Occidental (Oxy), one of the largest oil and gas companies in the Permian Basin, donated 4.5 acres of land in northeast Midland to support the construction of the city’s anticipated 12th fire station.
The donation was marked by a Land Dedication Ceremony on Feb. 11 at City Hall, with leaders from both Oxy and the City of Midland in attendance.
“On behalf of the City of Midland, I extend our thanks to Oxy for their contribution of land,” Blong said in a Feb. 11 press release. “Our community benefits greatly from the generosity of local industry leaders and companies, as they give back to support the City and so many other organizations in our region. We’re so thankful to Oxy for the partnership and the shared vision for the future of Midland that this donation represents.”
The 4.5-acre parcel of land is located southwest of the intersection of Big Spring Street (State Highway 349) and Occidental Parkway, which will serve the rapidly expanding area of northeast Midland. This part of the city, located in District 1, has become one of the fastest-growing regions in both residential and business development.
Oxy, which has its Permian headquarters in Midland, has a long history of supporting local initiatives, particularly with first responders.
According to an Oxy spokesperson, the idea for the land donation first emerged in 2019, after a Midland Fire Department fire truck was lost in a blaze while protecting the community. Following the incident, the company reached out immediately to offer assistance.
Oxy helped to replace the fire truck and over the course of several years cultivated a relationship with the City of Midland.
During a Feb. 11 city council meeting, the council discussed the donation and addressed the growing needs of the area, which currently lacks adequate fire protection in the face of increased population and infrastructure.
“In the big picture plan that we’ve created with the fire department, we’re working on another land purchase off of Todd Road,” said Chuck Blumenauer, Managing Director of Public Safety, during the city council meeting. “Station 4 is out of its life span, so Station 4 would move to the Todd Road location, and this will be Station 12, which will give us two access points into that northeast corridor as it’s growing.”
Blumenauer added, “It’s a natural kind of progression of growth and to make sure we’re supplying the full coverage to all of our citizens.”
City officials are now exploring funding options to build the new fire station on the donated land.