Midland-Odessa thread

[FoUTASportscaster]

Since I am from here and this area doesn't get a lot of play, I decided to make a thread for "the mini-metroplex."


Council contemplates baseball stadium expansion
Colin Guy
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram
03/20/2006
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First step in estimated $1.01 million project is to authorize $80,000 in funding for design of six new suites to Citibank Ballpark.


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View Map | Share photos of Citibank Ballpark
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By Colin Guy


Staff Writer




The City Council will consider taking the first step to expanding the Scharbauer Sports Complex Tuesday as it decides whether or not to authorize funding for the design of six new luxury suites for Citibank Ballpark.


The designs -- which would be drafted by the firm which handled the initial design for the sports complex, Parkhill, Smith and Cooper -- also would include plans for an additional corporate picnic area along the third-base line and extra storage space.


The cost of the design work is approximately $80,000, which would be drawn from the sales tax revenue that is in excess of the almost $3 million annual debt service on the bonds used to pay for construction of the sports complex. Budgetary estimates for fiscal year 2006 projected sales tax revenues would provide about $3.956 million total for the sports complex fund.


"When we refinanced the bonds, we reserved some of the dollars for expansion at the facilities," City Manager Rick Menchaca said. "The ballot language allows us to do new construction. We can't use those funds for maintenance."


Monette Burke, director of community services for the city of Midland, said Parkhill, Smith and Cooper have estimated the total cost for both the design-work and new construction would be about $1,019,900. However, Menchaca said he has heard the construction of the six suites may range from $500,000 to $600,000. He added the sports complex was designed to permit the construction of additional luxury suites if there was adequate demand.


Citibank Ball Park, primarily used by the Midland RockHounds, currently features 16 luxury suites which can be rented for $600 for a single night, or reserved for $19,000 a year on average, according to representatives from the organization. At the moment, only one of the luxury suites remains available on a per-night basis.


"The evidence is that there is additional demand for suites, based on the experience the RockHounds have had in past years," Midland Mayor Mike Canon said. "If there are more suites, we'll be able to rent them out and make the stadium a little bit bigger and that will appeal to more folks."


Menchaca said the city is still negotiating with the RockHounds on a revenue-sharing arrangement, but in preliminary conversations with the organization it has indicated interest in an agreement to split revenue from the new suites evenly between the two entities. He said RockHounds officials also have said they likely would provide the furnishings for the new suites and picnic area. Menchaca said officials from the baseball franchise have said it is likely the city will be able to recoup its investment at some point but could not predict when this might be without knowing how much the new facilities would rent for. He added any revenue generated by the suites would have to go back into the sports complex's fund.


In addition to potentially increasing the number of luxury suites at the baseball stadium, Menchaca said the city also is examining the possibility of purchasing a Jumbotron for the football and soccer stadium. He said the city has not yet received an estimate for a new videoboard, but it is possible some of the cost could be mitigated by advertising.




During its meeting Tuesday the City Council also will:


- Consider authorizing the Community Services Department to apply for two grants from the Texas Department of Transportation to be used for two hike and bike trails;


- Hear the annual report on the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone;


- Consider a resolution authorizing the execution of a professional services agreement with KDC-Turner for the development of a parks master plan.

[Geaux Tigers]

The "mini-metroplex". That's funny but pretty true about that area.

[DallasTT]

I saw a guy in your downtown, fall off a 4 foot curb. He was drunk as shit. I knew he was not going to stop. It was 3pm and he was drunk as a skunk. I laughed my ass off.

[Columbus Civil]

One of my college roommates was from Midland.

[Geaux Tigers]

Actually, Midland isn't that bad of a town if you have to live in west Texas. It beats the crap out of Lubbock or Amarillo. Now, Odessa on the other hand is a real dump.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Midland is the white-collar portion of the oil industry, while Odessa is the blue-collar. This is reflected in the cities.

I have fond memories of Midland and wouldn't mind living there, but there isn't much of a future there for me in my buisness.

[VectorWega]

Midland is the white-collar portion of the oil industry, while Odessa is the blue-collar. This is reflected in the cities.

True. Although, in the past 15 yrs they have certainly grown more alike (that's not saying much though..u can still tell a big difference)

[FoUTASportscaster]

Loop 250's development has made that area grow and I don't think Odessa has anything like it. I know they don't have an outer freeway loop and then a lot of big-box retailers :rolleyes: developed there. That has really separated the cities further.

