels demonstrated their commitment to affecting real change in the daily operations of the City. Department heads and their designees not only made themselves available to support data collection and strategy development, but each also contributed actively, offering on-the-ground insights that proved essential to developing a realistic plan for implementation. Delegates from key community entities, including partner agencies, energy producers, industry, school districts, and academic and military institutions gave generously of their time as members of the Project Steering Committee. This group of community leaders offered thoughtful suggestions as to how to apply the integrated community planning framework on the ground in Corpus Christi, and they offered critical insight to guide concept planning for the Destination Nodes. It is the sincere hope of the project team that this group will continue to be a valuable

resource to City staff and officials as energy management and community sustainability planning efforts evolve. All of the members of the interdisciplinary HDR team that contributed to this effort demonstrated complete commitment to the project and to each other, working long hours on short deadlines out of heartfelt interest in helping the City of Corpus Christi make the most of this opportunity. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the Department of Energy must be acknowledged for making this transformative project a reality for the City of Corpus Christi. It is the hope of all that contributed to this effort that this integrated community sustainability planning project will come to be recognized as a catalyst to fundamental improvements in the quality of life for present and future generations of Corpus Christi residents.

HDR, inc. 555 N Carancahua St #1650 Corpus Christi, TX 78401 361.857.2211