Outlook 2017 business

OUTLOOK

Exciting times 2017 tulsaworld.com/outlook2017

Northeast Oklahoma experiencing growth

SPECIAL SECTION | SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

BARTLESVILLE

BIXBY

BROKEN ARROW

CATOOSA

CLAREMORE

GLENPOOL

JENKS

OWASSO

SAND SPRINGS

SAPULPA

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OUTLOOK 2017

Golfers practice their swings at Flying Tee in Jenks. Recreational activities are available to residents throughout the Tulsa region. TULSA WORLD FILE

Never a better time to be a part of northeastern Oklahoma as there ever been a better time to be a Tulsan?

But why limit it to Tulsa? Has there ever been a better time to be a part of our northeastern Oklahoma community?

Whether you’re from Broken Arrow, Owasso, Bixby, Jenks, Bartlesville, Catoosa, Glenpool, Claremore, Sapulpa, Sand Springs or, yes, Tulsa, the simple answer is that “No, there’s never Bill been a better Masterson time to be a part of northeastern World publisher Oklahoma.”

Our commubill.masterson nities have an @tulsaworld.com air of expectation that great things are on the horizon as long-planned projects come to fruition. And as several projects come closer to completion, new ideas and plans begin for additional roads, infrastructure and buildings that will continue to draw businesses and residents to our communities.

I’ve talked before, and it’s no secret, that our region has an abundance of resources like

H

land, water and workforce.

We’re hard workers in this part of the country. And when we collectively put our minds to accomplishing a task, there’s little that can stand in our way.

In Tulsa, the irst phase of A Gathering Place is scheduled to be completed sometime in late 2017 with an opening projected for Spring 2018. Developed by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the 66.5-acre phase will eventually be part of nearly 100 acres of green space along the Arkansas River, south of downtown.

The $350 million project, along Riverside Drive, will be just that: “A Gathering Place.” A place where families can get together for relaxation and enjoyment; where children can play on state-of-the-art equipment surrounded by green grass and a forest of trees; where you can take a walk by yourself or run through the park; or just sit and watch the people go by.

What a gift for Tulsans and our neighbors in surrounding communities!

Many whom I’ve talked with say there’s a feeling of excitement under the leadership of new Mayor G.T. Bynum. Elected last summer, he has wasted no time in setting his agenda for growth since he was inaugu-

rated in December.

Recently, Mayor Bynum and the City Council told residents they can expect to see signiicant construction begin in the next ive years as the projects approved in last year’s Vision Tulsa vote come to life. In the irst ive years of the Vision Tulsa economic development plan, 27 economic development projects are set for $407 million in funding. Those projects include an expansion to Gilcrease Museum, the national headquarters for BMX bicycling, the Safety First project for Tulsa-area schools and a series of lakes along the Arkansas River that are planned to boost recreation and economic activity.

But it’s not just the city of Tulsa that’s moving forward.

In Broken Arrow, the Rose District is the place to be.

The revitalization of the city’s downtown district into an arts and entertainment hub for the community has been nothing short of amazing. To date, more than 70 shops and restaurants are located side-by-side with community areas to relax, visit and be entertained. And if you haven’t seen the district’s new water fountain with its colorful display, then you need to plan an evening in the Rose District.

Jenks is celebrating the

into a dynamic economic environment. It’s why the legislative agenda that is pushed by the Tulsa Regional Chamber is called “OneVoice.” It represents the social, business and economic agenda that is important to our region and our communities.

As Phil identiied in his inaugural speech, there is a momentum in our region. And that momentum will carry us forward.

Thank you for reading our Outlook 2017. As I said before, there’s an energy that’s building and we at the Tulsa World are excited to be a part of it.

Bill Masterson Jr. was named Tulsa World publisher in June 2013. He is vice president of South Region for BH Media Group, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. A native of Oklahoma, Masterson was publisher of Times Media Co. of Munster, Ind., and operating vice president of Lee Enterprises before joining BH Media Group. He was born in Lawton into a newspaper family. His father was circulation manager for The Oklahoman.

His mother and stepfather live in Walters, a brother and his family live in Edmond, and a brother lives in Florida.

ONLINE

INDEX Gov. Mary Fallin: A prosperous city anchoring a beautiful region ..........4 Mayor G.T. Bynum: Building better city for the next generation ............5 Early eforts led to diversiied economy for Tulsa .......................... 16 10 things to know about Tulsa..... 18 Workforce is an economic development imperative .............. 20

continued development of Riverwalk Crossing. Under the ownership of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, the shopping and entertainment district continues to grow and thrive. Personally, it’s one of my favorite places because I can hit a golf ball there, come rain or shine at the Flying Tee! And if you think Claremore is only famous for being the home of Oklahoma’s “favorite son,” then you haven’t been paying attention. Yes, the Will Rogers Memorial Museum continues to attract visitors to the area, but it’s the economic growth that has residents and business leaders standing tall. In fact, the Claremore economy can take credit for this year’s chairman of the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Phil Albert, a good friend, is president of Pelco Structural LLC, a Claremore-based company that designs, manufactures and delivers made-to-order pole assemblies for the utility, traic control, lighting and communication industries. Phil is the chamber’s irst chairman whose business is located outside the city of Tulsa.

