Midland YMCA proposal garners mixed reaction among residents

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – The Midland City Council held a meeting this week, discussing a re-zoning proposal for a new YMCA childcare center and improvements that are needed downtown.

“We’re having conversations with building owners downtown about alleyways specifically, and probably you’re seeing some of those being improved, but some of those need quite a bit of improvement. These murals are an opportunity to elevate alleyways and other walkways too. We have such a great starting place with the park and the square right around the park, but we want that life and vitality to expand outward from there,” said Mayor Lori Blong.

The Mayor then moved the meeting onto a re-zoning proposal for a new YMCA childcare center which would be built in north Midland, off of Avalon Drive. City planners said a traffic study isn’t necessary due to the building being so small, but public comment at the meeting garnered mixed reactions.

“The Northwest Y is not contingent upon the approval of this SUD. We have started construction and we are excited about opening our doors in fall of 2025.”

“You know if the YMCA is willing to put their time and energy and donor dollars and the community is obviously behind it to help address this big need some call the greatest need that we have here in the here in the Midland community. We just need to get behind it and help.”

“The YMCA is a it’s no doubt it seemed like it’s a pretty good idea. I think the main problem is it’s they don’t have everything in place yet to make it a good idea.”

“We’re asking for an organization to create another facility, and they can’t even handle the one they have today. Heaven forbid something would happen to these children so now we’re going to provide them with another location.

“The alternative is to have a dying city and a reducing population, and I don’t think we want that. But to think that we could have a city that just stabilizes and stays exactly as it is that’s not how things work. And so we are either a growing city dealing with the growing pains that inevitably come with that or we’re a dying city and I don’t think any of us would wish that upon ourselves.”

The motion passed through the City Council unanimously, with the addition of imperative improvements in the area as the new facility is built.

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