The law center is set on a four and one-half acre river bank site adjacent to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Fort Fisher complex.  A gently sloping, landscaped terrace, planted in live oaks, crepe myrtles and other species, will grace the river bank elevation of the law center, allowing the Law School community to enjoy the river bank down to the water's edge.  There are spectacular views down the Brazos River from the level of the grade, and even more so from within the law center on the second and third levels.  From within other parts of the law center there also are excellent views of the campus proper and the taller buildings of the downtown Waco area.

 

The Fort Fisher river side campground area, immediately upriver from the law center, has been closed as a campsite and is slated for future development as a park area, or otherwise.  A green belt, providing a beautiful riverside park area to the Law School community, therefore likely will eventually will surround the law center on the three elevations facing the river.  The acreage on the north side of the Brazos River, including developed and undeveloped properties, has been acquired by the University for future redevelopment.

 

The Brazos river walk currently runs along the river bank from within Cameron Park to the boundary between Fort Fisher and the law center.  The City of Waco is planning, supported by an approved $2.2 million in federal grants, and additional commitments from the University and the City, to extend the walk alongside the law center and down the river to the Farrell Center.  With this in mind, SmithGroup designed the law center with two "public" fronts--one facing University Parks Drive and the other facing the river bank and planned river walk.

 

A main entry drive extends from University Parks Drive, diagonally bisecting the parking area as it leads to a circular drive at the center of the building between two spacious lawns.  The drive is marked along the way by the memorial lampposts that are found elsewhere on the Baylor campus. At the center of the circular drive is a landscaped island.  Within the landscaped island are two duplicate, crescent shaped, stone engraved signs that will mark the building as Baylor Law School's home as one enters and departs from the law center.   A display of flagpoles with the United States and Texas flags graces the leading edge of the circular drive.