Will downtown park attract residents?

(11/20/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- It's being touted as the one missing piece in the effort to put downtown Houston back on the map -- a distinctive park.

The park is under construction right in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. Even in a city used to building things, this one's big.

"It has been an amazing process," said Discovery Green Conservancy President Guy Hagstette.

It's Hagstette's job to make sure the construction site becomes an extraordinary downtown park. It's a lofty goal, considering other than office buildings, Houston's downtown revitalization hasn't gone so well.

"While we're focused on construction right now, this is kind of a means to an end, and the end is all the incredible activities that would be able to take place here," Hagstette explained.

Expectations were already high when the park broke ground last year. Plans called for green space, water, art, an amphitheater and world class dining options. Well-known restaurateur Robert del Grande was initially skeptical, but now he's about to open two restaurants in the park, convinced it's the right thing to do.

"Even from a business standpoint, what is really good for the city, that contributes to the cultural richness of the city, is really a good decision," he said.

Getting the downtown park ready for its launch next year has been a fast and furious process, but what visionaries are really hoping is that this will eventually redefine Houston's downtown.

There is a lot riding on the park's success. Directly across the street, Finger companies is building a 37-story high rise apartment project, the first downtown residential tower built from the ground up in decades.

"I think it's unquestionable that if the park wasn't going to happen, this building wouldn't be happening in this site," said One Park Place architect Jeffrey Ryan. "But because of the park, it makes it an ideal situation for the future residents of downtown Houston."

The apartment building will open in 2009, but the park has a much tighter deadline. It could have its first visitors on January 2. Now, it's a waiting game to see when the park will be completed and if Houstonians come.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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