Written by Matt Kyle
Planning and zoning amendments for Baylor University’s new basketball arena and two acres of public-private riverfront development are headed to the Waco City Council after winning approval Tuesday from the Plan Commission.
The unanimous approval is another green light for the $213 million basketball arena near University Parks Drive, and for the adjacent development planned by the city of Waco and Catalyst Urban Development. The Plan Commission recommendations will go to the council Aug. 2 for approval.
The arena site, which also includes a city-sponsored hotel and parking garage development off of Clay Avenue, is set to be rezoned from C-2, or community commercial, to O-2, or office-residential.
A rendering shows a mixed-use building across Clay Avenue from the new Baylor basketball arena.
The commission also approved an expanded and revised concept plan for the Brazos Riverfront project that the city and Catalyst are already developing between Clay and Jackson Avenues. Catalyst is building multistory housing, retail and structured parking around University Parks and Webster Avenue and preserving an oak grove for a farmers market and park.