Rumor Mill

Rumor has it that Brad's BBQ won't open until January perhaps for the same reasons Wal-Mart waited
: tax concerns. The construction near the Hampton Inn is very likely an additional hotel. Finally, there is going to be a road extended by Bad Brad's that leads to the US 181 feeder.

Northshore Cinema 8

Blogger contributor Giant and I went to the 6:30 showing of King Kong. The seats where comfortable, the Dolby sound awesome, and picture quality superb. Mr. Dinger was there making sure everything went off without a hitch. There was small alignment issue with the projector during the previews that he had the control room fix within a few minutes. A guy I work with said the projector broke down during the late show on Tuesday night but their money was refunded. No harm no foul, no premiere is without its problems! Looks like that they are getting all the issues worked out.

My only complaint (really had nothing to do with the theater) concerns a row of Jr. High kids sitting behind us who talked and played around during the entire movie. I and other movie goers scolded them repeatedly to no avail. I moved to a different seat (just call me Gandhi). Afterwards I mentioned this to the owner and he assured me had I said something he would have taken care of the issue immediately-“my bad” for not doing that. I do think it would be helpful to have the ushers make a few rounds to -keep order- when there are a lot of teenagers present. I don't know about other Portlanders but I very grateful Mr. Dinger decided Portland was a great place to invest in!

Movie Theater Opens Tonight!

The Portland movie theater opens tonight! See Caller Times article. Did they finish the parking lot yet???
http://www.caller.com/ccct/business/article/0,2537,CCCT_873_4314165,00.html

New development updates

North Shore 8 is shaping up! It looks like work on the parking lot is in process. Construction personnel where working on Sunday when picture was taken. The Creamery in the shopping center in now open. My family can't wait to give it a try!

Photo by Giant

Wish list

Feel free to post your own wish list!!!

• A traffic light for the intersection of Daniel Moore and Wildcat


• Best Buy


• Jason’s Deli


• Chinese Buffet
  
• A music store

Mystery Structures

The Taft Tribune newspaper reports that the structures in the background are for a bridge, one south bound and the other north, to go over the railroad tracks. These will help alleviate any increased traffic due to the LaQuinta Terminal.

US 181 Bridge supports
Photo by Giant

Walmart (click for large image)
Photo by Giant

Portland growth (click on for larger image)
Photo by Giant

Mystery Projects and unknown opening dates

Please post on the blog any updated information on...

• The opening date of Bad Brad's BBQ (was scheduled for Oct 05)


• The nature of the construction next to the Hampton Inn


• The US 181 Highway project in Gregory


• A better estimate of the opening date of North Shore 8 Cinema


• Any new projects I have not mentioned


• Stores you'd like to see come to Portland (there are 3 or 4 spaces left in the mini mall by KFC/LJS)


• New City Hall (had 2 month delay-see Caller Articles

The Caller Times has also reported that there are (via a discussion with the Portland city mgr) two restaurants, more banks / credit unions, medical office buildings, more hotels and another major shopping center being considered. Please post if you have any detailed info. Rumors are OK!
http://www.caller.com/ccct/business/article/0,2537,CCCT_873_3867317,00.html

Feeder road US181 Portland (click for larger image)
Photo by Giant

US 181 Entrance ramp (click for larger image)
Photo by Giant

Buddy Gamen other side of the road from the new movie theater
Photo by Giant

Subdivision sign
Photo by Giant

Navy Army Credit Union-new location
Photo by Giant

Coming to the shopping center by Wally's World
Photo by Giant

Near Hampton Inn (new hotel or HI expansion?)
Photo by Giant

City Hall-Very futuristic!
Photo by Giant

Projects in Progress

There are a number of projects in progress these include...

• New City Hall http://www.portlandtx.com/news.cfm?Id=40
• Library expansion
• North Shore 8-eight screen cinema (completion scheduled between November '05 and January '06) http://www.caller.com/ccct/business/article/0,2537,CCCT_873_3839183,00.html
• Bad Brads BBQ (US 181 feeder)
• Various subdivisions and apartment complexes* http://www.caller.com/ccct/business/article/0,2537,CCCT_873_3867317,00.html

* 5 subdivisions, an apartment complex, (read details at the Callertimes)

Cinema 8 under construction (click for larger image)
Photo by Giant

I can't wait! Finish already!

