Midland, Michigan

Midland, Michigan
City
Midland County Courthouse in Midland
UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	48623 (Freeland ) 48640–48642, 48667, 48670, 48674, 48686
Area code	989
FIPS code	26-53780[3]
GNIS feature ID	0632282[4]
Website	www.midland-mi.org

Midland is a city in

Midland is located at the confluence of Chippewa and Tittabawassee rivers in Central Michigan. The city is home to the headquarters of Dow Chemical Company, one of the largest chemical producers in the world,^[6] which was founded by Herbert Henry Dow in the city in 1897.^[7] The city is also home to Midland Center for the Arts and Northwood University.

By the late 1820s, Midland was established as a fur trading post of the

In 1969, the city unilaterally defined a Midland Urban Growth Area (MUGA), a two-mile territory around the city limits, in an attempt to control urban sprawl.^[10] As the county's only capable drinking water supplier, the city would provide water services to communities outside the MUGA such as the nearby village of Sanford. The city would not provide water services within the MUGA without annexation to the city of Midland. This allowed the city to control most of the growth in the county. Since 1991, the policy has since been revised with a series of Urban Cooperation Act Agreements with surrounding townships. Case-by-case redrawings of the MUGA line now allow Midland to sell water to the surrounding townships without annexation.^[10]

On May 19, 2020, the Sanford Dam and Edenville Dam both failed, prompting an evacuation of 10,000 Midland residents.^[11] Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared a state of emergency, predicting that parts of Midland and Sanford would be covered in nine feet of water within 12–15 hours. She urged residents to seek shelter with family and friends or at emergency shelters. This major "500 year" flooding event occurred just months after the COVID-19 stay at home order went into effect.^[12]

The city lies within eastern

According to the

Midland has a humid continental climate (Dfb) with hot, rainy summers with cool nights and cold, snowy winters with average highs around freezing.

There are no National or State Parks in Midland City or County, but Midland City parks number 72^[15] with over 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) of park land. Seven are classified as Regional Parks, typically larger than 200 acres; seven are considered Community Parks, normally over 15 acres; Neighborhood Parks number 19, usually from five to ten acres in size, located within residential areas; and the 36 Mini-Parks are mostly less than an acre. Other city-owned land includes pathways, undeveloped areas intended for "passive recreation", waterfront areas and protected natural areas.^[16]

Walkers, joggers, bikers, and skaters can use the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail, a ribbon of asphalt stretching 30 miles (50 km) to the neighboring city of Clare. Midland County's system of natural pathways continues to expand with the recent addition of the Chippewa Trail, which connects to the Pere Marquette trail. The Chippewa Trail ends at the Chippewa Nature Center. This has a territory of more than 1,000 acres (400 ha) of deciduous and coniferous woods, rivers, ponds, wetlands (marsh, fen, bog, and swamp) and upland fields.^[17]

Midland's Dow Gardens feature 100-acre (40 ha) of flower and vegetable gardens, plus an arboretum. These were the original gardens of the Herbert H. Dow homestead and are open for tours. In addition, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio offers tours of this landmark American architect's unique and influential style. Alden B. Dow F.A.I.A designed the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library, Midland's public library named in his mother's honor.^[18]

Dahlia Hill is a terraced garden and organization near the that annually grows over 3.000 Dahlia plants that flower in late summer.^[20] The Chippewa Nature Center is a protected wildlife area with miles of trails^[21] and the Tridge is a three-way bridge over the Chippewa and Tittabawassee Rivers at Chippewassee Park.^[22] Other parks include Midland City Forest, Plymouth Park & Fun Zone, Emerson Park, Barstow Woods Park, and Central Park.^[23]

As of the

There were 17,506 households, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.5% were non-families. 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 38.3 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.2% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

As of the

There were 16,743 households, out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% were non-families. 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the city, the age distribution of the population shows 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 27.9% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $48,444, and the median income for a family was $64,949. Males had a median income of $53,208 versus $31,098 for females. The

The city's major shopping district is located north of town, on Eastman Avenue near US-10. There are several big-box stores located here, as well as the Midland Mall. Midland's downtown, on Main Street, includes local restaurants, artist co-ops, and local retail.

There are four recognized Michigan historical markers in the city.^[25]

• John and Almira Kelly House
• Midland County Courthouse
• Origins of Salt Industry / State Salt Well No. 1
• The Upper Bridge

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Midland has many cultural opportunities in fields ranging from music and theater to science and the arts. The Midland Center for the Arts delivers hands-on exhibits in science, art and technology, at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science and Art. The center also provides two state-of-the-art auditoriums for audiences of 400 to 1500 to enjoy everything from the Midland Symphony Orchestra and Center Stage Theatre, to professional programming through MATRIX: Midland.^[26]

Midland County Historical Societies Heritage Park provides an opportunity to explore Midland County's history through a variety of avenues. The Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center houses a research library, gift shop and the interactive Dorothy Dow Arbury Midland County History Gallery, which provides hands on exhibits for exploring Midland County's history. Also located at Heritage Park is the Herbert H. Dow Historical Museum, which explores the history and growth of

Skaters of all skill levels use Midland's 107,000-square-foot (9,900 m²) Civic Arena, which has two NHL-sized rinks and one Olympic-sized rink. A BMX track is located in Midland's Stratford park. Winner of a 2005 Michigan Cool Cities grant (a grass-roots, volunteer-based training program to revitalize a downtown area), Downtown Midland offers dining, shopping and entertainment for the whole family.