[CityLove]

I look forward to visiting this area some time within the not-too-distant future. Perhaps this summer. Maybe you could give me some tips on places to see while I'm in town.

[FoUTASportscaster]

The new football stadium.

[VectorWega]

Loop 250's development has made that area grow and I don't think Odessa has anything like it. I know they don't have an outer freeway loop and then a lot of big-box retailers developed there. That has really separated the cities further.

I meant socio-economically. While there has been an increase in stores there has also been an increase in lower paying jobs and an increase in crime. At the same time, Odessa has actually had a decrease in crime. I'm not saying that Odessa is on the same level as Midland or ever will be. I'm just saying the gap has decreased. Of course, with the price of oil up the gap could increase even more.

[incrediculous]

I look forward to visiting this area some time within the not-too-distant future. Perhaps this summer. Maybe you could give me some tips on places to see while I'm in town.

Nothing to look forward to. I grew up there.

[CityLove]

Nothing to look forward to. I grew up there.

I have ulterior motives.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Nothing to look forward to. I grew up there.

I did too. What school?

[VectorWega]

I guess u could go to the Petroleum Museum or the Confederate Air Force Museum (I believe they had to change the name). There are a lot of good Mexican food restaurants in Midland. There's a jackelope in Odessa but I see no reason to go to Odessa.

[FoUTASportscaster]

City undecided on I-20 travel center




Alon USA official says city funding for infrastructure needed for multimillion dollar truck stop and travel center.




By Colin Guy


Staff Writer




Representatives from Alon USA approached the City Council Tuesday to request city funding for the infrastructure necessary to develop a proposed $10 million to $12 million truck stop and travel center.


Jeff Morris, president and CEO of Alon USA the company that owns the Big Spring Refinery and 7-Eleven stores throughout West Texas, told the City Council his company has agreed to enter a joint-venture agreement with Petro Stopping Centers LP to develop the "Texas Star Travel Plaza" along Interstate 20, but that it was necessary to secure an agreement from the city to provide infrastructure at the site prior to finalizing the joint-venture.


The 100-acre site, of which 56 acres are initially planned for development, will need to be connected to the city's water and sewer systems and will also require the extension of Alon Road to Loop 250.


Chuck Swallow, city of Midland director of development services, presented three cost estimates for the City Council to consider.


Swallow first presented figures based on the city's previous level of participation in paying for infrastructure for subdivisions. Swallow said under this arrangement the developer would be responsible for about $489,910 of the cost and the city would pay $855,440, or roughly 64 percent of the total cost. Swallow said the developers, who have not sought any economic development incentives, had originally requested the city pay for the entire infrastructure cost, approximately $1.35 million.


Swallow said the first two cost schemes are based on a route for the water lines that would be the cheapest but which would also only provide service to the proposed site for the travel center.


He presented a third option to the City Council which would cost more, but would also provide an opportunity for neighboring sites to connect into the city's water supply at a future date. This proposal would cost the developer $332,940 and the city roughly $1.52 million but would also provide an opportunity for the city to recover $375,000 from subsequent developers.


After returning from deliberation in executive session, Mayor Mike Canon informed Morris and other representatives from the development companies that the City Council needed to examine its options further and was not prepared to take any action on the request.


"I've been excited about this project for a long time and my intent in coming here was to create the same level of excitement for the city," Morris responded. "The type of travel center we're talking about is not your typical travel center."


Morris continued to say that the proposed travel center would be in the same class as only a dozen other facilities nationwide. He said the facility would feature restaurants, a convenience store, a service center for trucks and may feature additional amenities in the future, such as a hotel. Additionally, the plan calls for 200 to 250 spaces for trucks and 160 spots for cars.


"What this is, is a rare investment opportunity for the city of Midland," Morris said, adding if the city committed to the approximately $900,000 in support originally requested by developers, that it could expect to recoup its expenses in two to three years. Morris said that the facility is expected to provide $300,000 to $400,000 a year in ad valorem and sales tax for the city, in addition to creating 130 new jobs, and as many as 450 if a hotel is later added to the site.


