By Brynna Breen
Wood County Monitor
Construction on the downtown green space and parking lot next to the train depot on U.S. 69 is moving forward.
Although the city had hoped to have at least part of the project completed by the end of summer, Mineola City Manager Cindy Karch said the natural slope of the property caused delays.
“When our guys started working on it, the slope was too large for them to do themselves,” said Karch. “It would have dumped water either on (one side of the) property or the highway, which TxDOT would not allow.”
The city ultimately had engineering firm SPI (Schaumburg and Polk, Inc.) engineer the lot to get “the proper slopes and lighting and everything else we wanted.”
With the engineering now completed, Karch said the city hopes to put the entire project out for bids “in the next few weeks.”
According to plans discussed at the August Mineola City Council meeting, the area will include a stamped concrete courtyard, new trees provided by the city, several decorative acorn-style lampposts, accessible parking spaces, electric vehicle charging stations and four permanent food truck hookups. The space will also be enclosed by a wrought-iron perimeter fence and will feature a concrete sidewalk.
The lot is expected to add more than 40 parking spaces for full-size vehicles, along with several spaces for motorcycles. City officials hope the additional parking will accommodate downtown businesses and provide more parking during festivals.
Future phases of the project are also expected to include additional amenities such as A.R.T. House, a Flint and Steel project, and a new stage for “outdoor activities and community events.” However, those portions of the project may take more time, Karch said, as demolition must take place before construction can begin.
“Future phases of the property will continue… redevelopment. The historic brick building on the site is no longer structurally safe in its current condition. Plans are to eventually remove the roof and one wall while preserving two of the historic brick walls as part of an outdoor entertainment area. The second building is planned for use as a youth activity center operated by Flint & Steel. Together, these improvements have the potential to turn an underutilized area into another gathering place in downtown Mineola while still preserving pieces of its history,” Karch wrote in her 2026 Budget Transmittal Letter to the City Council.
Updates on the project will be discussed at future city council meetings.