MINERAL WELLS T E XA S A COMMUNITY REVITALIZED WWW.MINERALWELLSTX.GOV
MINERAL WELLS, TX AT A GLANCE MINERAL WELLS WHAT: A city experiencing a revitalization WHERE: Palo Pinto County, Texas WEBSITE: www.mineralwellstx.gov BOASTING A RICH HISTORY AND FIRMLY-F A COMMUNITY 1 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12
FOCUSED ON ANTICIPATED GROWTH Mineral Wells, a small city nestled just west of the DallasFort Worth Metroplex, is a city steeped in history. Founded in the late 19th century, the community gained national acclaim for its natural springs, rich in minerals and believed to possess healing properties for both mental and physical ailments.This reputation gave rise to the brand “Crazy Water,” a legacy that lives on, as the water is still bottled and sold under the same name. REVITALIZED 2 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12
The fame of these waters spurred the development of iconic landmarks like the Baker Hotel. Originally built to accommodate the influx of visitors seeking the curative powers of the springs, the Baker Hotel became a destination in its own right. During its heyday, it hosted stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, such as Judy Garland and the Three Stooges, as well as infamous figures like Bonnie and Clyde. It also served as the venue for a Republican National Convention during President Eisenhower’s administration in the 1950s. Despite its storied past, Mineral Wells faced a significant downturn as the allure of the mineral springs declined, tourism slowed, and the Fort Wolters base closed in 1973. By the early 2000s, the city had become a shadow of its former self, with crumbling infrastructure and a struggling economy. Today, this quaint and historic community is experiencing a remarkable revival, thanks to focused efforts to transform it into a vibrant and thriving destination once again. A TURNING POINT Nathan Dyhre, the city’s Director of Economic and Community Development, credits local entrepreneurs and visionaries for reigniting the city. “There have always been local business owners, entrepreneurs or community stakeholders that have done what could be done to enhance things as best as possible,” he shares. “But really, what ended up happening was, as the growth started to push west from the Metroplex towards Mineral Wells, things really started to change, and people started taking the risk and investing money in big projects.” He mentions Mineral Wells mayor,Regan Johnson,who transformed an aging building into Brazos Bistro and Market in 2010, creating a cultural hub that set the stage for further downtown rejuvenation. In addition, Randy Nix, through his company NSC Properties, took on the task of acquiring and rehabilitating 51% of the downtown buildings, ensuring they were preserved and repurposed to align with the city’s character. From the restoration of landmarks like the Crazy Water Hotel to the redevelopment of a building known as the Seaman Building into a hub of unique retail shops, Nix’s efforts have brought new life to the area. “He is also the principal developer and investor in the Baker Hotel, that’s a big project in itself,” notes Dyhre.“I think it’s a perfect time to be here, where downtown is transforming everything, and that has spurred other opportunities and other ventures. It is the citizens of this community that have changed things. Sure, outside people and new people or imports like myself have helped continue 3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12 MINERAL WELLS, TX
it special. According to Dyhre the city has the infrastructure to support this growth, thanks in part to its history. “The bones of this downtown, of this infrastructure, are strong,” he emphasizes. “The way buildings were built before, they were there to stand and weather the storm.” In December 2023, the city adopted a comprehensive plan, titled ‘Imagine that. But I would say this was all begun by the local people here.” PLANNING FOR GROWTH WHILE PRESERVING CHARACTER Mineral Wells is carefully balancing the need for growth with preserving the character that makes 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12
Mineral Wells’, which serves as a 20-year blueprint for development. Dyhre explains that this plan is central to the city’s growth strategy, providing a framework for prioritizing projects and guiding developers. Currently the city finds itself in the path of westward expansion from Fort Worth, similar to the suburban growth that pushed north of Dallas in the early 2000s. As surrounding areas like Weatherford continue to evolve, Mineral Wells is preparing for its turn. “We are very much on that path,” Dyhre depicts. “We’re still considered a tertiary market, but Weatherford is at that point where they’re almost going to be considered a secondary market. So, as that growth is happening and pushing out west, we are now utilizing that comprehensive plan to be able to help us plan for that growth that arrives here.” Although Mineral Wells is embracing progress, the city is committed to ensuring that this growth does not come at the expense of its identity.“A lot of times, with smaller communities or rural communities, the stereotype is that we don’t want outsiders coming in here and changing our way of life and our character,” acknowledges Dyhre. “We do not want to change the unique character that Mineral Wells has, but at the same time, we are very much supportive of growth and receiving those that want to be part of this community.” COLLABORATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Tourism has long been the lifeblood of Mineral Wells, and the city continues to build on its tradition as a destination for visitors. Key to this effort is the collaboration between city leaders, regional partners, and a forward-thinking approach to economic and cultural development. “When I took the job, one of the things that they explained is, even though you’re going to be the economic developer for the city of Mineral Wells, you need to be working with county partners here in Palo Pinto County. You need to be working with regional partners, and figure out a way to collaborate,” Dyhre elaborates.“So, I’ve been trying 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12 MINERAL WELLS, TX
