The $33 million venue is expected to open by the end of summer 2025.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — As we look forward to the new year, the city of Portland will have plenty to celebrate.
One of the biggest projects on the horizon is the new leisure and entertainment venue called “5th & Elm”, located in the city’s Old Town.
The $33 million venue was born out of a vision for city leaders.
Half a decade later, this vision is becoming a reality.
From outside the construction site, you have an idea of the size of the place. From inside the enclosed area it is even more impressive.
City Manager Randy Wright gave 3NEWS an early tour of the future site of the Portland leisure and entertainment venue, 135,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space.
“This will be the place where all the concerts will take place, the outdoor activities will take place, it will be part of the restaurant,” Wright emphasized during the site visit.
“A premier location for our citizens, for our families to come and enjoy a variety of entertainment both indoors and outdoors, have a great restaurant, all the types of activities that our citizens demand for years,” he said.
When completed, it will include dining spaces, upstairs and downstairs, a ballroom-like gathering space and outside, a stage under construction for concerts.
There will also be family play areas, including a large artificial grass lawn, groves of trees, playscapes with hills and tunnels, an interactive water feature and a climbing rope tower.
Wright said there will be plenty of parking options.
“We’re going to have a primary parking lot around the facility, capable of accommodating 300 to 400 cars in this immediate area alone, and we plan to have private parking areas a block or two away.” , he declared.
The venue is located in the heart of the city’s historic Old Town, which Wright said will serve as a catalyst for revitalization.
Company owner Kevin Villarreal also sees this potential.
The owner of GP Nutrition moved his business to this part of town eight months ago.
“My old location was a little more hidden, a little more tucked away. This building had a lot more history and I saw an opportunity there,” he said.
Located at 504 Moore Avenue, Villarreal’s business is just down the street from the planned location. He thinks it will increase foot traffic to his door.
“Especially with the concerts coming, we could start to integrate surrounding areas like Sinton, Taft, into the growing city that is already there,” Villarreal said.
Mark Schaberg and “CC Turnkey” will bring experience from previous operating projects such as Brewster Street and Concrete Street Amphitheater and manage the property’s restaurant and events.
Wright said the project is expected to open by the end of summer.