This is an exciting time to be in Waco! The six projects approved by voters in the May 2007 Bond Election are becoming a reality.

Some of the biggest progress has been in the area of park improvements. The new playground at Pecan Bottoms in Cameron Park was the first project to be completed, which was officially dedicated on Aug. 8, 2008. Since then new trails have been completed in eight neighborhood parks with seven more to come.

Waco Fire Station #3

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R.B. Hoover Library

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Pecan Bottoms playground

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We have started the design process for the renovations of the South Waco Recreation Center and hope to begin construction in July once the bid process is complete.

The Waco City Council approved a bid for renovations of Cameron Park on April 21, and I’m pleased to report that the bids came in $2 million under budget, which will allow us to implement additional improvements from our master plan. Construction is scheduled to start in May. Renovations include rest rooms, pavilions, roads, parking, lighting, and landscaping using native Texas plants. The park areas covered in the improvement plans include Lover’s Leap, the Mouth of the Bosque, Circle Point, the Rock and Redwood shelters, Jacob’s Ladder, Proctor Springs, Anniversary Park and the Clubhouse. We appreciate citizens’ feedback at multiple public hearings, which were considered when developing these plans. The project was approved by the Texas Historical Commission and the City of Waco Historic Landmark Preservation Commission.

We have received a $500,000 grant from Texas Parks & Wildlife for the boat ramp in Brazos Park East, formerly known as Cameron Park East. We are awaiting a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. We hope to begin the bidding and construction process this summer.

Architectural designs have been completed for our two new fire stations in East Waco and at the Texas State Technical College Campus. We are currently seeking bids from contractors and hope to open the new stations by the end of the year. Fire Station #1 will be relocating from 504 S. University Parks Drive to 111 Peach Street, and Fire Station #3 will be moved from 1400 Elm to 111 Ninth Street on the TSTC campus. The total budget for both fire stations is $6.8 million.

The Waco-McLennan County Library presented architectural designs for the new Hoover Library during the City Council meeting on April 21. The Hoover Library is moving to the former Dunlap department store building on Bosque Blvd. Construction is anticipated to begin this summer.

Plans for the Central Library are 90 percent complete and will hold at this level until the Hoover project nears move-in. Work on the Central Library will begin in early 2010 following the relocation of the Genealogy and Technical Services divisions to the Hoover Library.

We developed some spectacular designs for renovating the Waco Convention Center that included taking advantage of the scenic views of the Brazos River and historic Suspension Bridge. Bids are anticipated to be received on this project in July.

The Waco City Council received an update on design plans for the renovations of Knox Hall at the Texas Ranger Museum on April 21. After extensive research, it was determined that it is not feasible to expand Knox Hall due to utility and archaeological limitations. We will still be able to accomplish significant improvements such as opening the banquet hall to allow for scenic river views and address significant code and catering issues.

Negotiations are ongoing to purchase the Hillcrest Medical Tower and parking garage for a new police headquarters. We hope to close on the purchase of the building this fall and begin renovations by the end of the year.

We will continue to provide progress updates on the City of Waco Web site at www.waco-texas.com.