Master plan for Ion and Innovation District at former Midtown Sears site revealed – Houston Chronicle

Pictured is a rendering of Rice University’s Ion innovation hub. New documents filed with the city give a look at the layout for the planned Innovation District.

Pictured is a rendering of Rice University’s Ion innovation hub. New documents filed with the city give a look at the layout for the planned Innovation District.

Pictured is a rendering of Rice University’s Ion innovation hub. New documents filed with the city give a look at the layout for the planned Innovation District.

Pictured is a rendering of Rice University’s Ion innovation hub. New documents filed with the city give a look at the layout for the planned Innovation District.

A proposed master plan for Rice University’s Ion innovation hub — the redevelopment of the former Midtown Sears — and the blocks surrounding it were made public in a variance request submitted to the city of Houston relating to the development of a parking garage on the block that formerly housed a Sears automotive shop.

Documents filed with the city show a proposed site plan for the Ion and 15-acre South Main Innovation District comprising multiple blocks along and east of Main Street. The plan shows 13 proposed structures in addition to the old Sears at 4201 Main, a greenspace and “Central Laneway” stretching in front of the Sears building from Main to Caroline.

The proposed garage, 115 feet tall — or approximately 10 stories — would serve the Ion building and other future developments in the area, according to the documents filed by consulting firm Vernon G. Henry & Associates on behalf of Rice.

The ground floor of the garage would house retail space and window displays.

The developer is seeking a reduced building line on Fannin and Eagle and to not provide the full 15 feet by 15 feet so-called visibility triangle at the corner of Cleburne and Fannin. The variance is scheduled to be considered at this week’s planning Commission meeting.