A City on the Rise

Portland's steady upward growth rate contrary to national trend

Published by the Corpus Christi Caller- Times
By Elvia Aguilar
Originally published 07:40 a.m., April 27, 2008

A short drive in this city of about 16,420 shows signs of growth contrary to the national trend -- a new city hall, a new police station, incoming hotels, subdivisions and retail centers.

"This town isn't going through roller coasters of growth going up and down," said William C. Cocke Jr. of North Shore Builders, who with his father is developing neighborhoods and retail centers. "It is definitely growing at a steady rate. We know the economy isn't exactly strong overall, but things are good here. The quality of life is good."

In the past three years the city has welcomed a Wal-Mart Supercenter, a movie theater, Chili's, Bad Brad's BAR-B-Q Joint, a Kentucky Fried Chicken/Long John Silvers, an eight-unit shopping center and banks. City Manager Mike Tanner said if the city finishes the fiscal year strong, the city should double or triple the historical annual growth rate for South Texas. Cocke and other developers welcome the growth because they know the economy will take a hit in 2010 when Naval Station Ingleside closes. Tanner said at least 10 percent of the Portland population is military, and a substantial percentage of Portland commerce is generated by military people who reside outside Portland.

Cocke and Tanner fear the base closure will cause many people to leave the area, but they remain hopeful that people in Corpus Christi's congested Southside and those retiring will want to live in a city such as Portland. Cocke also said growth in Corpus Christi's port, plus redevelopment at the base will bring additional residents to the region.

"There will be an impact," Tanner said. "It will be negative, but no one knows how great it will be or how long it will last. I, myself, view it as a bump in the road every city periodically experiences."

On a nationwide scale, in 2008 the retail sector has been hit hard with the amount of new retail space dropping 37 percent. The total volume of new space in 2008 is the lowest for any January and February combined period in at least five years, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers.

In Portland, construction of a 50,000-square-foot retail project dubbed Esplanade at North Shore has started off U.S. Highway 181 and the North Shore Boulevard exit.

Cocke hopes to attract regional and national restaurant chains and stores. He said he was in negotiations with some of these companies but declined to give any names. He hinted at steak houses, banks and mail stores as possibilities to fill the space.

The center is expected to open late this summer.

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