A long-vacant South Texas courthouse that has stood for more than a century could soon be torn down under a new funding deal.
The old Nueces County Courthouse in Corpus Christi — built in 1914 and largely vacant since 1977 — is now closer to demolition after a $2 million funding agreement was approved this week, according to a Chron report.
The agreement, approved by the city’s Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #3 board, would help Nueces County move forward with tearing down the six-story structure at 1100 N. Mesquite St. The county has until December 2028 to complete demolition or repay the funding, Chron reported.
County Judge Connie Scott said the total cost likely will exceed the $2 million contribution.
“Coming into downtown Corpus Christi, I think (the courthouse is) the first thing anybody sees,” Scott said. “I think it is in everyone of us here today’s best interest to go ahead and get that building demolished.”
The building, once home to county offices and a jail, has long been considered an eyesore by nearby residents, though some remain skeptical after years of failed demolition attempts. Others have expressed disappointment that preservation efforts ultimately fell through.
Earlier in 2025, the Texas Historical Commission removed a preservation easement from the courthouse after restoration plans stalled. Estimates to demolish the structure have ranged from $1 million to $10 million, while renovation costs had previously ballooned to as much as $100 million, Chron reported.
Beyond its architectural history, the courthouse also carries a darker legacy. It was used as a temporary morgue following the deadly 1919 Corpus Christi hurricane, contributing to its reputation among some as a haunted landmark.
With funding now in place, county leaders say the long-delayed demolition may finally move forward — bringing an end to a building that has stood vacant for nearly half a century.