April 7, 2009

CHILI COOK-OFF
City of Midland employees will gather for a fundraiser on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at the Central Fire Station.  The 3rd Annual Chili Cook-off will be held from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The event will benefit the Midland Municipal Employee Scholarship Fund (MMESF).  Each year, the MMESF awards scholarships to qualifying students who are dependents of City of Midland employees.  Employees can sign up at any time to contribute.  A payroll deduction of only $1 a pay period helps to raise the funds that are used each year to award the scholarships.

In 2008, the MMESF awarded scholarships to 10 college bound students.  They each received $500.  To date, the generosity of City employees has resulted in 195 scholarships totaling $102,300.

The event is for City of Midland employees.  The media is invited to attend. 

CENTENNIAL PLAZA GROUND BREAKING
The City of Midland will celebrate the latest victory in Downtown.  On Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., a ground breaking ceremony will take place at Centennial Plaza.  The ceremony will take place inside the Midland Center before moving outdoors to actually break ground.

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will be the guest of honor at the event.  Mayor Wes Perry will speak about the new project and community leaders involved with the original project will share their visions.

Renovations to Centennial Plaza are fueled by an Economic Development Initiative grant.  The $250,000 grant was secured with the assistance of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and U.S. Congressman Mike Conaway. 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. 

Can't find what you're looking for? Try our search engine.