Morris continued to say that the developers involved in the project were eager to move forward, but could not wait much longer before proceeding. He said if the City Council did not make a determination regarding the infrastructure needed for the site by its next meeting on April 11, then the deal would not go forward.


"I think I can speak for the Council when I say we're pleased you all have made a preliminary decision to locate this facility where you have," Canon said. "We take very seriously your proposal and all the different aspects. We're not voting for anything today. We need to go back to the drawing board and discuss this further with you all. We think we know all the positives. At this point we're very interested in continuing a discussion and doing so on a basis that meets your timeline."

[FoUTASportscaster]

City Council fixes route for Holiday Hill extension
Colin Guy
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram
03/22/2006
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The City Council resolved during its meeting Tuesday to proceed with the extension of Holiday Hill road along the route originally established in plans drawn up in 1979.


The proposed extension project will connect Holiday Hill Road to the Highway 349 reliever route, an integral part of the La Entrada al Pacifica trade corridor. Residents of the Greentree subdivision previously expressed concern that the proximity of the new portion of Holiday Hill Road to their neighborhood would result in increased noise and traffic, which could potentially lower the value of their property. Several members of the community requested the city consider altering its plans for the extension of Holiday Hill Road to move it anywhere from 400 feet to 800 feet further to the west. City officials discussed the proposition during a briefing session in January, as well as the possibility of shielding some of the noise by constructing either a berm or sound wall along the new portion of Holiday Hill Road.


The total cost for the project based on the original design is estimated at around $3.8 million, with the Texas Department of Transportation contributing 80 percent, or approximately $3 million, the city paying roughly $800,000 and the county paying an as-of-yet undetermined amount.


Chuck Swallow, director of development services, estimated during the City Council meeting Tuesday that it would cost an additional $830,000 to construct the road extension further to the west, in part because it would be necessary to acquire additional right-of-way from developers. He said construction of a berm to reduce traffic noise would cost about $120,000 and a 10-foot sound wall would cost about $600,000 to construct.


In order to help mitigate the level of noise city officials said it is possible to pass an ordinance that would restrict large trucks-- those with more than two axles -- from traveling along Holiday Hill Road, adding that it is not likely many trucks would exit SH 349 on to Holiday Hill Road. The proposed ordinance would still permit trucks delivering furniture or other items to homes in nearby neighborhoods to travel along Holiday Hill Road, but an invoice would be required to verify their destination.


After hearing many comments from residents concerned about the impact the road will have on their property values, city officials said they would not move the road, but would pass the proposed ordinance limiting truck traffic and would consider approving either a berm or sound wall during a future meeting.


"We hate that it has to be there, but that's where it's going to be," Midland Mayor Mike Canon said. "We'll try to do what we can to protect your property values as much as we can."




City Council defers decision on new luxury suites for Citibank Ballpark




The City Council voted 6-1 in favor of a motion to defer judgment on whether or not to pay $80,000 to the firm Parkhill, Smith and Cooper to design six new luxury suites for the Citibank Ballpark. The proposed capital improvements at the Scharbauer Sports Complex would also include an additional concession area along the third-base line and additional storage space.


Monette Burke, director of community services, told the City Council it would likely cost somewhere from $500,000 to $600,000 for the luxury suites and the entire project, including the cost of design work, would cost slightly over $1 million. Burke added that the original design of the sports complex left room for more luxury suites and that "this isn't anything new, it's just coming at a later date than the original construction." Burke said the Midland RockHounds have indicated that there is a waiting list for the suites currently located at the ballpark and there is sufficient demand for additional suites to be built.


"If it's a profitable thing, shouldn't the RockHounds pay for some of the construction?" At-Large City Councilman Bill Dingus said.


City Manager Rick Menchaca and Canon informed Dingus that based on the current rental rate of luxury suites at the ballpark-- about $19,000 on average-- that the city could expect at least $60,000 annually if revenue from the new suites was split evenly between the city and the RockHounds, as proposed.


Dingus added that there has been a separate discussion about the city paying for a Jumbotron video screen for the sports complex and that is something that would benefit everybody who visits the facility, and consequentially something he would feel more comfortable supporting.


"The suites only benefit a few of the more fortunate individuals," Dingus said. "I want to defer until we can look at more of the economics."


District 1 City Councilwoman LuAnn Morgan voted against the motion to defer the decision on the luxury suites. In an interview after the meeting she said it is clear that there is sufficient demand for the luxury suites and after reviewing the financial estimates she believes it would be a good investment.


