Midland Population: 200,000 (Odessa, West: apartment, live, manufacturing)

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by Darbro

I hope Midland has tried to diversify it's economy since the 80's so if/when another bust occurs it won't get hit as hard.

Unfortunately, Midland doesn't know the meaning of diversify.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Darbro

I hope Midland has tried to diversify it's economy since the 80's so if/when another bust occurs it won't get hit as hard.

There have been various attempts to do so, but it's a grindingly slow process....and I don't think we'll see any significant diversification for a very long time to come.

But I don't know what they have done since I left in 2007, though.

[Mark Senior]

Simply, not likely, but good for a "thread" lol

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

There have been various attempts to do so, but it's a grindingly slow process....and I don't think we'll see any significant diversification for a very long time to come.

But I don't know what they have done since I left in 2007, though.

If you haven't seen Midland since 2007, you wouldn't recignize it today. They changed the Hilton to a Double Tree for example and all the hwys like 191, Business Loop 20 ( hwy 80), I-20, and 158 have exploded. Pioneer is about to break group on a new building there near Claydesta Plaza. They also demoed a couple buildings down town....exploded one. I can't recall how long it's been but they retired the old Court House moving that business to a building off Main ST and the put in a BLVD on Wall ST from Big Springs to Front. Then as you know they've built all new neighbor hoods and apartments. I even heard their building a completely new school...as well as new restaraunts like Panda Express and Pei Wei. Odessa got a Twin Peaks in case guys are interested. Heck, I went back after 4wks of being gone and saw new things. Their building something in the parking lot of the North Walmart.

[Westerntraveler]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

If you haven't seen Midland since 2007, you wouldn't recignize it today. They changed the Hilton to a Double Tree for example and all the hwys like 191, Business Loop 20 ( hwy 80), I-20, and 158 have exploded. Pioneer is about to break group on a new building there near Claydesta Plaza. They also demoed a couple buildings down town....exploded one. I can't recall how long it's been but they retired the old Court House moving that business to a building off Main ST and the put in a BLVD on Wall ST from Big Springs to Front. Then as you know they've built all new neighbor hoods and apartments. I even heard their building a completely new school...as well as new restaraunts like Panda Express and Pei Wei. Odessa got a Twin Peaks in case guys are interested. Heck, I went back after 4wks of being gone and saw new things. Their building something in the parking lot of the North Walmart.

SVTRay,are we really getting a Pei Wei cuz this is the first ive heard of us getting a Pei Wei?I dont see Midland getting that big by that year.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

If you haven't seen Midland since 2007, you wouldn't recignize it today. They changed the Hilton to a Double Tree for example and all the hwys like 191, Business Loop 20 ( hwy 80), I-20, and 158 have exploded. Pioneer is about to break group on a new building there near Claydesta Plaza. They also demoed a couple buildings down town....exploded one. I can't recall how long it's been but they retired the old Court House moving that business to a building off Main ST and the put in a BLVD on Wall ST from Big Springs to Front. Then as you know they've built all new neighbor hoods and apartments. I even heard their building a completely new school...as well as new restaraunts like Panda Express and Pei Wei. Odessa got a Twin Peaks in case guys are interested. Heck, I went back after 4wks of being gone and saw new things. Their building something in the parking lot of the North Walmart.

Wow. LOTS of changes....

They were in the process of demolishing the old office building downtown (was it the Vaughn building..? I can't remember the name of it) when I left, and HEB was undergoing rather extensive remodeling.

There is also a new performing arts center somewhere out around 1788 that was in the planning stages...and I understand that they finished it just recently.

Is the old Yucca Theater downtown still doing Summer Mummers??

I haven't ever eaten at a PE or Pei Wei......my favorite is still the old standby on Wall Street--Tampico's! If I ever get back to Midland (which I will if I move to Alpine), that's the first place I'm going!

[SVTRay]

Originally Posted by Westerntraveler

SVTRay,are we really getting a Pei Wei cuz this is the first ive heard of us getting a Pei Wei?I dont see Midland getting that big by that year.

That's what I hear coming from a reliable source...same person who told me about the Hilton/Double Tree swap months before it happened. So I guess we'll see what happens. Until then, I think I'm going to have some Pei Wei tonight...they got a location just down the road from our Dallas place

[Westerntraveler]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

That's what I hear coming from a reliable source...same person who told me about the Hilton/Double Tree swap months before it happened. So I guess we'll see what happens. Until then, I think I'm going to have some Pei Wei tonight...they got a location just down the road from our Dallas place

thats kool...i enjoy the chicken lettuce wraps from Pei wei.are you in dallas proper or a suburb,Ray?Im from the metroplex originally.

[Texas Liberal]

Originally Posted by SVTRay

Unfortunately, Midland doesn't know the meaning of diversify.

I don't think is quite fair. Midland and Odessa have tried to diversify for their entire histories, but which industries will prosper in a city is largely determined by geography and Midland and Odessa just don't have many options. Midland is lucky to have one major industry it can concentrate on, many cities and towns across the U.S. don't have any industries to speak of.

[debzkidz]

I didn't realize the Hilton had changed until earlier this week. My husband was making a hotel reservation for an upcoming business trip to Midland. He used to go to Midland at least once a month, but a few months ago, he got moved to a new area, so he doesn't get to go to back to Midland very often anymore. I'm thinking I might come along with him. It's been a couple a years since I've been back. I need a Wall Street fix!
Hopefully Midland will get a Pei Wei. That's where we had dinner tonight.