Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Park is undergoing a transformative expansion. In 2019, the Buffalo Bayou Partnership (BPP) unveiled the Buffalo Bayou East 10-Year Master Plan, a project to extend the park into the East End and Fifth Ward neighborhoods. Supported by a $310 million investment, including $100 million from the Kinder Foundation, the plan aims to create a vibrant community hub and cultural destination through major infrastructure improvements and the addition of new parks, green spaces and amenities.  Bringing the Vision to Life  Click to expand Five years later, the vision for Buffalo Bayou East is becoming a reality. The new Japhet Creek Park opened to the public in September, featuring a new entry plaza, scenic trails and native plantings. Future development will add a pedestrian bridge connecting the park to Tony Marron Park on the south side and a new trail along the creek, enhancing public access to the waterfront.  Click to expand Another milestone is the completion of Lockwood on Buffalo Bayou, the area’s first affordable housing development, introduced this summer. This low-rise, multi-family building includes 80 apartments and sits along the south bank of Buffalo Bayou. Plans are underway to link Lockwood to Tony Marron Park via an improved hike-and-bike trail and Marron Park Way, a new road extending from Lockwood Drive to N. York Street. The building will also be adjacent to the future Lockwood Park.  Meanwhile, progress is underway on another key component of the master plan: Turkey Bend. According to a recent progress report from BBP, construction has begun on the former barge terminal along Navigation Boulevard. The site, featuring multiple warehouses and a historic wharf, is being transformed into a recreational destination for community events and gatherings.  Click to expand Plans for the redevelopment include converting a warehouse on Navigation Boulevard into a community retail space, which will also house the Houston Public Library’s Hispanic History Research Center. The historic wharf will be redesigned as a waterfront park with open gathering spaces and direct access to activities such as canoeing, kayaking and boat tours. A large outdoor plaza, called the Breezeway, will connect to the waterfront through a revitalized tunnel showcasing existing street art.  Future Development  Click to expand A cornerstone of the project is the revitalization and expansion of Tony Marron Park. The plan will nearly double the park’s size, growing it from 19 acres to 40. As a central connector for Buffalo Bayou East, the park will feature expansive lawns, civic spaces with soccer fields and public art, a play area tailored for various age groups, an interactive water playscape and a barbecue pavilion with a picnic grove.   Additional enhancements include an event shed and a maintenance facility to support BBP’s waterway cleanup operations and park management for Buffalo Bayou East. The park is slated to close in January 2025 for construction.  Discover more about Buffalo Bayou East. 

Houston's life sciences ecosystem is on the rise, and the Bayou City Bio Pulse is at the heart of this transformation. Launched in fall 2023 by the Greater Houston Partnership’s Life Science Committee, this bi-monthly event series is reshaping how the region's life sciences community connects, innovates and thrives. "Collide to Innovate" Under the motto "Collide to Innovate," Bayou City Bio Pulse aims to bring stakeholders together from across the Greater Houston area to explore the region's leading life sciences hubs. From the Texas Medical Center to Pearland, The Woodlands, and Sugar Land, these events spotlight over 8 million square feet of life sciences and biotechnology spaces, fostering collaboration and showcasing Houston's unparalleled assets. A Platform for Connection and Innovation Each Bayou City Bio Pulse event, organized in collaboration with BioHouston and other committee members, offers unique opportunities for networking, learning, and exploration. Attendees dive into critical topics such as funding, workforce development, artificial intelligence, and the future of innovative workspaces. Complemented by site tours, these gatherings provide an insider’s view into the cutting-edge advancements that are solidifying Houston’s status as a global leader in life sciences and biotechnology. Eric Johnson, Executive Managing Director of National Healthcare Advisory Services at Transwestern, highlights the initiative’s impact: “We’re really excited about what TMC is doing, what the Greater Houston Partnership’s doing and galvanizing our region to propel more life sciences growth here in Houston," said Eric Johnson, Executive Managing Director, National Healthcare Advisory Services, Transwestern. "The efforts of the Partnership’s life sciences committee has made visible strides to boost the cohesiveness and interaction among the many major players in our ecosystem, with opportunities for engagement like the Bayou City Bio Pulse. As we continue to build on successes, we see Houston emerging as a premier destination for life sciences and biotechnology.” Building Momentum Since its debut, Bayou City Bio Pulse has hosted seven events, drawing over 800 participants and doubling attendance from 2023 to 2024. This growing momentum underscores the region’s enthusiasm for collaboration and innovation within the life sciences sector. Shaping Houston’s Future in Life Sciences Looking ahead, the Bayou City Bio Pulse series is poised to amplify its reach and impact. By fostering connections and enhancing awareness of the region's strengths, it continues to support Houston’s evolution as a hub for life sciences and biotechnology. For businesses and innovators in Houston’s life sciences community, Bayou City Bio Pulse is more than an event series—it’s a catalyst for growth and a platform for shaping the future. Learn more about Houston’s life sciences industry.  Download the Partnership's 2024 Impact Report.