Corpus Christi’s iconic Bob Hall Pier must be torn down and rebuilt, said Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales in a letter to state officials this week. Plans for rebuilding the pier, which was damaged when Hurricane Hanna hit in July, will be discussed at the Oct. 7 county commissioners' meeting.

The estimate for replacing the bridge and repairing the area around it is about $20 million. The federal government is expected to pay 75 percent of that, leaving about $5 million for the county. Canales said she is pursuing grant money to help with that part as well.

Once commissioners have signed off on the plan, it goes to the state for approval and then on to the federal government for a final nod and the money.

“By the beginning of the year, we need to basically be ready to implement our plan,” Canales said. “There is nothing wrong with getting our design going now.”

Hurricane Hanna hit Port Mansfield, about 120 miles south of Corpus Christi, as a Category 1 hurricane July 25. Winds and 6 feet of storm surge damaged the walkup to the pier and took out the T-head on the end. The parking lot was also destroyed.

Currently, the county is seeking a company to clear debris from the water. Designs are the next step, Canales said.

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