CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Port of Corpus Christi and City of Port Aransas have reached an agreement on Harbor Island's future development.
This agreement, which was announced in a news release Monday, amicably resolves all pending litigation between the two entities. Port and city leaders have been negotiating for many months about how to develop the area.
The City of Port Aransas authorized the agreement announced on Monday by a 7-0 vote on Aug. 20. The Port Commission authorized its top officials to finalize the settlement agreement at a meeting July 21.
“We are thrilled to finally have reached an agreement with the City of Port Aransas on how to best move forward with the development of Harbor Island,” said Port of Corpus Christi Authority CEO Sean Strawbridge. “We value our relationships with local municipalities, and this agreement paves the way for more economic prosperity and public safety for the good citizens of Port Aransas.
"We thank (Port Aransas) Mayor (Charles) Bujan, the entire City Council, and City Manager Dave Parsons for their leadership in reaching this accord, thereby endorsing a long-term collaborative view of the future of Harbor Island.”
Bujan also said he is pleased with the terms of the agreement.
”By entering into an interlocal agreement, the Port and the City now have a workable framework in place to address development on Harbor Island, including oversight on city ordinance and permitting issues, and funding provisions to address fire protection and emergency services,” Bujan said. “The agreement also ends all of the litigation between the City and the Port.
"Hopefully, this agreement can serve as a springboard for continued discussions with the Port on Harbor Island and on other matters of mutual concern between the Port and the City. The City is pleased to have resolved these issues and looks forward to continuing to address related matters of concern to the City’s residents.”
Last year, the Port of Corpus Christi filed a lawsuit against the City of Port Aransas, which centers on the city's lease agreement with the port for the marina there.
See some of the port and Port Aransas' history in regards to Harbor Island here.
