City of Midland, TX... Government

Wildlife Preserve
During the April 8th City Council Meeting, Council Members approved an ordinance which makes it illegal to drive or park a vehicle on the City’s Wildlife Preserve without a permit. The approximately 84 acre Wildlife Preserve is located north of Interstate 20, south of Business Interstate 20, west of Midkiff Road, and east of Midland Drive. If approved, the appropriate signs will be posted.

A group of citizens (Friends of the I-20 Wildlife Preserve and the Midland Naturalists) is currently raising funds in an effort to secure the funding needed for the project. The City is attempting to seek grants through the Texas Parks & Wildlife Commission to help with the project.

The land currently consists of a playa lake, approximately 26 acres in size, as the central feature. Future plans include a trail system, substantial restoration and upgrading of the Preserve’s habitat, planting, constructing a hawk observation tower, a playa boardwalk, bird blinds and feeding stations, and drainage improvements. Plans also recommend a Nature Study Center to be named after Jenna Welch.

Centennial Plaza Renovations
During the March 25th City Council Briefing Session, Council Members listened to a presentation regarding proposed renovations to the existing Centennial Plaza in downtown Midland. The plans are part of the overall redevelopment of Midland’s downtown area. The project is supported by downtown entities.

Renovations to Centennial Plaza are fueled by an Economic Development Initiative grant. The $250,000 grant was secured with the assistance of U.S. Representatives Mike Conaway and Kay Bailey Hutchison and is to be used in Midland for a project such as this one. Total project costs will exceed the amount of the grant. Although no other funds have been committed to the project, the City anticipates other entities participating in the redevelopment.

Centennial Plaza, located just west of the Midland Center, was built in 1985. A strategic urban space located in the center of Midland's high-rise downtown community, it offers unique outdoor space for urban dwellers. The park's original design was a multi-function space configuration that addressed the public's desire for water features and structured visitation. While still quite functional, Centennial Plaza's importance in the downtown area has significantly changed.

Recommendations made to the City Council include a redesign with more contemporary uses including better open space, enhanced public viewing, operable water features, and a seamless transition to the adjacent Loraine Street green-space.

Upgrades in infrastructure include renovations to the existing fountains, updating landscaping and replacing paving tiles, which have reached their useful lifespan. Improved lighting will also be paramount to improve pedestrian safety and expand the plaza's use to nighttime hours.

Brighton Country Development
During the March 11, 2008, City Council Meeting, Council Members approved an ordinance regarding a zone change for the purpose of Planned Districts for Housing Developments. The area being considered involves approximately 100 acres between Holiday Hill Road and Oriole Drive, north of Hilltop Road and south of Mockingbird Lane. The plan includes a residential subdivision with 267 lots.

A revised preliminary plat contains fewer streets intersecting Oriole Drive. The final plat approval is scheduled for the March 25, 2008, City Council agenda for approval.

Downtown Demolition
At the Tuesday, February 26, City Council Meeting, Council Members approved a resolution that outlines exactly how the City will participate in the demolition of downtown structures. Landfill fees be waived on a sliding scale over a five year period. The concept is for the city to help participate in eliminating useless properties to make way for new structures that increase the value of nearby buildings.

For example, the Hightower Building, located at the intersection of Pecos and Illinois, sits empty as a structure without any available parking. The adjacent “Belt Buckle” building is unusable in its current condition. When the “Belt Buckle” building is demolished and a parking structure is built in its place, the value of the Hightower Building significantly increases. See the example below:

		Projected Assessed Value	Projected City of Midland Levy
Hightower Building	Current Estimated Value (vacant w/o parking)	$1,427,060	$7,686.15
Hightower Building	Estimated Value in 2009 (33% occupancy)	$1,501,612	$8,087.68
Hightower Building	Estimated Value in 2010 (66% occupancy)	$2,959,059	$15,937.49
Hightower Building	Estimated Value in 2011 (100% occupancy)	$10,060,800	$54,187.47

"Belt Buckle" Building	Current Estimated Value (before demolition)	$309,720	$54,187.47
"Belt Buckle" Building	Estimated Value in 2009 (after demolition)	$141,750	$763.47

"Belt Buckle" Building	Estimated Fees Waived for Demolition	$46,997

Given the estimated increase in property value, it will take four years for the City to recoup the amount of the fees waived. This is based on estimated property values alone. It can be a win/win situation with increased property values, room for new businesses to locate, and not to mention an improved look to our downtown.

Click here to view complete copy of the resolution.