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About Waco

Waco is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The City had a 2010 population of 124,805, making it the twenty-second most populous city in the state (The MSA is 234,906.) In 1866,Waco’s leading citizens embarked on an ambitious project to build the first bridge to span the wide Brazos River. They formed the Waco Bridge Company to build the 475-foot (145 m) brick Waco Suspension Bridge, which was completed in 1870. The cowboys and cattle-herds following the Chisholm Trail north, crossed the Brazos River at Waco.

Waco is the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum, and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

The 2000 racial makeup of the City was 60.78% White, 22.65% African American, 1.38% Asian, and 23.64% Hispanic or Latino of any race. Non-Hispanic Whites were 45.8% of the population in 2010.

About Greater Downtown Waco

Waco, Texas, spans the Brazos River and is near the population center of Texas. In 1900 Waco was the sixth largest city in Texas, a railroad hub, the home of several universities, and a center of the insurance industry in Texas. Its bustling downtown reflected its prominence. After a devastating tornado in 1953 and the coming of suburban sprawl, Waco’s downtown suffered the decline common to many American cities. Today there is a revival of interest in downtown as a location for shopping and business and a place to live. Its assets include the investments and growth of Baylor University a mile to the southeast, the large and beautiful Cameron Park, the River Brazos waterfront, a number of historic buildings, McClennan Community College and Texas State Technical College, and a supportive Chamber of Commerce.

Project Profile: Greater Downtown WacoWaco, Texas

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Project Scope

The Greater Waco Downtown Master Plan states that the city’s citizens embrace the idea of becoming a leader in green and sustainable strategies that create an urban environment built for people. This project will reconnect residents to the natural environment and reduce our collective ecological footprint. The Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce has formed a team to implement key parts of the Greater Waco Downtown Plan, with representatives from Baylor University, the Downtown Development Corporation, the Downtown Public Improvement District, Waco Industrial Foundation, and the Brazos River Partnership. The focus will be on promoting the redevelopment of catalyst sites; building pedestrian, bike, and transit connectivity to support downtown redevelopment; aspects of green design and infrastructure; and strengthening University-City-Chamber of Commerce partnerships.

Challenges to Overcome• Lack of housing options in the urban

core

• Around 24% of downtown land is vacant

• Delivery of urban development products that are reasonably priced for the Waco area

• Transportation system that has been designed primarily to accommodate automobile travel

Project Goals• Great and enduring restaurants and

destination and entertainment retail

• Improved arts/creative infrastructure

• Trees, greenways, and sustainable infrastructure with a focus on walkability

• More jobs and amenities

• Cultural establishments

• Easier, greener transit

• An active, accessible river

• Cultivate an outdoor culture

• Place making

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Project Elements: Greater Downtown Waco

RedevelopmentIn early July the City of Waco will make a decision whether to accept the Brazos River Partnership’s proposal for a $180 million mixed-use redevelopment of 16 acres along the Brazos River between the downtown commercial core and Baylor University. If the project is approved, the implementation team will address how this project can be enhanced and coordinated with other public and private investments to accelerate the redevelopment of downtown Waco. These may include the” better connections to the river and more activity on the riverfront” identified in the Greater Downtown Waco Master Plan. The project may consider whether the programming of activities on the Brazos River, possibly in conjunction with activities at the new Baylor football stadium, might attract additional interest in greater downtown and help attract young professionals. These activities can also be used to promote stewardship of the river and increase public engagement in downtown redevelopment issues. The promotion of downtown as a dining destination through the use of special events and food trucks could be considered, perhaps drawing in some of the young entrepreneurs at Thinc Space. This effort should address the concerns of existing restaurants.

Green Design & InfrastructureThe project will consider whether or how to make investments in green stormwater facilities to enhance community identity and also improve water quality in the Brazos River. The feasibility of opportunities for shared energy or water conservation facilities in the context of new public and private investment downtown will be considered.

Transportation ChoicesThe Greater Downtown Waco plan described the future when downtown Waco has become an attractive and convenient place for people to be because the focus is on accommodating people. Residents and visitors have many transport options – foot, bicycle, the river, or transit, as well as the automobile. Austin Avenue, which runs through the heart of Waco’s downtown, is a two-way and narrow street, with on street parking and a design that encourages walking. An important step toward downtown renewal would be the conversion of the one-way arterials parallel to Austin, Franklin, and Washington Streets into complete, tree-lined, streets that create safe and comfortable routes for pedestrians and cyclists. Baylor University may consider ways to enhance the impacts of the downtown bus service it provides for its students.

EquityImagine Waco: A Plan for Greater Downtown states that all areas of Greater Downtown prosper as we reach across the river and are unified behind a common goal. East Waco is vibrant and is centered on a revitalized Elm Avenue and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard and a waterfront that has come alive. The team will engage residents in East Waco in considering how the major new investment in the downtown redevelopment site can be coordinated with improvements to Elm Street, such as attractive green stormwater infrastructure and sidewalk improvements connecting to the suspension bridge to enhance the quality of life and bring new opportunities for redevelopment to East Waco.

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Greater Downtown Waco TeamChris McGowan, Director of Urban Development, Greater Waco Chamber of CommerceContact: cmcgowan@wacochamber.comHis primary charge is to attract, promote, and facilitate development activity in targeted neighborhoods in Greater Waco.

Rosemary Townsend, Director of Business Affairs & Community Partnerships, Baylor UniversityContact: rosemary_townsend@baylor.eduRosemary is the Director of Business Affairs and Community Partnerships at Baylor University. With expertise in program development, mentoring initiatives, group facilitation, and grant and non-profit management, she was selected as Baylor Outstanding Executive Staff member in 2008.

Lisa Sheldon, Board Member - Brazos River Partnership, Waco Public Improvement DistrictContact: lisaleeshel@aol.comLisa has been a partner in Rick Sheldon Real Estate for the past 34 years and involved in the effort transform the Downtown, particularly the Brazos River Waterfront.

Megan Henderson, Executive Director, Waco Downtown Development CorporationContact: megan@wacoddc.com

Brian Ginsburg, Board Member - New York Clothier & W Promotions, Waco Public Improvement DistrictContact: brian@wpromotions.netBrian was appointed to the PID Board in 2007 and was chairman of the Design and Service Delivery committee, which oversees security, streetscape, and landscaping issues in the District.

Smith Getterman, Sustainability Coordinator, Baylor UniversityContact: smith_getterman@baylor.eduGetterman has been at Baylor serving as Sustainability Coordinator for four years.