Views From The 4th Estate

Downtown district sets ceiling for assessment

- DMMD to spend an average of $369,000 a year to build downtown values

By Bob Campbell/Midland Reporter-Telegram

Having decided in July to extend the Downtown Midland Management District’s existence for another 10 years, directors voted Wednesday to leave its annual assessment of 73 properties unchanged in 2010, but to give themselves the option of upping the levy by an annual maximum of 10 percent thereafter.
However, the district’s current assessment of 26.4 cents per $100 in valuation, raised from 24 cents last year, is restricted to a maximum of 32 cents during the 10-year period, according to the 14-page “2010-19 Service  and Improvement Plan and Assessment Roll” adopted Wednesday at the Chamber of Commerce.
The document projects $368,534 in average annual expenditures with $221,121 for development, $73,707 for urban design and $36,853 each for marketing and administration. …

Here is the link to the entire story on www.mywesttexas.com.

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Here’s hoping this means more projects like the demolition of the Midland Savings Building.

Le Bistro offers a different downtown lunch location

Working downtown and trying to find somewhere to eat on your lunch hour can sometimes be a problem. There are several restaurants in the area, and one of them happens to have a quick buffet ready and waiting the moment you walk in the door.

Le Bistro, in the Hilton Midland Plaza, is within walking distance of most buildings. The casual decorating and quiet, relaxing atmosphere will take your mind off work the moment you enter. …

See the new local entertainment and dining section in Thursday’s Reporter-Telegram for the rest of the story.

Business Editor Mella McEwen reports in her Wednesday Business Scene that Carter’s Furniture is set to move from its downtown location to the former Dunlap’s location in Plaza Oaks Shopping Center, Wadley Ave. and Garfield St.

According to her column, Amy Espinosa with the 58-year-old retailer said a move from the current location at 501 E. Illinois Ave. is expected next spring. The new location, she said, “needs a little tender loving care first.”

The new location, she said, has 6,000 to 7,000 square feet more room and higher ceilings, giving Carter’s more showroom space. It also offers better parking, she added.

When the move is made, Espinosa said the current location will be converted into another warehouse.

This is a case where you hate to see a business move from downtown, but you can also understand why Carter’s Furniture needs to do so. There seems to be a lot of business sense in doing so.

It’s not downtown, but it’s still pretty interesting. Our actual story moved Saturday.

http://www.mywesttexas.com/articles/2009/08/31/news/top_stories/animal_hours.txt

Here is the slimmed down AP account.

MIDLAND, Texas (AP) — A Midland restaurant is encouraging dog owners to bring their pets to the patio for “Yappy Hour” in response to cutbacks at the city’s animal shelter.

Sedona Mexican Grill & Cantina is hosting dog owners and their pets on Monday afternoons.

Midland Animal Services Director Paul O’Neill said restaurant owner Julian Rubio is donating 10 percent of the proceeds to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Pet Solutions and Animal Outreach.

Midland Animal Services picked up about 819 animals in July of which 549 were euthanized. The agency has had to reduce its hours, is battling burnout and is short-staffed.

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Information from:

The Midland Reporter-Telegram, http://www.mywesttexas.com