Downtown Waco Parklet Opens as First 'Six to Fix' Project Completed

The new outdoor space aims to create a community gathering spot and improve street safety.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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A new parklet has opened in downtown Waco, Texas, marking the completion of the first project in the 'Six to Fix' regional safety demonstrations. The parklet, located on Washington Avenue outside Be Kind Coffee, is part of the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization's initiative to make streets safer across local communities. The project is funded by a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant from the Department of Transportation.

Why it matters

The parklet is designed to create a 'third space' for the community that is neither work nor home, while also potentially having a 'major traffic calming effect' on the street. The Waco MPO plans to collect data before and after the project to measure its impact on traffic patterns, with the goal of inspiring more similar community-focused street improvements in the city.

The details

The outdoor space on Washington Avenue was a goal of Be Kind Coffee owner Alex Sanchez to create a gathering space around the building. The parklet is the first of six planned 'Six to Fix' demonstration projects in the Waco area, with additional locations planned for Hewitt Drive, Loop 340 in Bellmead, La Salle Avenue, US 77 in Robinson, and South Valley Mills Drive.

  • The parklet opened on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
  • More construction on the remaining five 'Six to Fix' projects is expected to begin in the summer, though no set timeline has been established.

The players

Alex Sanchez

The owner of Be Kind Coffee, whose goal was to create a community gathering space around the building.

Dr. Mukesh Kumar

The director of the Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board, which is overseeing the 'Six to Fix' safety demonstrations.

Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)

The regional planning organization leading the 'Six to Fix' safety demonstrations, funded by a Safe Streets and Roads for All grant.

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What they’re saying

“I think this is going to be a great thing, not just for us, but the surrounding businesses and the people who live around here.”

— Alex Sanchez, Owner, Be Kind Coffee (kxxv.com)

“It's a very different way of thinking about transportation. In this case, what it does is that it has a major traffic calming effect. It is also a pleasant enough space so that when people see it they are interested in it.”

— Dr. Mukesh Kumar, Director, Waco MPO Board (kxxv.com)

What’s next

The Waco MPO plans to continue work on the remaining five 'Six to Fix' demonstration projects, with more construction expected to begin in the summer, though no set timeline has been established.

The takeaway

The new downtown Waco parklet represents a shift towards community-focused street design that aims to create vibrant public spaces while also improving safety. This first 'Six to Fix' project demonstrates how local planning organizations can leverage federal funding to pilot innovative approaches to urban transportation.