Waco Council to Consider East Waco Apartment Proposal

The city council will evaluate a $37 million mixed-use development agreement on Tuesday night.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Apartments

Screen-print poster illustration showing architectural plans on a timber table next to limestone bricks and measuring tape, evoking local urban development.
The Waco City Council will vote Tuesday on a $37 million mixed-use apartment project intended to boost private investment and housing. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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On October 20, 2026, the Waco City Council is scheduled to consider a development agreement for a new project on Taylor Street. The plan involves both apartment and commercial space.

Why it matters

The proposed deal seeks to spur economic activity through significant private investment while integrating affordable housing units into the local landscape.

The development plan features 150 total apartments and nine commercial units requiring $37 million in private investment. Thirty units will be restricted to households at 100% of the area median income for 10 years.

The players

Waco City Council

This is the governing legislative body responsible for overseeing municipal affairs and approving land-use and development agreements in Waco, Texas.

The Charles family

They are local property owners in the area who established the Tru Jamaica restaurant on Taylor Street.

The details

The agreement includes a potential city commitment of $5.6 million in tax increment financing alongside the transfer of publicly owned land to the developer. The proposal mandates that 30 of the 150 apartments remain restricted for ten years to accommodate households at specific income levels.

Timeline

  1. The Charles family bought their Taylor Street property in 2016.

  2. The Charles family opened the Tru Jamaica restaurant in 2019.

  3. The Waco City Council is scheduled to consider the agreement on October 20, 2026.

Culture Shift

The proposed use of tax increment financing reflects a broader shift toward public-private partnerships aimed at revitalizing urban corridors. Such models highlight how city planners are increasingly incentivizing development to address local housing and commercial needs.

Residents can expect potential changes to the streetscape along Taylor Street if the city approves the transfer of public land and the resulting mixed-use construction. The agreement may influence local housing availability through the inclusion of 30 income-restricted units.

The takeaway

This development represents a strategic effort to balance private capital investment with community-focused housing requirements. Stakeholders should monitor the council session to see how the proposed financial incentives align with future land use in the area.

What happens next

The Waco City Council is scheduled to consider the development agreement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.

Further reading

Learn more about the latest housing trends and policies in the Waco Apartments section.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Kwtx.

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