"From what I investigated, I saw returns and saw there's a need for it, they've been very popular," Morgan said. "Based on demand, I can see a good return on our investment. We're probably looking at it paying for itself in five years."


During its meeting Tuesday the City Council also:


-Approved 11:30 a.m. on April 11 as the time and date for a public hearing on establishing Lot 1, Block 2, Wallco Addition, Section Two as a reinvestment zone for tax abatement purposes.


-Approved a resolution appropriating funds for the continued development of James M. Bradford Park


-Approved a resolution appropriating funds to the Rankin Highway Visitors Center and authorizing the city manager to negotiate a contract regarding the expenditure of the funds


-Authorized the execution of a professional services agreement with KDC-Turner for the development of a master plan for the Community Services Department

[Geaux Tigers]

I look forward to visiting this area some time within the not-too-distant future. Perhaps this summer. Maybe you could give me some tips on places to see while I'm in town.

I think there's a big metor crater outside of Odessa. There's also lots of oil rigs, tumbleweeds, and dirt.

Midland has a decent skyline for it's size. Outside of that, there ain't much.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Rail transloading center gets setback as land lease expires
Bob Campbell
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram
03/29/2006
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By Bob Campbell


Staff Writer




Delays in signing a rail transloading center contract with Union Pacific will prompt La Entrada Rural District to let its lease on 21 acres for the center to expire Friday.


"We're disappointed, but we're not giving up on it," said District Chairman John Cunningham of Odessa at Tuesday's board meeting at the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission.


He had read an e-mail from Iowa Pacific Vice President Jack Dapkus of Chicago, who has been negotiating with UP, repeating, "The door remains open, although not a very large opening at this point."


Cunningham told the board an option with Warren Cat south of Midland International Airport might be renewed if the proposed arrangement to ship and receive commodities, merchandise and industrial supplies were to materialize.


"There has been no movement from UP and we have no reason not to let the lease with Warren Cat expire on March 31," he said. "There are other sites we can look at if it comes to that."


In other business, board member Drew Crutcher of Odessa said a delegation from Ciudad Chihuahua, Mexico, is visiting the Basin to verify plans the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance and other entities have to establish La Entrada al Pacifico trade corridor.


Crutcher said the five-member group would be feted at a Tuesday night dinner at Odessa Country Club. It includes Miguel Angel Aguayo and Manuel J. Alderete of Consultoria Industrial and Matias Antonio Carreon Fernandez of the state of Chihuahua's economics and tourism department.


Board member Betsy Triplett-Hurt of Odessa introduced Brad Bunn of Midland, whose name will be submitted to Midland County commissioners for confirmation as a new director to replace Kevin Kelley, who resigned recently to accept an employment transfer.

[Haretip]

Loop 250's development has made that area grow and I don't think Odessa has anything like it. I know they don't have an outer freeway loop and then a lot of big-box retailers :rolleyes: developed there. That has really separated the cities further.

Do you often talk without knowing what you are talking about, Fouta?

It's Midland than only has a partial loop (http://maps.google.com/?ll=31.878141,-102.339363&spn=0.289208,0.509491) . Odessa has been "full circle" (http://maps.google.com/?ll=31.878141,-102.339363&spn=0.289208,0.509491) for more than ten years.

It took a little while after they combined their MSA's, but Odessa started getting the same big box (http://maps.google.com/?ll=32.010405,-102.085648&spn=0.144396,0.254745) stuff as Midland.

Say what you want about Odessa, but Midland ain't so great by itself and they can all hang together or they'll all hang separately. Midland's statistics wouldn't attract a new Taco Bell location if it wasn't for the combined population stats of Odessa and the unpolished turd that is West Odessa.

[Tnekster]

Odessa has a freeway loop? I was there recently for a conference and didn't see anything that looked like a freeway loop.

[Haretip]

What conference? I was suppose to go there recently for a conference but didn't.

The Loop is designated 338 and is shown on the Google Map I linked

[FoUTASportscaster]

Midlands Loop 250, as it is named, stretches from West I-20 to Fairgrounds road in freeway from and continues in frontage road form to Buisness Loop 20 in East Midland, outside of city limits. It is the only freeway Loop, even if it doesn't make a whole loop, in Midland Odessa. Loop 338 is only a highway, with stoplights, and unlike Loop 250's service road layout, would be very expensive to convert to a freeway, since developed portions of 338 are not even a divided highway.

