The construction of a brand-new minor league ballpark in Downtown Waco is set to be one of the most eagerly awaited additions to the city's landscape. This project, which was not initially scheduled to begin for at least another 12 years according to the original timeline, has seen a significant shift due to strong interest from developers. The ballpark district has been designated as the fourth and final phase of a potentially 20-year-long development, allowing time for market response. However, city officials now believe that with the number of developers already expressing interest, the construction of this ballpark could potentially happen much sooner than anticipated.

Why a Ballpark is a Great Addition

When looking at the plans for the ballpark district, it becomes clear why developers are eager to get started. Not only will it feature a baseball stadium with at least 6,000 seats, but it will also be surrounded by a variety of amenities. Shops, restaurants, multi-family units, and even a hotel will be located in the right field area. According to Mike Vogelaar with the Greater Waco Sports Commission, having a ballpark in downtown Waco brings numerous benefits. "Being able to bring people back to downtown and increase traffic is a significant advantage. It also enhances community engagement," Vogelaar said.This sentiment is echoed by Ray Perryman, the economist and president of The Perryman Group. He believes that investing in a ballpark is a wise decision as it builds on the existing momentum and is a strategic time to do so. "Waco now has the population size and the surrounding population, along with easy accessibility from I-35, making it a prime candidate to attract a minor league ball club. A high-quality stadium is crucial in this regard," Dr. Perryman explained.

Versatility of the Ballpark

One of the attractive qualities of this ballpark is its versatility. It won't be limited to just baseball games. "It can be utilized for concerts, festivals, and a wide range of other community events throughout the year," Vogelaar shared. This flexibility allows the ballpark to become a hub for various activities, serving the community in different ways.

Development Scenarios

Last Tuesday, at a special meeting, the Waco City Council was presented with three different development scenarios. They have the option to move forward with phase 1A as originally planned, proceed with phase 4 instead, or create a hybrid plan to carry out both simultaneously. A decision on the way forward has not yet been made, but regardless, Vogelaar believes that everyone is looking forward to having a ballpark in downtown. "If it can be moved up in the timeline and makes sense, it will be extremely exciting as it means we can utilize it earlier and for more purposes, serving the community in various ways," he said.For more information on this ballpark district and Waco's downtown redevelopment project, you can visit the city's website at wacodowntownredevelopment.com or click here for the city's presentation on page 70.Copyright 2024 KWTX. All rights reserved.