CITY COUCIL HOT TOPICS

Oil & Gas Drilling in the City Limits
The Midland Oil and Gas Task Force has reviewed the existing City of Midland ordinance regulating oil and gas drilling and production activities within the city limits and recently provided recommendations to the City Council.  Recommendations considered how the ordinance might be modified to meet the goals of encouraging orderly development and growth of the city while accommodating the rights of mineral owners to reasonable access to their minerals and protecting the health, welfare, and safety of the public. 

Click here to see a complete copy of the recommendations made by the Task Force. 

Annexation Q & A
The City of Midland is taking steps to protect the gateways into the city.  The majority of land proposed for annexation in 2009 is located along two key arterial corridors, FM 1788 and SH 191.  The City Council has proposed annexation in order to apply minimum standards of development as required under the City Code.

Click here to see a list of frequently asked annexation questions.

Centennial Plaza Project
The City of Midland is moving forward with renovations planned for Centennial Plaza in downtown Midland.  On Tuesday, January 27, the City Council approved awarding the contract for renovations to MW Builders.  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.  Other project funding includes $800,000 from the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ) and Hotel/Motel funds.   

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. 

The new plaza will have a more open appearance.  Upgrades include renovations to the existing fountains, updating landscaping, and replacing paving tiles which have reached their useful lifespan.  Improved lighting will also be added to improve pedestrian safety and expand the plaza’s use to nighttime hours.