It’s an indicator of how our collective communities have grown together for the common good of building this region

The beneits of growing North Tulsa for Tulsa .................... 22 Regionalism will be key to Green Country success ........... 24 Tulsa poised to become tourism destination....................... 25 Here’s why we’re optimistic about energy ................................... 26

COMMUNITIES Bartlesville, Bixby........................... 27 Broken Arrow, Catoosa ................ 28 Claremore, Glenpool..................... 29 Jenks, Owasso ................................ 30 Sand Springs, Sapulpa ................... 31

Read news about your community on sites dedicated to you. Let us know what’s going on in your community. Share stories about you, your family, your neighborhood and more from these sites: bartlesvilleworld.com bixbyworld.com baledger.com catoosaworld.com claremoreworld.com

glenpoolworld.com jenks-world.com owassoreporter.com sandspringsleader.com sapulpaworld.com

Read any story you missed in this week’s special Outlook 2017 section online, and check back next week for more stories on Tulsa and the surrounding communities. tulsaworld.com/ outlook2017

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The future home of the Oklahoma Historical Society’s Oklahoma Museum of Pop Culture, known as OKPOP, is just south of Interstate 244 at the southwest corner of West Easton and North Main streets, directly across from Cain’s Ballroom. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

A prosperous city anchoring a beautiful region

A new playground is constructed at A Gathering Place for Tulsa. The irst phase of the park is expected to be inished this year. JESSIE WARDARSKI/Tulsa World

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very time I come to Tulsa, I see progress.

New businesses. New investment. New growth.

And we’ll soon see more development. Plans are moving ahead to build the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, or OKPOP as it is popularly called, in Tulsa.

And the first phase of A Gathering Place for Tulsa is expected to finish up later this year. It will be the crown jewel for tourism and recreation. And it’s already helping the city. Property values in the neighborhood are increasing because of the project.

Tulsa has a lot going for it. Not the least of which is a supportive group of residents who voted to invest in themselves to improve Tulsa and make it a better community for businesses to locate, for tourists to visit, and for residents to live and raise a family.

I applaud city Mary and civic leadFallin ers along with the citizens Governor of Oklahoma for their bold look toward the future and approval of the Vision sales tax program last year. Tulsa city and county voters approved by landslide proportions four measures to extend the progress of the Vision sales tax program. Each received at least 63 percent support of the voters.

That is very impressive.

The Vision program also boosted public safety, transportation and other vital infrastructure improvements in the Tulsa area as well as boosting the local economy.

I’m looking forward to seeing some of these high-profile projects to “put water in the river” come to fruition and spur growth in the Arkansas River area.

The Vision program also funds critical projects that will bring in tourism and set the stage for industrial and retail development, such as improvements to the Tulsa International Airport industrial complex and the Peoria-Mohawk Business Park along north Peoria Avenue.

Passage of the program has already reaped benefits.

The American Bicycle Association and USA BMX announced just a day after the Vision sales tax election that they will move their headquarters to Tulsa. That’s projected to bring more than 50 jobs

A rendering shows the Oklahoma Museum of Popular Culture, or OKPOP. COURTESY

and $10 million in additional economic impact each year to the Tulsa area.

This is great news not only for the Tulsa area, but for the entire state of Oklahoma.

Thanks again, and thanks to the voters for committing to investing in the community to bring about quality-of-life improvements.

Tulsa is a prosperous city anchoring the beautiful region that is Green Country.

No one can deny the beauty and charm of northeast Oklahoma, with its natural splendor and many attractions that are enjoyed by both Oklahomans and visitors.

As governor, I will continue

to do all I can do to build the best economic environment possible for families and businesses so that our state continues to grow and prosper.

Attracting and retaining good jobs in Green Country is the best thing we can do to help our citizens to flourish.

Oklahoma is moving forward and Green Country is helping to lead that charge. In the last five years, more than 200 businesses have either moved to northeast Oklahoma or expanded their operations there.

Whether it’s major companies with worldwide brand recognition, like Macy’s Inc. and Verizon, or homegrown momand-pop operations, business

owners and investors are seeing northeast Oklahoma for what it is: A great place to live, work, invest and raise a family.

Green Country has always been great. Every day it gets better, and that’s something of which we can all be proud.

Gov. Mary Fallin is serving her second term as Oklahoma’s first woman to be elected governor. Fallin served two terms as a state representative and three terms as lieutenant governor. From 2007 until 2011, she served in Congress, representing the Fifth District of Oklahoma. She grew up in Tecumseh and graduated from Oklahoma State University.

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Building a better city for the next generation A

s your new mayor, I am excited about the opportunities that lie before our great city.

