Downtown Midland has recently seen multiple transformative projects, and will see several more in the coming years. Mayor Jerry Morales is asking for YOUR help to give this newly revitalized area a fresh identity as we move toward the future. Help us choose a new name for the greater downtown area!
To give a suggestion on what the downtown area should be named, please visit www.midlandtexas.gov/downtownsurvey. The survey will be available online through Friday, Aug. 12. A group of downtown stakeholders will consider the various suggested names to be used for future marketing purposes. Current options include "Energy," "Fuel," "Heritage," and "Midtown," followed by words such as "District," "Village," or "Square."
Here's an update on current projects in the heart of downtown:
Midland Center
The City Council has approved a maximum budget of $42.8 million for a new Midland Center. The entirety of the project will be paid for with hotel/motel funds, which are generated by visitors staying in Midland hotels. By state law, these funds must be spent on bringing in more tourism to Midland, and cannot be used for general fund expenses such as roads or public safety. Midland Center lost 359 events in a three-year time span due to inadequate space, but will have the ability to hold three large events at the same time with the new building. Groundbreaking could begin as early as January, and the project is expected to be complete as early as summer 2018.
Santa Rita Hotel
The private developers of the Santa Rita Hotel continue to move forward on the hotel, which will also include a public food market, restaurants, a 400-seat ballroom, office space and parking. Developers have indicated that they have secured funding for the project, which could see a groundbreaking by early next year.
Centennial Plaza
In conjunction with construction on the Midland Center and Santa Rita Hotel, the City of Midland is planning updates for Centennial Plaza that will include a splash pad, staging area for concerts and green space. The $4 million project will be paid for by hotel/motel taxes and a reimbursement of $2.2 million from Midland Development Corporation for the sale of the former county courthouse property.
###Media Contact: Public Information Officer Sara Bustilloz