Yep. That could be confusing.

I do appreciate the fact that the WISD has opened up. Students wanting college prep can elect to attend Waco High even if in the traditional University High area. University itself hosts some forward thinking STEM courses. The campuses also divide Health Science and mechanics style courses.

Their focus in high school is "endorsements". It's their way of differentiating their graduates and giving them something to present a college. It carries no official weight, but a student in the WISD can choose to focus on on (or a few) of many broad categories such as health science, STEM, or arts. By completing the course track (and still having plenty of room to take other classes), the student earns the "endorsement" in that area.

It may mean a bit to a private university. For those fighting for admission to state universities (I can't believe we're space limited there!), it can provide an edge in gaining admissions to the college - even if University admission is granted.

Of course, being able to live in an area feeding into one of the better elementary schools (or getting admission to the Montessori or prep academies) increases the odds of a happy experience.

Mr Tulip said:

---

Yep. That could be confusing.

I do appreciate the fact that the WISD has opened up. Students wanting college prep can elect to attend Waco High even if in the traditional University High area. University itself hosts some forward thinking STEM courses. The campuses also divide Health Science and mechanics style courses.

Their focus in high school is "endorsements". It's their way of differentiating their graduates and giving them something to present a college. It carries no official weight, but a student in the WISD can choose to focus on on (or a few) of many broad categories such as health science, STEM, or arts. By completing the course track (and still having plenty of room to take other classes), the student earns the "endorsement" in that area.

It may mean a bit to a private university. For those fighting for admission to state universities (I can't believe we're space limited there!), it can provide an edge in gaining admissions to the college - even if University admission is granted.

Of course, being able to live in an area feeding into one of the better elementary schools (or getting admission to the Montessori or prep academies) increases the odds of a happy experience.

---

Yeah and I was just wanting to make sure you did not think they were actually isolated, in a separate building, wing, etc.

There have been some parents I have talked to who thought that and were shocked to learn that their child was walking down the halls with the regular kids and even taking some electives with them.

As to the endorsements it is not a WISD thing but rather a new thing the state has done (follow links here)

https://tea.texas.gov/graduation-requirements/hb5.aspx


I like the endorsement thing as it is a step in the right direction of not making everyone take a college track if they know they want to go do something that is not college like technical school or military or whatever.

Waco ISD was also very instrumental in getting the two area academies opened. GWAMA and GWAHCA

They are essentially high school versions of TSTC courses in things like welding, construction, health care, etc and help students get introduced to those things, get certificates and get admission to MCC or TSTC to get further degrees/certificates.


http://gwama.wacoisd.org/cms/One.aspx?portalId=14645&pageId=146567

http://www.actlocallywaco.org/2015/04/14/greater-waco-advanced-health-care-academy-building-on-a-great-idea/


They are open to most school districts in the Waco area.

Heh. I'm actually trying to be careful. My daughter is on track to graduate high school with practically enough credits to be a college sophomore.

I'm careful because she wants to go to Texas. Beginning your away from home college career with 3rd semester courses would be insanely difficult. The opportunity to save time and money by earning college credits is wonderful, but I don't want her kilo-smoted when she gets to "for real" college.

Mr Tulip said:

---

Heh. I'm actually trying to be careful. My daughter is on track to graduate high school with practically enough credits to be a college sophomore.

I'm careful because she wants to go to Texas. Beginning your away from home college career with 3rd semester courses would be insanely difficult. The opportunity to save time and money by earning college credits is wonderful, but I don't want her kilo-smoted when she gets to "for real" college.

---

That is a good point. Sometimes the opportunity to save money now doesn't help if it makes things more difficult for the student later by making them skip "freshmen" level classes their first year in college and instead take harder classes right away.

but not sure where this came from based on what we were discussing....

I would also suggest your friend bear in mind the tax rates:

Robinson ISD: $1.406
Crawford ISD: $1.23
China Spring ISD: $1.387
Lorena ISD: $1.554
MIdway ISD: $1.32
Waco ISD: $1.41
McGregor ISD: $1.33

City of Woodway: $0.47
City of Crawford: $0.499
City of Lorena: $0.592
City of Robinson: $0.494
City of Waco: $0.776
City of McGregor: $0.594

China Spring is not incorporated, so no city taxes. Also means no city services. Police services, for example, would be handled by the county. Not being in an incorporated area could affect home insurance rates - would be worth checking out.

