Baylor- Marrs McLean Science Bldg- Stair Tower Decommission

Baylor University is removing an existing stair tower from the Marrs McLean Science Building at 1214 S 4th St in Waco. This renovation project involves the demolition of approximately 225 square feet of structure, a specific scope of work filed under the name Baylor- Marrs McLean Science Bldg- Stair Tower Decommission. The estimated cost for this alteration is $100,000, which translates to a cost of $444 per square foot.

The project is registered with TDLR and is in the plan review stage. Construction is scheduled to begin in October 2026, with the entire process targeted for December 2026. This timeline represents a scheduled build window of 91 days, which is shorter than the 122-day median for similar renovation projects in McLennan County. The status of the filing is Project Registered, indicating that the administrative steps are underway before physical work commences.

Project Details and Context

Rbdr, PLLC serves as the design firm of record for this work. The registered accessibility specialist listed on the filing is Michael Lynn Kelley. The project is privately funded and located on private land for private use. While the total estimated cost is below the county median of $277,446 for renovation and alteration filings, the per-square-foot cost is above the county median of $96. This reflects the intensive nature of removing a structural element like a stair tower compared to broader interior renovations.

Baylor University has six other TDLR-registered projects, totaling over $10.6 million, including the Bear Habitat and the Truett Theological Seminary. Rbdr, PLLC has also been involved in several other projects, such as the City of Waxahachie Fire Rescue Station No. 1 and Alamo Steel. The Marrs McLean Science Building is situated in the 76706 ZIP code, a area with a population of about 40,668 people and a median household income of $42,277 according to U.S. Census estimates. The local housing market in this ZIP code is mostly renter-occupied, with a median owner-occupied home value of $180,600.

The removal of the stair tower is a focused alteration rather than a new construction effort. The 225 square feet of space being removed is a small fraction of the overall building footprint, but the work requires specific engineering and safety considerations. The project’s registration in September 2026 marks the formal start of the compliance process. With a completion date set for late 2026, the work is expected to be relatively quick once construction begins. The low total cost compared to other university projects suggests this is a discrete maintenance or modification task rather than a major expansion.