City plans to hire construction manager for expansion

By ARABELLA SERRATA
Special to the PRESS

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the Convention and Visitor Advisory Board [CVAB] discussed South Padre Island [SPI] City Manager Randy Smith potentially entering a contract with a firm for Construction Manager at Risk services for the Convention Center Expansion Project [CCEP]. Convention and Visitors Bureau Director Blake Henry expressed the need for a Construction Manager for the project.

The board also discussed the subsidization of transportation to encourage more events to be held at the center. The center is said to be a “high tech and compatible venue” to meet the city’s and incoming business’s needs, according to Henry.

“Our vision for our destination is to be the best small-cap meeting destination in Texas,” said Henry.

The expansion is meant to bring consistent business to South Padre Island outside prime vacation months. Henry firmly believes the Island needs the center to draw more business. There was no discussion on the bird habitat located at the convention center at the meeting.

Last month, the PRESS received an official plan from Angelique “Nikki” Soto, Public Information Officer for the City of South Padre Island, showing that some of the existing landscape would be moved.

“Enhanced landscape areas will be planned extensively throughout the site which expand and improve upon the existing landscape areas. Careful attention will be paid to ensuring these proposed landscape massings contain high quality, native plant species optimally conducive to recreational birding and an ideal habitat for birds,” said Soto. She also shared that the circle in front of the center will remain intact.

The CVAB board approved the city manager’s entering a contract with a firm for the project.

The PRESS spoke with Marilyn LaMantia, a member of the “Save the South Padre Island Convention Center Bird Habitat” group, on the issue. LaMantia said the group planned on making public statements at the SPI City Commissioners meeting on Sept. 11.

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