b'C o m m u n i t yTop: Corpus Christis rather magnificent American Bank Convention Center and Arena. Middle: Empty, waterfront lots located directly next to the ABC. Bottom: The 1,003-room Grand Hyatt Riverwalk, adjacent to the San Antonio Convention Center.Of Greatest OpportunityCorpus Christis Bayfront in Need of Hotel & Recreation Development. Now.Corpus Christis original Bayfront Plaza Convention Center was completed in 1978 at the northern point of North Shoreline Boulevard, right on the bay, with the Art Museum of South Texas and the Corpus Christi Museum directly to the north, at the entry to the Port of Corpus Christi. By the mid-1980s, the conven-tion center had been significantly expanded, and in 2004, the 10,000-seat Amer-ican Bank Center Arena opened, replacing the old Memorial Coliseum as the citys signature venue for concerts and sporting events.In February 2006, the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships returned to Corpus Christi for the last time, bringing almost 100,000 competitors and their guests from all over the country, over a period of 143 days. The conven-tion center was converted into a gigantic bowling alley, and other facilities were employed around the area to accommodate the tournamentand then they never came back. The reasons were obvious when comparing Corpus Christi to the destinations where the annual event has taken place in the years since.Orlando, Salt Lake City, Utah, Reno, Nevada, and even El Paso offer accommoda-tions and entertainment options that Corpus Christi does not. Of greatest detri-ment to the citys convention industry is the lack of a convention center hotel, like all other major cities offer. Not only does our sparkling city by the sea lack a major hotel of any variety over 400 rooms, it lacks one that is convenient to the conven-tion centerthat is, within easy walking distance, with at least one weather-proof option such as a tunnel or sky-walk. The American Bank Center is located squarely on the magnificent Corpus Christi Bayfront, with unobstructed views and access to the seawall and waterfront facilities, as are the huge, empty lots right next door.Continued on page 5652THE COASTAL BEND GUIDE TheCoastalBend.com'