ISSUED FEBRUARY 2015 HOUSTON THEATER DISTRICT MASTER PLAN The Houston Theater District Master Plan has been sponsored by Supported by • Alley Theatre • City of Houston • Da Camera of Houston • Hobby Center for the Performing Arts • Houston Ballet • Houston Downtown Management District • Houston Grand Opera • Houston Symphony • Society for the Performing Arts • Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) Consultant team lead by With support from • Clack Condon Associates • The Principle Partnering Group •2 RPH Houston Consulting Theater Group District Master Plan • Smith & Company Architects • Tranquillity Park design by White Oak Studio CONTENTS Executive Summary Page 4 01 - THE VISION Page 6 Vision Statement 02 - BACKGROUND AND PRINCIPLES Page 12 Site Context Placemaking: Technology, Lighting, and Public Art Access and Movement Street Life and Walkability Built Form 03 - MASTER PLAN FOR 2025 Page 24 The Illustrative Master Plan Center Stage Bagby Boulevard Livable Streets 04 - TAKING ACTION NOW Page 60 Programming and Festivals Parking and Underground Branded Wayfinding 05 - PHASING AND COSTS Page 76 Phasing, Strategy, and Cost Estimates 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Houston Theater District plays Introduction an important role as the focus of arts, The 2025 Theater District Master Plan, entertainment and cultural life and Chapter 1 describes the vision for initiated by Houston First Corporation, local identity for the City of Houston. the Theater District and outlines its establishes a vision for the future of new identity - an urban and edgy arts Houston is a city of discovery, as much the performing arts experience in district where everyone is on stage, of what makes Houston interesting downtown Houston. and people come to see and be seen. and vibrant is not readily apparent to The master plan strategy outlines the the visitor. The downtown and the Chapter 2 defines the context and path towards a revitalized Theater Theater District are no exception. study area for the plan. A set of guiding District that offers improved activation, principles describe the aspirations of At first glance, the Theater District aesthetics and increased opportunities the district and the current issues and seems empty and devoid of people for investment. opportunities in getting there. These and activities. Venture below ground, four principles include: Access and At the core of the plan are three major however, and the area is teeming movement; Street life and walkability; areas of activity: Center Stage, with a with people traveling to and from the Built form and activation; Placemaking, redesigned Jones Plaza transforming various performance venues. lighting and public art. the public realm; Bagby Boulevard, At street level, the urban fabric in which Bagby Street becomes Chapter 3 is the master plan and of the Theater District suggests a pedestrian-oriented boulevard contains a set of plans, programs and that our performance venues and flanked by new high-rise, mixed use activities that span short and long term. organizations are not actively engaged development, and; Livable Streets, The initiatives outlined work together with the city. The stakeholders of the a re-imagining of the public realm as to promote change in an integrated district, however, want to extend a place that is fun, inviting, safe and and harmonious way. What is done the vibrancy and dynamism of comfortable in all seasons and all times today sets the stage for additional their organizations, performers and of day. The redevelopment of Bayou projects and programs that will knit patrons, and express this externally Place is a key component of all three the district together creating a unique by engaging with one another to activity areas. place and set of user experiences bring street life to the community. that have a sum much larger than its 2025 Master Plan Layout commensurate parts. Both active and passive forms of The 2025 Master Plan document branding and activation will lure provides a framework that establishes Chapter 4, “Taking Action Now,” people to, and keep them on, city a branded, place-based identity for the describes projects and actions that can streets before and after performances Houston Theater District pivoting off be taken immediately to change the as well as throughout the day and its central location in the heart of the experience and the perception of the into the evening. region. The visions and the actions district, laying the foundation for future initiatives. arising from it will take the dynamic energy and creativity found within the Chapter 5 lays out a phasing and various buildings and organizations in implementation schedule to realize the district and express them externally, the plan, including an estimate