Now more than ever, we are seeing a spirit of high expectations for Tulsa. So, what makes Tulsa a world-class city? Our people.

Last year, citizens approved Vision projects that strongly demonstrated their support for economic development projects.

During the next ive years, we will see a G.T. tremendous Bynum amount of conMayor struction in our of Tulsa community. Two of the largest programs in the city’s history will occur at the same time: The largest streets improvement program (2013’s Improve Our Tulsa) and the largest economic development program — Vision Tulsa. This will be a game changer for how our city will look in the next ive years.

In the irst ive years of the Vision tax, 27 economic development projects are set for $407 million in funding. Those projects include the Zink Dam, a Gilcrease Museum expansion, the Cox Business Center and Arena District master plan, Tulsa-area schools’ Safety First project, Tulsa fairgrounds improvements, airport infrastructure, the Tulsa Zoo and Living Museum and the BMX national headquarters, and more.

A portion of our Vision Tulsa money will go toward public safety. We will be hiring 160 new police oicers who relect the demographics of the neighborhoods in which they work. We will also be hiring additional ireighters. We are dedicated toward making the pay for police oicers and ireighters more competitive here.

Our spirit of high expectations includes cooperation with the surrounding communities.

We want Tulsa to compete for business with larger cities, such as Dallas and St. Louis. We are seeking collaboration between groups in Tulsa to attract business and people. Tulsa is a great market for entry among retailers, such as Costco and Trader Joe’s — the irst in our state. We are an attractive community for retailers because of our vision for growing downtown, and our unprecedented investments in the river and the Gathering Place.

When we build a strong educated workforce, it will in turn create a strong business community that will lay the foundation for strong retail. This includes great amenities like Cain’s Ballroom, our iconic BOK Center, Guthrie Green, ONEOK Field, and many others. We will continue our work to boost our aerospace, oil and gas and manufacturing base. We will also look to attract businesses that supply services and goods to these industries.

In order for Tulsa to continue to attract and retain businesses, we need to celebrate the success of our entrepreneurs and fuel growth in economic development opportunities. I am excited about being involved in the 36 Degrees North every month and am pleased to provide direct access between entrepreneurs and the Mayor’s Oice. Our entrepreneurship eforts here include the

An aerial shows the Tulsa skyline with Arkansas River in the foreground. Vision projects will bring tremendous changes to the city in the next ive years. TULSA WORLD FILE

small to medium enterprise and the innovation-driven enterprise, both key to driving the Tulsa economy.

Another aspect to our city’s development strategy is to create afordable housing. Whether it’s in north Tulsa, downtown, or any other part of the city, housing is key to our city’s continued growth. We will be expanding on these eforts going forward to make Tulsa the best place to live, work and raise a family.

Also key to Tulsa’s continued economic growth is education. I want Tulsa to be the kind of city where our children can receive a good, quality education and stay here to work within their ield of expertise, while experiencing a great quality of life and unsurpassed economic opportunities.

Tulsans truly believe in the spirit of high expectations, which built this city throughout the decades. Together, we are dedicated to building a better city for the next generation.

G.T. Bynum was elected Tulsa’s 40th mayor in 2016. Prior to his election as mayor, Bynum served for eight years on the Tulsa City Council and was elected as the youngest City Council Chairman in Tulsa history. His great-great-grandfather, R.N. Bynum was the second mayor of Tulsa from 1899 to 1900, his grandfather, Robert J. LaFortune was Tulsa’s 31st mayor from 1970 to 1978 and his cousin, Bill LaFortune was Tulsa’s 37th New Tulsa police oicers take the oath of oice during their graduation cermayor from 2002-2006. emony. TULSA WORLD FILE

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One of the ways the city celebrates its connection to historic Route 66 is with a marathon, held each fall. TULSA WORLD FILE

Diversifying the economy Current eforts to attract industries other than oil and gas relect Tulsa’s history

By Randy Krehbiel Tulsa World

Tulsa’s name and reputation may be inextricably tied to the energy sector, but even before the irst gusher, city leaders were striving to diversify the town’s economy.

In fact, Tulsa itself never had much oil or gas, but was ready when opportunity presented itself in the early 1900s. Local business owners and boosters made sure the town had the railroads, banks, hotels and schools to turn it into the hub of the Mid-Continent oil boom. They promoted the city relentlessly, paid “bonuses” to persuade railroads to come through town, and cooked up a scheme to sell shares in a development corporation that in turn promised free land and cheap fuel to manufacturers.

“Tulsa possesses in the fullest measure the ive greatest essentials to successful manufacture,” read a 1905 promotional piece.

“Cheap fuel, raw materials, abundant labor, ample railroad facilities and a growing market.”

Substitute “transportation” for “railroad” and it’s close to the same spiel used today.

City leaders fretted that Tulsa would go the way of other oil boom towns that faded as soon as the low of oil slowed. In 1907 there was talk of marketing Tulsa as the “asparagus capital,” on the theory that while the oil may one day play out, the nation’s appetite for green vegetables would not.

