1. PROPOSAL FOR JOHNNY GOYEN PARK
Prepared by
.
Prepared for
The University of Houston-Downtown
December 4, 2011
ECOMovement

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ECOMovement
1200 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX, 77002
713-501-1201
December 4, 2011
University of Houston-Downtown
Office of the President
One Main Street, Suite 990-S
Houston, TX 77002
Dear Mr. Flores:
PROPOSAL FOR JOHNNY GOYEN PARK
We have recently completed our three-month study on The University of Houston-Downtown’s
(UHD) Johnny Goyen Park. This report was authorized by the UHD Facilities Maintenance and
Services. This study is in response to request made by University of Houston-System and the
City of Houston Department of Planning and Development.
The report outlines issues covering UHD’s retention rates to the lack of student gathering
space. Next is the solution which includes transforming Johnny Goyen Park into an outdoor
amphitheater. Also outlines the use remaining property as green space and/or park space. A
cost benefit analysis will compare similar projects with this proposal and give an accurate
estimate for the project. The report also shows research covering a small sample of UHD
student body and their opinions on the matter.
We at ECOMovement hope this analysis will prompt a change of plan for the unused property
that is Johnny Goyen Park. We will gladly answer any questions or concerns about this
proposal.
Sincerely,
D. Guillory
D’shaun Guillory
CEO of ECOMovement

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CONTENTS
PAGES
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY……………………………………………………………………………………………….. (4)
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
 Project Description…………………………………………………………………………………………..
 Background……………………………………………………………………………………….…………….
(5)
(5)
(5)
PROBLEM SOLUTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
 Retention Rates ………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Lack of Gathering Centers………………………………………………………………………………..
FEATURES AND BENEFITS……………………………………………………………………………………………
 Proposed Amphitheater…………………………………………………………………………………..
(6)
(6)
(6)
(7)
(7)
 Johnny Goyen Park Restoration…………..…………………………………………………………… (8)
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS…………………………………………………………………………………………….. (9)
RESULTS AND DATA……..……………………………………………………………………………………………. (10)
 Student Data……………………………………………………………………………………………………
 Results……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(10-12)
(13)
CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. (14)

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This proposal outlines the project of building an amphitheater in Johnny Goyen Park and a
green park space in the area surrounded by UHD main building, the pump station, the railroad,
and the Main Street Bridge. Currently, UHD lacks an entertainment venue and green park space
for its students. To improve the college environment and strengthen student enrollment
numbers, an amphitheater and a green park space on campus would be a benefit.
An amphitheater and a green space on campus require a seemingly high cost but will bring a lot
of benefit to UHD. It will:
 Make UHD become an attractive place in Downtown Houston
 Increase annual enrollment and reduce retention rates
 Improve the college environment so students will have a place to study and
spend time on campus
 Improve interaction between students and faculty
This proposal states clearly the current problem of UHD, our proposed solution, the benefit you
will have, the cost of the project, and the opinion of UHD students about this project.

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INTRODUCTION
ECOMovement has conducted a proposal for The University of Houston-Downtown (UHD) on
the need for an amphitheater and green park space on the property of Johnny Goyen Park.
UHD is faced with poor retention rates and a lack of student activity space. This proposal
outlines the problems facing UHD along with a solution and cost benefit analysis. Also, a
sampling of UHD students was questioned on their opinion of the proposal which will be
outlined soon.
Background
ECOMovement is a 10-year old organization composed of urban planners and architects. Based
out of Houston, TX, our organization has been involved in various projects ranging from the
remodeling of The Miller Outdoor Theater to the designing of Discovery Green Park. We are
also involved with The Buffalo Bayou Partnership which seeks to transform the current Buffalo
Bayou and its surroundings into livable, dense developments.
UHD
We chose UHD to conduct our study for these projects because there is room for growth and
potential. The University is perfectly located on the corner of Downtown Houston with easy
access to transportation and amenities. Students should want to stay and perspective students
should want to come to UHD. An addtion of school amenities such as an amphitheater and park
could be a start to a quick turnaround.

