Novemer 12, 2009

PARTY ON THE PLAZA
Come help celebrate the Grand Re-opening of Centennial Plaza in downtown Midland.  On Friday, November 13, 2009, from noon – 1:00 p.m. a party during the lunch hour will take place to commemorate Midland’s latest victory.

Food vendors will be on site for lunch purchases, so no need to brown bag it.  Live music will fill the plaza and beautiful weather has been ordered. 

The renovations to Centennial Plaza were fueled by an Economic Development Initiative grant.  The $250,000 grant was secured with the assistance of 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. 

The new plaza has a more open appearance.  Upgrades include renovations to the existing fountains, updating landscaping, and replacing paving tiles.  Improved lighting was also added to improve pedestrian safety and expand the plaza’s use to nighttime hours. 

MANSLAUGHTER
Midland Police have arrested the driver of a vehicle involved in a fatality accident. 

18-year-old Ariel Jimenez, 9-15-91, was arrested today, November 12, 2009, and charged with Manslaughter.  The charge stems from the October 21, 2009, accident that claimed the life of the vehicle’s passenger 18-year-old Magaly Ibanez. 

The accident was on Scharbauer Drive, just west of A Street.  A 2004 Dodge pickup, driven by Jimenez, was headed eastbound on Scharbauer Drive when Jimenez lost control, swerved, hit the curb, then rolled and slid down the drainage embankment landing on its top. 

Motorists who drove up on the accident were able to tilt the vehicle on its side before emergency crews arrived.  They lifted Jimenez’s head out of the water.  He was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital with a head injury.  Ibanez was extracted from the vehicle by the MFD and pronounced dead at the scene. 

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