🏫 Waco High's $23.5 Million Second Act

Good morning, Waco! This is The Waco Buzz, the local newsletter that's like finding a shady spot at Cameron Park on the hottest weekend of the year (so far).

🏫 Waco High Lofts Get $23.5M Second Act
🥞 Detroit Flavor Comes to North 25th
🎶 Your Weekend Waco Game Plan
💼 3 Jobs Worth Knowing About

Let's get to it!
— Sam Harper

🏫 Waco High Lofts Get a $23.5 Million Second Act

For more than a century, the old Waco High building has been part of the city's story. Now, the downtown landmark is getting a major reset.

What's happening: The Historic Lofts at Waco High, the former high school at 815 Columbus Ave., will undergo a $23.5 million renovation that will update all 104 affordable housing units while preserving the building's historic character.

Why it matters: The investment is intended to modernize the apartments while keeping them affordable. The goal: preserve a Waco landmark while giving residents a better place to call home.

Who's behind it: The project is being led by a partnership of Texas and North Carolina investors, including Pinoak Real Estate Investments. The City of Waco approved a $500,000 grant and a 50% property tax abatement to help make the project possible. The development team also includes former Waco Mayor Dillon Meek, now a principal with Pinoak.

What residents can expect: Renovations will happen in phases, with 15 to 20 units under construction at a time. Current residents will temporarily move into another apartment in the building for roughly one to two months while their unit is updated. Construction is expected to begin next year.

🥞 Motown Eatz Opens Its Doors Today

The details: If you've been waiting for a reason to eat a Coney dog before noon, today's your day. Motown Eatz opens at 7 a.m. at 1801 N. 25th St today. The Detroit-inspired spot is bringing coneys, breakfast plates, wings, burgers, and more to North 25th Street.

The deal: 16 oz. Signature Teas are $2 today only,

👉 1801 N. 25th St. | Open daily 7 a.m.–10 p.m. | motowneatz.com

📌 Quick Hits

🎬 An architecture firm called KHJR Collaborate just pitched Waco something big: a mixed-use district called Greenwood Hills, anchored by a movie and TV production hub they're calling Television City. Take a look for yourself.

🎒1,500 Waco students will get a little help getting ready for school to start. The annual Back to School Bash returns Saturday, July 25, from 10 AM–2 PM. at the Waco Convention Center with free backpacks filled with supplies, plus free haircuts and eye screenings. Kids must attend with a parent or guardian to receive a backpack.

🏃 The Red, White and Blue Half Marathon hits Indian Springs Park on Sunday, July 26. Race starts at 7 AM (Kids Dash at 6:55), with distance options from a 2-mile to the full 13.1-mile half marathon, hosted by Bigfoot Running Company. Every finisher gets a shirt and medal, plus trophies for top finishers in the 4-mile, 8-mile, and half. Sign up here.

😂 Waco Comedy Jam returns to the Hippodrome for its third year on Sunday, July 26 at 6 p.m. Local comedians take the stage for a show that gets recorded live and released on streaming platforms afterward, raw and uncut, closer to Def Comedy Jam than a typical open mic. Grab tickets here.

🛍️ Waco Kids Market
Saturday, Aug. 1 | 2–4 PM | Crestview Church of Christ Gym

Waco's youngest entrepreneurs get their own booth. They build the product, set up the table, and run the sale themselves. It's part lemonade stand, part Shark Tank, and a pretty cool way for kids to learn how business works.

Tables fill up fast, and the deadline to sign up is this Sunday, July 26.

👉 Reserve a table here.
Want the full details first? See everything at wacokidsmarket.com.*

Service Sales Representative at Cintas. Sell and service First Aid and Safety accounts across Waco. Full time.

Director of Field Operations at Freddy's Glass. Lead installation and service crews across Central Texas. 5+ years experience preferred.

PR and Influencer Marketing Manager at Magnolia. Manage press and influencer relationships from Magnolia HQ. 5+ years in PR/communications preferred.

Hiring? Post a Job
Hunting? View all open roles or head to the hiring fair that is happening TODAY (Friday), July 24, with over 30 different Waco employers and hundreds of openings. Workforce Solutions is putting it on to serve veterans, active duty military, spouses, and the general public. All are invited.
10 AM-1 PM 📍 Workforce Solutions Center

🎈 Friday, July 24:

"Miss Nelson Is Missing! The Musical" @ Waco Civic Theatre – 7:30 PM | $7–$10
KWBU x Brotherwell Brewing Summer Nights @ Brotherwell Brewing – 6–8 PM
Klif Akoustik @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar – 8 PM

🎈 Saturday, July 25:

Waco Downtown Farmers Market @ Bridge Street Plaza – 9 AM
Waco Gun Show @ BASE, Extraco Events Center – all day | $10 general, $15 weekend pass (cash at gate)
Texas Ranger Talks @ Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum – 10 AM–3 PM
Waco's Got Talent @ West Waco Library – 2–3 PM
"Madagascar Jr." @ Real Theatre Company Waco, 2801 W Waco Dr – 3 PM & 7 PM | $15, ages 2 and under free
"Miss Nelson Is Missing! The Musical" @ Waco Civic Theatre – 7:30 PM | $7–$10
Sherman Ayres @ Texas Music Cafe – 8 PM
PlayTown Band @ The Will of Waco – 8 PM
Bill & Phil @ Twisted Sisters Patio Bar – 8 PM

🎈 Sunday, July 26:

"Miss Nelson Is Missing! The Musical" @ Waco Civic Theatre – 2:30 PM matinee | $7–$10
Waco Gun Show @ BASE, Extraco Events Center – continues | $10 general, $15 weekend pass (cash at gate)
Barre and Brunch @ Hotel 1928 – 10 AM
Corinthian Elizabeth: "Beauty in the Bayou" reading @ Providencia – 2 PM
Homegrown Sundays @ The Will – Market 1–5 PM, live music 12–5 PM
Waco Comedy Jam @ The Hippodrome - 6 PM

Running all weekend: "Sea Monsters Unearthed" and "Cultural Crossroads" at the Mayborn Museum, plus "Paradise Tossed" and "Aquí, Escuchar" at the Martin Museum of Art.

Want your event featured? Reserve an upcoming Featured Event listing here.

🧗‍♀️ This summer, Basin Climbing + Fitness is offering $25 off its final summer camp week (July 27-30) using code WACOBUZZ.

🔥 Waco Buzz readers can join HOTWORX Woodway for their first workout free.

🚗 Your neighbors at Chevy of West have been taking care of Waco drivers for years with new and pre-owned trucks, SUVs, and cars just 20 minutes up I-35 in West, TX. Stop by or browse their inventory today.

✨ Skin & Body Refinery delivers top tier injectors and natural looking results. Botox to Bellafill, they've got you covered.

💧 Need a boost? IViT Hydration & Wellness offers IV therapy and wellness treatments to help you feel better, recover faster, and boost energy. Waco Buzz readers get $35 off.

💪 Move better. Recover faster. Live stronger. Waco Bodymend is a space designed for everyday movers, athletes, and anyone who wants to feel their best.

Thanks for reading The Waco Buzz today. If you found something useful, share it with your friend who is counting down the days until Baylor football kicks off.

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