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PROBLEM SOLUTION
Student Activities, Green and Park Space
UHD has 13,000 students in 5 major colleges.
Classroom, study areas, library, computer labs are
provided enough but student activities are too
little. The student activity room on the second floor
of the One Main building is as small as a classroom.
It has two ping pong tables, two soccer tables, two
pool tables, and an Xbox player. These amenities
are interesting only for freshmen. Juniors and
seniors prefer to enjoy live concerts or art
performances. There are a few concert
advertisements posted on the campus, but all of them are performed elsewhere and are not
convenient for students to attend. UHD is not a small campus, but the buildings are divided by
highways, a railroad track, and Buffalo Bayou. Students do not have any green space which is an
important aspect in any university. Students are tired of studying inside, they need quiet,
outdoor green space on campus that they can study and/or relax in an open, natural
environment.
Retention Rates
UHD’s poor retention rates not only affect current students but also perspective students as
well. Many current students just cannot find a reason to continue their education at the
university which then leads transferring. Though there are many ways to solve this issue, an
amphitheater and park could be a good start.

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FEATURES AND BENEFITS
ECOMovement believes UHD can attract and retain more students simply by offering a place for
gatherings and entertainment. For perspective students and visitors, it would be wise for UHD
to have more visual appeal. ECOMovement proposes building an outdoor amphitheater located
on the property of Johnny Goyen Park. The amphitheater can also be rented out by the public
for entertainment purposes. The remaining UHD property alongside the building connecting to
the Main Street Bridge will be used as a park and green park space. Aesthetically, the campus
would look far more appealing visually while crossing the Travis Street Bridge.
Features (Johnny Goyen Amphitheater)
The amphitheater stage will face the UHD
Academic Building away from Buffalo Bayou.
The stage will also be elevated to street level to
avoid flooding. The Stage will have permanent
sound and lighting mix surrounding the entire
theater. The seating sections will have a grassy-
median with lighting on the base walls. The
stands will face the stage towards Buffalo Bayou
away from the UHD Academic Building. The
seating capacity will be around 250 people. The
stands can be accessible from both from the
Academic Building upper-student deck on the
top level and from Travis Street on the lower
levels. There will be two retaining walls
separating the back of the stands and the
covered railroad tracks behind them. This is
done to minimize the loud noise that could
occur with a passing train. An entrance ramp will
be set up behind the stage connecting to Travis
Street for docking purposes. The wall facing
Buffalo Bayou will have a mural painted on the back of the stage retaining wall so it does not
remain bare to those viewing on the other side of the bayou.

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FEATURES AND BENEFITS CON’T
Features (Johnny Goyen Park)
The new park and green space will cover the
remaining property, from the amphitheater around
the Main Building to the south end of the Main
Street Bridge. The park grounds will offer access to
the new Buffalo Bayou Bridge. This bridge connects
UHD with the San Jacinto Street parking lot. The
Garden currently located at Johnny Goyen Park will
be moved to make room for the amphitheater. The
new garden will be constructed within the extended
green space and be run by the university.
Benefits
The amphitheater and park will offer students the ability to gather and hold events using these
amenities. Like the Miller Outdoor Theater and Cynthia Woods Pavilion, the amphitheater
would hold concerts, symphonies, plays, and/or various other entertainment displays. The
university may also rent the amphitheater out to the general public which could bring in more
revenue. Aesthetically, the campus would look far more appealing visually while crossing the
Travis Street Bridge. Due to its close proximity to Travis Street entrance ramp, it may appear
dangerous for visitors who may use the Washington Ave parking. The project also calls for a
pedestrian traffic light which will only be in use when a person presses the cross-button to cross
the street. The City of Houston and TXDOT will have to be petitioned before this can take place.
This stop will also be used for access to the backstage docking port. Holistically, this proposal
ties into a larger project commissioned by The Buffalo Bayou Partnership. They propose a
complete renewal for Buffalo Bayou from Shepard Street through Downtown to the East Side.
The massive project will contain parks, high-to-midrise apartments, mix-use development,
entertainment venues, etc. The project is taking place in small portions with property around
UHD still remaining vacant and undeveloped.

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COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
Similar Projects (Miller Outdoor Theater Houston, TX)
In 2008, a nearly $1.2 million improvement project was undertaken at Miller Outdoor Theatre
to enhance both public safety and the overall experience for the audiences. The project
increased accessibility for people with disabilities, enhanced the pedestrian flow of traffic and
added new lighting along the aisles, all of which increase public safety during performances.
Additional enhancements include two huge overhead fans, improved sightlines and increased
seating capacities.
During the off-season in late 2008/early 2009, an additional $1,000,000 in further
improvements was undertaken. The iconic hill was re-graded and raised. New irrigation was
installed, new sod laid and drainage improved. New lighting was installed along the pathway
around the backside of the hill. The seats under the canopy were replaced and the concrete
under the seats given a new texture and color surface. A permanent sound and lighting mix
position booth was constructed at the back of the seating area.
Miller Outdoor theatre opened the 2010 season with a new $1.5 million sound system, the
latest upgrade in a sweeping set of $3.9 million in improvements since 2008.
*Content provided by Miller Outdoor Theater at http://milleroutdoortheatre.com

