The city's plans to build a performing arts center at the corner of Hwy. 59 and University Boulevard are coming closer to fruition. Martinez & Johnson Architecture has completed designs of the center, which has been temporarily named the ACE Center of Sugar Land.

"Through this design process we have refined the building," said Gary Martinez, principal with Martinez & Johnson. "We are looking for a combination of different brick [and materials] to give a nice contrast to the design."

The center is on track to cost about $76.8 million in construction and will be funded through collaboration among equity partner ACE Theatrical, certificates of obligation and the city's development corporation. Construction of the surrounding streetscapes and adjacent pedestrian plaza will be funded in part through the city's tourism fund.

"This venue will promote capital investment, create new jobs, enhance educational opportunities, increase tourism, and create unique destination activities attracting local and regional visitors," said Jennifer May, director of the city's office of economic development.

The city is expected to break ground on the performing arts center in late 2014. Design work of the adjacent pedestrian plaza will continue through 2014. Final designs for the adjacent area will be completed in the first quarter of 2015, and construction is slated to begin that summer.

The performing arts center should be completed in late 2016, City Engineer Chris Steubing said.

The surrounding plaza and streetscape will be built in phases. The area will hold an estimated 2,500 street-level parking spaces that will ideally be converted to parking garages during the next phase, Steubing said. In addition, the plaza will feature an outdoor area where people can gather for smaller events.

"We expect that this venue will be just one of many new developments in the area," May said. "The venue and surrounding plaza will be a focal point of what is planned to be a vibrant commercial district."

Martinez & Johnson's design of the performing arts center features a large iconic bowl that holds the auditorium and audience chamber. The faade of the center will be composed of shaded brick and large, curved glass along the front.

"When you approach the center, you will be able to see the high level of activity," Martinez said. "This is a vital component for a performing arts center."

Martinez said the audience chamber itself will bring a new feature to the performing arts center rarely seen—an adjustable seating arrangement that can be tailored to specific events.

The audience chamber will be capable of four seating configurations. The full configuration contains 6,430 seats, a narrow configuration contains 4,820 seats, a shallow configuration contains 4,518 seats and a theatrical configuration contains 3,364 seats. In addition, the audience chamber will house several club-level suites that can each seat up to 20 people, according to the designs.