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.
Discovery Green's mission is to operate an urban park that serves as a village green, a source of health and happiness for our citizens, and a window into the diverse talents and traditions that enrich life in Houston.
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, (El Dorado Capital)
Anne Duncan
Dr. Larry Faulkner, (Houston Endowment, Inc.)
Nancy G. Kinder, (Kinder Foundation)
Jacqueline S. Martin, (JS Martin Associates, LP)
John L. Nau, III, (Silver Eagle Distributors)
Dr. Maconda B. O’Connor, (The Brown Foundation, Inc.)
Herman Stude
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)
Barry Mandel, President and Park Director
Guy Hagstette, AIA, Founding President, 2005 - 2010
