MIDLAND, Texas —
Construction continues at the site of the new northwest Midland YMCA location.
On Tuesday, Midland City Council approved a childcare specific use designation, or SUD, for the facility to help working families in Midland.
While there are infrastructure concerns with roads like Avalon Dr., there is belief this development will jumpstart some road projects in the area.
Mixed reactions were heard during the city council meeting Tuesday morning.
Some nearby residents of the location showed concern over the increased traffic the new facility will bring to the area.
Others spoke in support of the childcare SUD.
“I like to say that it’s really a women's issue of allowing the female to get out of the house and actually work and be a part of the economic growth of this city, and so part of that workforce solution is having childcare for her kids," said Beth Ryan, vice chair of the Midland YMCA board and a single working mom.
Ryan said they at the "Y" are financially supporting work to improve the roads, which includes widening Avalon.
“Another piece is going to be getting in that light at Briarwood and Avalon, that’s another piece," Ryan said. "Another piece is certainly addressing the traffic on Golden Gate and Mockingbird. But, again, we’re here to help move the needle and put pressure where pressure needs to be applied to continue to address those concerns.”
Midland Mayor Lori Blong said the new northwest YMCA has shined a light on the issues on that side of town.
“We can’t hit pause on growth and development of privately held land just because we didn’t get ahead of it; we have to do the best that we can -- use the revenues that are available to us and the solutions that we can -- to expand infrastructure," Mayor Blong said.
While those efforts continue, Midland is also helping childcare in the community.
“Childcare has been something that’s been identified to us as an economic development issue in Midland with just the ability to hire and retain people," Mayor Blong said.
Mayor Blong went on to say that, "It’s a problem for families to be able to have two working parents or single working parents who don’t have another option for childcare. We recognize this is a need, and the City of Midland wants to partner with those who want to solve the needs of Midland.”
The childcare SUD will limit the number of children to 200 spots with no time restraints, rather than the YMCA being able to serve as many children as possible with weekly hour restrictions for each child.
Mayor Blong added that they and the Midland Development Corporation will be working on the design for widening Avalon to ensure safety in the area after city council approved an agreement on Tuesday.