As for Odessa not having anything like it, the closest thing is the east John Ben Shepard stretch of highway 191, before it turns into a freeway, and that isn't the suburban style big box look as northern Loop 250 has.

As for talking about what I don't know, I spent the first 20 years of my life there and devoted a lot of time to keeping up to date on city news. There's a good chance I know more about that area than you do, ass.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Say what you want about Odessa, but Midland ain't so great by itself and they can all hang together or they'll all hang separately. Midland's statistics wouldn't attract a new Taco Bell location if it wasn't for the combined population stats of Odessa and the unpolished turd that is West Odessa.


Again, just like DFW, the two cities need each other. That said, there are still differences, just like here, that makes the area unique form the other. Midland is the more white collar, behind the desk of the local oil industry, while Odessa is the blue collar out in the field worker and the cities reflect that. Ask any local resident and they will say the same and are proud of that fact, in both cities.

[Haretip]

Midlands Loop 250, as it is named, stretches from West I-20 to Fairgrounds road in freeway from and continues in frontage road form to Buisness Loop 20 in East Midland, outside of city limits. It is the only freeway Loop, even if it doesn't make a whole loop, in Midland Odessa. Loop 338 is only a highway, with stoplights, and unlike Loop 250's service road layout, would be very expensive to convert to a freeway, since developed portions of 338 are not even a divided highway.

As for Odessa not having anything like it, the closest thing is the east John Ben Shepard stretch of highway 191, before it turns into a freeway, and that isn't the suburban style big box look as northern Loop 250 has.

As for talking about what I don't know, I spent the first 20 years of my life there and devoted a lot of time to keeping up to date on city news. There's a good chance I know more about that area than you do, ass.

The loop system in Odessa predates the loop in Midland and was built to the older standard. Think of it as similar to Loop 12 here in Dallas.

Oh, it took you 20 years to get out of there, huh? Most of the smart ones hit the bricks the day after graduation ceremonies. Well, it sounds like they are calling you back: Midland wants Fouta Back (www.comehometomidland.com)



http://www.comehometomidland.com/images/lost4.jpg

[FoUTASportscaster]

The loop system in Odessa predates the loop in Midland and was built to the older standard. Think of it as similar to Loop 12 here in Dallas.

No, I know what it is, I lived there. But that doesn't dispute what I said earlier. The construction of the new freeway allowed a lot of big-box retailers, like Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Circuit City and a lot of outdoor shopping centers to sprout up. I know first hand, I witnessed the construction of all of it.


Oh, it took you 20 years to get out of there, huh? Most of the smart ones hit the bricks the day after graduation ceremonies. Well, it sounds like they are calling you back: Midland wants Fouta Back (www.comehometomidland.com)


It's hard to leave when you are ages 1-20. I went to cheaper community college, before transfering to UTA. As for going back, I'd love to, but that market is one of the smallest radio markets in the nation, and I think being at The Ticket will help me better.

[psukhu]

Oh, it took you 20 years to get out of there, huh? Most of the smart ones hit the bricks the day after graduation ceremonies. Well, it sounds like they are calling you back: Midland wants Fouta Back (www.comehometomidland.com)


What if Kenny got used to decent Indian food and sushi while in Dallas. Do they have good sushi in Midland? :D

[St-T]

Midland:

[St-T]

Odessa:

[Geaux Tigers]

"Come home to ...a striking international airport". Huh? I've flown into the Midland-Odessa "International" Airport and I guess I just missed the flights to London, Paris, Madrid, and Tokyo. It's a nice airport, but isn't this reaching just a little?

[tamtagon]

Most of the small metros across the country are going to experience a realtively strong growth in population and overall disposable income. Up to 10 million retiring baby-boomers intend to settle away from the big cities. The US rural population has actually increased in recent years, and there's a strong trend among older folks w/secure retirement funds seeking out townships, villages and other rural lifestyles. Small, slow growth metros like Midland/Odessa, San Angelo, Lubbock, Amarillo, Lufkin, Victoria will get a buying power boost during the next generation, I think it'll probablly continue for a couple generations. Of course, this new population in rural environs will be very small when compared to the 10s of millions of teens and young adults who are developing motivated preference for a bustling city locale.

