Feature Photo: The north elevation of the Kleberg Bank Building at 4211 Ayers Street, as seen from the northwest corner. Image: Google Streets.
Posted: 12-3-2021
by Adolfo Pesquera
Corpus Christi (Nueces County) — The city’s public transit authority is searching for a developer that would be willing to acquire and redevelop the Kleberg Bank Building, considered a historically significant structure.
In November, the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority issued a Request for Proposals for the “purchase, restoration, and repurposing” of the building.
Constructed in 1969, the building was at one time the bank’s flagship location. It was sold to the CCRTA in 2017. At the time, the CCRTA was considering demolishing the building to make room for a new bus station, but admiration for its distinctive mid century architecture spared it from the wrecking ball.
There is a Request for Information period that commenced Dec. 1 and will continue through May 1, 2022. During this period, tours and inspections can be arranged by appointment.
Proposals from interested parties are due May 4, 2022 and the CCTRA Board of Directors has tentatively scheduled June 1 as the date to award a contract based on the preferred proposal.
Located at 4211 Ayers Street, the two-story Kleberg Bank Building has a net area of almost 28,000 square feet. It is situated on a 3-acre triangular lot that is just north of where South Port Avenue merges into Ayers Street.
The building includes the attached motor bank facility. Together with the land on which the facilities are located are immediately east of the new CCTRA Transfer Station being constructed by the CCRTA.
The real estate interests to be conveyed with the building shall include driveway access to South Port Avenue and Ayers Street and pedestrian access to the
transfer station.
According to the Texas Historical Commission, the building is eligible for historic designation on the National Register of Historic Places for purposes of Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. As a result, evaluation of proposals received shall include a priority for historic preservation of the exterior of the building and retention of its distinctive architectural elements.
“The CCRTA would look favorably on including the motor bank facility in the proposal, however, this is not a requirement of a Proposal for the Building restoration and repurposing,” the RFP states.
The new transfer station will replace the Port Ayers Transfer Station located at 4311 Ayers Street. As a facility within 1,500 feet of the center point of the Port Ayers Transfer Station, the Kleberg Bank property will qualify as part of a station or terminal complex facility.
adolfo@virtualbx.com
