The Houston Downtown Management District has broken ground on the new Market Square Park.
The Downtown District, along with the Downtown Redevelopment Authority and City of Houston Parks and Recreation Department, are spearheading the park’s redesign.
Market Square Park is bounded by Congress to the north, Travis, Preston and Milam streets.
Tapped to do the bulk of the work are three Houston firms: Landscape architecture firm Lauren Griffith Associates, Ray + Hollington Architects and Tribble & Stephens Constructors.
Redesign features will include a dog run and a historic walking area.
In addition, there will be a water feature dedicated to Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas, a local passenger on United Flight 93, which crashed after being taken over by hijackers during the 9/11 attacks, as well as seasonal flowers, trees and a memorial to all victims of 9/11.
Art will remain a major component in the redesign, according to a statement from Downtown District officials. The existing Market Square Park is a collaboration of artists coordinated by DiverseWorks.
The same artists — Richard Turner, Paul Hester, James Surls, Malou Flato and newcomer Ketria Scott — will incorporate some new pieces as well as update older works. Artwork in the park will be managed by the Houston Arts Alliance.
The Downtown District is negotiating with Niko Niko’s Greek & American Café to operate a small restaurant in the park with outdoor seating, a trellis providing shade and a dual plaza/performance area on the Travis Street side.
Construction is expected to begin by the end of the year and be completed in mid-2010.
http://houston.bizjournals.com/houston/stories/2009/12/14/daily22.html
