Police say the house had become a hub for drug use and criminal activity, creating growing safety concerns for families and students in the area.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It took about 30 minutes to tear down a long-standing problem property on Corpus Christi’s west side.
The Corpus Christi Police Department teamed up with Ram-Bro Contracting to demolish an abandoned and dilapidated home on the 1000 block of Francesca Drive directly across the street from Zavala Elementary School.
Police say the house had become a hub for drug use and criminal activity, creating growing safety concerns for families and students in the area.
Even after the home was boarded up and posted with no trespassing signs, people continued finding ways inside.
Officers say they had repeatedly responded to calls at the address. What stood there, they said, was more than just an eyesore, it was a safety risk.
“This location has been a nexus for drug use and transience and other problems in this neighborhood,” said Sr. Officer Javier Cantu with CCPD.
Police and city officials say the property had already been ordered for demolition, but budget constraints left it sitting in limbo. With no city funding available this year for tearing down dilapidated homes, officers and code compliance officials had to think creatively.
“Dilapidated or blighted structures, they are across the city right now. We have approximately 60 that are slated for demolition. They are pending as we look for ways to accomplish that task,” said Tracey Cantu with the city of Corpus Christi. “So we sought out some volunteers.”
That’s when Ram-Bro Contracting stepped in, donating its time, manpower, and equipment at no cost to taxpayers. A typical demolition of a home like this can cost around $2,500.
Before it came down, 3News was given a look inside the structure, what police describe as an “attractive nuisance.”
“So when there’s a structure that exists like this, it invites all types of bad elements whether that’s, you know, a criminal element,” Cantu said. “It just becomes a health and safety issue for the neighborhood.”
Its location directly across from Zavala Elementary heightened concerns.
“It presents a curiosity for students that are crossing through this area to get to school,” Tracey Cantu said. “But it’s dangerous.”
“Thankfully, Ram-Bro and the owner was graciously willing to help us, the city out, and get rid of this unsightly property,” said Officer Cantu.
Assistant Police Chief David Blackmon said efforts like this are about more than demolition.
“Anytime we can come together with the community and proactively and positively affect change in the community then it’s something that we look forward to,” Blackmon said.
For Ram-Bro Contracting, the decision was about giving back.
“It means a lot because I know after doing this, the neighborhood’s gonna be safer and it’s also gonna be safer for the kids that are across the street,” said Ricardo Ramon Jr. with Ram-Bro. “Less drugs and some prime areas here that we’re gonna get rid of.”
Now reduced to rubble, the property’s removal marks a first step toward a safer, stronger neighborhood.