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COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS CON’T
Proposed Johnny Goyen Amphitheater
The overall cost of upgrades and construction to The Miller Outdoor Theater is 3.9 million. The
proposed Johnny Goyen Amphitheater will cost half that due to it being smaller in scale and will
be constructed on a relatively small lot. Johnny Goyen Amphitheater will be built on property
about 1/5 the size of Miller Park and will be elevated due its close proximity to Buffalo Bayou.
Cost
The estimated cost could range from 1.5-1.8 million. These estimates are based on the validity
of the market and property value. These numbers could change as a result of inflation.
Financing (Public)
Public Funding is one way to pay for this project without seeking stimulus or private capital.
Tuition rates could be raised 0.05% per student. For the fall of 2011 there are 12,918 students
enrolled equaling about $140 per student added to tuition over all. It would bring in
approximately $1,808,850 from rate increases. This could be broken up into semesters as well
bringing the cost down. It would be considered a fee and would apply to all enrolled students.
Financing (Private)
Private-Funding would require developing a strategy to attract investors. This could also require
UHD to improve its performance before a plan is presented to any such investor.
PPP (Public-Private-Partnership)
UHD would set up an outside commission to deal with both public and private funds. The chairs
of the commission would be both UHD administrators and representatives from private
entities. In the end, a compromise would have to be struck balancing both public and private
funds. This plan will still require some tuition rate increases and private investments.

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RESULTS AND DATA
On December 1st
, 60 UHD students were asked to fill out a questionnaire chronicling a
summarized version of the information mentioned previously. The student sample covers a
diverse range of opinion. It is mentioned in that questionnaire that the overall content are
hypothetical questions. They are as follows:
(Question 1) The University of Houston-Downtown is proposing to build an amphitheater at
Johnny Goyen Park between the One Main Building and Buffalo Bayou. Also, there are plans to
use the remaining space around the One Main Building as park space. How do you feel about
this proposal?
(Question 2) If you answered Disagree or Strongly Disagree, would you prefer an alternative use
of these spaces?
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
Figure 1
Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Srongly Disagree
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
80.00%
Figure 2
Strongly Agree
Agree
No Opinion
Disagree
Strongly Disagree

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RESULTS AND DATA CON’T
(Question 3) If the amphitheater and park were available, how often would you use them?
(Question 4) If you answered Rarely or Never, do you believe this is an appropriate use of
school funds?
(Question 5) Would you support a tuition hike of 0.05% totaling $140.00 for fulltime student’s
to build these projects?
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
Figure 3
Frequently
Sometimes
Not Sure
Rarely
Never
0.00%
10.00%
20.00%
30.00%
40.00%
50.00%
60.00%
70.00%
Figure 4
Definitely
Perhaps
Not Sure
Maybe Not
Not at all
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
Figure 5
Definitely
Perhaps
Not Sure
Maybe Not
Not at all

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RESULTS AND DATA CON’T
When asked to specify alternatives on question 2, the students were evenly split on their
answers. They answered adding parking space for students and the projects being a positive for
the university. Those who were opposed to the proposal were more likely to ask for parking
space. Those who were in agreement with proposal were more likely comment positive
feedback about the overall project.
For question 5, more students supported raising tuition rates to build the amphitheater and
park. In contrast, there remained a large sum of students who did not agree with rate increases.
Referring back to Cost and Benefits on page 10, private funding could be an alternative for
financing of the project. This would only take place if the numbers for question 5 changed from
positive to negative.
Overall, most UHD students not only agree with the construction of Johnny Goyen
Amphitheater and Park, but also would use them if they were available. Those who did not
agree with thess project were more inclined to disagree with the use of funds and a hike in
tuition rates.

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CONCLUSION
Conclusion
As before mentioned before, ECOMovement sees potentially and growth in developing unused
space into something UHD students will use. This proposal for building and amphitheater and
restoring Johnny Goyen Park will increase the interaction between students, faculty and the
public. This will greatly impact the university by increasing student enrollment, improving
retention rates, and making it more recognized.
Also, it will become a great example to other universities for of how to use open space. The
project could also be revenue neutral since property must be first rented out for usage.
After handing out surveys, the study shows that most students agree, yet are somewhat
divided on paying tuition rate increase. We would have to find another way of paying for the
development of the project.