CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Dec. 17, 2018 – Let there be light! CITGO Corpus Christi is proud to unveil the new year-round lighting of the historical homes in Heritage Park. In partnership with the City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department, the hundred-plus year old Heritage Park homes are now equipped with mounted outdoor lighting that will illuminate nightly at sunset.

CITGO and the City of Corpus Christi “flipped the switch” to light the homes at sunset on Saturday, December 15 in a special Unite Under the Light celebration at Heritage Park. Guests were treated to an evening of food and holiday music. CITGO General Manager of Community Relations, CSR and Legislative Affairs Larry Elizondo presented a special video tribute reflecting community accomplishments in 2018. Elizondo and Corpus Christi Mayor Joe McComb then led the countdown to light up the homes.

“So much of our city’s history can be found at Heritage Park in those old homes. Each tells its own story and holds a place in the legacy of Corpus Christi,” said Elizondo. “CITGO is pleased to have the opportunity to quite literally shed light on our city’s rich history year-round, while enhancing the beauty of Heritage Park. We hope it will encourage more families to visit the park, learn about our city’s history and enjoy the beauty of Corpus Christi.”

All of the Heritage Park historical homes have been restored and many are recorded as Texas Historical Landmarks. The oldest of the Heritage Park homes, the Centennial House located at 411 Upper Broadway, was built in 1851.

“Heritage Park is one of the special places around town where you are surrounded by history,” said Mayor McComb. “Adding these lights captures the beauty of the homes and makes the park more welcoming to residents and visitors year-round. The City of Corpus Christi appreciates the opportunity to partner with CITGO on a project that enhances our city and benefits residents.”

About CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery

The CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery, which celebrated 80 years of operations in 2015, provides more than 1,000 jobs locally, while generating more than $345 million per year on average in support of the local economy through salaries, services and taxes. With a crude refining capacity of approximately 157,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) and a versatile product mix, which includes an average of 4.2 million gallons of gasoline, the CITGO Corpus Christi Refinery is one of the most sophisticated and efficient fuel and petrochemical refineries in the nation. In addition to producing high-quality fuels for a network of more than 300 independently owned and operated CITGO branded stations in the State of Texas and thousands more across the country, CITGO Corpus Christi refinery employees are dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities. CITGO Corpus Christi employees volunteer more than 2,500 hours on average annually to support causes and organizations including United Way, Charlie's Place, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Miracle League, Catholic Charities, the Special Olympics, Hans and Pat Suter Park and Adopt-A-Beach Clean Up, among many others. For more information, visit www.citgocorpuschristi.com.

About CITGO

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry with a well-known brand. CITGO operates three refineries located in Corpus Christi, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Lemont, Ill., and wholly and/or jointly owns 48 terminals, nine pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,400 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 749,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO is ranked as the sixth-largest, and one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products and supplies a network of approximately 5,200 locally owned and operated branded retail outlets in 30 states and the District of Columbia. CITGO Petroleum Corporation is owned by CITGO Holding, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A., the national oil company of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. For more information, visit www.citgo.com.