of total creating a new experience for the arts annual costs that can be referenced patrons, downtown office workers, when planning future project funding. residents and visitors to the area. 4 Houston Theater District Master Plan ILLUSTRATIVE MASTER PLAN HOUSTON THEATER DISTRICT MASTERPLAN Theater District Boundary Focus Area: Center Stage Focus Area: Bagby Boulevard Existing Built Form AQUARIUM Proposed Built Form CONGRESS STREET Proposed Cafe HOUSTON WORTHAM Open Space FOR DANCE NEW THEATER BALLET CENTER Existing Landscape MIXED USE Proposed Landscape MIXEDNEW USE Proposed Street Grid PRESTON STREET Pedestrian Trail Festival Street NEW Branded Crosswalk MIXED USE Existing Pedestrian Bridge NEW ALLEY PRAIRIE STREET Proposed Pedestrian Bridge THEATREHOUSTON THEATER MIXED USE NEW DISTRICT MASTERPLAN VENUE HOBBY CENTER Theater District Boundary JONES HOUSTON THEATER HALLFocus Area: CenterTEXAS AVENUE Stage DISTRICT MASTERPLAN Focus Area: Bagby Boulevard RUSK STREET Existing Built Form AQUARIUM ProposedCAPITOL STREET Built Form BAGBYSTREET LOUISIANA STREET Theater DistrictCONGRESS Boundary STREET Proposed Cafe HOUSTON WORTHAM Focus Area:WALKER STREETCenter Stage MILAM STREETOpen Space HOUSTON THEATER FOR DANCE NEW THEATER BALLET CENTER Focus Area: Bagby Boulevard Existing Landscape DISTRICT MASTERPLAN MIXED USE Existing Built Form Proposed Landscape SMITH STREET AQUARIUM MIXEDNEW USE Proposed Built Form Proposed Street Grid PRESTON STREET CONGRESS STREET Proposed Cafe Pedestrian Trail HOUSTON Theater District Boundary WORTHAM Open Space Festival Street FOR DANCEFocusNEW Area: Center Stage NEW THEATER BALLET CENTER Existing Landscape Branded Crosswalk FocusMIXED USE Area: Bagby Boulevard MIXED USE Proposed Landscape Existing Pedestrian Bridge Existing Built Form NEW MIXEDNEW USE AQUARIUM ALLEY PRAIRIE STREETProposed Street Grid Proposed Pedestrian Bridge ProposedPRESTON Built STREETTHEATRE Form MIXED USE Pedestrian Trail CONGRESS STREET Proposed Cafe NEW HOUSTON VENUE Festival Street WORTHAM Open Space NEW FOR DANCE NEW 5 THEATER BALLET CENTER Branded Crosswalk Existing Landscape MIXED USE MIXED USE Existing Pedestrian Bridge Proposed Landscape HOBBY NEW MIXEDNEW USE CENTER ALLEY PRAIRIE STREET Proposed Pedestrian Bridge THEATRE Proposed Street Grid MIXED USE PRESTON STREET Pedestrian Trail NEW VENUE Festival Street JONES HALL TEXAS AVENUE NEW Branded Crosswalk MIXED USE Existing Pedestrian Bridge HOBBY NEW CENTER ALLEY PRAIRIE STREET Proposed Pedestrian Bridge THEATRE RUSK STREET MIXED USE NEW VENUE JONES CAPITOL STREET BAGBYSTREET TEXAS AVENUE HALL LOUISIANA STREET HOBBY WALKER STREET MILAM STREET CENTER RUSK STREET CAPITOL STREET BAGBYSTREET JONES TEXASLOUISIANA AVENUE STREET HALL SMITH STREET WALKER STREET MILAM STREET RUSK STREET CAPITOL STREET BAGBYSTREET LOUISIANA STREETSMITH STREET WALKER STREET MILAM STREET SMITH STREET The vision statement articulates our aspirations for the Theater District and a framework for action and positive change. We are building on the existing strengths of internationally recognized arts organizations supported by the thriving arts community in Houston and by city leadership. Our vision is grounded in our history but speaks to a different future - one where the Theater District is a district in fact as well as in name. The changes we are calling for will bring a wholesale transformation of our community and create a district unique to Houston and a draw for patrons of the arts from around the world. “In Minds” public art piece, by the German artist, Tony Cragg. Cast in bronze located in front of the Hobby Center 6 Houston Theater District Master Plan 01 - THE VISION VISION STATEMENT OBJECTIVES IDENTITY: URBAN AND EDGY 7 01 - THE VISION Vision: The Houston Theater District will offer an immersive arts and culture environment where the vitality of the performing arts will spill into the streets, sidewalks and public spaces. Expressions of artistic activity will be complemented by interven- tions and innovations adding interactivity, connectivity, energy, and life into the district. This will create a thriving district where Houstonians from all walks of life will come to enjoy and engage in creative collaboration. 8 Houston Theater District Master Plan CHAPTER 01 OBJECTIVES Excite and Discover Transformation Objectives define the more specific Convey a feeling of excitement, Foster exposure to the arts by results the Theater District Master energy and discovery, a place transforming building exteriors, Plan aims to achieve by 2025. where Houstonians are eager to streets, and signage to create a These objectives underlie the project visit and see what is going on cohesive experience throughout recommendations (page 24 onwards) the Theater District and realize the vision of the Houston Theater District.