The second oldest cemetery in Waco is closer to undergoing major upgrades.
Greenwood Cemetery, which was established in 1875, was unkept despite efforts from volunteer groups, including one that councilman Noah Jackson Jr. spearheaded for 10 years. Jackson's father, grandfather and aunt were buried in the once-segregated cemetery.
“There was a lot of people, I guess, having parties, drinking beer and doing whatever they wanted to do in the cemetery. This is not what I wanted to see or what other citizens wanted to see," Jackson said. "You would see trash.You would see weeds in other plots. It was just an unkept place."
The City of Waco plans to build a fence around the cemetery that would close Earle and Coffee streets to traffic.Those streets would be contained in the property for cemetery use.
“It will provide the ability for the visiting public to park on paved areas so they are not pulling off onto the grass and potentially driving over unmarked burials," Balk said.
Waco Senior Park Planner Tom Balk said the few people who live nearby would still have access to interstate 35 and highway 77. In addition, he said when the city asked for feedback from neighbors in that area, they only received one comment in support of the change.
The $475,000 project would also designate a primary entrance and replace the cemetery's historical marker. In addition, there will be an enhanced entry for pedestrians.
“The city is probably the only entity that can come in and assert control of this situation to say 'we are not sure where all the families went to but this is still important for the community as a whole so, on behalf of community, we will come in and care for the entire cemetery,'" Balk said.
A change that is a dream come true to Jackson.
"It's going to be a beautiful spot once they get it fenced off and cleared up," Jackson said.
The city still needs $160,000 to break ground on the project. Balk said some local partners have expressed interest in supporting the project.
The city will host a public meeting on May 24. In June, the council will vote on a resolution to declare possession and control and accept the plan.
Construction is expected to start in October.
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