Bad Brad's BBQ
Photo by Giant

Shopping Center (Northshore Plaza?)
Photo by Giant

Library Expansion
Photo by Giant

Recent completed projects (since late 2003)

The following businesses and or city projects have been completed since November 2003 (not in chronological order).

• Aquatic Center- a city project- located by the community center
• Automated Carwash(Buddy Ganem)
• Chili's Bar and Grill (North Shore area)
• Fire Station #2
• Horizon Credit Union
• Internet Cafe Expresso.com (Next to La Paletera /Block Buster video)
• KFC / Long John Silvers (North Shore area)
• La Castia Mexican Restaurant
• Lacks furniture revamped their store(Wildcat)
• La Quinta Cotton Terminal
• Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio
  Mexican #2
• Mini Mall with Game Stop, Nail Salon, Creamery, Just-a-Cut, and Kay's KreAsian-Only 2 are open (North Shore area)
• Papa Johns Pizza(By K-Mart)
  Quiznos(Wildcat)
• Russell Auto Insurance
  Russell Wireless
• Speedy Stop Gas Station(Wildcat and Daniel Moore)
  Tropical Tan
• ValueBank
• Wal-mart Super Center (North Shore area) w/ McDonald's, 1st National Bank, and Smart Style
• Yummies Ice Cream parlor
  

Aquatic Center- Daniel P Moore Community Center
Photo by Giant

Aquatic Center
Photo by Giant

Portland Community Center

Community Center
Photo by Giant

Closed or Relocated Businesses

First National Bank now Prosperity Bank
KFC (now in Wal-mart shopping center)
Diamond Shamrock now Valero
Gifts and Things now Cotton Pickin' Gifts
Small restaurant specializing in Tamales (name unknown)-closed
Vitamin Explorer-closed (location of Cotton Pickin' Gifts)
Game Swap-closed
Golden City Chinese restaurant-closed (They weren't known for serving great food.)
Eckerds now CVS
VIP Car Wash & Super Lube now ExpressCare
Jiffy Lube? closed-maybe before 2003

Caller Times Articles about Portland

City retracts its support - Its backing for terminal reaffirmed (LNG plant)
http://www.caller.com/ccct/business/article/0,2537,CCCT_873_4014499,00.html August 18, 2005

Portland eager for city hall move- Project back under way after two-month delay
By Fanny S. Chirinos Caller-Times July 22, 2005
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_3946034,00.html

Chili's opens Portland location New restaurant serving liquor to members
By Fanny S. Chirinos Caller-Times February 11, 2005
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_3540275,00.html

New apartments to be built in Portland by next summer
By Amanda Nelson Caller-Times December 31, 2004
http://www.caller.com/ccct/business/article/0,2537,CCCT_873_3437162,00.html

Portland to decide on liquor
By Fanny S. Chirinos Caller-Times November 17, 2004
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_3334666,00.html

Portland breaks ground on City Hall (also mentions bike trail, and library expansion)
By Jaime Powell Caller-Times July 23, 2004
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_3061691,00.html

Portland getting 8-screen theater 1,300 seats, high-tech audio, video included
By Jaime Powell Caller-Times April 21, 2004
http://www.caller.com/ccct/local_news/article/0,1641,CCCT_811_2828239,00.html

Introduction

There is a lack of news about this fast growth bedroom community of Corpus Christi, Texas. The goal of this blog is to provide a resource for those interested in past, present and future business and community projects in the area.

Why a blog? The interactivity of a blog enables information sharing. In addition the content presented here is business friendly but is not sponsored by a chamber of commerce or any party with a vested interest and is therefore is not slanted or "spun".

Business in Portland is on a growth fast track but still typifies great suburban living. Neighborhoods are quiet and there are still some reasonably priced shore front properties.