Rice University launches $120M project to connect campus with Rice Village, renovate Rice Stadium

Rice University is launching a $120 million project to better connect its campus with the university-owned land in Rice Village while renovating Rice Stadium.

The big picture: The plan — part of a 30-year land use vision — will turn the area into a walkable, mixed-use corridor with shops, housing and green space.

• Plus, Rice Stadium will be reimagined as a modern "stadium in a park."

Zoom in: At the heart of the project is the creation of a new pedestrian-oriented street that will extend Amherst Avenue two blocks east from Morningside Drive, through Chaucer Drive, to a new campus entrance near Entrance 13A on Greenbriar Drive.

What they're saying: "Rice Village has long been a beloved destination and part of the Rice community," Rice president Reginald DesRoches said in the announcement statement.

• "By connecting our campus directly to the Village, we are strengthening our ties to Houston while enriching the student experience, advancing our growth and reinforcing Rice's commitment to innovation and community."

What's next: The project kicks off with the demolition of the Greenbriar Annex, with construction continuing through 2028.