Major Park Makeover

Houston wants its own version of Central Park: Green renovation project has developers thinking big

The $58 million Buffalo Bayou Revitalization Project is underway — and a revamp of Eleanor Tinsley Park is a big part of the plan.

The vision laid out in the plans? Turn Eleanor Tinsley Park into Houston's version of Central Park.

“They’ll start removing the old shelters, the metal shelters, the playground equipment — taking out trees, including the grove of pine trees behind me — which kind of blocks the skyline view — opening up the meadow, the future Bud Light Amphitheater, to the skyline view once again,” Guy Hagstette, the manager of the Buffalo Bayou Improvement Project, tells KUHF.

Hagstette also compared the revamped park vision to Austin's Ladybird Lake.

The vision laid out in the plans? Turn Eleanor Tinsley Park into Houston's version of Central Park.

A $2 million gift from Silver Eagle distributors is helping pay for some of the new work on Tinsley. John L. Nau III, the president and CEO of the locally-based beer distributor, announced the donation.

It will mainly go towards building an “event meadow" for concerts and the like. In recognition of the donation, the space will be called the Bud Light Amphitheater.

“Upgraded infrastructure for special events at the park, trails and stairs for easier pedestrian access, and upgraded landscaping” are also on tap according to the plans. And don't forget a new Skyline Overlook, a redesigned parking lot and an expanded garden. This won't look like your dad's Eleanor Tinsley Park.

The renovations to Eleanor Tinsley are expected to be completed by Spring 2014.

In recognition of the large donation made by Silver Eagle, John and Bobbi Nau's last name served as inspiration for the Pavilion's name.

Bayou Bend Garden Party, April 2013, John Nau, Bobbi Nau

Photo by © Gary Fountain

In recognition of the large donation made by Silver Eagle, John and Bobbi Nau's last name served as inspiration for the Pavilion's name.

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Market Upset

Houston shocks as one of 10 worst big cities for first-time homebuyers

Row of houses in Houston, Houston homes for sale

Getty Images

Houston is the worst Texas city for first-time buyers.

The Houston housing market may not be for everyone. In a surprising turn of events, Houston has flopped to the bottom of a new list of the best U.S. cities for first-time homebuyers.

WalletHub's new study — which analyzes the affordability, quality of life, and real estate market in 300 U.S. cities — ranks Houston No. 271, or the 30th worst city overall in the U.S. to buy your first home. And, when broken down by city size, WalletHub ranks Houston the 9th worst big city for first-time buyers (No. 61 out of 69).

Houston's lack of appeal for first-time buyers is essentially due to its poor affordability and quality of life scores, rather than the state of the city's housing market, according to the report's findings.

H-town ranks 216th out of all 300 U.S. cities for its affordability, and it appears farther down the list for its quality of life, landing 284th nationally. Houston's cost of living, however, is better than most cities, ranking 51st overall.

The city's real estate market ranking is among the top 100 in the U.S., at No. 91, but that wasn't enough to outweigh its less-than-stellar rankings in the other main categories.

Other metrics (where No. 1 is the best and No. 150 is average) that factored into Houston's overall ranking include:

No. 31 – Total home energy cost
No. 77 – Rent-to-price ratio
No. 99 – Median home-price appreciation
No. 148 – Foreclosure rate
No. 246 – Real estate tax rate
No. 270 – Property crime rates

While Houston boasts the lowest Texas ranking on the list, it isn't the only Lone Star city that is less than favorable for first-time buyers. In fact, only one Texas spot — the Dallas suburb of McKinney — lands among the top 100 of the report. A total of 20 Texas cities rank outside the top 100, with Laredo (No. 200), Mesquite (No. 202), San Antonio (No. 208), and Dallas (No. 233) joining Houston as the state's worst.

First-time buyers across the country are entering the housing market at a difficult time, the report says. The National Association of Realtors reported the share of first-time homebuyers sank to an all-time low in 2025, to 21 percent, whereas the historic national average is 40 percent.

"Buying a home for the first time is an exciting and important milestone for many Americans, but achieving that milestone is getting more difficult as prices and interest rates continue to rise," the report's author wrote. "People willing and able to invest in a house this year must balance what they want and need with what they can afford. Often, people begin searching for their dream home without a realistic idea of market prices, interest rates or even their eligibility for a mortgage."

wallethub real estate housing market first time homebuyers houston reports

Major Park Makeover

Houston wants its own version of Central Park: Green renovation project has developers thinking big

In recognition of the large donation made by Silver Eagle, John and Bobbi Nau's last name served as inspiration for the Pavilion's name.

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Market Upset

Houston shocks as one of 10 worst big cities for first-time homebuyers