A Tulsan, Cyrus Avery, managed to get himself appointed to the commission designing the

About Tulsa Population: 403,505, second most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +3.0 percent * Median household income: $42,284 ** Median home price (owneroccupied): $124,100 ** Unemployment rate: 7.1 percent ** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

irst national highway system, and in so doing made sure that a major thoroughfare — Route 66 — went through the city and another one, U.S. 64, passed nearby.

The Chamber of Commerce convinced Tulsa voters to spend the then-exorbitant sum of $7.5 million to bring water from Spavinaw Creek, 55 miles away, and thus assure the city of a fresh water supply still used today.

When Charles Lindbergh criticized the city’s airport facilities, several prominent Tulsans put up the money to begin what is now Tulsa International Airport.

As World War II wound down, local leaders persuaded American Airlines to move into a bomber plant on the outskirts of town, and other aerospace enterprises soon followed.

And so it has been throughout Tulsa’s history. While oil and gas remain integral to the city’s and now the metropolitan area’s economic base, continued survival and success depend on civic and business leaders alert and prepared for new opportunities.

Today, the Tulsa area’s largest employers represent not only the oil and gas sector (Baker

ONEOK is one of many oil and gas companies located in Tulsa. TULSA WORLD FILE

Center), insurance (Blue Cross/ Blue Shield, State Farm), retail (Reasor’s, Wal-Mart, Target, QuikTrip) and utilities (AAON, AEP/ PSO, One Gas).

But Tulsa business and civic leaders have also identiied target industries for expansion going forward — while also remaining on the lookout for emerging opportunities barely, some of them still in the imagining stage.

Tulsa never became the AsparThe Frisco Depot in Tulsa is shown in 1905. BERYL FORD COLLECTION/Rotary Club of agus Capital of the World. The Tulsa oil never completely dried up.

But the eforts to diversify the Hughes, ONEOK, Williams) but Tulsa, the University of Oklaho- region’s economy, to be ready aerospace (American Airlines, ma-Tulsa), entertainment (Cher- when opportunity presents itNORDAM, Spirit AeroSystems), okee Hard Rock, Osage and Riv- self, continue. bus manufacturing (IC of Okla- erSpirit casinos), government homa), business support (Alo- (City of Tulsa, Tulsa County, U.S. Randy Krehbiel rica), communications (AT&T, Postal Service), health care (Hill918-581-8365 DirecTV, Verizon), education crest, St. John and Saint Franrandy.krehbiel (public schools, Tulsa Commu- cis health care systems, Okla@tulsaworld.com nity College, the University of homa State University Medical Twitter: @rkrehbiel

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10 things to know about Tulsa

1

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Start-up incubators such as Fab Lab, 36 Degrees North and The Forge have fostered the entrepreneurial spirit long integral to Tulsa’s culture.

The incubators provide facilities, services, expertise and contacts to new businesses trying to get of the ground and to a few established ones.

Curtis Kline with Kline Technology works at his desk at the 36 Degrees North building near Main and Cameron streets in the Brady Arts District. TULSA WORLD FILE

Tulsa has always had a thing for opera. As early as 1904, Gounod’s “Faust” was performed in the city, and the most famous singers in the world appeared here after the completion of Convention Hall — now the Brady Theater — in 1904. In the 1930s, more than 6,000 turned out for a single performance of Aida at Skelly (now Chapman) Stadium.

The current Tulsa Opera company was formed in the late 1940s, making it one of the oldest in the nation.

4

The Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Area’s gross domestic product totaled $51 million in 2015, and accounted for 30 percent of the state’s total. The area’s largest employers include city and county government, public schools, higher education, hospitals, large retailers and aerospace manufacturing.

The Edge is a new 161-unit, four-story apartment community in downtown Tulsa. TULSA WORLD FILE

3

A recent report put the number of downtown Tulsa housing units completed, under construction or planned at 2,500, with 94.5 percent of existing units occupied. The latest trend, developers say, is for low-cost apartments for downtown service workers.

A barge on the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System moves through the Tulsa Port of Catoosa.

The American Airlines Maintenance Base in Tulsa employs about 7,000 workers. TULSA WORLD FILE

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About 2.8 million passengers and nearly 60,000 tons of freight pass through Tulsa International Airport annually. By far the most heavily traveled route is between Tulsa and the Dallas-Fort Worth airports.

More than 80 million tons of cargo have passed through the Tulsa Port of Catoosa since its opening in 1971.

More than 70 companies employing 2,800 people are located in the port’s 2,500acre industrial park. The port is overseen by a nine-member board of directors.

Travelers walk down the concourse at Tulsa International Airport. The airport serves 2.8 million passengers each year. TULSA WORLD FILE

8

Once the largest city in America without a public institution of higher learning, the Tulsa metro area is now served by the state’s largest two-year community college as well as campuses of ive public universities, two public medical schools and two major private universities.

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The number of building permits issued in Tulsa County rose by 6 percent in 2016, to 2,702.

