Purpose:

The Waxahachie Community Development Corporation is seeking a qualified consulting firm to assist in the planning, engineering and development of a 60,000 square foot Civic Center facility. All support facilities such as parking, plaza, and landscaping will be included in the project.

May 1997, voters in Waxahachie approved a half-cent sales tax for the purpose of constructing and operating a Civic Center and a Recreation Complex. The State began collecting the tax on October 1, 1997. During the first year, the revenue from the tax was over $1,100,000.

June 1997, the Waxahachie Community Development Corporation (WCDC) was formed as required by Section 4B of the State sales tax regulations. Also the City Council appointed the members to the WCDC Board of Directors (Board).

July 1997, the Board visited several possible sites for the Civic Center and visited the Civic Centers in Tyler, Longview, Marshal, Richardson, Humble and Plano.

August 1997, developed a program of what size the Civic Center should be. The Board also decided that the Center should include: a main hall large enough to accommodate seating for at least 2,500; a kitchen area (unstaffed) for catering, a 3,000 sq. ft. reception room, 4 to 6 small meeting rooms, carpet in the main hall, good acoustics, ample storage, and service halls.

September - November 1997, the Board developed the Request for Proposals to select an architect and continued research on possible sites.

January 1998, the Board selected M. T. Crump in association with Ron Hobbs as the architect for the Civic Center and continued research on possible sites.

February – March 1998, worked with the architect to complete the program for the Civic Center and continued research on possible sites.

April 1998, purchased 17.5 acres for the Civic Center and prepared for the sale of Bonds to fund the project.

May 1998, discussed the possibility of a video sign and the stage at the Center.

June 1998, reviewed the architect’s floor plan & frontal elevation, and sold bonds.

July 1998, instructed the architect to revise the front of the building and discussed the addition of high tech audio and video equipment to the facility.

August 1998, approved the revised plans from the architect for the frontal elevation and considered the addition of a veteran’s memorial at the Center.

September 1998, considered hiring an audio video consultant.

October 1998, reviewed the architect’s design development plans for the Center.

December 1998, hired Construction Manager to supervise Center Construction and start interviewing candidates for Civic Center Manager.

January 1999, hired Manager for Civic Center.

March 1999, ground breaking for construction

June 1999, construction in progress.

August 2000, open.

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