Downtown Waco is the heart of our city—a vibrant mix of businesses, culture, and community-driven progress. At the center of it all is City Center Waco (CCW), a nonprofit organization committed to the ongoing growth and revitalization of downtown. Through strategic planning, engagement, and management, CCW ensures that downtown remains a thriving hub for residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
City Center Waco: Driving Downtown’s Growth
City Center Waco plays a critical role in downtown’s development by overseeing projects, supporting local businesses, and maintaining a clean, safe, and welcoming environment. Our efforts are guided by four strategic pillars:
Plan
We create and implement strategic plans that guide downtown’s future growth while maintaining the historic character and community-driven vision of the area. Explore the Elm Avenue Plan to see one of our key initiatives.
Engage
We collaborate with business owners, developers, and residents to align investments with downtown’s long-term goals. By fostering strong relationships and communication, we help bring community-driven projects to life.
Accelerate
We enhance downtown through safety, maintenance, and infrastructure improvements. This includes ensuring clean streets, supporting beautification projects, and overseeing the Public Improvement District (PID No. 1) to maintain and enhance the downtown experience.
Manage
We collaborate with various stakeholders on programs and events that keep downtown alive, well-maintained, and positioned for long-term success. From advocacy to event programming, we work to make Downtown Waco a place where people want to be.
Public Improvement District No. 1
The Waco Public Improvement District No. 1 (PID No. 1) provides a range of essential services to keep Downtown Waco clean, safe, and welcoming. These services are funded through an annual assessment included in property taxes and are carried out by City Center Waco under the guidance of the PID Advisory Board.
What the PID Provides
- Clean & Safe Services: More than half of the PID budget is dedicated to cleaning, landscaping, graffiti removal, and monitoring bird hotspots downtown.
- Downtown Ambassadors: Two full-time staff members circulate through downtown, addressing issues, assisting visitors, and ensuring the area remains vibrant and well-maintained.
- Night Patrol: A marked patrol vehicle monitors the district after hours, helping ensure safety.
- Beautification & Public Art: The PID funds various beautification efforts, including holiday décor and community-led public art projects.
- Marketing & Programming: This website and the Downtown Waco social media accounts are part of the PID’s marketing efforts to attract businesses and visitors to the area.
To report a clean or safe issue downtown, contact us at 254-754-8989 or [email protected].
Board of Directors
City Center Waco is led by a dedicated board of community leaders committed to downtown’s continued success.
Board Members:
- Commissioner Will Jones
- Everett Phipps
- Andrea Kosar
- Dominique Bolts
- John Calaway
- Ben Lacy
- Chris McGowan
- Connie Lozano
- Weldon Gooden
- George Chase
- Linda Weaver
- Carla Dotson
- John Bible
- Bernadette Hookham
- Mayor Jim Holmes
Staff
Executive Director: Africa Tarver
Office Manager: Helga Garay
Texas Downtown Association
City Center Waco is a proud member of the Texas Downtown Association (TXD), a statewide organization dedicated to strengthening and revitalizing downtown districts across Texas. As a TXD member, we gain access to resources, networking, and advocacy that help shape Downtown Waco’s future. TXD supports communities through:
- Economic revitalization & development strategies
- Historic preservation & adaptive reuse guidance
- Public-private partnerships & funding opportunities
- Workshops, networking, and policy advocacy
By leveraging TXD’s expertise, City Center Waco ensures Downtown Waco remains vibrant, economically strong, and community-focused.
Texas Main Street Program
City Center Waco is proud to be a designated Texas Main Street Program city, part of a statewide effort to revitalize historic downtown commercial districts.
Established over 40 years ago, the Texas Main Street Program (TMSP) is one of the largest and most successful programs of its kind, operating under the Texas Historical Commission in partnership with Main Street America™. This initiative provides technical expertise, resources, and support to communities working to preserve history while fostering economic growth.
The program follows the Main Street Four-Point Approach®, which focuses on:
- Organization – Strengthening downtown leadership and partnerships
- Economic Vitality – Supporting local businesses and property development
- Design – Enhancing downtown’s physical character and historic assets
- Promotion – Marketing downtown as a destination for business, culture, and community events
By participating in this program, City Center Waco ensures Downtown Waco remains a thriving, historically rich, and economically strong district.
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
City Center Waco holds quarterly board meetings to discuss initiatives, updates, and planning efforts. Below, you’ll find past meeting agendas.
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Past Projects
City Center Waco has played a key role in numerous downtown revitalization projects, working alongside local leaders and organizations to bring these initiatives to life.
News
Stay informed on the latest developments, initiatives, and community updates in Downtown Waco.
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