Tom Whitehurst

A $12,000 solution to skater problems

This issue of skateboard and inline skating tricksters sliding up and down the bayfront banisters, park benches, parking garages and planters has some real economic consequences, apparently.
   On the one hand, these teen-age daredevils are causing genuine damage to paint and concrete, and adding to the costs of security as well as maintenance, which is bad for landlords. The skaters' boisterous activity often sets off car alarms, which is irritating to tenants. And no amount of reassurance from the skaters and their parents will dissuade the building managers from the fear that they'd be sued if a kid is injured or killed.
   On the other hand, we have teens who spend upward of $150 on skateboards or upward of $200 on skates, and keep on spending for maintenance of this expensive equipment, which is good for merchants. The kids work up an appetite and thirst, which is good for the less expensive downtown restaurants. They're engaged in an activity that's strenuous and healthy, and as long as they avoid serious injury, good for them. It keeps them off the streets - so to speak - good for society. And the tricks they perform are impressive to watch, free entertainment.
   Sleeves on banisters
   It seems reasonable that people ought to be able to play with their toys - skates, skateboards, scooters, bicycles - on the bayfront without being cracked down upon by the police. But police have been cracking down on the trick skaters. It also seems reasonable that the decorative brass on the banisters at the Frost Bank tower shouldn't have to be replaced, and that the building's management shouldn't have to put special vinyl sleeves over the banisters on weekends. But they did, and they do.
   A whole lot of people who disagree on this issue, agree on one solution, a skate park. The owners of MD Surf & Skate and Odie's Skate & Surf like the idea. Jacob Davila, a 16-year-old King High School freshman whose letter to the editor about being hassled for skating was published Thursday in the Caller-Times, likes the idea. The managers of Wilson Plaza and the Frost Bank tower like the idea.
   It would cost all of about $12,000, plus volunteer labor, donated material and donated city park land, said City Councilman John Longoria, who has been pursuing the idea. That's roughly the cost of 60 pairs of skates - or fewer, depending on the skates chosen.
   Skaters would actually use the park, if it's done right, Longoria and Jacob say. As long as it isn't placed out in the boonies, its location won't be a barrier, they say. Indeed, says Jackie Hale, administrating/leasing manager of Wilson Plaza, the kids who skate downtown obviously aren't downtown residents. They're driven downtown by their parents. She regularly sees parents dropping off their teen-age sons to skate. Jacob, who lives a good nine miles from downtown, says he usually gets there by bus.
   A skate park might have one unfortunate economic consequence. Joe Minervini, owner of CitySkates, a rink at South Padre Island Drive and Ennis Joslin Road, says he's sure that he'd lose some business to a skate park. Anyone who has been to Minervini's rink should be convinced that if profit were his main motive, he'd be in another line of work. He gives free lessons to beginners for 45 minutes on Saturdays and charges $4.50 admission - a matinee movie price - for up to four hours of skating time several afternoons per week.
   He also has a separate area with all sorts of obstacle doodads for the extreme skaters. It's an alternative venue for them, but not a total solution because the hardcore extremists like skating on pavement, Longoria says.
   Minervini figures he'd survive if a skate park opened. A lot of his clientele are pre-teens, and even preschoolers, whose parents can watch in air-conditioned comfort.
   So, we have a social/generation gap/economic problem with a potential $12,000 solution. Longoria, who had been distracted lately by work and by his re-election campaign, hasn't started a serious donation drive. As of last week, he had asked only three people or groups for donations, and all three said yes. Construction contractor Joe Fulton gave $250, but that was all that Longoria asked of him. Citgo Refining Corp. gave $500, and Longoria said the Buccaneer Commission has pledged $2,500.
   Those interested in donating can make checks payable to South Texas Progressive Sports and mail them to Steve Botelho, president of Nueces National Bank, care of Skate Park Project, 3306 McKinzie Road, Corpus Christi, 78410, or to John Longoria, P.O. Box 5802, Corpus Christi, 78465.
  
  

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