Downtown Waco Embraces New Urbanism

"The look and feel of downtown Waco will change dramatically in coming years, thanks to a Houston company's proposed $50 million development and the groundbreaking in December for a $2.5 million Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce headquarters."

"New urbanism, said Waco city planner Bill Falco, involves placing buildings close to property lines and having windows and doors that open onto sidewalks, creating more interaction between people inside and those walking by. 'It creates a sense of community in an area, and it is very pedestrian friendly,' said Falco. 'You don't cross a parking lot or a big green space to get into a building, you walk right into it.'"

"Officials hope the new chamber building provides the centerpiece for a downtown renaissance. Its presence and the plans by Stonehenge Development will transform a decades-old sea of asphalt bounded by Washington, Austin and Franklin avenues and Third and Fourth streets into a mix of loft apartments, retail stores, office space and the city's symbol of business activity."