Proposed housing developments in the urban core of Waco, Texas, have given many in the city high hopes for a denser, more vibrant central city.
"Residential construction planned in the next two years at the old Waco High School and around Heritage Square would bring at least 860 new residents to downtown."
"That includes 368 beds of student housing that Town Square Partners are planning next to the Courtyard at Marriott. A block away, the Austin Avenue Flats are under construction, with about half of the first 47 apartments already sold or leased. Construction will begin next year on the second phase of 120 flats, and developer Michael Wray is already scoping out land for more downtown apartments."
"'This is the first or second inning of nine,' Wray said. 'I think this is going to shock people, but over the next five to seven years it would not be surprising to have three or four thousand people living within six blocks of City Hall.'"
"To put that in perspective consider the 2000 census figures for downtown. Census Tract 1 - about 1 square mile bordered by the Brazos River, Waco Drive, 17th Street and Clay Avenue - had only 1,254 residents, not counting those in group homes or institutions. And only a handful of people at that time lived within six blocks of City Hall."
FULL STORY: Waco's urban pioneers want vibrant downtown
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