Corpus Christi revamps, expands popular riverfront park

Sometimes, building up a community for the future requires tearing down the past.

That’s the case in Corpus Christi, Texas, where a historic piece of infrastructure is making way for an expanded waterfront park that will serve residents and visitors for generations to come.

The John W. Cunningham Water Treatment Plant was built in 1893 and served as Corpus Christi’s first water plant. Situated on 14 acres along the Nueces River, the plant, which closed in 1988 after 95 years of service, was adjacent to the city’s popular riverfront Labonte Park. The park is named after NASCAR Winston Cup champions and brothers Terry and Bobby Labonte.

‘A new day in Corpus Christi’

As motorists on Interstate 37 South entered Corpus Christi, the first thing they would see was the abandoned plant.

“This is the gateway to Corpus Christi,” Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo said in a local television interview. “This is not what we want people to see. It’s over. It’s a new day in Corpus Christi.”

Mayor Guajardo and city officials saw an opportunity to create an attractive and inviting entrance to the city while doubling the size of the park for residents and visitors. The expanded park will be the city’s largest, featuring an array of recreational amenities, such as walking trails, camping sites, a boardwalk and a fishing pier.

Historic waterfront property becomes green space for park

But the water treatment plant would first have to come down so the park could expand its footprint.

As part of an ongoing civil engineering services contract, Hanson worked with the city to create the plant’s demolition plans. The Hanson team oversaw the demolition of the facility’s structures, components, clearwells, piping, concrete slabs and electrical equipment; disposal of debris; removal and proper disposal of hazardous materials; infill of demolition areas; and site grading.

The project involved reviewing record drawings and environmental reports, preparing construction drawings and bidding documents and providing bidding and construction-phase support, as well as aerial drone photography, preliminary engineering, design, bidding and construction-phase support. Hanson used the drone images to complete the final scale drawing for the site demolition plans and erosion control.

Prioritizing sustainability

The Hanson team, led by Willie Rivera Jr., P.E., vice president and senior project manager at Hanson’s Corpus Christi office, also considered ways to preserve the natural features of the site. This included seeding the area to provide a natural green space for the park and making sure the demolition didn’t affect trees on the site or the Nueces River.

For Michelle Alvarez, P.E., ENV SP, a water/wastewater engineer at Hanson’s Corpus Christi office, this project offered team members an opportunity to play an important role in repurposing the water treatment plant for the Labonte Park expansion. “It’s not every day that a green, empty field embodies a job well done,” Michelle said.

Rivera and the Hanson team also worked with the city and contractor to coordinate a televised groundbreaking ceremony, which was held Aug. 19, 2022, to begin demolition and announce plans for the expanded park. Work at the site was completed earlier this year, with the park’s expansion kicking off soon.

“One of the best parts of working on local projects is that you know your work will benefit your neighbors, family and fellow Hanson team members. I look forward to the stories I’m bound to hear about the fish caught at the expanded park and the birds I’ll watch migrate through each spring,” Michelle added.

For more information about this project or how Hanson can help with your next project, contact Willie Rivera, P.E., at wrivera@hanson-inc.com.