Everybody pays the $0.505 rate for McLennan County and $0.15 for McLennan Community College.

In an overall sense it's hard to beat Woodway. Among the lower school district taxes and the lowest city taxes in McLennan County. Services like police, fire, road repair, and etc... are excellent. And one of the best school systems in the state.

Kids get what they put into schools. I moved around a lot while coaching and my kids went to some great schools and some not so great schools. They attended Midway, LaMarque, Mildred, Palacious, Huntsville Copperas Cove, Pfluggerville, Hutto and I probably left off some. They did fine and got academic schollies to college.

Of all the opinions of local schools, Coke bear has seen it from the parent, student and teacher angle. If I had to pick one source of info I would go with his.

Volunteer said:

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China Spring is not incorporated, so no city taxes. Also means no city services. Police services, for example, would be handled by the county. Not being in an incorporated area could affect home insurance rates - would be worth checking out.

Everybody pays the $0.505 rate for McLennan County and $0.15 for McLennan Community College.

In an overall sense it's hard to beat Woodway. Among the lower school district taxes and the lowest city taxes in McLennan County. Services like police, fire, road repair, and etc... are excellent. And one of the best school systems in the state.

---

A big portion of China Spring is in the City of Waco.

Nguyen One Soon said:

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Volunteer said:

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China Spring is not incorporated, so no city taxes. Also means no city services. Police services, for example, would be handled by the county. Not being in an incorporated area could affect home insurance rates - would be worth checking out.

Everybody pays the $0.505 rate for McLennan County and $0.15 for McLennan Community College.

In an overall sense it's hard to beat Woodway. Among the lower school district taxes and the lowest city taxes in McLennan County. Services like police, fire, road repair, and etc... are excellent. And one of the best school systems in the state.

---

A big portion of China Spring is in the City of Waco.

---

Yes some of it is, but much is not. Pretty much everything west of the Hwy185/FM1637 intersection is outside the Waco city limits.

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

You say all that like it's a good thing.


(old man yells at cloud)

MrGolfguy said:

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PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

cowboycwr said:

---

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

---

I hear ya. It's been tough for a while. It was idiotic that they wouldn't allow alcohol sales for restaurants for so long.

Dia del DougO said:

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tommie said:

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Dallas, Austin, San Antonio, Houston.

---

Must be a fan of Walker: Texas Ranger. I saw that show one time and he drove from Dallas to San Antone in about ten minutes, and back again. But then he IS Chuck Norris.

---

He didn't drive anywhere; he just put it in neutral and the earth moved under him until he was in San Antonio.

cowboycwr said:

---

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

---

The fact is all of McLennan County is developing. It wont be long for Lorena on 35 to develop and merge with Hewitt which will merge up to 340 and Legend's Crossing. Not to mention the Temple area merging with Lorena. The Buccees in Temple is close to the Lorena exit as the Baylor campus. So the sprawl is occurring. There wont be many rural pockets of the county left before long.

trey3216 said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

---

I hear ya. It's been tough for a while. It was idiotic that they wouldn't allow alcohol sales for restaurants for so long.

---

Agreed. Not allowing alcohol sales just screams not wanting growth.

PartyBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

---

The fact is all of McLennan County is developing. It wont be long for Lorena on 35 to develop and merge with Hewitt which will merge up to 340 and Legend's Crossing. Not to mention the Temple area merging with Lorena. The Buccees in Temple is close to the Lorena exit as the Baylor campus. So the sprawl is occurring. There wont be many rural pockets of the county left before long.

---

Very true. Except the stretch between Lorena and Troy is not developing that fast and it will be decades before it grows to what you are saying, imo.

cowboycwr said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

---

The fact is all of McLennan County is developing. It wont be long for Lorena on 35 to develop and merge with Hewitt which will merge up to 340 and Legend's Crossing. Not to mention the Temple area merging with Lorena. The Buccees in Temple is close to the Lorena exit as the Baylor campus. So the sprawl is occurring. There wont be many rural pockets of the county left before long.

---

Very true. Except the stretch between Lorena and Troy is not developing that fast and it will be decades before it grows to what you are saying, imo.

---

I think finally having IH-35 finally completed in a year and the immense growth down in Bell County will increase residential growth in that area, especially in the Troy area. The real reasons many of these areas have remained rural are because (1) most of the plats are still giant and have to be purchased and subdivided; and (2) utilities still need to be upgraded in the area. Lorena, for example, is finally taking care of its sewer and water issues by plugging into Waco. Also, you still have a large area out in the Spring Valley area that still aren't served by basic cable lines - and probably never will.

I think the growth areas on IH-35 in the short term will be the Troy and Lorena areas.

As far as long term growth for the area, Bell County is growing quite a bit faster than McLennan, and McLennan's growth is about on par with most other similarly sized metro areas in the state. Bell and the Tyler-Longview areas are kind of outliers in that regard.

Yogi said:

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cowboycwr said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

---

The fact is all of McLennan County is developing. It wont be long for Lorena on 35 to develop and merge with Hewitt which will merge up to 340 and Legend's Crossing. Not to mention the Temple area merging with Lorena. The Buccees in Temple is close to the Lorena exit as the Baylor campus. So the sprawl is occurring. There wont be many rural pockets of the county left before long.

---

Very true. Except the stretch between Lorena and Troy is not developing that fast and it will be decades before it grows to what you are saying, imo.

---

I think finally having IH-35 finally completed in a year and the immense growth down in Bell County will increase residential growth in that area, especially in the Troy area. The real reasons many of these areas have remained rural are because (1) most of the plats are still giant and have to be purchased and subdivided; and (2) utilities still need to be upgraded in the area. Lorena, for example, is finally taking care of its sewer and water issues by plugging into Waco. Also, you still have a large area out in the Spring Valley area that still aren't served by basic cable lines - and probably never will.

I think the growth areas on IH-35 in the short term will be the Troy and Lorena areas.

As far as long term growth for the area, Bell County is growing quite a bit faster than McLennan, and McLennan's growth is about on par with most other similarly sized metro areas in the state. Bell and the Tyler-Longview areas are kind of outliers in that regard.

---

Those are some good points.

I guess what I see those areas growing/ how is different from what party bear described. When he said merge i pictured continual houses, businesses, etc from Lorena to Hewitt with no fields in between. I don't see that happening for a very long time.

I could picture businesses right along the interstate spreading in a continuous line from Hewitt exist to the Lorena exit along I-35.

As for it continuing down to Bruceville-Eddy and all the way to Troy/ Temple I again think that will take decades.

I do think that one day it will be like the area north of Austin (Round Rock to Georgetown to Jarrell) where there is a lot of growth right along I-35 and some suburbs just off of it but in the distance (a mile or more away) it is still farm/ranch land.

So in the end I think party bear, you and I all picture very similar things on what will happen right along I-35 but because of the fact we are typing our points and not able to talk about it there is confusion in words like when PB said "won't be long" but I picture it being a decade or more.

I think all 3 of us are on the same page though in that the growth is good for the area and we like what we are seeing.

cowboycwr said:

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Yogi said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

cowboycwr said:

---

trey3216 said:

---

MrGolfguy said:

---

PartyBear said:

---

If you want a suburb that is most conveniently located to Waco and restaurants and shopping such as Central Texas Market Place and Legend's Crossing. Then hands down it will be Woodway/Hewitt. In addition Woodway/Hewitt is a large enough suburb it has some chains (such as Dunkin Donuts and Baskin Robbins) coming in addition to the ones they have. Hewitt Drive is turning into new Valley Mills Drive. Additionally it has some second locations of old Waco places such as Poppa Rollos and Georges and soon to be opening on 84 in Woodway a new Common Grounds, a new pizza place called West Side and other places.

---

Robinson is literally 2-3 minutes from the Marketplace/Legends Crossing, parts of which are on Hwy6/Loop 340. Also, I-35 is no more than a few minutes away. McLane Stadium/Ferrell Center/ Baylor campus is an easy 10 minute drive. Robinson is also big enough to have chains (McDonalds, Subway, Sonic, others) and a decently sized grocery store (Brookshire's). Woodway/Hewitt isn't the "hands down" choice, there is competition.

