Corpus Christi, TX – The Office of Mayor Paulette Guajardo, City of Corpus Christi, Visit Corpus Christi (VCC), The United Chamber of Commerce, and the DMD have teamed up with the Better Block Foundation (a Texas-based international urban design nonprofit) to bring a summer of pop-up activations to Norma Urban Park located on the Peoples Street T-head in Downtown Corpus Christi. The activations and design of the space will bring to life a community vision for a more vibrant and engaging Norma Urban Park through a placemaking demonstration.  
 
Over the past couple of months, the leadership team and community volunteers have been learning about the importance of placemaking and planning out what the park activation could look like with the goal to attract and engage locals and visitors and launch the activation this summer.  
 
On Saturday, June 3, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. the community is invited to the Summer Kick-off at Norma Urban Park which will feature the reveal of the park’s seasonal redesign, custom photo opportunities, a 15,000 square foot ground mural, live music, local vendors, food trucks, and more.  
 
“Over the past 7 years, we have had the privilege of learning about what makes places so special with neighbors all over the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and Australia,” says Krista Nightengale, Better Block’s Executive Director. “But we have never had the chance to work with neighbors on a T-Head or in Corpus Christi. So many cool ideas have emerged through our community engagement process, and we’re excited to launch this project to the public this summer.” 
 
The Better Block’s 120-day process puts the community at the forefront of the planning process. By collaborating with the Mayor’s Office, Visit Corpus Christi, The Corpus Christi United Chamber of Commerce, the City of Corpus Christi, and the DMD, the community will bring the heart and soul back to the park, which was once a popular gathering place. 
 
“Corpus Christi is such a unique place with unique offerings. This project is just the beginning of bigger plans we have for the marina, and we are excited to get the community involved in the creating of this space,” said Mayor Paulette Guajardo.  
 
Better Block has developed an open-source library using digital fabrication to create street furniture. Working with the community, the team will design and fabricate pieces specifically for the park.  
 
“We are so excited to be working with Better Block in this unprecedented partnership to expand on our vision of creating the most vibrant downtown on the Gulf of Mexico,” said Alyssa Mason, Executive Director of the DMD. 
 
The project is still seeking community volunteers of all ages to help build, paint, unbox, and put together this summer activation from May 31 through June 3. Volunteers can sign up using this link: https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1027001587158948083/false#/invitation 
 
For more information on this project visit: https://www.betterblock.org/corpuschristi 

About the Better Block Foundation 
Better Block Foundation is an urban design nonprofit that educates, equips, and empowers communities and their leaders to reshape and reactivate built environments to promote the growth of healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. Find out more by visiting www.betterblock.org. 
 
About CCDMD 
The Corpus Christi Downtown Management District (CCDMD) is the organization that manages the Marina Arts District. Established in 1992, this professional Downtown Management District represents property owners and stakeholders within the area bounded by Kinney Street to I-37, and Lower Broadway to the Corpus Christi Marina L and T-Heads. CCDMD has 5 strategic departments including District Operations, Placemaking, Economic Development, Promotions, and Organizational Management. In 2023, downtown property owners voted to renew the district through 2033.  
 
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