Buffalo Bayou Park Gets a Huge Hurricane Fighting Boost: Historic Coffee Spot Renovated, But the Mission is Not Done

What: Buffalo Bayou Partnership Gala

Where: The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park

PC Moment: For many, highlight of the night was touring the astounding Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. For others, it was the pre-dinner cocktails on the Wortham Insurance Terrace where views of the downtown skyline were spectacular and the music of the Leo Polk Trio was perfect. But for all of the more than 550 guests, high point was announcement of the $600,000 that was raised for the non-profit dedicated to revitalizing, maintaining and activating Buffalo Bayou.

Those funds are critical at this juncture with Hurricane Harvey damage repair and silt removal ongoing. In fact, board chair Tom Fish and chair emeritus Collin Cox delivered a passionate request for guests to help literally “dig out” after Harvey. That effort alone raised $200,000 on the spot for the clean-up and recovery.

The evening celebrated renovation of the historic Sunset Coffee Building and honored Susan Keeton for her key role in many of the BBP’s restoration projects.

Chaired by Vivien and Scott Caven and Courtney and Bas Solleveld, the dinner took place in a grand party tent erected on the Brown Foundation Lawn and dressed in garden lighting and fresh floral centerpieces from Bergner Johnson. A Fare Extraordinaire delivered the three-course meal while Total Wine & More contributed the wines.

Who: BBP president Anne Olson, Sis and Hasty Johnson, Leslie and Shannon Sasser, Nancy and Rich Kinder, Murad and Sanober Ajani, Johnny Steele, Clayton and Shel Erikson, Renee Wizig-Barrios and Alvaro Barrios, Guy Hagstette, Alison and Chris Porter, Bob Eury, Ann Lents and David Heaney; Roxann and Tim Neumann, Judy and Charles Tate, Ellyn Wulfe and Lisa and Saul Valentin.