The Waco City Council and Waco ISD have approved the sale of 23 acres of district property along the Brazos River to the City of Waco for $32.2 million.
The land, located off Jefferson Avenue and University Parks Drive, currently houses Indian Spring Middle School and several unused athletic facilities. City officials say the property is a key component of the city’s ongoing downtown redevelopment efforts.
Waco’s Director of Strategic Initiatives Tom Balk said the property will play a major role in the first phase of the 100-acre Downtown Redevelopment project — known as the Barron’s Branch district.
“The heart and soul of that is really reflected in what we refer to as Barron’s Branch district,” Balk said.
Construction on the Barron’s Branch district is expected to begin late next year. The $167 million first phase will feature a mixed-use park, office and retail corridor, and a manmade creek anchoring the area.
“That draws in a closeness of investment, development, but also lifeblood for our downtown,” Balk said.
The redevelopment will also pay tribute to Waco’s Hispanic heritage, particularly the legacy of Calle Dos, a largely immigrant community that grew around second street before being displaced by urban renewal in the 1960s.
Councilmember Andrea Barefield said the project offers Waco an opportunity to honor those “untold stories.”
“It’s not like we can put back the buildings that urban renewal removed,” Barefield said. “But we can bring back the community that was lost in the process.”
As part of the redevelopment, the Indian Spring school building, track, and tennis courts will be demolished. Most of the 23 acres will be used for the Barron’s Branch district, though some land will be set aside for potential future projects, such as a minor league baseball park.
Indian Spring Middle School closed in 2023 and temporarily housed Kendrick Elementary students during that school’s rebuild. Now that the campus is vacant, Waco ISD Superintendent Tiffany Spicer said selling the property makes sense for the district.
Indian Springs has stood as a place of learning and opportunity for generations of Waco families." Spicer said in a press release. " As we pass it forward, we are proud that it will continue to contribute to Waco’s future in a meaningful way."
In addition to the $32.2 million payment, the district will receive other benefits from the city, including discounted rates for graduations at Foster Pavilion and a decade of additional learning partnership opportunities.
“This is a great prime opportunity for our district to make a smart investment … to meet the needs of our students, our staff, our district and also our community,” Spicer said.
The city is expected to close on the property by Nov. 14.
Got a tip? Email Molly-Jo Tilton at Molly-jo_tilton@baylor.edu.
KWBU is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, consider making a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.
