New building proposed in downtown Waxahachie

A plan is in the works to bring a new building to the corner of East Jefferson and South Jackson streets in downtown Waxahachie.

The Heritage Preservation Commission unanimously approved the concept plan presented by designer and builder Steve Wilson with Pro Built Homes Limited on March 9.

The 8,310-square foot building will have two stories, one for Ellis County Bail Bonds and the other for rental office use.

“I think it’s going to be a really nice addition to that corner because that’s been a parking lot for, I don’t know, 40 years,” Wilson said. “The two-story needed to be there to have the continuity of going around that corner.”

Wilson explained how he designed the masonry of the building to match the city parking garage and the Ellis County Courts and Administration Building, both of which are located across the street.

“I came with a different design in the beginning, but the more I stood there on that lot, the more it dawned on me … it really needed to look like the (courts building),” Wilson said.

It is designed to be accessible to everyone with an ADA ramp leading to the entrance and an elevator to the second floor.

“My sister’s in a wheelchair, so I like to think about that a lot,” Wilson said.

The proposed building will also be energy-efficient with 1-inch-thick exterior walls, energy-efficient light fixtures, AC units with HEPA filters and more, according to Wilson. Parking will be in the parking garage across the street.

Once finished, the new building will be a part of the city’s Historic Overlay District, which is overseen by the commission. The front facade of the building is overseen by the HPC to assist in the preservation of historic Waxahachie.

Originally published March 16, 2023 - https://www.waxahachiesun.com/business/new-building-proposed-in-downtown-waxahachie/article_625b86f0-c42b-11ed-bf70-f34b35b4cd34.html