[VectorWega]

Good point. Although, Midland is more of a suburban environment. There is nothing rural about it.

[FoUTASportscaster]

"Come home to ...a striking international airport". Huh? I've flown into the Midland-Odessa "International" Airport and I guess I just missed the flights to London, Paris, Madrid, and Tokyo. It's a nice airport, but isn't this reaching just a little?


Yeah, that generally gave the residents of the area a good chuckle.

[Haretip]

What if Kenny got used to decent Indian food and sushi while in Dallas. Do they have good sushi in Midland? :D

I don't know about Midland specifically. Many of the smaller cities have trouble attracting doctors to their hospitals, so a lot of Indians have been recruited to fill the demand. I would think M/O, as the center of the region you would think there would be enough demand to support at least one decent Indian place. Do you know of any in Midland, Fouta? I was just jerking your chain, probably a little too much in previous posts. I appreciate the petroplex updates.

[FoUTASportscaster]

There are a lot of Indian doctors, but I don't know of any one specifically indian only.

[Haretip]

Now that I think about it, a Bangladeshi engineer I know at the Dallas Water Utilities used to complain about the lack of Indian/Bangi/Pakistani restaurants in that part of the world. The closest he could get to home cooking was chinese restaurants.

I suppose you have to get an invitation to an Indian family's house to get good Indian food
in MO.

[Geaux Tigers]

I know Lubbock has a pretty decent Indian restaurant, but that probably has everything to do with Texas Tech.

[Lucidus]

Hey all,

I love these M/O threads, it seems that Midland Odessa is the place that everyone just loves to hate. :cool:

Anyway the big news here right now is that the boom is finally back. $60.00 a barrel oil is working it's magic! Both Midland and Odessa are experiencing rapid growth right now. But don't take my word for it, just call a realtor and tell them you want to buy a house in Midland.

So M/O may not be a world-class city like DFW, but don't think we will be doing too badly over the next few years.

[VectorWega]

I would think M/O, as the center of the region

West Texas is not the midwest. You will not find little farm communities every 5 minutes and farm homes inbetween. While there are some small cities in West Texas you can go an hour without hitting one. My point is that there is no region to be a center of. Essentially, Midland and Odessa is the region. There are few small towns surrounding Midland.

There aren't a whole lot of Indians in Midland. Indian food is definitely one of the most "out there" foods (for Americans). I have a hard enough time getting a lot of friends from the metroplex to go to Indian restaurants. I don't see any way one could survive in Midland.

Also, Midland is mainly a chain restaurant city. They do have great local Tex/Mex restaurants, but aside from that non chains are rare to come by (Luigi's is a non-chain italian restaraunt, not sure if Shogun's Japanese steakhouse is a chain but that's about it).

[St-T]

Lubbock and Amarillo have a lot more (and better) restaurants.

[Lucidus]

Lubbock and Amarillo have a lot more (and better) restaurants.

Could you be more specific? I am just asking because I like to keep an eye out for new business possibilities for M/O. A chain that is already in Amarillo and Lubbock but not M/O would be a great opportunity.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Energy sector fuels jump in employment, regional economy |
Mella McEwen
Oil Editor
Midland Reporter-Telegram
04/06/2006


Employment data revisions recently issued by the Texas Workforce Commission showed what all the "Now Hiring" signs springing up all over the Tall City have indicated for months: Midland is churning out jobs at an enviable rate.


Karr Ingham, the Amarillo economist who prepares the Midland-Odessa Regional Economic index for West Texas State Bank and the Reporter-Telegram, said the data revisions indicated Midland-Odessa's job growth was over 5 percent from 2004 to 2005, up sharply from the previous estimate of just over 1 percent.


"New jobs were added throughout 2005 and at a more rapid clip as the year went on, and at year-end, the estimated number of jobs was raised by nearly 6,000 jobs compared to pre-revision estimates," Ingham noted.


Of course, he added, "we don't want to see job growth just in the oil and gas sector, we want it across the board and we want to see evidence the oil and gas sector is stimulating the general economy."


There are, he said, more jobs being created above and beyond the oil sector.


