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PHASE 2 PARK IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN - ALMOST $36 MILLION FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO HERMANN PARK PLANNED
The Master Plan for Hermann Park, created in consultation with the City of Houston and various stakeholders, was adopted in 1997 by Houston City Council and has served as a “blueprint” for all subsequent renovations and enhancements to the Park. The plan identified $70 million in improvements to be made in the Park, segmented into two phases for planning, construction, and fundraising purposes. The Conservancy’s long-term, strategic initiatives include the completion of many improvement projects outlined in the Park’s master plan.
To fund the first phase of major improvements throughout the park, FHP/Hermann Park Conservancy raised more than $32 million, including $17 million from private sources, over the past nine years. The completed projects include:
- Expansion and renovation of Miller Outdoor Theatre;
- the acquisition of additional land and the building of a multi-purpose pavilion in an 80-acre natural habitat area known as Bayou Parkland (sited along Brays Bayou) for educational programs and recreational activities;
- Renovation of McGovern Lake, including the doubling of the lake’s size, introduction of natural plantings, and the creation of migratory bird islands; and
- Establishment of two pedestrian plazas and the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool, known collectively as the Heart of the Park, among other projects.
With the first phase of improvements completed, the Conservancy has launched a campaign to raise funds for the next phase, which includes $36 million in projects to be initiated over the next seven years. Phase 2 projects, including the Lake Plaza, are detailed in the table below.
The success of the improvement projects in Hermann Park is the direct result of the public/private partnership between the City of Houston and the Conservancy. The partnership takes form in a development agreement which allows the Conservancy to design and construct the improvement projects in collaboration with the City. The original 1997 agreement outlined a group of projects, including McGovern Lake and the Jones Reflection Pool, which the Conservancy successfully completed on time and under budget. This May, City Council heartily approved extending the development agreement for another ten years, and committed $10.5 million to fund the Phase 2 projects.
As of October 1, 2006, the Conservancy had raised almost $14.0 million toward the total Phase 2 campaign goal of $35.85 million. Commitments received have included $10.5 million from the City of Houston, $1.5 million from the Brown Foundation, $1.0 million from the State of Texas, $800,000 from the John P. McGovern Foundation, $50,000 from the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation, and $10,000 from the Ray C. Fish Foundation.
Expenses |
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Total Estimated Cost |
Amount to be raised by the Conservancy |
Amount to be funded by the City |
Design and Development of Project Plans |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$0 |
Building the Lake Plaza and Greenway Pedestrian Trail |
$8,000,000 |
$5,600,000 |
$2,400,000 |
Restoration of the Houston Garden Center Building and Grounds |
$9,000,000 |
$7,000,000 |
$2,000,000 |
Renovation of the Park’s Historic Clubhouse |
$3,000,000 |
$2,500,000 |
$500,000 |
Reforestation and Improvements to the Park’s Drainage System |
$2,500,000 |
$2,250,000 |
$250,000 |
Further Development of Bayou Parkland |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$0 |
Improvements to Entrances and Signage |
$3,000,000 |
$1,500,000 |
$1,500,000 |
Addition of Park User Amenities |
$1,000,000 |
$250,000 |
$750,000 |
Restoration of the Japanese Garden |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
$0 |
Pairing of North and South MacGregor Way |
$2,700,000 |
$0 |
$2,700,000 |
Creation of a “Healing Garden” |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$0 |
Upgrading the Park’s Electrical System |
$400,000 |
$0 |
$400,000 |
Maintenance Endowment |
$3,000,000 |
$3,000,000 |
$0 |
Total Phase 2 Expenses |
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$35,850,000 |
$25,350,000 |
$10,500,000 |
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