The long-dormant downtown in this central Texas city is poised for revitalization designed to take advantage of nearby Baylor University and other assets. New Urbanist designs are generating hope and excitement.
"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."
Read the full story: New urbanism promises to transform downtown Waco
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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Iowa taxpayers are paying thousands to clean manure out of their water
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Amtrak cuts ribbon on Seattle Airo maintenance facility
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FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
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City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello