The downtown parking garage next to @Baylor's new Foster Pavilion is underway and making great progress!

Its 550 parking spots will be available for public use, making it a convenient spot to park in Downtown Waco!#wacotexas #wacotx #downtownwaco pic.twitter.com/aE82P9yN9X

— City of Waco, Texas (@cityofwaco) June 27, 2023

How many parking spots are there in the lot around the Ferrell Center, for a comparison?

Grumpy said:

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How many parking spots are there in the lot around the Ferrell Center, for a comparison?

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There are 770 numbered spaces on the same side of the main drive as the FC, which is the smaller side of the parking lot. I'm guessing another 1000-1100 spaces on the Ballpark side of the drive, so maybe 1800-1900 total.

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Its 550 parking spots will be available for public use, making it a convenient spot to park in Downtown Waco!

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I'm sorry, but that parking lot is not really convenient to most downtown destinations unless you're a tourista looking to spend the whole day walking downtown and even then it will be a whipping. 6 plus blocks to Magnolia, more than that to Austin Avenue Area.

A garage near City Hall would be a better site for tourist purposes. They should probably build a garage there too.

CorsicanaBear said:

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Its 550 parking spots will be available for public use, making it a convenient spot to park in Downtown Waco!

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I'm sorry, but that parking lot is not really convenient to most downtown destinations unless you're a tourista looking to spend the whole day walking downtown and even then it will be a whipping. 6 plus blocks to Magnolia, more than that to Austin Avenue Area.

A garage near City Hall would be a better site for tourist purposes. They should probably build a garage there too.

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is downtown done developing?

CorsicanaBear said:

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Its 550 parking spots will be available for public use, making it a convenient spot to park in Downtown Waco!

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I'm sorry, but that parking lot is not really convenient to most downtown destinations unless you're a tourista looking to spend the whole day walking downtown and even then it will be a whipping. 6 plus blocks to Magnolia, more than that to Austin Avenue Area.

A garage near City Hall would be a better site for tourist purposes. They should probably build a garage there too.

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That's not a far walk at all. While I don't think the aim is to be a garage for people.walking to things in true downtown and rather its for the anticipated development around Foster, a 6 block walk is nothing in any city really. Exercise is a good thing

There is already a garage between 4th and 5th and Franklin...

If you're talking about the old parking garage that is attached to the WISD building (used to be a bank building/garage), I'm not sure that is open to the public. Might be, I've never tried. Same with the garage over by the old bank building with the Baylor logo on the top on at Washington and 8th.

I'm still not going to a Waco restaurant (which is the only reason for me to go downtown) and parking and walking anything like 6 or 3 or 2 blocks to dinner. I want out of the AC in my car directly into the AC in your restaurant. Maybe it's time for valets. Tourists are another matter.

CorsicanaBear said:

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If you're talking about the old parking garage that is attached to the WISD building (used to be a bank building/garage), I'm not sure that is open to the public. Might be, I've never tried. Same with the garage over by the old bank building with the Baylor logo on the top on at Washington and 8th.

I'm still not going to a Waco restaurant (which is the only reason for me to go downtown) and parking and walking anything like 6 or 3 or 2 blocks to dinner. I want out of the AC in my car directly into the AC in your restaurant. Maybe it's time for valets. Tourists are another matter.

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by all means pay for the valet if you want to be catered to in that manner but don't hold your breath on that being a normal option in Waco. I'm guessing you never spend time in any actual metroplex. Parking and walking is normal

CorsicanaBear said:

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If you're talking about the old parking garage that is attached to the WISD building (used to be a bank building/garage), I'm not sure that is open to the public. Might be, I've never tried. Same with the garage over by the old bank building with the Baylor logo on the top on at Washington and 8th.

I'm still not going to a Waco restaurant (which is the only reason for me to go downtown) and parking and walking anything like 6 or 3 or 2 blocks to dinner. I want out of the AC in my car directly into the AC in your restaurant. Maybe it's time for valets. Tourists are another matter.

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My wife works in the Baylor building downtown. I don't think that it is open to the public. Security locks it down at the end of the work day.

Just so we are all clear.

There are three parking garages in the Riverfront Development. One is opening with Phase I and has about 180 public spaces. This is the garage which is visible and nearest to the railroad track.

The second is the primary Pavilion Garage with 455 spaces.

The third garage is being added by Catalyst directly across Clay Ave which will have another 250 public spaces.

Additionally, there are about 200 spaces along the streets in Riverfront.

That means in 2024 there will be about 1,100 spaces on-site not counting what Baylor will still have around Robinson Tower which appears to be another 150.

1,250 spaces on-site for a downtown, riverfront location. That combined with spaces at Texas Ranger Hall of Fame that will be connected with the Riverwalk improvements in 2025 will bring another couple of hundred within a stone's throw.

Finally, there is a fourth garage with public spaces contemplated on the final phase of Riverfront, but that site will go into development until a hotel commits to the project.

More details can be found here: https://www.waco-texas.com/files/sharedassets/public/departments/city-secretarys-office/documents/council-presentations/ws-2023-343-discussion-of-the-brazos-riverfront-development-a.k.a.-brazos-promenade-project-and-the-foster-pavilion.pdf

Also, on Slide 20 of the original presentation to City Council in late 2021 there is a parking map indicating distances to each parking facility. Linked below.

Some of the numbers have changed as the City has incentivized Catalyst Urban to add more spaces in the Clay Ave garage, but the point of the graphic on Slide 20 is still valid....there is parking. More than half the seats will be served with a parking space within a five-minute walk. More than 83% of the seats will be served with a parking space within a ten-minute walk.

Fun times in Waco. Especially once the restaurants and riverwalk are open.

https://www.waco-texas.com/files/sharedassets/public/departments/city-secretarys-office/documents/council-presentations/ws-2021-898-memorandum-of-understanding-with-baylor-university.pdf

An underground walking tunnel that would go underneath 35 linking campus to the other side would be nice.

Is there still going to be a flagship hotel as part of this development or was that permanently scrapped?

Yes, the final phase of the Catalyst Urban still has a hotel planned in the agreements between the City and Catalyst.

It would be just east of the railroad tracks along the Brazos River. Catalyst continues to work on negotiations with a hotel operator. +/-180 rooms, boutique hotel. The hotel financing market is tough at the moment, especially for full-service products.

FlyinDubGreenGold said:

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The hotel financing market is tough at the moment, especially for full-service products.

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Do you attribute that to current interest rates and flat commercial real estate values in general, or do you think it has more to do with overbuilding, cost inflation and staffing shortages that drive up the cost of providing service in the higher end properties?

skeeterbear said:

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Is there still going to be a flagship hotel as part of this development or was that permanently scrapped?

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CorsicanaBear said:

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Its 550 parking spots will be available for public use, making it a convenient spot to park in Downtown Waco!

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I'm sorry, but that parking lot is not really convenient to most downtown destinations unless you're a tourista looking to spend the whole day walking downtown and even then it will be a whipping. 6 plus blocks to Magnolia, more than that to Austin Avenue Area.

A garage near City Hall would be a better site for tourist purposes. They should probably build a garage there too.

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I think you underestimate the river development, which, when opened, will sport a 200-room hotel, and at least three sit down restaurants, retail stores, and parks.

I think with the proximity to Interstate 35, that area will slowly develop and the parking garage will be a catalyst in that development.

And, as far as Magnolia goes, Waco Uber drivers probably need the business.

Seriously, though, there will be additional parking near Magnolia, as well, with the AC Marriott, Hyatt Place, and Embassy Suites hotels all having parking facilities. Also, Waco is a bit of a different animal in that there are a whole lot of "natural" parking lots that were created by the 1953 tornado.

CorsicanaBear said:

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I'm still not going to a Waco restaurant (which is the only reason for me to go downtown) and parking and walking anything like 6 or 3 or 2 blocks to dinner. I want out of the AC in my car directly into the AC in your restaurant.

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I've seen people say this when downtown McKinney was being redeveloped, several districts in OKC, and now downtown Edmond.

Everyone says this and then magically finds themself happily walking like everyone else.

Edmond Bear said:

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CorsicanaBear said:

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I'm still not going to a Waco restaurant (which is the only reason for me to go downtown) and parking and walking anything like 6 or 3 or 2 blocks to dinner. I want out of the AC in my car directly into the AC in your restaurant.

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I've seen people say this when downtown McKinney was being redeveloped, several districts in OKC, and now downtown Edmond.

Everyone says this and then magically finds themself happily walking like everyone else.

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i am with you, especially in the summer.

But, in 48 years on this planet, I cannot remember ever having to walk more than a block for food in downtown Waco. Heck, you only have to park a block away from the Courthouse when they have two or more jury trials going.

So, you get in your car, your drive 5 blocks, and you find a free spot either on the street or in a public parking lot. You and your family will be fine. I assure you.

Doesn't sound like enough spots for a 7500 seat arena.

BellCountyBear said:

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Doesn't sound like enough spots for a 7500 seat arena.

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no arena has parking for every seat. FC didn't have parking for every seat. Mclane doesn't have parking for every seat.

Ku seats 14k and there's truly like 1 or 2 parking lots that are permitted. Rest of parking is paid in surrounding areas. There's more than enough parking within easy walking distance of foster

Edmond Bear said:

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BellCountyBear said:

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Doesn't sound like enough spots for a 7500 seat arena.

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Sounds like a good excuse to grab a few beers someplace within a few blocks before heading over to Foster.

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yup. Man I hope a few sports bars go up in the close proximity. Need something called the Bears Den

Yogi said:

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CorsicanaBear said:

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Quote:

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Its 550 parking spots will be available for public use, making it a convenient spot to park in Downtown Waco!

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I'm sorry, but that parking lot is not really convenient to most downtown destinations unless you're a tourista looking to spend the whole day walking downtown and even then it will be a whipping. 6 plus blocks to Magnolia, more than that to Austin Avenue Area.

A garage near City Hall would be a better site for tourist purposes. They should probably build a garage there too.

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I think you underestimate the river development, which, when opened, will sport a 200-room hotel, and at least three sit down restaurants, retail stores, and parks.

I think with the proximity to Interstate 35, that area will slowly develop and the parking garage will be a catalyst in that development.

And, as far as Magnolia goes, Waco Uber drivers probably need the business.

Seriously, though, there will be additional parking near Magnolia, as well, with the AC Marriott, Hyatt Place, and Embassy Suites hotels all having parking facilities. Also, Waco is a bit of a different animal in that there are a whole lot of "natural" parking lots that were created by the 1953 tornado.

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Where are the Hyatt Place and the AC Marriott in their development processes? I think Hyatt Place got their TIF funding voted on back in 2019.

Hyatt is currently under construction and the Embassy Suites will begin construction next summer.

T-REX said:

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Edmond Bear said:

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BellCountyBear said:

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Doesn't sound like enough spots for a 7500 seat arena.

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Sounds like a good excuse to grab a few beers someplace within a few blocks before heading over to Foster.

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yup. Man I hope a few sports bars go up in the close proximity. Need something called the Bears Den

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I'm hoping the Dancing Bear will move into the area. BTW, There WAS a bar on either 4th or 5th St about two blocks off I35 back in my day ... 1975 thru 1979. Not sure how long it actually lasted. It was ... "The Bears Den" ... usually full of Betas and Tekes.

CorsicanaBear said:

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If you're talking about the old parking garage that is attached to the WISD building (used to be a bank building/garage), I'm not sure that is open to the public. Might be, I've never tried. Same with the garage over by the old bank building with the Baylor logo on the top on at Washington and 8th.

I'm still not going to a Waco restaurant (which is the only reason for me to go downtown) and parking and walking anything like 6 or 3 or 2 blocks to dinner. I want out of the AC in my car directly into the AC in your restaurant. Maybe it's time for valets. Tourists are another matter.

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Be sure to get your 7th Dr Pepper refill to go as well. Wouldn't want to get cheated out of that extra sugar to cool you down.

trey3216 said:

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CorsicanaBear said:

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If you're talking about the old parking garage that is attached to the WISD building (used to be a bank building/garage), I'm not sure that is open to the public. Might be, I've never tried. Same with the garage over by the old bank building with the Baylor logo on the top on at Washington and 8th.

I'm still not going to a Waco restaurant (which is the only reason for me to go downtown) and parking and walking anything like 6 or 3 or 2 blocks to dinner. I want out of the AC in my car directly into the AC in your restaurant. Maybe it's time for valets. Tourists are another matter.

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Be sure to get your 7th Dr Pepper refill to go as well. Wouldn't want to get cheated out of that extra sugar to cool you down.

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the idea that having ti walk a little bit is the reason you refuse to visit an area is anti progress which is exactly the opposite of what we need in Waco. 6 blocks ain't a long walk

T-REX said:

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Edmond Bear said:

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BellCountyBear said:

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Doesn't sound like enough spots for a 7500 seat arena.

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Sounds like a good excuse to grab a few beers someplace within a few blocks before heading over to Foster.

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yup. Man I hope a few sports bars go up in the close proximity. Need something called the Bears Den

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Hmmm, sports bar with good bar food and some authentic Cajun dishes.......sounds like I might have a retirement plan. LOL

KajunKarlsdad said:

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T-REX said:

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Edmond Bear said:

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BellCountyBear said:

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Doesn't sound like enough spots for a 7500 seat arena.

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Sounds like a good excuse to grab a few beers someplace within a few blocks before heading over to Foster.

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yup. Man I hope a few sports bars go up in the close proximity. Need something called the Bears Den

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Hmmm, sports bar with good bar food and some authentic Cajun dishes.......sounds like I might have a retirement plan. LOL

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Bring it!

I would assume that at least 1/3 of those 550 parking spots will be for handicap parking, with the other 2/3 going to high donors. Most people will need to find somewhere else to park for the games and walk.

One hotel at the original site has fallen through but there are talks with others. It should happen at some point, but it could be years from now.

When do they tear down the Robinson Tower? I hear it's on the future chopping block.