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City of Waco prepares for new neighborhood in the shadow of former Floyd Casey Stadium

Posted at 4:08 PM, Feb 25, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-25 21:19:39-05

WACO, TX — The City of Waco will soon announce which of four developers will have the chance to create a new neighborhood in the heart of the town.

Baylor demolished Floyd Casey Stadium in 2016, leaving neighbors like David Baker wondering what's next?

"We're just kinda concerned because there really has been nothing in the paper about exactly what's going to happen. We've been waiting 3 or 4 years to find out," Baker explained.

The City of Waco acquired the property in a land-swap with Baylor, giving the city a chance for brand new development, and economic opportunity in the center of town.

The City of Waco received proposals from four developers, three of which are from the Waco area, for the 105 acres of undeveloped property.

At least one of the proposals features a neighborhood with cottage-style homes.

One concern is whether Waco can take on an entirely new neighborhood, and the hundreds of people it could bring in.

Waco ISD says it would adjust attendance boundaries to fit in new students and have new property tax income to pay for some expansion.

Meanwhile, Waco City leaders say you'll find many of the services on the property already.

"Primarily that does lay in the developer's side of the development, so we'll be working with them to make sure they design a system that works efficiently for the city," said Kent George with the City of Waco.

Neighbors say they are worried about a creek that runs alongside the property.

They say runoff from the massive parking lots has flooded the creek from time to time, sometimes threatening their homes.

George says developers will have to deal with that.

”We don't want to create any problems that don't exist today, and we don't want to add anything onto the existing neighborhoods. So we'll be looking at the drainage to make sure that's taken care of, properly,” George said.

David Baker says that makes him feel a little better.

"If new neighbors have a stake in their street, everybody benefits. If it's single-family homes it might be nice. Maybe with a park in the middle, something like that," Baker said.

He hopes some of the sparkle from the so-called Floyd Casey neighborhood will make his street look a little brighter.