|
Padre Island developer approved to start building B Developers of a resort subdivision planned on Padre Island received City Council approval to start building before finishing a sewer lift station, a departure from the city's normal procedure. The city usually requires lift stations and other utilities, streets, drainage, sewer and water lines, be completed before subdivision construction starts. "One step at a time -- for some projects that works," said Juan Perales Jr., the city's deputy director of development services. "But when you have large or very complex projects, these agreements allow for multitasking." The $200 million Tortuga Dunes development near Zahn Road and State Highway 361 is expected to include about 142 houses, 97 condominiums and 37,000 square feet of retail space. Infrastructure and amenities for the first phase of the project, about two-thirds of the project, are expected to be completed by the spring. The agreement approved Tuesday will speed up the construction time by letting developers start work on the subdivision and the lift station at the same time, said David Underbrink of Naismith Engineering, who is working with the developers on the project. Underbrink said the lift station could take up to two years to finish. The agreement approved Tuesday requires work to start within 60 days and finish within two years. It also calls for the developers to put up $7 million that acts like a lien and transfers to the city if the project isn't completed. The agreement allows developers to temporarily tap into a city water line and sets up what can be built before the sewer lift station is finished -- model homes, some common areas, including swimming pools, bath houses, decks, a dune walkover and a sales center. Developers must set up temporary wastewater services and pay for the city water that is used. Perales said completing the project sooner means the city will see sooner the economic benefits of construction and new homes. The city has done about six similar agreements in the last year or so, he said. Reporter Elvia Aguilar contributed to this report. Contact Beth Wilson at 886-3748 or wilsonb@caller.com Copyright 2008, Caller.com. All Rights Reserved. |
