City Council Approves $16.3 Million Overhaul of Michael J. Ellis Seawall on North Padre Island
Major investment will restore structural integrity, improve ADA accessibility, and add new public amenities
At Tuesday’s regularly scheduled City Council meeting, the Council approved a $16.3 million contract with JE Construction Services for extensive repairs and amenities upgrades at the Michael J. Ellis Seawall on North Padre Island.
Originally built by private developers in the late 1960s as both a storm barrier and a recreational promenade, the seawall structure deteriorated over decades of private ownership before the City assumed responsibility for maintenance. This comprehensive overhaul will repair crumbling concrete and deliver features long requested by the public.
Key Infrastructure & Amenity Upgrades Include:
- Construction of a new concrete cap over the existing seawall to restore structural integrity and overall appearance.
- Full replacement and addition of stairways and ADA-compliant ramps.
- Installation of shade structures, public seating, updated signage, lighting, and granite markers (including entrance markers and 1/8-mile distance markers).
- Creation of a dedicated public plaza featuring a showcase location for public art or sculpture.
- Comprehensive parking lot upgrades.
Construction is scheduled to begin in December 2026 and take approximately one year to complete. The project is funded through Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone #2 (TIRZ #2).
For more information, media representatives can contact Beth Becerra, Public Information Officer, at elizabethb@CorpusChristiTX.gov or (361) 826-1693.
