Old Midland County Courthouse To Be Replaced With 58-Story Skyscraper
By: Jenne Anderson
Updated: March 18, 2013
MIDLAND-- One man's trash is another man's treasure.
This rings true for the Midland County Commissioner's Court who, on Monday, approved the sale of the old Midland County Courthouse to the Tall City.
"The offer came from the city of Midland," explained County Judge Mike Bradford. "And it did contain an all-cash offer of $2,220,000."
This means Midland city leaders can move forward with their plan to demolish the courthouse, and put a 58-story building, called the Energy Tower, in its place.
"Given the 2 years of history that we've been working on this project, this is our better solution," said Midland Mayor Wes Perry.
Energy Related Properties is the company behind the development of the new tower.
They tell us by 2015 Midlanders can expect to see offices, residential living, hospitality space, retail, and entertainment all integrated into the modern building.
"Our actual caption for this whole project is the 'Celebration of Rejuvenation,'' said Energy Related Properties Partner, William Meyer. "Because Midland absolutely deserves it, and we would like to do it."
Before any demolition can begin on the courthouse, Mayor Perry tells us the developers will have to secure the needed tenants to fill the building.
"If they're successful in getting tenants, that's really the key, then the building can be built," stated Mayor Perry. "If they're not successful, then that's not going to happen."
But, Energy Related Properties says they're not too worried about rounding up enough interest.
"I don't really see a concern," said Meyer. "There's not that much office space, hotels are desperately needed, and residences are desperate needed."
Although Midland city leaders say the new Energy Tower will revitalize downtown Midland, not everyone is on board with this change.
In fact, several people showed up at the County Commissioner's Court to defend the old courthouse, saying it's a historic piece of Midland history.
"I don't know that we have the proper conscience as a community about revering our past and revering our heritage," said Midland resident Pat McDaniel.
"If we don't remember our past, we don't know where our future is going to be," explained Sue Brannon, who also opposes the demolition.
But both the county and the city say the building was sitting empty far too long.
They also tell us this is the best solution they could find.
"It is our hope that this becomes an active piece of property and that it generates, obviously, some sales tax," said Judge Bradford. "Because it's been off the tax rolls for 80 years."
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This rings true for the Midland County Commissioner's Court who, on Monday, approved the sale of the old Midland County Courthouse to the Tall City.
"The offer came from the city of Midland," explained County Judge Mike Bradford. "And it did contain an all-cash offer of $2,220,000."
This means Midland city leaders can move forward with their plan to demolish the courthouse, and put a 58-story building, called the Energy Tower, in its place.
"Given the 2 years of history that we've been working on this project, this is our better solution," said Midland Mayor Wes Perry.
Energy Related Properties is the company behind the development of the new tower.
They tell us by 2015 Midlanders can expect to see offices, residential living, hospitality space, retail, and entertainment all integrated into the modern building.
"Our actual caption for this whole project is the 'Celebration of Rejuvenation,'' said Energy Related Properties Partner, William Meyer. "Because Midland absolutely deserves it, and we would like to do it."
Before any demolition can begin on the courthouse, Mayor Perry tells us the developers will have to secure the needed tenants to fill the building.
"If they're successful in getting tenants, that's really the key, then the building can be built," stated Mayor Perry. "If they're not successful, then that's not going to happen."
But, Energy Related Properties says they're not too worried about rounding up enough interest.
"I don't really see a concern," said Meyer. "There's not that much office space, hotels are desperately needed, and residences are desperate needed."
Although Midland city leaders say the new Energy Tower will revitalize downtown Midland, not everyone is on board with this change.
In fact, several people showed up at the County Commissioner's Court to defend the old courthouse, saying it's a historic piece of Midland history.
"I don't know that we have the proper conscience as a community about revering our past and revering our heritage," said Midland resident Pat McDaniel.
"If we don't remember our past, we don't know where our future is going to be," explained Sue Brannon, who also opposes the demolition.
But both the county and the city say the building was sitting empty far too long.
They also tell us this is the best solution they could find.
"It is our hope that this becomes an active piece of property and that it generates, obviously, some sales tax," said Judge Bradford. "Because it's been off the tax rolls for 80 years."
Like Jenne Anderson's page on Facebook!
Comments
I had heard rumors about this Project at the end of last year. After seeing your video, I would of never believed it. This is about as crazy as the idea that was floating around several years ago about putting a lake in NW Midland. This Project is insane. Traffic in Downtown is already a mess in the morning, noon, and after work. Parking is problem during business hours. Several large downtown employers are already building (or planning to) relocate on the outskirts of town. Now throw in several buildings in Midland vacant. Downtown is not equiped for this magnitude of "influx". I think our citizens deserve better planning of the existing downtown area; not some Monument that is going to be a headache for all.
T. C.
March 20, 2013 at 4:28 pm
