Buffalo Bayou Courtesy: Buffalo Bayou Partnership The Potential for Houston s Bayou Greenways Roksan Okan-Vick, FAIA -- Houston Parks Board Brays Bayou Association
13 County Context RIVERS & BAYOUS PINEY WOODS BIG THICKET TRINITY BOTTOMLANDS POSTOAK OAK SAVANNAH MARSHES, BAYS & ESTUARIES PRAIRIES COLUMBIA BOTTOMLANDS Courtesy: Houston Wilderness
Built Environment Lake Houston Houston Ship Channel Galveston Bay Courtesy: Kevin Shanley
Spring Cypress Greens Halls White Oak Hunting Buffalo Brays Bayous in Greater Houston Harris County Courtesy: Houston Parks Board Sims Clear Armand
$ 490 million 300 miles off-road trails 230 new; 70 existing: $220 million 4,900 new acres 1,700 linear $ 40 million 3,200 individual: $230 million Courtesy: Houston Parks Board
Bayou Greenways -- Putting it in Perspective $490 million buys 300 miles of new multi-use trails 4,900 acres of new greenspace What else does it buy: 12 miles of Grand Parkway 8 miles of I-10 3 miles of managed lanes along 290 1 Reliant Stadium ($449 million) 2 Minute Maid Stadiums ($250 million each)
Half the Population: 1.9M Lives within 1.5 mile of the 10 bayous Courtesy: Houston Parks Board
Principal author Economic data and analysis Dr. John Crompton, University Distinguished Professor and Regents Professor, Texas A&M University, Marsh Darcy Partners, Inc. Alan Mueller, MPA, Local government management consultant Richard R. Johnson, Associate Director of the Center for the Study of Environment and Society, Rice University Invaluable contribution Baylor College of Medicine: Winifred Hamilton, Ph.D., Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center Bayou Preservation Association: Stephen Hupp, M.S., Water Quality Director City of Houston: Andy Icken, Mayor s Office of Economic Development Director Joe Turner, Houston Parks & Recreation Department Director CDS Market Research: Charles Savino, Executive Vice President Quality of Life Coalition: Sanford Criner Mack Fowler Ann Lents Charles McMahan Dick Weekley Ed Wulfe Houston Audubon: Gina Donovan, Executive Director Flo Hannah, Urban Sanctuaries Manager Houston Wilderness: Jim Blackburn, Board Member John Cronin, President Katy Prairie Conservancy: Mary Anne Piacentini, Executive Director Jaime Gonzales, Community Education Manager Kinder Institute for Urban Research, Rice University: Steven Klineberg, Ph.D., Co-director Trees for Houston: Barry Ward, Executive Director Trust for Public Land: Peter Harnik, Center for City Park Excellence Director Harris County Flood Control District: Mike Talbott, Director Alan Potok, Engineering & Construction Division Director Houston-Galveston Area Council: Jack Steele, Executive Director Alan Clark, Transportation ti Planning Director Jeff Taebel, Community & Environmental Planning Director Gina Mitteco, Pedestrian Bicyclist Coordinator Jeff Kaufman, Transportation Program Coordinator
Key Benefits 1. Physical and Mental Health of Residents Recreational Use Value Health Care Cost Savings Urban Cohesion 2. Environmental Health Air Quality & Enhanced Bicycle Use Flood/Runoff Reduction & Water Quality Ecosystem Services 3. Economic Health Enhanced Property Tax Base Retiree Retention & Relocation Company & Talent Retention & Company & Talent Retention & Relocation
there is unlikely to be any other investment in the greater Houston area that will Have a significant impact on quality of place Transform its park system Contribute to the health of its residents, environment, and economy; and Reposition the region for the 21 st century
Key benefits quantified annual increases in 1. Houstonians physical & mental health $ 77.1 M 2. Houston s environmental health $ 22.5 M 3. Houston's economic health $ 17.5 M Estimated total annual benefits $117.1 M
Basic Assumptions for Benefits Analysis User based benefits : 1.5 mile bands along 10 bayous Graduated use Financial modeling developed for this purpose based on similar national, regional models Property Taxes: 600 foot bands only Acreage based benefits: GIS mapping
1. Physical and Mental Health of Residents Recreational Use Value $63.2 million/year Estimated # of new users x $4.70/day (Corps of Engineers) Brays Bayou Courtesy: Houston Parks Board Brays Bayou Courtesy: Houston Parks Board
1. Physical and Mental Health of Residents Health Care Cost Savings $13.9 million/year Estimated # of new users x $351 or $702 savings/day (Trust for Public Land) America's 10 Fattest (and Leanest) Cities Men s Health Magazine 2011 Survey Research By: Jaclyn Colletti and Maria Masters Houston, TX Overall Ranking: 9 th Grade: D- Overweight; Obese; Type 2 Diabetes; Physical Activity; Fast-Food Visits.
Courtesy: SWA US 59 Rice U. TSU U of H Orange Show & Riverview Idylwood Forest Hill Historic Harrisburg TMC Residential neighborhood Pine Valley 13 miles S. Loop 1. Physical and Mental Health of Residents Urban Cohesion Natural linkages under and around the streets, bridges and highways which frequently divide neighbors and neighborhoods.
2. Environmental Health Ecosystem Services $16.6 million/year Pollution control, detoxification, wildlife nurseries, migratory habitat, and educational and scientific activities (Dr. Robert Costanza, Portland State University) Courtesy: Greg Lavaty (all) Cypress Creek Courtesy: Jim Robertson
2. Environmental Health Air Quality & Enhanced Bicycle Use $4.2 million/year Vehicle operating cost savings; Crash reduction benefits; Air quality and carbon sequestration benefits Buffalo Bayou Courtesy: SWA Group
2. Environmental Health Flood/Runoff Reduction & Water Quality $1.3 million/year Potentially preventing 2 billion gallons of runoff annually (NOAH rain data) Brays Bayou Courtesy: Harris County Flood Control District
3. Economic Health Impact on Business Development Increased quality of place to retain and attract knowledge workers and new companies
3. Economic Health $5 million/year Impact on Retiree Decisions 100 retirees annually w/income of $50,000000 Cypress Creek Courtesy: Jim Robertson
3. Economic Health Enhanced Property Tax Base $12.5 million/year Aggregate increase of 156 million annualized over 30 years (Dr. John Crompton 600 band only)
There is unlikely to be any other investment in the greater Houston area that will transform the City and conservatively return $117 million/year in value. Brays Bayou Courtesy: Harris County Flood Control District