---

Brookshire's is terribly over-priced, and the roads in Robinson look like the roads in Louisiana. They need to commit to getting more businesses to come to Robinson to actually generate some tax base not derived from suburban homes.

---

Once expansion of the Central Texas marketplace goes to the east side of I-35 that will happen. those fields are in the city of Robinson limits and there are development plans to open shopping centers there like the other side has.

edit- the city also voted to allow alcohol sales back in November of 16 for restaurants to move into those areas as well which will help a ton.

---

The fact is all of McLennan County is developing. It wont be long for Lorena on 35 to develop and merge with Hewitt which will merge up to 340 and Legend's Crossing. Not to mention the Temple area merging with Lorena. The Buccees in Temple is close to the Lorena exit as the Baylor campus. So the sprawl is occurring. There wont be many rural pockets of the county left before long.

---

Very true. Except the stretch between Lorena and Troy is not developing that fast and it will be decades before it grows to what you are saying, imo.

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I think finally having IH-35 finally completed in a year and the immense growth down in Bell County will increase residential growth in that area, especially in the Troy area. The real reasons many of these areas have remained rural are because (1) most of the plats are still giant and have to be purchased and subdivided; and (2) utilities still need to be upgraded in the area. Lorena, for example, is finally taking care of its sewer and water issues by plugging into Waco. Also, you still have a large area out in the Spring Valley area that still aren't served by basic cable lines - and probably never will.

I think the growth areas on IH-35 in the short term will be the Troy and Lorena areas.

As far as long term growth for the area, Bell County is growing quite a bit faster than McLennan, and McLennan's growth is about on par with most other similarly sized metro areas in the state. Bell and the Tyler-Longview areas are kind of outliers in that regard.

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Those are some good points.

I guess what I see those areas growing/ how is different from what party bear described. When he said merge i pictured continual houses, businesses, etc from Lorena to Hewitt with no fields in between. I don't see that happening for a very long time.

I could picture businesses right along the interstate spreading in a continuous line from Hewitt exist to the Lorena exit along I-35.

As for it continuing down to Bruceville-Eddy and all the way to Troy/ Temple I again think that will take decades.

I do think that one day it will be like the area north of Austin (Round Rock to Georgetown to Jarrell) where there is a lot of growth right along I-35 and some suburbs just off of it but in the distance (a mile or more away) it is still farm/ranch land.

So in the end I think party bear, you and I all picture very similar things on what will happen right along I-35 but because of the fact we are typing our points and not able to talk about it there is confusion in words like when PB said "won't be long" but I picture it being a decade or more.

I think all 3 of us are on the same page though in that the growth is good for the area and we like what we are seeing.

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I am not sure about continuous businesses, but just as Walmart popped up on Sun Valley, you are going to have that effect going South on 35.

I have already seen the new plat divisions on either side of Interstate 35 at Lorena. 2137, or Old Lorena Road, will be elevated over the Union Pacific tracks and tie directly into the new overpass at 35, which was designed and built for the proposed development. On the northside of 2137 is a proposed shopping center with outlying restaurants.

Go north to Hewitt/ Moonlight Drive, and there are new housing subdivisions going north of 1695 and a larger commercial retailer has purchased the land to the South. That's the latest I heard.

I agree with you in the sense that McLennan is not growing so fast that the area will completely urbanize over night, but there will be significant development between Lorena, Hewitt and Robinson over the next 10 years.

When I said "wont be long" I didnt mean all this will happen over a couple of years. I was speaking from the vantage point of someone my age. What may seem like a long time period to some one who is 25 really is not a long period of time for someone in his/her early 50s. If y'all are real young trust me on this. If you are having your first baby this year, it will not be long before your youngest of 3 is going off to college.

PartyBear said:

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When I said "wont be long" I didnt mean all this will happen over a couple of years. I was speaking from the vantage point of someone my age. What may seem like a long time period to some one who is 25 really is not a long period of time for someone in his/her early 50s. If y'all are real young trust me on this. If you are having your first baby this year, it will not be long before your youngest of 3 is going off to college.

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Ok makes sense. Like I said in a post or two above it was the lack of being able to read much into what was typed that in person conversations would avoid.

I think you, Yogi and I are all on the same page about the growth/ development of the Waco area