Ground is broken for Kingsville project

Corpus Christi Caller Times

Deborah Martinez

December 14, 2000

KINGSVILLE - Navy and city leaders broke ground Wednesday on a 150-unit gated community that will put the Navy out of the housing business here.

Construction of the $14.5 million Hunter's Cove project won't begin until January, when crews begin installing sewer and water lines on the property near Brahma Boulevard and Trant Road. A road expansion project near the complex will also begin then, said Mike Hunt, president of Hunt Building Corp., which will lead the construction.

The project is the third South Texas Navy public-private housing venture and the first in four years. Past public-private ventures have allowed the military to become a partner with private corporations to build housing for service personnel and their families.

In the Hunter's Cove project, the Navy will invest $4.3 million up front, while El Paso-based Hunt Building Corp. will invest the other $10.2 million and take charge of construction, ownership and maintenance. Families are scheduled to begin moving into Hunter's Cove in October, though project completion isn't expected until January 2001.

"This is another investment by the Navy in the community," said Kingsville Mayor Phil Esquivel after the ceremony.

Naval Air Station Kingsville is the first South Texas base to completely turn over its housing operations to private corporations. Its Hawk's Landing housing complex is owned and operated by Austin-based Landmark Organization. And as part of the latest project, Hunt acquired Texas Terrace, NAS Kingsville's original off-base housing complex that was built in 1954.

Once military families living at Texas Terrace are phased into Hunter's Cove, that complex will be renovated and turned over to the general public.

"This is finishing up what we need to meet our housing needs here for years to come," said Capt. J.J. Morrow, commander of NAS Kingsville.

In addition to the projects in Kingsville, Naval Station Ingleside has Bridge Pointe Landing, a public-private housing venture in Portland.

2000, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.