Diocese of Corpus Christi Approved to Receive Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 Reimbursement
Corpus Christi, Texas – At the Tuesday, September 23rd TIRZ #3 Board meeting, the Diocese of Corpus Christi was approved for a $474,283 reimbursement agreement through the Streetscape & Safety Improvement program. The project, located at 505 N. Upper Broadway, is a $13.6 million renovation project, encompassing both the interior and exterior of the church as well as the construction of a new Grand Hall. The approved reimbursement reflects 3.6% of the entire project cost and is for Streetscape and Safety improvements only.
Exterior improvements include sidewalk repairs, new fencing, pressure washing of the exterior façade, lighting and security cameras, a new courtyard and landscaping, paved parking spaces for a total exterior investment of $1,400,000.
Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code does not prohibit the eligibility of churches or non-profit organizations from participating in TIRZ incentive programs. The state statute recognizes that building facades and other appearance features of a property can have an impact on the economic improvement within an area. The TIRZ #3 Project & Financing Plan recognizes that the improvement of sidewalks, lighting, security and other elements of the downtown area will improve the area regardless of what type of entity the owner of the property is.
Additionally, findings from the Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi South Texas Economic Development Center concluded that in total, construction is projected to generate $20,375,263 in overall economic impact within the region. The estimated impact multiplier is 1.51, meaning that every $1 in construction spending contributes approximately $1.51 to the regional economy. Construction activity is expected to create $11,038,716 in value added (regional GDP), support 103 jobs with $6,832,022 in labor income, and generate $2,091,331 in combined federal, state, and local tax revenues (all figures reported in 2025 dollars). Each $1 in TIRZ reimbursement is anticipated to leverage $4.41 in tax revenue and sustain more than $20 million in total economic impact for the region.
Other non-profit organizations that have utilized TIRZ #3 incentives include The Ritz Theatre, a steadfast champion of arts & culture in our community, the Education Services Center that is committed to educating educators, and Buc Days Commission Headquarters, a non-profit organization that has been a pillar of supporting youth in our community.
"We are deeply grateful to receive TIRZ #3 funding which allows us to continue the vital work of restoring and preserving the Corpus Christi Cathedral," said Bishop Michael Mulvey, Bishop of Corpus Christi. "It is a blessing to be able to care for such a beautiful piece of our shared history and ensure it remains a place of worship, reflection, and community for generations to come.”
While the site of the Cathedral has been home to the church for 172 years, the current cathedral building was constructed in 1940 and was eventually recorded as a Texas State historical landmark in 1994. For the past 85 years, the Cathedral has stood as a stunning example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture and has been a visual landmark in the Downtown/Uptown skyline for generations.
With over 60 years of service, the Diocese of Corpus Christi has served the poor, underprivileged, and those in need by providing food, clothing, job placement assistance, utility assistance, rent assistance, and many other essentials for individuals and families facing financial hardship.
“Projects like the Corpus Christi Cathedral Streetscape & Safety Improvements are vital to creating a balanced economic and socio-economic ecosystem in Downtown Corpus Christi,” said Arlene Medrano, Executive Director of the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District. “We are not just cultivating a thriving environment for for-profit businesses, but a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic neighborhood that values commerce, culture, and community.”
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LINKS
downtowncorpuschristi.org/ | facebook.com/godowntowncc | instagram.com/downtowncorpuschristi_/
CONTACT
On behalf of Arlene Medrano, Executive Director of the Corpus Christi Downtown Management District
Daniela Campos, Communications & Public Relations Specialist, Daniela@cctexasdmd.com, Office (361) 882-2363
ABOUT CCDMD
The Corpus Christi Downtown Management District (CCDMD), established in 1993, is a professional municipal district, representing property owners and stakeholders within the area bounded by Furman Avenue to I-37, and Lower Broadway to Corpus Christi marina L and T-heads, known as Marina Arts District. In 2023, the property owners voted to renew the district through 2033. The vision of the CCDMD is to create the most vibrant downtown on the Gulf Coast.
The City of Corpus Christi created Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 in 2008, to assist in the redevelopment of the City’s greater downtown area. Authorized by Chapter 311 of the Texas Tax Code, this tool allows governments to designate a portion of tax increment to finance improvements to promote the development of a defined area, called a “Reinvestment Zone”. Using development cost data and market demand data, the city and the DMD, with county and Del Mar contributions, worked together to develop five incentive programs to drive new investment within the Zone. The purpose of these programs is to support small businesses, activate vacant buildings and increase the housing supply.