Discovery Green Park At 1500 McKinney St.

[lockmat]

Not that great, but what the heck...

(camera phone)

[lockmat]

There's also a huge tent on the south side of the park. Is that gonna be permanent?

[ricco67]

Nah, they are just getting ready to throw a party...presumably for the park opening.

I saw the mist tree running a couple of days ago, but I didn't have my camera at the time.

[The Great Hizzy!]

Thanks, Lock, for at least getting something. Seems like more of the park's "space" can be realized in your shots.

[Daniepwils]

It is either for the Democratic Debate this/next week or, yes the grand opening of the park.

IMO though having a huge tent cover part of the Great Lawn of the park opening is kind of odd, why not just have it on the great lawn, after all it is a park!

Also,

They are going to start bulldozing another parking lot next to the new park. It will be another office building, right in front of 5 Houston Center facing east.

Edited February 20, 2008 by Daniepwils

[bach]

...IMO though having a huge tent cover part of the Great Lawn of the park opening is kind of odd, why not just have it on the great lawn, after all it is a park! ...

When you're buying a table of 10 for $1,000 a ticket, black tie, you get a tent!

[Daniepwils]

When you're buying a table of 10 for $1,000 a ticket, black tie, you get a tent!

LOL why am I not suprised! This is typical Houston... so backwards...build a park then put a tent on the park for a party...

[HtownWxBoy]

LOL why am I not suprised! This is typical Houston... so backwards...build a park then put a tent on the park for a party...

Maybe it's just in case of rain.

[Daniepwils]

This morning I noticed helicopters landing in the parking lot on the left hand side of the GRB, it looks as if they turned that parking lot into a Helipad (there is a BIG H painted on the lot). Three helicopters so far have landed, one of which is extremely huge. (They have gone behind the GRB so I am not sure where they are now, but they have not taken off into the air again).

Kind of scary when they come in that fast and very close to my windows.

This is the fourth one:

Also here is a current picture of the "tent" on the new park:

Edited February 20, 2008 by Daniepwils

[ricco67]

This morning I noticed helicopters landing in the parking lot on the right hand side of the GRB, it looks as if they turned that parking lot into a Helipad (there is a BIG H painted on the lot).

You mean over on the north side near the ramp?

It would be interesting if they put a heliport there. Believe it or not, Houston needs one downtown. I'm not sure what the rating is for the one on the Aquarium, but if its on solid ground, I'm sure it can support the larger shoppers.

[Daniepwils]

They just landed a 5th one, that is weird. Maybe they are having a Helicopter show at the GRB.

Edited, yes they are indeed having one.

http://www.houstonconventionctr.com/meetin...s/calendar.html

http://www.heliexpo.com/

Edited February 20, 2008 by Daniepwils

[musicman]

there used to be a helipad in front of the GRB in a parking lot.

[ricco67]

Yeah, but that was YEARS ago. They turned it into a parking lot, as a matter of fact, I think it was where Discovery tower will be.

<insert little debbie>

[ricco67]

Well, I drove by DG last night and it is very well lit and I think kinda' looks cool.

One thing that might be a bit confusing to out of towners though is that there is a restaurant named "Grooves"(The old Drexler place) on Pierce. I wonder how often that will be confused with "The Grove".

[Jax]

So is March 1st the official opening date, or are only certain things going to be open b that date (the bandshell I guess)?

[Trae]

Maybe the new convention hotel they want to build next to the GRB will have a helipad.

[Mister X]

Maybe the new convention hotel they want to build next to the GRB will have a helipad.

Speaking of that, I sure hope that building (if built) is TALL - at least 40+ floors, hopefully much taller. Don't get me wrong, ANY development on that spot will be terrific, but I really think the downtown skyline, and DG could use a building in that area that is spectacular and attention grabbing from a distance. It would be like a beacon to mark the significance of the EAST END as a hot spot or as a newly 'arrived' area - kind of like what Williams tower did for Uptown.

Hey, it's no crime to dream about it.

[wernicke]

I went down to DG today and walked around... they were having a super-fancy black tie gala in the park, complete with a red carpet and chandeliers hanging from the trees. It was early, but there was a huge wait staff meeting near The Grove. They were using the tent. Also, saw a couple of very attractive, very well-dressed (complete with bling) older ladies walking up.

Also, they were having a helicopter convention at GRB... seemed interesting.

The area looks nice, I like the colored art structure in the middle. The surface lots on the north side of the park kind of suck though.

[Jax]

I snuck into Disco Green on Saturday when I was killing some time (there were no signs telling me not to go in), and I took these photos before I was kicked out.

[lockmat]

So you did get kicked out? haha, nice. Thanks for risking your soul, life, uh...time? haha

It's looking really nice. I can't wait.

[Jax]

Yeah they kicked me out but at least they were nice about it. It's going to be nice, especially when the pond is complete, and leaves grow in on some of the non evergreen trees (I saw a few).

I'm also looking forward to walking up the small hill near the garage for a better view of the skyline. I think I read something about them having a few sculpted hills featuring skyline views. That's always appreciated in such a flat city.

[houstonmacbro]

One of those pictures reminds me a giant Rubics cube. Thanks for sharing those. Looks like a lovely park in the making.

[Montrose1100]

I'm so impressed with Mayor White, and what tiny changes can be put forth to bring this city upward and onward.

[GovernorAggie]

I saw the fountains along what will be the model boat pond being tested Saturday night. The lighting is amazing. Speaking of lighting, the new lighted walkway that was Crawford Street will be an amazing entryway to the Hilton Americas and Toyota Center.

[Trae]

A perfect place to eat after Rockets or Astros games.

[Jax]

boat pond being tested Saturday night

Does that mean there was water in it? When I was there on Saturday morning, it was dry and they were still digging...

[Daniepwils]

Those stairwells are just, um, WOW. Looking at the park from high above, I can say those things really stick out.

[tierwestah]

Thanks for the photos. I too got kicked out of the park when i was in town on Saturday night. There was some event going on but i was still able to drive around and take a look at all the lighting effects of the park. It was really starting to come together. I hope they put blue lights in the pond when complete to hi-light the view of the pond at night .

[barracuda]

So what is the deal with all those chandeliers hanging from the trees?

[Guest danax]

One of those pictures reminds me a giant Rubics cube.

Rubik's restroom...?

I was one who voted for a more zen park but I will say that I do like the current trend towards doing any city project as an art project, and this one is full of conversation pieces of that sort. I suppose even the homeless will blend in as objects of contemplation.