The Memorial Coliseum in Corpus Christi, TX will have to undergo major renovations, according to city officials. Built in 1953-54, the structure has been empty for the past several years. Because of this, the city has failed to keep up building maintenance.
City Councilwoman Nelda Martinez said that they (the city) had hired a company to renovate and redevelop the Coliseum, but the project has been put on hold due to allegations that the company they hired had recently declared bankruptcy.
The Memorial Coliseum, located on Shoreline Boulevard, has previously undergone renovation, including asbestos abatement, on more than one occasion. Officials do not know, however, if potentially harmful asbestos materials remain in the building. There is no current plan to test the structure for asbestos or to abate it if it is found. City officials recognize, however, that asbestos abatement would have to take place prior to any demolition or renovation on the Coliseum.
Exposure to asbestos materials, such as insulation, floor or ceiling tiles and drywall, can lead to the development of asbestos-related illnesses, including asbestosis and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma, a fatal form of cancer, has a latency period of as many as fifty years, so individuals who were exposed to asbestos may not experience symptoms of an asbestos-caused ailment until they are well into their sixties or seventies.
Mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, has no known cure and takes the lives of hundreds of Americans each year.
In addition to the potential for asbestos, the Coliseum also has a leaky roof, non-working restrooms, and has been struck by vandals armed with spray paint. The electrical wiring was stripped from the structure, and thieves have stolen almost all of the copper wiring and pipes. Mold is present along the ceiling, and there is visible damage to the Coliseum’s exterior. Thieves also stole the Veteran’s Memorial Plaque from the inside of the Coliseum, which has angered many Corpus Christi residents.
The Corpus Christi City Council will discuss the fate of the Memorial Coliseum at their weekly meeting on Tuesday, February 3rd. During their discussion, the council will determine whether or not they will tear the structure down or allocate funding to renovate it completely. Sporting events and other activities in Corpus Christi have been held at the American Bank Center since it was built in 2005.
A news story published in the Corpus Christi Caller-Times on January 15th of last year stated that renovations could cost upwards of $100,000. A more recent article, also published in the Caller-Times, said that the city was considering a complete renovation so that the facility could be used as a second arena.
