The land will be part of a $35-million, 13-acre urban central park, which is expected to be open in 2007, according to Mayor Bill White. The acquisition will consolidate the city's ownership of the "Superblock" in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center and a block immediately to the west. The city expects to take control later this year of the site, adjacent to 5.5 acres that officials bought from Crescent at the end of 2002.

The mayor says the funds required to complete the acquisition and development of the park will be primarily from private sources and none will be derived from property tax revenue. White currently is working with a number of Houstonians and Houston organizations to secure the private funding.

The park design is scheduled to begin in 2005. Construction will being in 2006. City officials are hoping the park will be a downtown amenity to attract convention-goers and visitors as well as a magnet for high-quality, mixed-use urban development with residential, retail and uses to complement the convention center and sports facilities.