The Ion and Ion District, a 16-acre development located in Midtown looking to be a transformational mixed-use project that strengthens Houston’s economic resiliency and builds community, has gotten one step closer to its goal of building up particularly disadvantaged communities that have not had access to economic opportunities in the technology, innovation and tech-enabled industries.
A group of 13 stakeholders representing respected community, business, civic leaders and Houston midtown residents has issued a report in collaboration with Rice Management Co.—which owns the land where the Innovation District will stand—with recommendations to ensure underrepresented Houstonians are provided with opportunities to benefit from The Ion and the Ion District.
The recommendations from the full report address concerns across three main areas: economic opportunity, housing opportunity, and inclusive hiring and contracting. The report also provides specific and measurable commitments the group is asking both Rice Management Co. and the city of Houston to consider and incorporate into the final document.
The group, called a community benefits agreement working group by Rice Management Co., has been working with the company since November on the report recommendations.
