Waco, WISD approve $32.2 million purchase of former Indian Spring campus to advance Barrons Branch redevelopment

Waco City Council and the Waco Independent School District Board on Oct. 7 approved agreements authorizing the city to purchase approximately 22.8 acres — including the former Indian Spring school campus and adjacent tract property — for $32,200,000 plus up to $100,000 in closing costs, with companion leaseback and interlocal agreements to coordinate education and community uses.

The purchase-and-sale agreement calls for two payments from escrow: $28,480,000 at closing and a second payment of $3,720,000 on March 31, 2026, at the end of the leaseback period. The interlocal agreement and related documents include operational provisions the district and city said will preserve the site’s history while expanding downtown access for students and community groups.

City deputy manager Deidre Emerson summarized the package as a coordinated city–district move tied to the downtown redevelopment plan known as the Barrons Branch District. "Tonight's joint item advances a shared city–ISD effort authorizing the city's purchase of the former Indian Spring Middle School campus ... honoring the site's history while positioning it for Waco's future," Emerson said.

Why it matters: city and district leaders said the acquisition is a cornerstone step for the larger 100-acre downtown redevelopment effort adopted in 2024. City staff and the district described the transaction as a partnership that combines real estate, short-term operations, venue access and student opportunities to support longer-term private development under the Barrons Branch strategic roadmap.

Key provisions and commitments - Property and price: approximately 22.8 acres at 500 North University Parks and adjoining tract property (purchase price $32,200,000; closing costs up to $100,000). - Payment schedule: $28,480,000 at closing; $3,720,000 payable March 31, 2026 (end of leaseback). - Leaseback: a short-term leaseback period at least through March 31, 2026, to allow the district time to transition operations. - Interlocal partnership items (examples listed in the agreement): discounted access for WISD to Foster Pavilion for up to two graduation events per year through 2037; discounted use of the Waco Convention Center for up to five annual events; and a commitment to structured student learning experiences, with a minimum of 10 internships or externships annually across city departments.

WISD superintendent Dr. Tiffany Spicer framed the deal as aligned with both organizations’ strategic plans and said the district expects both short-term financial benefit and long-term opportunities to support students and staff. "Our students, they're always first ... we cannot do this work without our community," Spicer said, describing the transaction as an opportunity to strengthen the district’s fund balance while addressing facility needs.

Tom Bach, the city’s director of strategic initiatives, gave a presentation tying the parcel to the Barrons Branch vision: park space, restored creek features, La Pila Plaza and other design elements. Bach said the transaction is one piece of a larger package that will also include form-based code, financial strategies for Barrons Branch construction and potential future amendments with the project’s development partner, Hunt Development Group.

Council and board actions - City Council: Councilmembers moved and seconded approval; the council recorded roll-call yes votes during the item. Councilmember Isabel Lozano did not vote on the item because she filed an affidavit of substantial interest noting employment with WISD. (Transcript shows named councilmembers voting yes; the official certified vote totals are in the city clerk’s record.) - WISD Board of Trustees: The Board moved to approve the purchase-and-sale, leaseback and interlocal agreements and authorized the superintendent to execute necessary documents. The board vote recorded passage with one abstention by Trustee Keith Guillory.

Discussion and concerns raised Council and board members offered extensive public praise for the partnership, noting the project’s potential to restore and celebrate under‑represented neighborhood history, increase downtown density and create civic park space. Several members emphasized the multi‑year, phased nature of the downtown plan and the need for continued community engagement as design and permitting proceed. No motions were made to alter the core financial terms on the council or board floor during the votes recorded in the meeting.

Next steps and schedule cited in meeting City staff said they will bring strategic‑roadmap updates to council in spring 2026, advance form‑based code in early 2026, and return with recommended amendments to the Hunt Development Group agreement as construction‑phase funding is refined. Staff stated permitting is under way and the team expects to be shovel‑ready in 2026.

Context and limits of coverage This article summarizes the approvals and the transaction terms discussed on the record at the Oct. 7 meeting. It reports the city/district commitments as stated in presentations and the interlocal/purchase documents described at the meeting. It does not report external feasibility studies or final development plans, which city staff said will be provided in later public briefings and ordinance actions.

Ending: City and district staff said the agreements were intended to preserve the site’s educational uses while enabling a larger civic and park-oriented redevelopment of the Barrons Branch area; practical details of construction, form‑based zoning and financing will return to public hearing and council consideration in coming months.