Creative Waco to Celebrate Opening of 7th Street Plaza with Community Ribbon Cutting

Downtown Waco will welcome a new public gathering space as Creative Waco hosts a ribbon-cutting celebration for the newly transformed 7th Street Plaza on Thursday, April 30, from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The event marks the official opening of a reimagined downtown alley-turned-plaza designed to encourage play, creativity and community connection. At the center of the space is Waco Forever: 2026, a large-scale pavement mural created by artists Haley Cash and April Leman of Starving Artist Inc. The work, painted with Sherwin-Williams exterior paint on asphalt, transforms the ground into a visual landmark and interactive experience.

The plaza originally closed to vehicle traffic in summer 2021 as a trial run to explore potential uses for the space. It initially served as a flexible community gathering area but eventually became run-down. The latest transformation represents a renewed investment in the corridor as a permanent public space in downtown Waco.

The project was developed through Creative Waco’s ARTPrenticeship program, which began in 2018 and pairs high school students from across McLennan County with professional artists to create public art. The program is designed to provide real-world experience in the arts while exposing students to large-scale creative projects from concept to completion.

Uhey said community involvement helps students grow in confidence. “The community involvement helps bring the apprentices out of their shells,” Uhey said.

More than a mural, the plaza is designed as a life-sized interactive game called Bridges & Brazos. Visitors can begin at a designated marker and move through the space using dice or wall spinners, encountering prompts, questions and challenges along the way. The goal is to reach the suspension bridge, though participants are encouraged to create their own rules.

Custom tables and benches made from upcycled utility spools were created by high school students in partnership with Triple Win Makerspace. The seating features game boards for chess, checkers and tic-tac-toe, extending the interactive design beyond the mural.

The ribbon cutting will recognize the artists, students, partners and supporters who contributed to the project. Attendees will be among the first to experience the completed plaza, including its seating, signage and interactive features.

Creative Waco encourages visitors to stay, play and help care for the space so it can continue to serve the community.

The 7th Street Plaza now stands as an example of how public art, education and collaboration can transform everyday spaces in the heart of Waco.