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WACO CONVENTION CENTER
RENOVATION UPDATE NEWSLETTER
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The above photo shows the latest rendering of the northeast side of the Waco Convention Center exterior. Due to bids coming in lower than expected, the City is able to afford many features that our customers will appreciate, including the following:
- Balcony/Deck on east side of building outside Brazos Ballroom, overlooking the Brazos River and Indian Spring Park.
- Additional breakout rooms in the lower level, all lower level rooms will be carpeted and will include all new interior finishes and lighting, including added technology access in each meeting room
- New lower level entrance through Texas Room, which will be reconfigured for better flexibility as breakout meeting rooms.
- Wrap-around addition on the south side of the building will encase the McLennan Rooms and Bosque and DeCordova Rooms and will provide better access and more prefunction space to these rooms.
- Bosque Theatre/DeCordova Rooms will be flipped to make direct access from the Franklin Ave. parking more convenient and practical.
Demolition of lower level rooms
The walls of the Texas Room, storage areas, and former Convention Center offices have all been torn down. Carpeting and ceiling tiles have all been removed and the bare concrete is all that remains.
The main staircase between the lower and main levels has been enclosed with sheetrock walls for safety as the staircase is being demolished to make room for the new stairs and the escalator. So if you are a customer, you will not see the construction going on. No construction work is currently taking place on the main level. Currently there is no access to the lower level from the main level.
The porte-cochere over the Washington Avenue entrance has been completely demolished. Below is a photo of the demolition that took place on Friday, December 18.
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Convention Center Access and Parking
Pedestrian access is available through the doors on the Franklin Avenue side of the building. Caterers and decorators still have access through the loading areas designated for each main level room. For the Brazos Ballroom, access to the loading dock should be arranged in advance by contacting our offices at (254) 750-5810. A staff member will meet you to let you in the fenced area. There is no access to the lower level at this time.
Construction fencing has been placed around the entire Washington Avenue side of the building and there is no access to the building from that side. Fencing has been placed on the University Parks side of the building up to and including a part of the shared access driveway between the Hilton and Convention Center.
The main parking lot on the Franklin Avenue side is available. This lot has approximately 330 parking spaces.
There is limited parking available in the parking lot bounded by Third and Fourth Streets and Washington and Austin Avenues. Part of this lot is fenced to accommodate construction equipment such as semi trailers. The back part of the lot, bounded by Fourth Street, is still available.
RiverSquare Center, across Franklin Avenue from the Convention Center, is available for public parking.
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January 2010 - All main level rooms available for rental.
February 1, 2010 - Chisholm Hall, McLennan Hall, Cameron Room, Bosque Theatre, and DeCordova Room are slated to begin renovation.
March, 2010 - Renovation continues on lower level and main level. The only event room available for rental during this month is Brazos Room.
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Future bookings
Tentative bookings for local business (i.e. fewer than 150 hotel room nights) are now being accepted through December, 2010. Convention bookings are accepted through 2015. Please contact your Convention Sales Representative for details, at 254-750-5810. |
Scheduled Completion Date
The date for completion is subject to change but is expected to take approximately 18 to 20 months. We anticipate full completion of the project to occur within the first quarter of 2011. Remember, though, that as each room is finished, it will come back online for rentals. |
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Please call us at 800-321-9226 or (254) 750-5810 to book your event.
Sincerely,
Waco CVB
PO Box 2570
Waco, Texas 76702-2570
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