University of Tulsa students move into Hardesty Hall on move-in day for freshmen. TU is a private university in Tulsa.

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Building permits increased in Tulsa County in 2016. New construction in Broken Arrow is shown. TULSA WORLD FILE

Miners shovel coal on North Yale Avenue in Tulsa in the 1920s. Underground coal mining in Tulsa started before statehood. Old mine shafts lie at least 100 feet beneath the fairgrounds. COURTESY

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In its early days, Tulsa was known as much for coal as for oil and gas. Mines were located near Dawson, in what is now the northeast part of the city, and in the vicinity of the present-day Expo Square.

The last mine closed in 1956.

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The nonproit George Kaiser Family Foundation is developing an industrial park that expects to bring 1,000 jobs to Tulsa’s economically depressed north side.

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An aerial photo shows the Arkansas River with the downtown Tulsa skyline in the background. The Tulsa Regional Chamber is commissioning a study to gauge regional workforce strengths and identify weaknesses by using labor data on state and national databases. TULSA WORLD FILE

Workforce is an economic development imperative T

he future of this region — and our state — can be summed up in one word: workforce.

Make that four words: workforce, attraction and retention.

We must be able to attract and retain the very best talent, even in the face of stif competition from other regions seeking to do exactly the same thing. Workforce is an economic development imperative.

A decade ago, our chamber leadership made a commitment Mike to concentratNeal ing on economic development as President, CEO of Tulsa a key component Regional to growth in the Chamber Tulsa and northeast Oklahoma region.

Ten years later, we have fascinating momentum occurring in our community. From $1.5 billion in public and private investment in downtown, to quality of life improvements such as the $400 million A Gathering Place for Tulsa river development, our community has committed to making Tulsa the city our children and grandchildren will want to call home.

Last year at this time, I wrote about the launch of Tulsa’s Future III, the chamber-led, 20-county regional economic development plan funded through strong public-private investment. As the third phase of a program that began back in 2005, Tulsa’s Future III will fund regional economic development eforts through 2020.

In a Market Street Services study that helped create the Tulsa’s Future III plan, workforce attraction and retention was identiied as the number one economic development issue.

To help ensure we are positioned to address the Tulsa region’s workforce needs, the Tulsa Regional Chamber is now commissioning a labor study by the Site Selection Group. The goal of this 16-week study is to

A welder works on a project at Sawyer Manufacturing Co. The Tulsa Regional Chamber is commissioning a workforce assessment study targeting industries in the area. The data will allow the chamber to compare the Tulsa region with other cities. TULSA WORLD FILE

accurately assess our regional workforce strengths, and to identify our weaknesses, by supplementing readily available labor data found on state and national databases. This study will provide unique data for our region, including underemployment, labor trends, skill sets and forecasts.

The study will gather data for all seven of the industries targeted within the Tulsa’s Future plan: energy; aerospace and aviation; health care; transportation and logistics; advanced manufacturing; information technology; and professional services and regional headquarters.

The data gathered will be truly

regional, covering 11 counties: Tulsa, Rogers, Wagoner, Creek, Osage, Okmulgee, Mayes, Muskogee, Washington, Cherokee and Pawnee.

The data collected will be benchmarked against peer cities as well as other cities identiied as competitors within our seven targeted industries.

The study will move through ive phases: needs assessment; target industry proiling; regional employer/workforce surveys; workforce assessment; and executive summary.

Key components of the workforce assessment will look at commute times; underemployment; workforce supply and demand forecasting; education

and industry gap analysis; and a development imperative. As our wage and beneit report. workforce improves, so does our I am tremendously excited entire region. about the insights this study is sure to yield. Because it will Mike Neal leads the chamber’s generate unique labor data that full-time professional staf other competing communities in economic development, will not have, I am conident convention and visitor develit will give existing companies opment, government afairs, in our region information they small business and memberneed to be more efective in ship services. He served as their talent attraction and retenpresident and CEO of Nashtion eforts. This study will also ville Area Chamber of Comhelp us promote our regional merce until 2006, and presistrengths even as we work to dent and CEO of the Monroe, further improve our workforce La., Chamber of Commerce for assets.

12 years.

Having an educated, welltrained workforce has been a focus of chamber eforts for years.

Workforce truly is an economic

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Donna Jackson, founder of NorthTulsa100, stands near the intersection of L.L. Tisdale Parkway and 36th Street North with a view of downtown Tulsa to the south. Jackson is trying to bring 100 new businesses to north Tulsa by the 100th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Riot. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

The benefits of growing north Tulsa for Tulsa I

am a product of north Tulsa, because I was born in Moton Memorial Hospital located on historic Greenwood Avenue. The facility is now called Morton Comprehensive Health Center.

All of my family lives in north Tulsa, my church is in north Tulsa, and our 55-year-old family Income Tax Preparation and Real Estate business is in north Tulsa.

