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Waco council leans toward preserving Seventh Street Plaza with upgrades and programming
Summary
City staff presented two options for the Seventh Street Plaza: return it to a roadway or fund upgrades and ongoing programming; council members expressed support for retaining and properly activating the plaza and directed staff to develop plans with City Center Waco and Creative Waco.
City staff asked the Waco City Council on Feb. 4 for direction on the future of Seventh Street Plaza, a downtown pedestrianized block that has functioned as an intermittent activation space since a 2021 pilot.
Amanda Dyer, the city’s Beautification, Arts and Culture program manager, described two options: Option 1, return Seventh Street to vehicular traffic immediately by removing planters and bollards; Option 2, proceed with design enhancements, lighting and power infrastructure, updated street mural and a year‑one programming pilot supported by PID 1 funds and community partners.
Dyer outlined estimated first‑year costs for Option 2: existing PID 1 funding would cover an updated mural, upcycled furniture and infrastructure; the city would request approximately $80,700 in PID 1 funds for a year‑one pilot that includes maintenance (three cleanings a week and routine repairs) and programming estimated at $65,000 for roughly 26 events. Ongoing year‑two costs for maintenance and a smaller city program budget were described as approximately $25,700.
Councilmembers broadly supported keeping the plaza as an activated pedestrian space if it is properly maintained and programmed. Several members suggested City Center Waco and Creative Waco lead arts and activation work and asked staff to explore additional grant sources. Council also raised concerns about nighttime safety and maintenance responsibilities; staff said City Center Waco could contract for management and Creative Waco would help coordinate artists.
Staff said it would return with refined plans and budgets and suggested using PID 1 funds and partnerships for a spring or summer 2025 rollout of upgrades and programming if council directs Option 2. No final council vote occurred in the work session; staff took council feedback and planned to incorporate it in follow‑up materials.
