Metro-Mobility Talks: Volume 15 Issue 2
Celebrating A Vibrant and Live-Able Downtown - Encouraging the Community to Enjoy Downtown

On Monday, August 31, the office of Congressman Solomon Ortiz participated in the celebration of our growing and living downtown with a ribbon cutting of a newly installed bicycle rack located at Peoples and Chaparral streets. The bicycle rack; installed in front of newly renovated apartment lofts, is surrounded by art galleries, murals, sculptures, classic buildings and architecture, dining places, coffee houses, and offices.
OOThe look and feel of our living downtown is exiting and humming with activity. An abundance of new places to enjoy art, dine, unwind after work, live, and relax can be found within blocks of each other. And like most bustling downtowns; residents, patrons, and folks out enjoying their community are walking, using mass transit, or bicycling to get about and enjoy their places of interest. The ribbon cutting celebrated the launch of our ability to enjoy our downtown doing just that! Numerous bicycle racks, all served by RTA buses and trolleys that can carry bicycles, have been installed in the DTown area with several more scheduled for installation over the next few months.
OODavid Loeb; President of the Downtown Management District expressed support for the project. "Downtown property owners, businesses, and residents are extremely thankful for the participation of the Pollution Prevention Partnership, City of Corpus Christi, MPO, and the RTA in making such a wonderful investment in our neighborhood. Pedestrian and bicycle oriented development are essential to revitalizing downtown and this investment provides critical infrastructure to achieving this kind of development."
OORep. James L. Oberstar, Chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (Minnesota-8th) also issued a statement. "Corpus Christi's new bicycle and pedestrian facilities demonstrate the city's dedication to increasing its transportation options and enhancing its quality of life. Walking and biking are essential components of a healthy and environmentally friendly transportation network, and I commend the city for its leadership, and its commitment to improving the lives of its citizens."
OODenise Blanchard, Chief of Staff for Congressman Solomon Ortiz was on hand to cut the ribbon. Congressman Solomon Ortiz, a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure provided a statement: "The Coastal Bend area and its residents will now be able to enjoy the recreation of bicycling through this project. Our residents deserve nothing but the best, and this project is a move in that direction. I am elated to know that Corpus Christi and its surrounding communities continue to grow through our work and dedication to the people." --U.S. Rep. Solomon P. Ortiz.
OOMayor Adame accepted a flag flown over the US Capital from Ms. Blanchard. "This is another great example of the positive things that are taking place in our Downtown, and which help make that area even more exciting and enjoyable for our residents and visitors alike," said Mayor Joe Adame. "The City is committed to keeping that momentum going. In fact, the 2008 Bond Issue provides $2 million for improvements along Chaparral Street, and another $13 million for Phase III of our Bayfront Development Plan. So I think we can all be proud of what has already taken place in the Downtown area, and we can look forward to even greater things in the future," he said.
OOA Bike Rack map developed by the MPO is available for download at these web sites:

Pollution Prevention Partnership: http://outreach.tamucc.edu/p3home.html