Congress brightens VA hospital's future

Congress awarded the Waco Veterans Affairs Hospital a major honor Friday with passage of the 2006 VA budget. Among other things, it names the 73-year-old facility the first "Center of Excellence" for mental health.

The distinction is one that local hospital supporters and civic leaders have fervently sought.

As chairman of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee, U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, added the recognition to the $70.2 billion budget months ago. Its final passage Friday means the proposal next goes to President Bush for his consideration and likely approval.

Center of Excellence designations mean more funding and research at VA hospitals for special programs. Local civic leaders hope it also flies in the face of VA administrators who have discussed closing or significantly downsizing the Waco facility.—Waco Tribune-Herald

Waco International Aviation Park get $1.25 million

A proposed aviation park in Waco got a $1.25 million boost on Friday, when the U.S. House passed a transportation bill that includes money for the project.

President Bush is expected to sign the bill.

Waco leaders want to put an aviation park on 327 acres next to Texas State Technical College. They envision at least 10 hangars of at 70,000 square feet each, used by companies wanting access to TSTC's runway.

"Since the Waco chamber has told me this is its top economic development priority, I will do everything I can to fight for additional money. This is the kind of project that will need state, federal and local money." —U.S. Congressman Chet Edwards, Waco Tribune-Herald

Chamber building brings life to square

At the turn of the 20th century, Waco's square was the center of everything— of trade, of governance, of social energy.

It went away after a killer tornado and under the bulldozers of urban renewal.

Until a few years ago the area was nothing but a big hole in Waco's heart, and the square had become less than a memory. It was as if it never existed. Now in an exciting move, redeveloping the square is talked about as the next big step downtown.—Waco Tribune-Herald editorial

Emory University is national leader in sustainability

Emory University in Atlanta has adopted a sustainability vision that calls for: healthy people, healthy planet, healthy Emory. Already, Emory has more green buildings (LEED certified) than any other university in the United States. And Emory's trustees have decided that all new buildings will be LEED certified.—Maria Saporta, Atlanta Journal Constitution

Waco's wait begins for Bush Library

The director of the Baylor University George W. Bush presidential library project has spent the past five years developing Baylor's vision for the more than 100-acre facility on the eastern bank of the Brazos River. She has traveled to nearly all of the country's 11 presidential libraries, dreamed about the first family and spent days and nights drafting the 110-page proposal , which she and six other Baylor representatives presented to White House representatives in Washington, D.C., Tuesday.—Waco Tribune-Herald

Chamber eyes new home, new look

Waco needs a new chamber of commerce headquarters that makes a statement about the city's future and its commitment to economic development, chamber president Jim Vaughan says. That in mind, the chamber likely will build a $2 million "marketing center" near South Third Street and Austin Avenue, next to Heritage Square.—Waco Tribune-Herald

New Urbanism dominates rebuilding chatter in New Orleans

New Urbanism will be the salvation of post-Katrina New Orleans. Or perhaps it will lead to the Big Easy's utter demise. Either way, when planning pundits discuss the future of the battered Crescent City, New Urbanism is the concept that flutters above every conversation like a blue tarp on a damaged roof.—Doug MacCash, The Times-Picayune

Spirit of cooperation required. Greater Waco is equal to the challenge

Goal (No. 5) attempts to strengthen existing relationships in Greater Waco and focuses on finding the financial resources required to implement the plan. Although (consultant J. Mac) Holladay described all the goals as necessary to achieve a strong sustainable economy and a higher quality of life, there is no question that not much can be accomplished unless the "build a culture of implementation" goal is achieved.—Waco Tribune-Herald editorial

Fund recovery with 1 percent national sales tax expiring after one year

Someone has to have the guts to stand up and say, "We have to raise more money, and it is going to take a tax."—Steve Waldman, Houston Chronicle

Rebuilding New Orleans: Act now, speak with one voice

Sending a message to elected officials from New Orleans to Washington, the participants in the Louisiana Recovery and Rebuilding conference said they want immediate action on three things: unified leadership, regional cooperation and Category 5 levee protection.—Martha Carr, staff writer, The Times-Picayune

Waco's strategic economic development plan on livability

The view from the overpass is striking: glassy Lake Brazos, the historic Suspension Bridge – trademarks of a city with much to offer. Unfortunately the trademark scene hasn't changed much in a generation. It must if Waco is to be what it can be.—Waco Tribune-Herald editorial