"That economy is evolving," Ingham said. "It's still tied to the oil and gas sector, but there are jobs being created beyond that sector, many of them in the service sector. And we make the mistake of thinking service sector jobs are low-paying, low-scale jobs but increasingly service sector jobs include information technology or financial services, which require a lot of training and education and the pay scale is starting to reflect that training and education."


Phil Davis, senior vice president and branch manager of West Texas State Bank's Midland branch, commented, "The index confirms that we have an environment with a tremendous growth rate in the economy and the related job growth that goes with it. This points to how important the community's efforts are to get people to move to Midland to meet our continuing employment demands."


Ingham went on to observe the petroleum sector directly accounted for over half that increase, with oil and gas employment estimated rising by some 3,200 jobs. And, he said, "whereas oil and gas employment was estimated to have grown by only 1 percent in 2005 over 2004, the new numbers suggest year-over-year oil and gas employment growth of nearly 15 percent."


Those statistics come as no surprise to Morris Burns, executive vice president of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, who said the oil and gas industry has "ample employment opportunities, not only in the oil field but for professionals -- engineers, geologists, geophysicists. We need workers in every aspect of the industry."


Burns added the impact of a thriving oil and gas industry are apparent throughout the Midland-Odessa economy.


Sales tax collections in Midland and Odessa have risen about 25 percent over the last year or so, he said, and "this is where that's coming from. It didn't come from raising turnips."


Indeed, Ingham said, in the early months of 2006, the Midland-Odessa economy, "well it's simply on fire. There are no negatives in the table of economic indicators, and not only are the numbers positive, they are positive by a bunch."


The index soared by 8.4 percent from February 2005 to February 2006, led by consumer spending. Retail sales were up 14.7 percent compared to February 2005 while spending on automobiles, while taking a breather from double-digit increases, still rose 8.5 percent. Year-to-date, automotive spending is up 11.5 percent.


Construction also remains strong, with valuations for all building permits soaring 139.8 percent in February over February 2005 and up 26.1 percent for the first two months of 2006.


Housing construction climbed 52.6 percent with 58 new home building permits issued in February compared to 38 last February; year-to-date, housing construction is even stronger, with the 125 permits issued in January and February up 66.7 percent from 75 issued the same time last year.


Sales of existing homes rose 5.2 percent, with 245 homes being sold in February as compared to 233 in February 2005. Realtors sold 465 homes in January and February, up 8.9 percent from 427 in January and February 2005. The average sales price rose to $108,425 in February, up 12.7 percent from an average $96,181 last February. Year-to-date, housing prices are up 10.7 percent to an average $108,240 from $97,818 last year.


Income from outside the Midland-Odessa area is also on the rise, with airline boardings up 9.7 percent to 33,190 in February from 30,248 in February 2005 and up 7.3 percent year-to-date, to 66,067 from 61,550 in 2005. Hotel/motel tax collections are also up, to $669,112, a gain of 10.8 percent from 605,130 last year.


"Boom times?" Ingham asked. "I would say so. And regardless of any concerns about the area's continued very close ties to a single industry, who would turn down the present prosperity and increase in economic opportunity? Given the brutal cycles the region has endured for decades, area residents, businessmen and the oil and gas industry have certainly earned it."

[Haretip]

West Texas is not the midwest. You will not find little farm communities every 5 minutes and farm homes inbetween. While there are some small cities in West Texas you can go an hour without hitting one. My point is that there is no region to be a center of. Essentially, Midland and Odessa is the region. There are few small towns surrounding Midland.


Not true. You have to think on a bigger scale, this is Texas.

Instead of small farm communities every 5 minutes, you will find small oil/cattle/cotton/whatever communities every 30 minutes. There is a viable region out there, it is just spread further apart. As crude and uncivilized as you may think Odessa and Midland are, they do have many of the modern conveniences that you will not find in the smaller towns. People will and do drive 2-3 hours to go grocery shopping. Midland has the only airport with commercial jet service between Abilene and El Paso (excepting the little commuter jets to San Angelo). If you need critical healthcare in about 17 counties, you're going to be transferred to a hospital in Midland or Odessa. Sure, it's not a sophisticated urban region, but the people and places out there built some of the finest residences and grandest buildings in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston and should not be treated as stepchildren.

I don't love to hate Midland/Odessa. I am a Texan and I love all parts of my state (except Houston).

