Baylor BOBO Spiritual Life Center- Interior Renovations in Waco, TX

Baylor University BOBO Interior Renovations

Baylor University BOBO, located at 500 Speight Ave in Waco, is undergoing minor interior renovations. The project, formally filed as Baylor BOBO Spiritual Life Center- Interior Renovations, involves alterations to 5,460 sq ft of space within the existing structure. The registered accessibility specialist for this work is Michael Lynn Kelley, who is overseeing compliance for the TDLR-registered project. The estimated cost for these improvements is $80,000, which translates to $15 per sq ft. This pricing is significantly below the McLennan County median of $96 per sq ft for similar renovation and alteration filings.

The project was registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation in November 2026. Plan review is pending, and the work is targeted for January 2027. The scheduled build window is 61 days, which is shorter than the county median of 122 days. Rbdr, PLLC serves as the design firm of record, bringing experience from other regional projects including the Austin Retina Associates facility and the City of Waxahachie-City Hall. This project represents one of several active filings for the design firm in the area.

Baylor University is the owner and developer of record for this renovation. The institution has a portfolio of TDLR-registered projects totaling $10,600,267, including work on the Marrs McLean Science Building and Morrison Hall. The funding for the BOBO interior renovations is private, situated on private land for private use. The project does not involve public funding or public land, distinguishing it from municipal infrastructure projects in McLennan County.

For context, the ZIP code 76706 has a population of about 40,668 according to U.S. Census ACS 2023 five-year estimates. The median household income in this area is $42,277, with 16,600 housing units. Housing in the area is mostly renter-occupied, and the median owner-occupied home value is $180,600. The project occurs in a market where construction activity is supported by a local labor force, with the McLennan County unemployment rate at 4 percent in September 2026.

This renovation is part of a broader effort to maintain and update campus facilities. The $80,000 investment is below the county median estimated cost of $280,000 for its type, falling into the bottom quarter of comparable filings. The scope is limited to interior alterations, with no expansion of the building footprint. The project status remains registered, with completion targeted for January 2027.