Council hears STEAM Center programming plan, council support sought to proceed with pilot phase

City staff and Transformation Waco outlined a three-phase programming and partnership plan for the Bledsoe Miller STEAM Center at a March 18 Waco City Council work session and asked the council to authorize continuation into curriculum development and pilot programming.

Roberto Zapata, director of library services, said the city entered a consultant agreement with Transformation Waco in December 2024 to develop a programming and partnership strategy and that phase 1 (partnership strategy) was completed in March 2025. "The programming vision for the STEAM Center was developed in collaboration with the city of Waco and is built around four key strategies," Zapata said, citing partnership development, alignment with education standards, hands-on learning and promoting access.

Transformation Waco described four programming pillars: pre-K through 12 academic achievement, workforce development and career readiness, lifelong learning for adults and older residents, and community and cultural connections. The consultant and city staff reported outreach or discussions with K–12 districts (Region 12, Waco ISD, La Vega ISD), employers (Mars Wrigley, Cisco), higher education (Baylor University, McLennan Community College), and cultural partners (Mayborn Museum, Cameron Park Zoo, Creative Waco).

Phase 2 would run roughly March–August 2025 and focus on refining target-audience programs, contractor and sponsor recruitment, pilot testing selected programs and developing curriculum. Phase 3 (September–December 2025) would handle facility setup, equipment testing, operational readiness and a Year 1 programming schedule ahead of the center’s opening.

Parks and Recreation Director Jonathan Cook presented a proposed themed playground design for the site — a 32-foot-tall “spaceship” structure with inclusive surfacing, shaded areas, and interactive elements intended to connect outdoor play with the STEAM Center’s learning objectives. Cook said the city plans to contract with a playground vendor and install the structure in time for pre-opening events.

Council members expressed broad support for the multi-partner approach and for continuing to involve local industry and universities in curriculum design. Several members asked that phase 2 include deeper collaboration with Baylor University and other higher-education partners; councilors also praised outreach to workforce and technology partners.

Council action: None taken at the meeting. Staff requested council approval to proceed with phases 2 and 3; council voiced support and asked staff to return with additional programming and partnership details for review.

The council discussed funding commitments and noted a prior donor commitment from Baylor of approximately $500,000 that is payable on certificate-of-occupancy terms referenced by staff. Staff also confirmed a plan to continue seeking grant and private support to minimize direct city operating costs.