Houston's Buffalo Bayou Cistern turns 100 this year

Catch up quick: The cistern was built in 1926 to store drinking water for the growing city of Houston.

• The underground chamber is supported by more than 220 concrete columns rising 25 feet.
• It was decommissioned in 2007 and restored as a public space by the Buffalo Bayou Partnership in 2016.

Driving the news: Ahead of this year's anniversary, the organization undertook a $200,000 reinforcement project aimed at preserving the cistern, what leaders called the first significant structural investment since it opened to the public 10 years ago.

What they're saying: "The Cistern is one of Houston's most remarkable historic spaces," partnership vice president Karen Farber said in a statement. "Maintaining its structural integrity is essential as we continue to welcome visitors into the site."

The intrigue: The cistern will be the site of a new art installation called Undercurrents by electronic visual artist Rafael Lozano-Hemmer featuring lights that reflect around the 87,500-square-foot space.

• The installation will be on view from April 24 to January 2027.

How to go: The cistern is open 10am-5pm Wednesday through Sunday. It will be closed from March 30 to April 23 to prepare for Undercurrents.

• Tours start at $15.