Growing up Donna as a youth in Jackson north Tulsa, I Founder, remember the North community beTulsa100 ing vibrant with many successful businesses. Over 35 years ago, there were many businesses at Northland Shopping Center, such as Froug’s, TG&Y, Woolworth’s, Crown Drug Store and Manhattan Furniture. Our family Income Tax Preparation business also had an oice in the Northland Shopping Center.

There were lots of restaurants and nine grocery stores.

We still have the historic Greenwood Business District and Harvard Hills. Through the years some businesses have closed, while others have moved out of north Tulsa.

With all the growth that is taking place in our metropolitan area, now is the time for north Tulsa commerce and economics to grow again. If the economy is good in the rest of our city, north Tulsa wants some of what other parts of the city are experiencing.

There are beneits to having growth from north Tulsa and here are reasons why: • The north area has traditionally been known as the “bad area,” but a 2015 news report states for the past seven years in a row, the crime rate in

North Tulsa has an abundance of undeveloped land for sale, as well as vintage buildings in need of renovation. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

north Tulsa is the lowest ever.

• Currently we have a lot of undeveloped land for sale and old buildings that need to be restored and occupied. Downtown has experienced phenomenal growth just by remodeling and keeping the historical aspect.

• Every week thousands of people drive to the Osage Casino at 36th Street North, which is open 24 hours a day.

A colleague who is actually studying the traic patterns of our highways has stated that during a recent afternoon rush hour, they counted over 200 cars traveling the Tisdale Expressway from Pine to 36th Street North in one hour in one

direction.

Other parts of Tulsa County have prospered. Sand Springs has a Wal-Mart, IHOP, hotels and even a movie theater.

Claremore has two new hotels. Owasso has new housing, hotels, restaurants and other amenities, as well as Broken Arrow, Bixby and Jenks.

North Tulsa has few hotels, no exclusive restaurants, no high-end shopping, no movie theater or a place to accommodate large events.

The entire City of Tulsa has lost revenue, because the economic potential of north Tulsa has not been fully realized.

It’s time for our city to attract commerce, grocers, retailers,

initiative to establish 100 new restaurants and eateries, so businesses in north Tulsa by that north Tulsa will become May 2021, which is the 100th whole again.

Anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa The outlook for north Tulsa Race Riot. She holds a master is promising and exciting, beof divinity degree from Philcause there are organizations lips Theological Seminary and and initiatives working to a bachelor of science degree restore north Tulsa, includfrom the University of Tulsa. ing those addressing the food Pastor of New Beginnings desert issue, along with other Christian Church, she is a business opportunities. There partner in Jackson & Associare hardly any more places to build and develop except north ates Accounting, Taxation and Real Estate. NorthTulsa100 is Tulsa. a part of the 1921 Tulsa Race The economic development that has occurred in other parts Riot Centennial Commission.

Jackson is a board member of Tulsa, can also happen in of the Community Food Bank north Tulsa. Everybody wins. of Eastern Oklahoma and alumna of LEAD North Tulsa Donna Jackson is executive Class of 2016. director of NorthTulsa100, an

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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017 O23

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TULSA

Developer acquires Kanbar Properties Price recently converted the Transok Building into the Art Deco Lofts and Apartments

By Rhett Morgan Tulsa World

Injecting local ownership into 2.1 million square feet of downtown commercial real estate, Tulsa developer Stuart Price has acquired a 13-plus building portfolio from San Francisco inventor and philanthropist Maurice Kanbar.

“The real message that I’d like to send to everybody in the city is ‘Come on downtown to work, live and play,’ ” Price said during an interview at his oice in the First Place towers, which were part of the sale. “There is a lot of movement in the country to move to the vibrancy of the urban centers. We think it’s a really fun time to work down here and bring your employees down here.

“If you want to hire young people, they want to be in the urban core … We hope we are adding to that efort.”

Price declined to disclose details of the sale. Kanbar, founder of Skyy Vodka and inventor of the D-Fuzz-It comb, and then-business adviser Henry Kaufman (they have since severed ties), paid close to $110 million in 2005-06 for what was then 18 buildings. The 13-plus buildings Price purchased have a fair market value — which doesn’t equate to sale price — of about $62 million, Tulsa County Assessor’s Oice records show.

“I thought, and I still think, that the central part of Tulsa is undergoing a reformation, a new beginning,” Kanbar said in a statement. “Just look at the Deco District. There are shops, lofts

Tulsa Developer Stuart Price (center) stands on a balcony of the Art Deco Lofts, formerly the Transok Building, with his executive team (left) Jackie Price, Linda Mitchell Price, Daniel Regan and Maizie Tyler.

STEPHEN PINGRY/Tulsa World

and restaurants that weren’t here a decade ago, yet they’ve maintained the integrity of these magniicent buildings.

“We worked very hard to get establishments of that kind here, and I’m conident that Stuart’s fortitude is only going to accel-

erate the groundwork we laid together.”

The Price family became stakeholders in Kanbar’s Tulsa holdings in 2012, adding a local presence in the management of the buildings, which represent about 50 percent of the commercial real estate in the Central Business District, Price said.

