A project to bring apartments and commercial spaces to Elm Avenue is closer to reality, with Nexsus Development securing a $5.5 million building permit for its Broadway Place on Elm. The permit reportedly covers the cost of 21 living units and a building shell at 505 Elm Ave., according to a description provided by the local Associated General Contractors of America office in its newsletter.
The project has received a $350,000 pledge from Waco’s downtown Tax Increment Financing Zone board. In February, the Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce hosted a job fair for contractors and subcontractors interested in working on the project. A summary prepared for the TIF board said three businesses committed to leasing space in the complex: Jumpstart Our Youth, a salon called Noir and coworking space.
In its original presentation, Nexsus Development said Broadway Place would include apartments with monthly rent ranging from $1,050 for the smallest one-bedroom, one-bathroom, 537-square-foot units; to $2,200 for two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,491-square-foot units. Commercial units would range from $1,500 to $2,200 per month, according to the TIF information packet. Developers also have said the complex would include a handful of one-bedroom units with monthly rent between $700 and $800, reserved for renters 45 and older who make $26,000 a year or less.
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The developer’s TIF presentation estimates the project cost at $8.2 million.
Union Grove activity
Lots of action going on at 8100 Woodway Drive, home to opening-soon Union Grove food hall. Yet more occupants have been announced, with building permits secured for Southern Charm Creamery, Dough Re Mi, which specializes in edible cookie dough, and the establishment’s main serving bar.
Unionbrands Eateries is the parent company behind the food hall, a complement to Union Hall at Eighth Street and Franklin Avenue downtown. A walking tour available at the Union Grove Facebook page reveals the current lineup includes King’s Chicken Wings, Zuke’s Tea Bar, Pop’s Lemonade, Huaco Eatery, Wacool Tacos, Castillo Concepts, Curry Up and Wok this Way, Health Camp Burgers & Shakes, S.O.S. Cotton Candy, Pho My 1111, and Village Pizzaria.
The site is advertising for live bands to perform evenings during October at both Union Hall and Union Grove.
Building permit roundup
A raft of notable building permits were issued the past week or so, including one valued at $3.9 million to build a new 7-Eleven convenience store at 5760 Bagby Ave., which is near West Loop 340. Others include one valued at $300,000 for building alterations at 1428 Wooded Acres Drive to accommodate a Cold Stone Creamery. That shopping strip already serves as home to Melrose, Dollar Tree and Orangetheory Fitness.
Baylor University secured a permit valued at $430,000 to renovate first-floor offices of the Hankamer School of Business. Generator Supercenter secured a $70,000 permit to finish out space at 2424 Creekview Drive, which is the retail and entertainment venue for Topgolf, Cinemark and Main Event. Jimenez Bakery, 1915 Dutton Ave., will spend $49,500 to expand.
Spooky spending
Americans are so excited about Halloween this year, it’s almost spooky, according to reporting by the National Retail Federation.
The National Retail Federation survey shows 73% of consumers plan to celebrate the occasion this year, up from 69% last year. But the trend goes beyond number, Katherine Cullen, vice president of industry and consumer insights, said in a post on the federation’s website.
“We’re seeing a resurgence in pre-pandemic activities,” Cullen said. “About a third of U.S. adults who are celebrating say that they plan to attend or host a party, and then parents are turning out in force to trick-or-treat with their kids, so it really does feel like Halloween is back.”
Consumers will spend a record $108.24 per person on Halloween this year.
Probably not to anyone’s surprise, Barbie made the Top 10 list of Halloween costumes among both adults and youngsters, Cullen said.
How to save big money on Halloween costumes this year: Between candy, decorations, and costumes, Americans spend about $100 each on Halloween, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s a big chunk of your fall budget. But many parents are finding cheaper costumes that are even more creative than what you can buy at the store.
Veteran support grants
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced $6.4 million in grants to veterans’ service organizations in Central Texas, and several in Greater Waco are reaping the benefits. The Salvation Army of Waco-McLennan County will get $200,000 for homeless veteran support. Caritas of Waco will get the same amount, and the Waco-based Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network will collect $215,000 to provide counseling. McLennan County will get $100,000 for its veterans treatment court, according to a press release.
The Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars Foundation will receive $500,000.
Barbecue by the millions
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram recently announced Terry Black’s Barbecue plans a new $6 million joint on West Seventh Street, where it will convert an old Wendy’s. The story mentions the history of Terry Black’s, the fact it emerged from a family split in 2014 involving 90-year-old Black’s Barbecue in Lockhart. It also notes Terry Black’s now has locations in Dallas, Austin and Lockhart, and is developing a winery and resort in Driftwood.
Somehow it fails to mention Terry Black’s is spending an estimated $9 million converting the old Morrison Supply building at Eighth Street and Mary Avenue in Waco to a multimillion-dollar Terry Black’s Barbecue emporium. The site also will house Opal’s Oyster Bar and a retailer of Terry Black’s merchandise.
Concrete example
The Waco Independent School District invited local general contractors to attend school this week, and the coursework promised to be “hard.”
Waco ISD partnered with O’Connell Robertson, the architecture firm behind the district’s ongoing construction funded by a $355 million bond package, to showcase a new product, “internally cured concrete,” for possible use in building a new Kendrick Elementary School and renovating South Waco Elementary School.
K. Paul Holt, president of the local Associated General Contractors of America office, said members are very interested in the demonstration, which includes a pouring Tuesday and polishing Wednesday at 4315 Beverly Drive.
A district press release says using internally cured concrete has several advantages over traditional concrete, namely versatility, durability, cost savings and reduced environmental impact.