Corpus Christi Watergarden back in business at least for a test run

3 News
Author: Bill Churchwell
Published: 11:13 PM CDT March 22, 2024

​​​​​​​CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — It has provided a backdrop for everything from prom pictures to marriage proposals. The iconic Corpus Christi Watergarden is back in business, at least for a test run.

If you've been around long enough you might remember just how popular the attraction is, but all that changed when it suffered flood damage as a result of Hurricane Harvey.

It is quite a sight, the water flowing once again at the Watergarden, and city leaders got the chance to watch a run through of all its new features Friday. 

The water flowing is something we haven't heard or seen in years, a water wall lit up by every color in the rainbow.

The LED light show is programmed for almost every event and holiday and is just one of the many updates for the iconic Corpus Christi Watergarden.

"Already you can feel you are in a special place somebody could stay here for a long time with this beauty that's here, and the sound," said Corpus Christi City Manager Peter Zanoni.

Zanoni was joined by city council members and other leaders to get a first look as the $8 million restoration project is nearing completion.

"All the plumbing had to be replaced, all the electrical, lighting," Zanoni said. "This top deck we are on is all brand new."

Folks from Fulton Construction led the effort on the extreme makeover that was a result of damage done during 2017's Hurricane Harvey.

"Prior to that it wasn't well maintained," Zanoni said. "I've heard stories that it was on and off, in that eight or so years, city went through many attempts to bring it on line, redesign it, ultimately got to where we are today." 

City Councilman Everett Roy told 3NEWS it took years of work to see this.

"When I came back on council, of course the price had increased considerably, I faced a lot of opposition, but I knew this being the number one photographed place in the Coastal Bend and Corpus Christi area, we had to get back and resurrect this," said Roy.

3NEWS asked the city manager if water restrictions would eventually have an impact on the feature.

"It's not until Stage 3 [water restrictions] that spaces like this have to be turned off, and pools and splash pads, whether city or private can not be refilled," Zanoni said. "Hope for the best with the rain, with stage two this is permissible along with outdoor swimming pools." 

There's still a few things left to do and the run through will also give the contractor a chance to see if there's anything they need to adjust.

The target is to open the attraction to the public the start of May, just in time for Buc Days.