[Jack Flack]

I grew up in Midland during the 1980's and went to elementary school there. This is totally random but for anyone who lived there during that time my dad owned the Great Expectations hair salon at the Dillards entrance to Midland Park Mall. You may also remember the horrible commercials he made using songs from ZZ Top.

[VectorWega]

Instead of small farm communities every 5 minutes, you will find small oil/cattle/cotton/whatever communities every 30 minutes. There is a viable region out there, it is just spread further apart

Every 30 minutes...that's my point! Outside of Midland/Odessa, this area is very sparsely populated.



Sure, it's not a sophisticated urban region, but the people and places out there built some of the finest residences and grandest buildings in Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston and should not be treated as stepchildren.

I'm not sure where I treated the cities as stepchildren. I merely presented the fact that outside of Midland and Odessa there is very little population in that region. Call me crazy, but I don't think that people from Ft. Stockton are going to be driving 3 hours round trip because there is a good Indian restaurant in Midland.

[psukhu]

I don't know about Midland specifically. Many of the smaller cities have trouble attracting doctors to their hospitals, so a lot of Indians have been recruited to fill the demand. I would think M/O, as the center of the region you would think there would be enough demand to support at least one decent Indian place. Do you know of any in Midland, Fouta? I was just jerking your chain, probably a little too much in previous posts. I appreciate the petroplex updates.

You're right. Many small cities have trouble recruiting doctors. I once saw on 20/20 that hospitals in small cities sponsor many doctors from India and China to fill the demand.

[FoUTASportscaster]

Council approves investment for travel center |
Ryan Myers
Staff Writer
Midland Reporter-Telegram
04/12/2006



Developer says center will be unrivaled by like facilities in Texas and construction should begin within two months.






The Midland City Council decided Tuesday to draft a contract with Alon USA for the development of a $12 million travel center at the southwest corner of Loop 250 West and Interstate 20.


Under the proposed agreement the city would spend $490,000 for development of infrastructure to the site, including extension of water and sewer lines to the location and the extension of a road to near there from Loop 250.


"Developing this location is part of our overall master plan for the city," City Manager Rick Menchaca told the council, explaining extending infrastructure to the travel center will contribute to a larger, $1.8 million city plan to extend utilities and spur development on the west side of town south of the interstate, including a proposed industrial park there.


"A benefit to this that we see, of course, is providing this infrastructure, water service especially, to the south side of the interstate, which has always been a hurdle in getting development started in that area," he said.


The city will fund the extension of utilities to the area through a variety of means, including the city's water sewer bond fund and general certificates of obligation for development participation.


"There will also be pro rata collections over time," he said. "As people tap into the new water line they will reimburse us."


Contribution to the infrastructure project by the Midland Development Corporation, currently estimated between $400,000 and $500,000, also will be recouped through pro rata collection.


"Alon has agreed to a performance contract basically saying through direct property tax and direct sales tax that the city should, by my estimates right now, recover it's investment of $490,000 within 2.6 years."


President of Alon USA, John Morris, has pitched the travel center, being developed under a joint-venture agreement with Petro Stopping Centers LP, as one that would be comparable in class to only a dozen other facilities nationwide. The travel center will feature, he said, an Iron Skillet restaurant, a convenience store, a service center for trucks and 200 to 250 parking spaces for trucks and 160 spaces for cars.


"I don't know of any facility in the state of Texas that will rival this facility," Morris said in a telephone interview after the council's decision. "And I think the people of Midland will be amazed what this area will look like five years from now."


Initial plans for the travel center call for development of only 52 of the 100 acre site, but Morris has said further development there is likely and could include additional developments such as a hotel.


Morris added site construction likely will begin within 60 days.


A contract between Alon and the city should be ready for presentation to the Council within a month, Menchaca said.


At-large Councilman Bill Dingus was the lone dissenter voting against the agenda item, explaining he felt agreeing to pay for part of the Alon road could encourage developers in the future to expect the same courtesy from the city.


Mayor Mike Canon was absent for the council's vote.

[Columbus Civil]

You may also remember the horrible commercials he made using songs from ZZ Top.

Sharp Dressed Man?

[Jack Flack]

^ Yep, that's the song he used for one of his commercials. I am sure he asked Mr. Top for the right to use it.

[Geaux Tigers]

^That's awesome!