HOUSTON—After opening 25 years ago, New York City's Bryant Park has been totally transformed and in Dallas, Klyde Warren Park has emerged from an eyesore freeway to a green space built atop the freeway to unite the previously divided city. The newest privately managed urban park, Levy Park, opens on February 25.

A public green space in the Upper Kirby District area of inner-city Houston, Levy Park is undergoing a $10 million renovation that will create a gathering place and an entertainment and recreation destination. The Upper Kirby Redevelopment Authority, in partnership with the Upper Kirby District Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on community and quality of life improvements, is funding more than $12 million in public park amenities to transform Levy Park into an urban space and improve the city's real estate landscape.

The Upper Kirby District hired Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, a consulting firm that specializes in developing and operating public spaces, to launch the programming and operations of Levy Park. Other partners in the program include the Houston parks and recreation department, city of Houston, Midway Companies, Office of James Burnett, Natalye Appel + Associates Architects and Burton Construction.