MIDLAND, Texas — Midland YMCA is seeking expansion into northwest Midland to create more afterschool programming. The downtown location currently has 34 children on the waiting list, and as Midland grows, they are looking to increase service to the community.
People in northwest Midland are concerned about traffic safety in the area. The new facility would increase traffic on road infrastructure that has been called into question.
25 acres of land on the corner of Avalon and Mockingbird are creating controversy.
“We’re not against the YMCA," said John Burkholder, a northwest Midlander and spokesperson for Responsible Growth Midland. "We’re against this particular expansion due to the fact that all of the safety concerns [and] the traffic concerns.”
Responsible Growth Midland is a group of northwest Midlanders promoting safe traffic and travel in their developing area.
“Gabe McClellan, who is one of the gentlemen with the City of Midland, had stated that these roads were, again, subpar and that it was just inadequate to be able to handle the traffic flow that the YMCA was talking about bringing through here in phase one," Burkholder said. "In phase one alone they were looking at bringing around 1,000 people per day up these roads.”
In a statement from the YMCA, the organization stated, During the purchasing process of this property, the YMCA thoroughly researched and met with the City of Midland to confirm that the land was properly zoned to accommodate a YMCA branch. According to city officials, this initial project can be supported by the current road infrastructure.
Burkholder knows an increased need for childcare exists in Midland, but challenges exist as well.
“I think that these problems with the traffic and safety are big enough to derail this, and the reason being is, again, the city recognizes the fact that there is a huge infrastructure problem in this area, and that is one of the main reasons why I feel like Planning and Zoning actually shot this down when it went through," Burkholder said.
The YMCA says it acquired the land to serve the community and its nearby elementary schools with afterschool care.
This potential expansion would free up 100 spots at the downtown location for children in greater Midland, with the YMCA confirming through a statement that it, ...is dedicated to ensuring the health, safety, and general welfare of our community. Midland is growing and the YMCA is honored to play a critical role in making it a great place to live, work and play.
Burkholder noted that he feels development before infrastructure will create harm for Midlanders and patrons of the YMCA. The YMCA will be holding a "Y IT MATTERS" lunch and learn on Friday, October 20th at 11:45 A.M. at the downtown facility before the Midland City Council votes on the plat application of land starting at 9:45 AM. at Midland City Hall on October 24th.