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to do that since I began, and I feel like what we’ve been able to do here at the city, and what we’ve been able to do with our relationships with people close by, has really helped us.” He credits much of the recent progress to the strong leaders who share a vision for growth and revitalization. Joining Dyhre in these efforts are Brittany Brown, Main Street Manager, Seth Hobbs, the Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, and Rose Jordan, Director of Tourism. “The synergy between all of us is what I think has really helped us in accomplishing what we’re trying to do for the city of Mineral Wells and for all of our regional partners here,” Dyhre conveys.Together, this cohesive team is leveraging their combined expertise and dedication to advance economic development, enhance tourism, and reestablish Mineral Wells as a thriving destination. 7 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12 MINERAL WELLS, TX
the city is officially deemed the Wellness Capital of Texas by the Governor’s Office, thanks to its famous mineral water, abundant natural beauty, and outdoor recreation opportunities. “The life blood of this community is tourism. It always has been and always will be,” remarks Dyhre. “But it doesn’t mean we exclusively throw all of our eggs in the tourism basket. We also want to have a diversified economic landscape, whether that’s in industrial manufacturing, film, engineering firms, tech, or whether that’s aviation and aerospace, because we have a really strong regional airport, and that’s our largest asset.” FUTURE PLANS Looking ahead, Mineral Wells is focused on attracting new opportunities to enhance its economy and quality of life. One hope is to bring an institution of higher learning to the area, to assist with workforce development. Another priority is job creation and infrastructure improvements.“We’re not looking for This team effort has led to several state designations that enhance the city’s tourism profile, including recognition as a Film-Friendly City, which has led to a number of projects being filmed in the community.“ A lot of it is Paramount Plus, because Taylor Sheridan, who’s basically got the key to that organization, owns the 6666 ranch, which is only about two hours from us,” relays Dyhre. Mineral Wells also carries the designation of a Music-Friendly City and has been named a Tourism-Friendly destination. In addition, ohmpharma.com 940.325.4797 info@ohmpharma.com OHM PHARMA Inc is a family-owned manufacturer of natural, botanical, and homeopathic products headquartered in Mineral Wells, the Health Capital of Texas. Phone Assistance Hours Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm 8 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12
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PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Frontier Waste Solutions www.frontierwaste.com Frontier Waste Solutions is a Texas-based provider of non-hazardous solid waste and recycling collection services. Offering residential, commercial, and industrial solutions, we specialize in garbage collection, bulk removal, recycling, dumpster rentals, and municipal contracts. Committed to quality and environmental responsibility, Frontier proudly serves communities across Texas with reliable, customer-focused service. n OHM pharma, Inc. www.ohmpharma.com OHM pharma Inc. is a well-established, familyowned company registered with the FDA for 25 years. We specialize in manufacturing natural, botanical, and homeopathic products. Our headquarters are in Mineral Wells, TX, the Health Capital of Texas. We proudly offer high-quality products that comply with CGMP, FDA, and HPUS regulations. any particular job and or particular company,” Dyhre maintains.“Industrial manufacturing engineering or even film, that’s the big thing here. I would also say that we’ve had a lot of people interested in data centers out here, because we have a good amount of power. So, anything that’s going to be a job creator.” Residential street improvements and infrastructure enhancements are also top of mind as the city moves forward.“Job creation is always my priority because the next thing that pairs off of that is your quality of life part, residential housing usually follows that, and then any type of retail follows after that. It is a domino effect,” he concludes. With its rich history, ongoing revitalization efforts, and a strategic focus on growth, Mineral Wells is poised to reclaim its place as a thriving destination, where both residents and visitors can enjoy a vibrant community and promising future. 10 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 12
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