News Flash

Destination transformation in Midland just starts with Costco

City of Midland News Release Posted on October 07, 2024

Note: Another in a series of articles updating Midland residents of the City of Midland about things taking place around our community

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COSTCO EFFECT JUST PART OF DESTINATION TRANSFORMATION HAPPENING IN MIDLAND

(Oct. 7, 2024) 

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- The City of Midland’s work continues to make Midland a destination community in West Texas.

These steps have been gradual and will still take some time, but those observing will see progress taking place. Let’s take a look at the transformation.

We start with the biggest news of 2024. The Midland City Council approved a deal that will bring the largest Costco in Texas to Midland, just northwest of the intersection at State Highways 191 and 158. The “Costco Effect” will be a boon to restaurants and other business across the city as Costco will lure people from across the Permian Basin to Midland city limits. The building of the Costco development also is the starting place for a retail/business corridor along 191 (west of 158) that is set to take off.

Athletic upgrades

A destination city also includes a parks system going through upgrades fitting for the city of Midland’s stature.

Here’s an update:

  • The City of Midland is pleased to announce that construction of the baseball complex at Reyes-Mashburn-Nelms Park in east Midland will be completed this fall. The project includes construction of new little and junior league fields, which sets up Reyes-Mashburn-Nelms Park as a tournament site.
  • A groundbreaking will take place this fall for the Beal Park Soccer Complex, which -- when completed -- will be a premier soccer tournament facility in West Texas. Phase 1 plans are 98% complete. The $36 million complex in southwest Midland will ultimately be home to 62 soccer fields, an amphitheater, a new playground and splash park – a signature athletic complex in Midland.
  • Work also will start on a multi-million-dollar upgrade to the Hogan Park golf courses as the city prepares for more rounds to be played at the regional facility. Hogan Park features 36 holes, and a new RO and irrigation system are planned for 2025. These changes should improve the playing surface, and better grass means a better golf experience. The cost will come from an increase in fees, meaning those using Hogan Park will pay for the upgrades and not city’s homeowners.
  • Lastly, the city is working with the Midland Athletic Syndicate to assist in a project that will bring a $30-plus-million basketball/volleyball center to the Scharbauer Sports Complex. Midland has lacked such a facility for decades, and the Syndicate promises to make Midland a candidate for regional tournaments and keep more Midland basketball and volleyball teams home for more weekends during club seasons. Groundbreaking took place Wednesday.

These tournament facilities will add to the roster – COM Aquatics, the Bush Tennis Center, the Bill Williams Softball Complex and the football and soccer fields at the Scharbauer Sports Complex – that already make Midland a destination for and bring in millions of dollars in tourism revenue to Midland every year.

Downtown resurrection

Council action also has downtown primed for more destination opportunities.

First, we start with the Omni Midland Hotel. This grand project will bring 135 guest rooms, a spa, rooftop pool, 7,000-square-foot ballroom and 15,000 square feet of meeting space to downtown. Also announced as part of the Omni project is a Dallas-Fort Worth fine dining staple – Bob’s Steak and Chop House. It is expected to be a full-service hotel at its finest.

City leaders also have approved an agreement with developers wanting to resurrect Midland’s first high rise – the Thomas building on Loraine Street – into a boutique hotel. Combined with the Omni Midland Hotel, Midland is set for upgraded hotel spaces that will jump-start the ability to attract convention opportunities and client services not currently available to businesses downtown.

A downtown destination is also what City of Midland officials have in mind with increased downtown programming. The City has recently announced the inaugural Chalk the Block event for Oct. 26, 2024. The free event will allow Midland’s youth and the young at heart to put their artistic signatures on Midland’s streets.

Midland’s leaders also have signed off on holiday season upgrades to a downtown lighting program that will elevate Centennial Park beyond the annual tree-lighting and parade events.

Lastly, a permanent Wall Street lighting program will bring more attention to the businesses and restaurants along Wall Street and improve the walkability of the stretch of downtown that is home to staples like the Micro Market, Pi Social and Cancun Bar and Grill.

Fulfilling the opportunities to make areas of Midland a destination for more community residents and those around West Texas is part of the work taking place at City Hall. We look forward to providing more updates about how the City of Midland is working for you.