Waco, Texas: Southeast Corner of University Parks and I-35 (Bellmead: apartments, lofts)

[Texan Guy]

It's a big empty lot now, but what are they going to build there and what did it used to be? I remember when it was a fairly active corner--looks like it had three restaurants (I remember that the one to the northeast was a Shoney's, which opened in the early 1990s but was gone by 2003) and a hotel. What were they, and with it now empty, what is going to be?

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Texan Guy

It's a big empty lot now, but what are they going to build there and what did it used to be? I remember when it was a fairly active corner--looks like it had three restaurants (I remember that the one to the northeast was a Shoney's, which opened in the early 1990s but was gone by 2003) and a hotel. What were they, and with it now empty, what is going to be?

I think Baylor has been buying up the commercial land along the east side of I-35 from University Parks Drive to about 8th street or so. They have been demolishing some of the stuff that was there and turning it into greenscape. Some of the other businesses along there seem to think they are on borrowed time....like the I-HOP for example. I don't know if it is part of an expansion plan to build out the area between campus and I-35 or if the are just creating a green landscaped moat around campus for the time being and perhaps "banking" the land for some yet to be determined purpose in the distant future.

[TXTwizter]

Mike Copeland: Baylor razing nearby hotel; Waco distillery's award-winning success | Wacotrib.com

Hope this answers your question.

[blkgiraffe]

Originally Posted by TXTwizter

Mike Copeland: Baylor razing nearby hotel; Waco distillery's award-winning success | Wacotrib.com

Hope this answers your question.

Wow lol

I was just in Waco about a month ago and I did not notice that entire section had been razed until I checked google map. I guess because every time I drove through that part; my focus was on the future home of baylor stadium.

[Texan Guy]

Whoa, didn't realize the others were coming down too.


A - IHOP Restaurant (still here for now)
B - Smaller building and parking lot, demolished 2004-2005 (anyone remember?)
C - Aforementioned Best Western (being demo'd)
D - unknown restaurant
E - unknown hotel
F - unknown restaurant??
G - old Shoney's (gone)

[TXTwizter]

Originally Posted by Texan Guy

Whoa, didn't realize the others were coming down too.


A - IHOP Restaurant (still here for now)
B - Smaller building and parking lot, demolished 2004-2005 (anyone remember?)
C - Aforementioned Best Western (being demo'd)
D - unknown restaurant
E - unknown hotel
F - unknown restaurant??
G - old Shoney's (gone)

B was Lupitas Mexican restaurant
D was the old Bonanza, most recently, China Grill
E was Ivy Twin Shopping Center & Lofts


I personally like the idea of cleaning up the area by moving some of those business'. Now if the rest of the land from Bellmead to Robinson could do the same thing, maybe peoples view of Waco might change somewhat.

[Texan Guy]

Huh, Google Street View has it (2008). The shopping center has some apartments above it, it seems, and it shows F was a Quizno's Subs. Awesome!