Since then, the group — now known as Price Family Properties — has invested millions in building improvements.

“Priority No. 1 is that we are going to attract new companies to move their employees downtown again to participate in this urban vibrancy,” Price said.

“That is so important to acquiring happy, young and talented employees. We have plenty of oice space, plenty of parking to accommodate those needs. With the new restaurants and entertainment opportunities, we will continue to press that.”

Among Price’s most recent works is the transformation of the historic Transok Building, 2 W. Sixth St., into the Art Deco Lofts and Apartments, 95 percent of which are occupied, he said. His group also iled a permit with the city late last year to build a 519-space parking garage at 415 S. Main St. The facility, three stories with two basement levels, carries an estimated construction cost of $12.8 million, according to the building permit.

Daniel Regan, 2016 chair of Tulsa’s Young Professionals, is property manager of Price Family Properties and Price’s daughter Jackie is general counsel.

“I’m excited for Stuart’s vision and conidence in Tulsa as a market and what we have as an opportunity in the downtown area, what that means for us, as the next generation of leaders in the community, Jackie and my-

self,” Regan said. “… From my experience, there absolutely has been a reverse migration into the urban markets and not just Tulsa. You look at Omaha. You look at Austin. You look at Nashville. That’s clearly where the trend is and where the millennials want to be.

“It’s a quality-of-life issue. Tulsa is really on the cusp over the next decade to do some really beautiful things in our downtown and Central Business District.”

Kathy Taylor, mayor when Kanbar was gaining a foothold in Tulsa real estate, is the city’s chief of economic development under freshly christened Mayor G.T. Bynum.

“We’re excited that Stuart Price and his group has full ownership of the Kanbar Properties.

He is a long-term, successful real estate developer who has been dedicated to Tulsa and Oklahoma through his family’s community service. I’m excited that he will be helping us bring new housing to downtown Tulsa, which drives retail, and parking.

He is a great asset to our downtown development group.”

An undergraduate of the University of MassachusettsAmherst, Stuart Price arrived in Oklahoma in 1979 to enroll at the University of Tulsa College of Law. A courtroom at the law school is jointly named after him.

“It’s just neat to be part of a great community that is very inclusive and open for people who try to come and shoot for their dream,” Price said. “It’s kind of emotional. This is a big bet we’re making and big project.”

Rhett Morgan 918-581-8395 rhett.morgan @tulsaworld.com Twitter: @RhettMorganTW

O24 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

TULSA WORLD

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TULSA

Traic moves through downtown Claremore. Smaller cities in the region have come to recognize the beneits of working together to expand assets and the talent pool. TULSA WORLD FILE

Regionalism will be key to our success A

month ago, I was inaugurated as the 2017 chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. I am also the president of Pelco Structural, an infrastructure manufacturing company based in Claremore.

The combination of these two facts makes me unique among Tulsa Chamber chairs. I am the irst chair to live in Tulsa but have a business located in a regional partner community outside Tulsa.

Thus, I am the chamber’s irst truly regional chair.

I bring a dePhil Albert cidedly regional perspective President of to my role at Pelco LLC the chamber.

I cannot help but think beyond the Tulsa city limits. When I co-founded Pelco 12 years ago, the boundary lines between rural and urban communities in our state were more evident, and in many cases served as a limiting factor to education, business and quality of life. Fortunately, during the past 12 years, those lines have been blurred.

As a region, our cities have come to recognize the beneits of working together, and the disadvantages of competing against one another. When Claremore prospers, so does Tulsa, and vice versa.

There is a growing body of research that supports the regional approach. In books such as “The Coming Jobs War” and “The New Geography of Jobs,” much has been said about the role that regions — and even

nati has embraced regionalism as a key to success.

Regionalism will be key to our success as well. We move forward when we focus less on competition between Broken Arrow and Tulsa, for example, and more on competition between Tulsa and Kansas City, or Tulsa and Dallas. If we band together as a region, identify our top business sites, build our workforce, and invest in assets that beneit all of us, we win.

It’s already working. As a region, we are now being considered for economic development projects for which we would not have been in the running a decade ago. As our business community learns to speak with one voice, I believe we will see more and more instances of organizations and agencies offering resources and support for projects outside their jurisdictional boundaries.

Why? Because regardless of boundary lines, what’s good for one part of our region is good for all of us.

As a region, cities in the metro area have begun to recognize the beneits of working together. A view from the Rogers State University campus looks toward downtown Claremore. JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World file

“megaregions” — play in successful economic development.

In general, the mobility of people has led to the extreme concentration of talent in urban centers such as Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago and Phoenix. This makes it much more diicult for smaller cities to compete for large economic development opportunities. The best chance smaller cities have to compete is to band together as a region to expand assets and the talent pool.

Take Cincinnati, for example.