Also in the recreation mix are two golf courses, the Midland Community Center (with multiple swimming pools and exercise facilities), the West Midland Family Center, the North Midland Family Center, the Midland Gymnastics Training Center, the Midland Community Tennis Center and the Midland Curling Center.^{[citation needed]}

In the early 1930s, Alden B. Dow F.A.I.A. introduced modern design to Midland, Michigan and created over 130 structures during his 50-year career. His innovative and dynamic structures initiated an architectural heritage that is unprecedented in the United States. Dow's creative concepts inspired dozens of other architects, including Jackson Hallett A.I.A, Glenn Beach A.I.A., Robert Schwartz A.I.A, and Francis "Red" Warner A.I.A. These gifted architects and more, also created beautifully-crafted Mid-Century Modern structures that are an integral part of the over 400 buildings ^[28] that dominate Midland.

• Alden B. Dow Home & Studio
• Chippewa Nature Center
• Dahlia Hill
• Dow Chemical Company headquarters
• Dow Corning headquarters
• Dow Corning Midland plant
• Dow Diamond, Home of the Great Lakes Loons, the Single-A Affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League in Major League Baseball
• Dow Gardens
• Grace A. Dow Memorial Library
• Herbert H. Dow House
• Jack Barstow Municipal Airport
• Midland Center for the Arts^[29]
• Midland Civic Arena, a 1,000-seat indoor arena
• Midland Community Center
• Midland Community Stadium
• Midland Community Tennis Center^[30][31]
• Pere Marquette Rail-Trail
• The Tridge, a three-way pedestrian bridge over the Tittabawassee and Chippewa rivers.^[32]

More than 100 places of worship county-wide represent a variety of denominations and architectural styles, earning Midland the nickname "City of Beautiful Churches".^[33] Midland's Volunteer Center recruits upwards of 2,000 volunteers each year, and the United Way of Midland County supports 25 community organizations.

Midland is home to many recreational sporting facilities and organizations. These include the civic ice arena which hosts 2 NHL and one Olympic-sized rinks, a skate park downtown, and the Midland Community Tennis Center and its 32 courts. The tennis center also hosts a USTA Pro Circuit event and was part of the USTA award to Midland as America's Best Tennis Town 2009.^[34]

The Dow Championship was introduced to the LPGA Tour schedule in 2019.^[35] This event is hosted at the Midland Country Club annually. The tournament was founded with the vision of building community and accelerating the efforts of the Great Lakes Bay Region and Dow's strategy by building a world-class and unique LPGA Tour event that positively impacts people's lives.^[36]

Midland is also host to the following professional sports teams.

Midland uses the council–manager form of government. The council consists of five members elected from geographic wards. Council members serve a two-year term, and the full council is elected during even years. The mayor and the mayor pro tem are chosen from the elected council by a vote of the council, who also appoint the city manager and city attorney, who serve at the pleasure of the council.^[37] Federally, Midland is located in Michigan's 8th congressional district, represented by Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet.

• Midland Public Schools
• Bullock Creek Public Schools
• Davenport University
• Michigan State University (research facility)
• Northwood University
• Delta College Midland Center (DCMC)
• Ross Medical Education Center
• Alternative High Schools
  • Education and Training Connection (ETC)
  • Windover High School
• Good Shepherd Lutheran School^[38]
• Calvary Baptist Academy (since 1973)

Midland Community Television Network is the City of Midland's public, government, and education access cable television channel group.^[39]

Midland is the city of license of two FM radio stations serving the Tri-Cities (Saginaw/Bay City/Midland) area.

WMPX (1490 AM) is Midland's "hometown" locally owned radio station, owned by Steel Broadcasting and airing an

Midland's main newspaper is the Midland Daily News.

Scheduled airline service is available from MBS International Airport^[40] near Freeland and Flint's Bishop International Airport.^[41] The Jack Barstow Municipal Airport, dedicated May 30, 1936, is a general aviation airport operated by the city and available for general aviation aircraft.^[42]

There is no regularly scheduled public transportation. Residents can call in advance to schedule pickup or return transport by one government sponsored agency, "Dial-A-Ride", offering transport within the city only. Then there is "County Connection" a private run public transport for those outside the city of Midland but still within Midland County both for a nominal fee. Both also offer reduced fare rides for elderly and youth.^[43]

• US 10, a freeway passing the northern edge of Midland, connects with Bay City on the east; Clare and Ludington (as a two-lane highway) to the west.
• 
  
  business loop
  through the downtown.
• M-20 connects Midland with Mount Pleasant and Big Rapids to the west.
• M-30 runs northerly from nearby Sanford to West Branch.
• M-47 links from US-10 east of the city to Saginaw and MBS International Airport

In 1967, Dow Chemical attained criticality on a 100 kW nuclear research reactor at the Midland facility, primarily as a neutron source and to irradiate samples.^[44] The reactor continues to operate.^[45]

In 1968, Consumers Power (now Consumers Energy) began construction of a nuclear power plant in Midland, primarily for Dow Chemical Company. The project's budget was $257 million, with completion anticipated in 1972. Extreme construction problems caused years of delays and costs soared. The Three Mile Island accident in 1979 resulted in a massive change in nuclear regulatory requirements and system redesign. When it was revealed that the containment buildings were settling and foundation cracks were discovered, Dow canceled their contract with Consumers Power, and the project was abandoned in 1984. The $4.1 billion investment nearly bankrupted Consumers Power. However, in 1985, Consumers Power formed a partnership with eight other companies to convert Midland's abandoned nuclear plant into a gas-fired power plant. Transformation of the plant began in 1986 and was completed at a cost of $500 million. The Midland Cogeneration Venture began producing power in 1991 and that success restored faith in Consumers Power.^[46][47] The facility now produces 10% of the power consumption for the lower peninsula of Michigan.^[48]

• Handa, Aichi, Japan

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Midland, Michigan.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Midland (Michigan).

• Official website
• Midland Area Chamber of Commerce
• Midland Tomorrow, economic development corporation
• 2020 flood footage on
  YouTube