May 20, 2004 - American Bank secures naming rights to downtown convention center complex
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – The city’s convention center complex has a new name – American Bank Center. The host venue for conventions, meetings, dance, music, professional hockey, and Broadway touring shows, the complex is also the new home of Islanders basketball.
The City of Corpus Christi and SMG, the contract management company, unveiled the name tonight in announcing a 10-year naming-rights agreement that makes American Bank the principal corporate sponsor for the expanded and remodeled sports, entertainment and convention facility, previously known as the Bayfront Plaza Convention Center.
American Bank, which was founded in Corpus Christi in 1970, is proud to announce its new community partnership.
“This facility will become a signature for the city and will help transform the downtown bayfront into a truly world-class entertainment, sports, convention and tourist destination,” said Al Jones, President & CEO at American Bank. “We are proud that American Bank Center will be a part of the economic revitalization of downtown Corpus Christi.”
City officials made the announcement outside the American Bank Center at a mixer hosted by the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce and the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“American Bank is an ideal community partner for the new convention center, arena and auditorium complex,” said Corpus Christi Mayor Loyd Neal. “Their decision to support the complex is a show of American Bank’s sense of civic commitment to Corpus Christi.”
American Bank, the largest independently owned bank in Corpus Christi, has seven locations in Corpus Christi, one in Port Aransas, one in Rockport and one in the Westlake area of Austin. In addition, the bank will open two branches in 2004: one in Calallen and one in Lakeway, outside of Austin. American Bank is privately held. It was nominated as one of the best employers in Corpus Christi in 2003 and received recognition as the Caller Times 2004 Best of the Best award winner in the categories of banking and mortgage lending.
American Bank Center will provide a world-class venue for sports events, concerts, conventions, trade shows and graduations. Completion date is Fall 2004. The 450,000 square foot complex of three buildings is located at the corner of Shoreline Drive and Resaca Street.
The convention center and auditorium, which opened in 1981, are undergoing major expansion and renovation and a new multipurpose arena is under construction. The new arena will provide capacity for 8,000 to 10,000 seats, including retractable floor seating and premium box seating. The arena is unique for arenas of this size due to its split-tiered seating, which puts spectators closer to the action.
Groundbreaking for the expansion and new arena was on Nov. 3, 2002. The convention center expansion was funded through hotel motel tax revenue and funding for the arena was provided by a 1/8-cent sales tax approved by voters in November 2000 as part of the Bond 2000 package.
The multipurpose facility is professionally managed by SMG. Marc Solis, general manager, and SMG will be responsible for negotiating leases and booking shows and other special events. Arena suites and premium club seating are still available for purchase.
|
