In Episode 86 of Downtown Depot, show host Austin Meek interviews real estate developer Bill Wetterman. Bill talks about the evolution of downtown Waco, the balance of public-private partnerships, and the solution for dying malls across the country. Before that interview, Austin shines the Small Business Spotlight, presented by American Bank, on Patrick Margiotta of Patrick’s Dry Cleaners.

Inside the Episode:

Bill Wetterman with show host Austin Meek

0:29 - Small Business Spotlight: Patrick's Dry Cleaners
4:33 - Bill Wetterman's Waco history
5:57 - His early construction career
7:18 - Reacquiring the Behrens Lofts building
10:01 - Retail in a constant state of change
14:18 - Rethinking malls
17:03 - Developing Webster Avenue
19:19 - Designing around Covid-19
20:25 - Impacting the tenant pool
21:33 - Excitement on the East side of the river
22:56 - Sussing out issues in public/private partnerships
25:03 - Tempting Silo visitors with attractive offerings
27:21 - How real estate can impact racial equity