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Waco outlines $193M Better Streets program, Riverwalk contract and major CIP projects
Summary
City staff reviewed the Capital Improvement Program including the Better Streets Waco program (~$193.7M), awarded street contracts totaling over $5M, a $25.96M Riverwalk contract, and multiple park, utility and wastewater projects; council asked for clearer historic tracking of projects they previously approved.
City finance and infrastructure staff briefed the Waco City Council on the Capital Improvement Program and project details during the Nov. 18 work session, highlighting the Better Streets Waco (BSW) program, Riverwalk contract and several large utility projects.
Managing Director of Finance Colin Booth said the BSW program — broken into bridge, preservation, reconstruction and rehabilitation categories — totals roughly $193.7 million with about $55.5 million spent or committed to date. Booth summarized three recently highlighted contracts: combined awards of about $1.7 million to Bosch Company for concrete and curb work in Districts 1 and 2, a contract to Bennett Paving to mill and overlay 14.5 lane miles in District 3, and a $25,956,000 contract to Fane Group for Riverwalk improvements from Clay Avenue to Baylor Law School, including a raised walkway and interpretive elements tied to Sandtown history. (Deidre Emerson and Colin Booth)
"This project is the final public project the city committed to construct in support of Baylor University's construction of the new Foster Pavilion," Emerson said while introducing the Riverwalk funding and scope. (Deidre Emerson, Deputy City Manager)
Booth and department staff also reviewed CIP projects across categories: animal shelter fire suppression and HVAC upgrades, Fire Station No. 4 construction, the Pet Clinic and Surgery Center, Alice Martinez Rodriguez Park (budget ~$25.3M, progress ~40%, est. completion 11/30/2026), China Spring Park, and large enterprise projects such as the Bull Hide Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion ($75M budget) and North Interceptor sewer work. Booth explained that "life to date expense" figures include encumbrances, meaning amounts are committed as well as spent.
Council asked for clearer historic tracking and a spreadsheet or Gantt chart showing the status of projects the council approved in prior years (so members can see which previously‑authorized projects are complete, in progress, or pending). Booth agreed to provide that level of detail and said the finance department will add a CIP section to monthly management reports.
Acquisition and buffering of the Central Wastewater Treatment Plant: Emerson highlighted a staff‑recommended acquisition of roughly 301 acres surrounding the central wastewater treatment plant (Resolution 2025‑846) for about $4.4M to provide site buffer and future expansion opportunities; that item was part of the consent agenda preview and will be voted in the regular session.
No formal action on the CIP occurred during the work session; the presentation was informational and staff said it will provide more granular project-level and historical reporting ahead of future council decisions.
