University Parks reopens in downtown Waco

No longer was University Parks Drive between Franklin Avenue and Interstate 35 jammed with workers, heavy equipment and rough patches. The long nightmare for tourists, businessmen and the general public is over.

“It opened this morning,” McDaniel said, referring to both the Allsup's convenience store and the stretch of University Parks Drive that runs past it.

McDaniel has worked at Allsup's near Baylor University since it opened in August. A constant has been the noise, dust and progress on the parade near his front door. He waited for his moment.

“Hopefully business will pick up. I mean, it's been steady, but I've really been waiting on this road to open up so we could have more people,” McDaniel said. “This is an Express store, which Allsup's builds almost exclusively near universities. We sell all the good stuff found in a convenience store, but without the gas. We see people from all walks of life: construction workers, students, homeless people, people from businesses here. We're also getting more law enforcement here.”

Their most popular item “is our world-famous beef and bean burrito,” said McDaniel, who hopes more customers will try it now.

Closures became chronic along University Parks Drive as of November 2020, the intersection with Webster Avenue suffered the first exposure. Most of the construction occurred between I-35 and Franklin Avenue, which the city envisions as a boon to downtown Waco and development along Brazos Lake, including Baylor University's new basketball court.

City officials predicted a full reopening by June 1, then delayed the opening by a week due to weather-related delivery delays, and it appears crews missed the new deadline by a day.

While driving lanes are open at University Parks, landscaping work along the stretch continues, which could require some lane closures, city officials have warned.

Justin Edwards, general manager of the Waco Hilton and Courtyard by Marriott downtown, said the wait and the work should be worth it.

“The improvements not only help ease traffic, but also improve the overall aesthetic appeal of the area, making it more welcoming to residents and visitors alike,” he said in an email.

“Direct access to the hotel is an especially welcome addition for guests, providing additional convenience and a positive experience,” Edwards said, referring to the Waco Hilton at Franklin Avenue and University Parks Drive.

Businesses along University Parks Drive did not escape unscathed and some did not survive, with victims including 900 Degrees Pizzeria, Honky Tonk Kid BBQ, Fuzzy's Taco Shop and Bicycle World.

“It has been a challenge for the businesses on the road. That's going to be a big plus for them,” said Dan Quandt, Waco's director of conventions and tourism. “Anytime we can provide easy, direct access from I-35 and Baylor to the downtown core, it's a positive for to the whole community”.

Twisted Root Burger Co., located on South Second Street near the epicenter of work along University Parks Drive and I-35, has survived both the massive I-35 widening project and the relentless attention to university parks.

“Definitely,” said assistant manager Sam Smith, asked if the restaurant would benefit from the roadworks. “There is access to us, but obviously more if U Parks and I-35 are running at all times. A lot of our customers come from I-35 and locals walk from University Parks Drive.”

Smith said she usually detours onto South Second Street to get to work, “but I'll definitely take University Parks. It saves me a couple of left turns.”

The Texas Sports Hall of Fame, 1108 S. University Parks Drive, did not encounter the trials and tribulations of others, which is on the opposite side of Interstate 35 from most of the construction and disruption. But Commissioner Jay Black said completing University Parks Drive is a win for everyone.

“All in all, we were fortunate that the college parks were open on the east side where we are located,” he said via email. “Construction never hindered our ability to get people off Interstate 35.

“On the other hand, it should really help us take advantage of people staying at all the new properties in and around downtown. We're excited to show off our new building murals and new front signage, which they should be finished in a few weeks and be in front of the university parks.”

Terry Black has opened a barbecue restaurant downtown on South Eighth Street that bears his name. He hails from Lockhart, but a daughter attended Baylor University and lobbied for a Terry Black brand location in Waco.

“I would have to say it definitely won't hurt our business and will probably help it,” Black said of the conclusion of University Parks Drive. “A construction project generally negatively affects area businesses, heavy equipment, detours, signals, dust and dirt. Yeah, it'll probably help us in the long run, especially after the basketball games.”

Baylor University drew praise when it approached the project.

“It's been a long journey, but the city of Waco has created a beautiful and welcoming pathway that reconnects downtown Waco, Cameron Park and the riverfront with Baylor University,” said Baylor spokeswoman Lori Fogleman

“We're very excited about the impact it will have on the visitor experience, as prospective students and their families travel the new University Parks Drive to Baylor's Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center to see the campus for the first time.” Fogleman said. “Think about what it means for the thousands of fans who attend football games at McLane Stadium and men's and women's basketball games at Foster Pavilion, who will now have more direct access to enjoy downtown Waco's restaurants and businesses.

“It may have taken longer than any of us expected, but driving down University Parks Drive today for the first time in years was worth the wait.”

Work continues on Baylor's new basketball complex as construction has moved from the arena to the Jay and Jenny Allison Developmental Center to Foster Pavilion, which includes practice courts for Baylor's basketball programs, locker rooms dedicated and equipment rooms.

Other features include offices for coaches and administrators and “performance-related spaces,” which include strength and conditioning, sports training and treatment, hydrotherapy, nutrition and more, Fogleman said.

Baylor hopes to complete that phase by the end of the summer, he said.