The project represents a $10 million investment from The Texan Stores that will include a fuel station and a concession store with a restaurant at CCIA’s entrance.

A new development is coming to the Corpus Christi International Airport, bringing with it a familiar Texas name.

At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Paulette Guajardo and city councilmembers approved the first reading of a long-term lease to bring the first-ever The Texan fuel station to Corpus Christi.

The project represents a $10 million investment from The Texan Stores and will include a fuel station and a concession store with a restaurant. The development will be located on city-leased land at the entrance of the Corpus Christi International Airport.

According to city and airport leaders, the project has been in the works for several years and aims to fill a gap in services near the airport.

“It’s always a gap, especially people that aren’t from Corpus, and they bring their rental cars out,” said Jeremy Valgardson, Assistant Director of Aviation at CCIA. “So having that gas station right there at the corner will be convenient for everyone coming out.”

Councilmembers approved the first reading proposing a 40-year lease with an option for a 10-year extension. Valgardson said this is part of a broader effort to expand services and attract new development near the airport.

“This is really another step towards our goal of increasing the frontage of the airport, of having a gas station, and eventually a hotel and hopefully some other non-aviation services there,” Valgardson said.

Councilman Roland Barrera said the project has been discussed for some time and will benefit both travelers and those who work in and around the airport.

“A couple thousand people work in the area, about 1,000 that work at the airport, so now they have a place where they can either pick up some tacos or on their way home, get some gas,” Barrera said. “I think there’s a little market there for them.”

Some councilmembers raised concerns about the project’s business plan, traffic flow and the number of proposed parking spots. Airport officials said The Texan conducted a traffic study and chose to install higher-volume pumps based on that data.

Councilman Mark Scott said he sees the development as a positive sign for the city’s services and economic growth.

“The fact that a company like that wants to move their services into Corpus Christi is a sign that we’re a place that people want to move to,” Scott said.

Barrera echoed that sentiment, adding that the project will bring in new tax revenue for the city.

“It’s going to provide new tax revenue for the citizens of Corpus Christi that we can use to fix roads, hire police officers, firefighters,” Barrera said. “I think overall, for a property that had no taxable value because the city owned it, now we’re generating revenue.”

The Airport Department is expected to return to address City Council for a second reading on Nov. 11, where leaders will provide additional feedback from small businesses located at the airport and from The Texan representatives addressing council concerns.

Once permits are issued, construction is expected to take about eight months.