Wilson Plaza, a well-known landmark in Uptown Corpus Christi, will close on Friday, October 4, 2024, following an eviction notice delivered to its remaining tenants. The once-bustling building now sits with few occupants, some of whom report ongoing issues with the building’s maintenance, including a lack of air conditioning since January 2023. The situation’s urgency is palpable, with the closure date looming and the building’s issues unresolved.
Safety Violations and Building Concerns
The Corpus Christi Fire Department (CCFD) has been actively investigating multiple safety issues at Wilson Plaza. Assistant Fire Chief Randy Paige revealed that the building’s property owners have received several citations, including violations for the fire suppression system and broken elevators. Only one elevator in the East Tower remains operational, while those in the North and West Towers have been out of service. Paige emphasized that despite the building’s impending closure, it must comply with fire regulations.
“We’re going to continue to take every recourse we have available to get them to comply,” Paige said.
City Magistration and Detention Center Impacted
One of the significant impacts of the closure is on the City of Corpus Christi Magistration and Detention Center, located in Wilson Plaza. This facility handles individuals arrested by the Corpus Christi Police Department and other local agencies. Municipal Court Director Gilbert Hernandez said the city was caught off guard by the eviction notice and scrambled to find a temporary solution.
City Magistration and Detention Center impacted despite the challenges, the city is actively working to find a solution, considering both temporary and long-term options. This proactive approach should reassure the community that their safety and well-being are top priorities.
The city is also considering using a temporary location as a long-term solution, but the complexity of relocating a detention center, which involves building cells, complicates the process.
Long-Term Plans and Tenant Frustrations
The eviction notice states that the building will be locked on October 4, and no further access will be permitted. While the city works on a temporary solution, the Corpus Christi Council has already approved plans to build a new 15,000-square-foot detention center by Fiscal Year 2027 at an estimated cost of nearly $16 million.
For long-time tenants, the closure of Wilson Plaza has brought frustration. One tenant, who has been in the building for 36 years, expressed disappointment at the lack of repairs since new owners took over in 2019.
“We thought they were going to come in and fix things, but they haven’t done anything,” the tenant shared. Due to the short notice, she now faces leaving behind valuable office equipment, including scanners and desks.
Wilson Plaza’s closure marks the end of an era for many tenants and city departments. With safety violations and ongoing issues, the building’s shutdown is inevitable, leaving the city to find quick solutions for its operations and long-time tenants looking for new spaces.