Federally required $8.7M Northside pool project explained

City officials say the mitigation commitments are tied to the Harbor Bridge Project timeline and must be fulfilled before the complete demolition of the old bridge.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — New images show what the future Northside Aquatics Center could look like and city leaders are one step closer to making it a reality.

A motion awarding a $8.7 million construction contract to South Texas Building Partners, Inc. of Corpus Christi was on Tuesday’s City Council agenda for the project, which is planned for the T.C. Ayers Park area.

The new aquatics center will replace the old T.C. Ayers pool that was demolished due to construction of the Harbor Bridge. City leaders say the project is not only bond approved but required.

The City emphasized the project is not a new discretionary initiative. It stems from a 2015 Title VI civil rights complaint related to the Harbor Bridge Project.

Following a federal investigation conducted under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Port of Corpus Christi, the Corpus Christi Housing Authority, and the City of Corpus Christi entered into a Voluntary Resolution Agreement and related Four Party Agreement to resolve the complaint.

As part of that binding agreement, specific mitigation measures were required to address impacts to the Hillcrest and Washington-Coles neighborhoods. Reestablishing a neighborhood pool was identified as a core mitigation commitment after the former T.C. Ayers pool was demolished for bridge construction.

Under the agreement, any deviation from approved mitigation measures requires review and approval by the FHWA Office of Civil Rights.

City officials say the mitigation commitments are tied to the Harbor Bridge Project timeline and must be fulfilled before the complete demolition of the existing bridge structure. Approving the construction contract ensures the City remains in compliance with federal obligations and project sequencing requirements.

Heavy equipment is already pushing dirt at the future site, located across from the parking lot that leads to the Harbor Bridge walking path along Winnebago Street.

For Northside residents like Henry Williams, the progress is long overdue.

“We’re moving forward. And that is the important aspect. We’re moving into the future. We’re putting the past behind.”

Williams said the original pool was once a summer staple for neighborhood families.

Funding comes from the voter-approved 2024 bond program, along with reimbursement funds through TxDOT.

Renderings show the facility will include a six-lane, 25-yard lap pool, a zero-entry beach area with a children’s play structure, shaded seating, and parking for almost 100 vehicles. City officials say the design is similar to the Collier Pool.

“It will be a lap swim pool for community members as well as a recreation pool youth or anyone to go out there and enjoy our pool during the summer time,” said Robert Dodd with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department.

The aquatics center is part of the broader Harbor Bridge mitigation effort, which also includes improvements to neighborhood parks and a hike-and-bike trail connecting them.

“We’re required to build this pool with the lawsuit that went on but on the parks and recreation side, we’re just excited. This will be the second pool we’ve opened in two years, and I think the whole community is excited about it,” said Dodd.

City leaders also acknowledged ongoing drought conditions and the potential for a water emergency.

“Our parks and recreation staff are very mindful of obviously the city’s efforts to get water and our low water right now, something we have in our pools is a food grade solution that we pour in there weekly to help eliminate some of the evaporation,” he said.

In its press release, the City said water conservation efforts will continue as necessary, but it must also meet its legal and federally mandated commitments.

Construction on the Northside Aquatics Center is expected to begin later this year, with the pool scheduled to open in March 2027.