MPNA in conjunction with Museum Park Super Neighborhood is seeking a $250,000 Grant for a Livable Centers Study available through the Houston-Galveston Area Council, a voluntary association of local governments within thirteen counties of the Texas Gulf Coast.  H-GAC’s mission is to serve as the instrument of local government cooperation, promoting the region’s orderly development and the safety and welfare of its citizens.   Museum Park is responsible for raising a 23% local funding match, or $57,000 for a total project investment of $307,000 by October 31.

 

The goal of the study is to address Museum Park challenges that have developed with the success of the area, including the need for better transit, bike lanes, parking, sidewalks, crosswalks, sustainable streetscapes, bus management, way-finding signage, and the complete lack of a sense of place.  The best destinations in Houston are right here, but they’re among the most difficult in the City to access.  A Museum Park Livable Center study will result in a master plan that, when implemented, will offer safer transit and pedestrian-friendly access to our 12 million annual visitors. Currently the whole is less than the sum of its parts; the goal is to create a destination that is greater than the sum of its parts.  Please see the Livable Centers Brochure below for more information regarding Livable Centers in general.

 

Most importantly, winning this grant opens doors to opportunities for implementation money.  Of the recently completed Livable Centers studies, resulting construction dollars have ranged from $10-$25 million.  The Completed Livable Centers spreadsheet (attached) shows the Return on Investment for these studies.

Our accomplishments to date in meeting our matching goals include:

• We have the support of the City of Houston, which is critical to our winning this very competitive grant.  Please see the attached presentation to the city to further your understanding of why we seek a Livable Centers Grant.

• Greater Southeast Management District has committed to sponsoring this effort, a requirement to receive the grant.  They have also committed $5000 toward the local match.

• To date, we have commitments from the Museum of Fine Arts, Hines Development, Z Resorts (Hotel ZaZa), Holocaust Museum, TEMA, Museum Park Modern, and others.

• Several requests for support are still pending.

We are not there yet!  We need your support to make our matching goal of $57,000.  Please choose the donation tab to help us make our goal.