Extending Park Central in the Mineola industrial park off Bromberg St. will be undertaken as a joint project by the city and its economic development corporation, according to budget proposals the two entities began working on.

City Manager Mercy Rushing, who also serves as the MEDC director, said at a workshop last Thursday the $850,000 estimated cost would be split by the city and MEDC.

The street dead ends near the Morrow Renewables warehouse. It is proposed to be replaced with a concrete street that will serve expansion plans by Morrow and also connect to a housing development that has begun for 40 new homes, allowing a second entrance to the property, which has its main entry off Old Tyler Hwy.

Rushing said Morrow is looking to add a new 5,000-square foot facility.

The concrete street will hold up better to 18-wheeler traffic, Rushing said.

The preliminary MEDC budget of $1.3 million includes $400,000 in revenue from a loan the corporation would obtain to pay its share of the street project. It would be repaid over five years at about $90,000 per year.

Rushing said she is proposing to budget a 5% increase in sales tax revenue, which is the MEDC’s primary income. It has risen by 13-14% so far this year.

She is projecting the corporation will end the year with just over $1 million in the bank – funds that can be used should the city come across a major development project.

Rushing also reported that the city obtained 15 rolls of the used football field turf from the replacement project at Meredith Memorial Stadium, which can be used for the 1888 project at  Johnson and Commerce Streets.

Plans include restrooms, charging stations, misting stations and seating area.

The city also obtained some of the props from the high school band’s state championship marching show, “Hometown,” and some of those banners could also be used to help decorate the area.

Rushing also noted the announcement that Mineola’s Sears Hometown store is among 71 that will be closing soon.