Midland, Texas, OKs demolition project

The owner of a 12-story building in Texas that a regional public radio station says has been abandoned “for decades” has received approval from the Midland City Council to demolish the structure next year.

The mid-October approval for the demolition of the Western United Life Building involves allowing the owner to spend more than $3 million on a demo project that also may include “a few other nearby properties,” according to Marfa Public Radio in Texas.

The radio station says property owner Midland Development Corp. has indicated it intends to undertake the demolition project next year.

Sara Harris, executive director of Midland Development is quoted as calling the demolition “bittersweet,” but adds, “It’s really exciting to be able to replace a vacant building with something that is going to complement what we see ongoing with the revitalization of downtown Midland.”

The property owner has reportedly contracted with Bedford, Texas-based Midwest Wrecking Co. to demolish the Western United Life Building and the other targeted properties. That contract has yet to be finalized for acceptance by either the developer or Midland City Council, Marfa Public Radio says, though it is expected to be by the end of the month.

Another regional media report indicates there are three other buildings to be taken down, all located on the same city block in Midland’s central business district.

Reporting from KWES-TV indicates Midland Development acquired the 12-story building in 2018 with the intent to renovate and redevelop it, but found no cost-effective way to do that.