Discovery Green is a public-private partnership initiated in mid-2004 when the sale of the privately owned green space across from the George R. Brown Convention Center was announced.
There are three entities that worked collaboratively to realize the vision for Discovery Green:
City of Houston. Mayor Bill White initiated the public-private partnership to secure the site for the park, and City Council approved a contribution of 6.4 acres of land toward the project and $7,900,000 toward acquisition of the remaining 5.4 acres. The city also created the Corporation, and it will contribute $750,000 annually toward maintenance of the park. In early 2006, the city approved funding of $21,500,000 for a garage under a part of the park.
Houston Downtown Park Corporation. The Corporation is a public local government corporation that owns Discovery Green, which was dedicated as a public park in April 2008. The Corporation has entered into agreements with the Conservancy for development of the park and underground garage and for operation of the park.
Discovery Green Conservancy. The Discovery Green Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) organization, was responsible for the park's development and now operates the park. It began as a public-private partnership initiated in mid-2004 when the sale of the privately-owned green space across from the George R. Brown Convention Center was announced. It is the first private non-profit organization in Houston to be responsible for managing all aspects of a major public park's ongoing operation.
The Discovery Green Conservancy has a 50-year contract to manage the park.
MISSION: To build and maintain a backyard for downtown Houston which is uncommonly beautiful, informal and welcoming. We will provide a green space where Houstonians and visitors have an opportunity to enjoy the simple and intimate pleasures of life. Most importantly, the Discovery Green Conservancy seeks to capture the true spirit of our city.
Project Cost
The total cost of building the park was $125 million. The Discovery Green Conservancy has raised more than $54 million in private funds to supplement the city’s contributions.
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§ Land (partial contribution for City of Houston)
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$57 million
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§ Park Features and improvements
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$39 million
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§ Garage (contribution from the City of Houston)
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$21 million
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§ Art and installations
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$8 million
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Leadership
Discovery Green Conservancy -- Board of Directors
Brady F. Carruth, Chair (The Wortham Foundation, Inc.)
Tom Castro (Border Media Partners)
Dr. Larry Faulkner (Houston Endowment, Inc.)
Nancy G. Kinder (Kinder Foundation)
Jacqueline S. Martin (JS Martin Associates, LP)
Dr. Maconda B. O’Connor (The Brown Foundation, Inc.)
Bob Eury, Ex-Officio (Central Houston)
Discovery Green Conservancy -- Officers
Sheryl Johns, Asst. Sec./Treasurer (Houston Endowment Inc.)
Nancy Pittman, Asst. Sec./Treasurer (The Brown Foundation, Inc.)
Ron I. Erlichman, General Counsel (Bracewell & Giuliani LLP)
Guy Hagstette, AIA, President
