The Waco Business Newsletter: November 11, 2019

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A bi-monthly newsletter investigating the people, places, and policies shaping Waco’s economy.

I'm Austin Meek, Vox of Waco Business News and host of "Downtown Depot," the radio show and podcast where we track the ins and outs of Waco business. Listen live on Fridays at 11:30AM on 103.3 KWBU-FM or stream previous episodes of "Downtown Depot" anytime via Apple Podcasts, NPR, and Waco Business News.

The Waco Business Newsletter: November 11, 2019

Former McLennan County District Attorney Vic Feazell walking into court.

Former McLennan County District Attorney Vic Feazell walking into court.

LOCAL LINKS

  1. Local firebrand Vic Feazell is my most recent Downtown Depot guest. A former District Attorney for McLennan County, he's well known for his work on the Lake Waco murders and for representing serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. He documents this and more on his excellent podcast and made some poignant remarks on the current state of our criminal justice system. (Waco Business News)

  2. Some personal news: last week, we closed our Pokey O's shop inside of the Hilton Hotel. Operating a permanent storefront has been a fun experiment for the past year but we couldn't generate enough traffic to justify keeping it staffed. There's also a lot more competition in town now than when my wife and I started Pokey O's in April 2015. So to combat that, we're getting back to our roots: we bought a second truck! Both Pokey O's trucks roam around in afternoons and evenings, waiting for your text asking us to swing by your block or baseball game or church function. Please do me a major favor and consider using Pokey O's for your next office celebration, birthday party, or sweet tooth hankering! (Pokey O's Waco)

  3. For this month's Small Business Spotlight, presented by American Bank, I highlighted Pat Laverty of Laverty's Antiques. This is one of my favorite SBS this far; rich sounds from the shop coupled with thoughtful answers from the shop owner. (Waco Business News)

  4. The Greater Waco Economic Index set another record in September, according to economist Karr Ingham. (The Waco Tribune-Herald)

  5. Christina Helmick of Extraco Banks writes about how and why you should support small businesses. This is an especially important message with Christmas coming up! (Waco Chamber)

  6. Elm Avenue is getting major facelift, and there's a public meeting tomorrow (November 12) regarding the details of the Elm Avenue Streetscape Project. The meeting will be open-house style from 5:30-6:30 with a brief overview presentation at 5:45 and will allow for public comment on the proposed construction of sidewalks and bicycle lanes along Elm Avenue from Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd to Garrison.

This graphic showing car ownership rates in major metropolitan areas indicates that Seattle has seen the steepest drop in the country, thanks in part to robust investments in the area’s public transit.

This graphic showing car ownership rates in major metropolitan areas indicates that Seattle has seen the steepest drop in the country, thanks in part to robust investments in the area’s public transit.

OTHER LINKS

  1. Over the last decade the Seattle area has invested more than any other region in transit and now leads the nation in ridership growth. Concurrently, Seattle has experienced a massive population jump; due to strict zoning laws, the vast majority of that growth has been concentrated in a handful of high-density areas that easily allow residents to walk, bike, ride-share or use public transit instead of personal vehicles. The region's investments in transit are clearly making an impact; in the graphic above, we see that Seattle has recorded the steepest decline in car ownership among the nation's 50 largest cities. Fundamentally altering our transportation pattern is one way to stem the negative effects of climate change. (The Seattle Times)

  2. This short video explains what "urban planning" is and how it can improve - or inadvertently diminish - quality of life for citizens. (Planetizen)

  3. I'm a big fan of Strong Towns and its founder, Chuck Marohn, who just released a new book. In this excerpt, he explains how cities and taxpayers can stretch their dollars further. (Strong Towns)

  4. Big tech companies like Facebook and Apple have pledged $4.5 billion to assuage the affordable housing crises in their respective areas. Here's a take claiming that charity won't make a dent. (The New York Times)

  5. The Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego is one of the nation's premier shopping and entertainment areas. City leaders are now considering closing off part of it from automobile traffic, creating a pedestrian-only area known as the Gaslamp Promenade. Wacoans are understandably fearful of developments such as these due to the failure of the Austin Avenue pedestrian mall from 50 years ago, but consumer tastes have changed drastically in the last half-century. (Planetizen)

  6. In Sweden, a group called Viable Cities employs a "chief storyteller" to explain the emotional realities of global warming and show people how to live carbon-neutral lives. (City Lab)When the street is the canvas, the city comes alive in a unique way. The Asphalt Art Initiative shows how design can make city streets safer and more vibrant. (Curbed)