Each year, the chamber orga-

nizes an intercity visit to a peer city to observe best practices in areas such as economic development, education, entrepreneurship and tourism. Last October, 105 elected oicials, business leaders, educational administrators, young professionals and regional partners went to Cincinnati.

One of the things that struck me during the trip is the amazing job Cincinnati has done in region building. The Cincinnati city core is essentially the same size as Tulsa, but its overall metropolitan statistical area

is several times larger thanks to the strong economic ties Cincinnati has fostered with its regional neighbors. Cincinnati has done a tremendous job of linking regional assets to create a uniied destination.

The suburbs of Cincinnati feed the city core rather than compete with it, and vice versa.

As a result, Cincinnati has attracted and retained economic drivers such as multiple corporate headquarters and professional sports teams. In Cincinnati, it’s not about competition; it’s about combination. Cincin-

Phil B. Albert has more than 30 years of executive operating experience. He started his career in accounting and moved to manufacturing in 1981. Albert spent 23 years at JEM Engineering, the last 10 as president. In 2005, Albert, along with partner, Phil Parduhn, opened Pelco Structural, LLC, an infrastructure manufacturing company, located in Claremore. Pelco Structural, LLC designs, engineers and manufactures transmission, traic and lighting, sports lighting, cellular transmission, signing, and substation structures. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University.

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TULSA

Tulsa poised to become tourism destination

I

n just a few short months and 1.2 million square feet of construction — one of the largest building projects in our state’s history – will be complete.

Sitting on the bank of the Arkansas River, our newly expanded River Spirit Casino Resort ofers visitors river development, top-tier entertainment and restaurants and a worldclass hotel. The $365 million expansion has turned a local casino into a Pat tourism destinaCrofts tion and a major CEO of boon to the Muscogee Tulsa economy.

(Creek) The Muscogee Nation (Creek) Nation Casinos knew from the very beginning we would eventually expand our facility to further utilize our prime location on the Arkansas River. But you can’t just build a bigger casino; you need to give people a reason to come.

Therefore, the objective of our expansion was to meet that demand by providing an upscale, full-service destination resort, hotel and casino that ofers much more than just gaming.

We have something for everyone – all interests and ages.

Obviously Jimmy Bufett’s iconic Margaritaville casino and restaurant serves as the centerpiece of the expansion.

Getting them to come to Tulsa was no easy task, but once they visited Tulsa, they were impressed with our operation and its potential. Finalizing the contract was a huge feather in our cap, and we are now one of the few Margaritaville casinos in the United States.

The spacious Margaritaville bar and restaurant in the River Spirit Casino Resort is decorated with lighted walls, palm trees and a model plane hanging from the ceiling. JESSIE WARDARSKI/Tulsa World

We recently opened our new concert venue Paradise Cove where we can bring in world famous music acts, nationally touring comedians and the biggest names in mixed martial arts and boxing.

In addition to the Margaritaville Restaurant and many other dining options, we recently added the upscale steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris, to our growing portfolio.

Our inal piece of the expansion project, which is scheduled to open later this spring, is the riverfront entertainment area complete with poolside cabanas and a Landshark Landing beach bar with swim-up seating.

But the crowning jewel of River Spirit Casino Resort opened this past December.

Since we opened River Spirit Casino in 2009, we’ve had a demand for hotel accommodations. The 27-story luxury hotel tower boasts 483 rooms, an upscale spa and 30,000 square feet of convention and meeting space. In addition to attracting visitors from the entire Midwest region, this also allows us to actively pursue major meetings, conferences and trade shows for additional visitor impact to the great Tulsa region.

The Muscogee (Creek) Nation’s historic $365 million in-

vestment will not only enhance the quality of life of its members, but the entire Tulsa region will reap the beneits.

The construction phase of our expansion alone is an estimated $303 million economic impact to the Tulsa region. When the resort is fully operational, it will contribute approximately $135 million annually to the local economy.

Our ambitious expansion is a game changer for Tulsa. And when you couple that with the river development happening north of us with the Gathering Place, Tulsa is becoming a beacon for vacation travelers as

well as locals.

Pat Crofts is chief executive oicer of Muscogee (Creek) Nation Casinos. He is responsible for the daily operations as well as strategic direction and development of the tribe’s gaming facilities in northeast Oklahoma. He has decades of management and ownership experience in the gaming and hospitality industry, having held executive positions in multiple jurisdictions with several major private and public gaming companies with domestic, international, tribal and non-tribal operations.

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TULSA WORLD

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TULSA

Here’s why we’re optimistic about energy

Tulsa companies like WPX Energy are spurring the nation’s oil production in places like the West Texas Permian Basin. JIM BLECHA/courtesy WPX

M

ore than 6,000 people in Tulsa make their living in energy. These are the innovators who design ways to develop our nation’s vast reserves of oil and gas and oversee our country’s critical pipeline systems.

Major national investors also look to Tulsa’s energy startups as a valuable place to put Rick their capital.

Muncrief Entrepreneurs Chairman, cut their teeth CEO of in Tulsa because WPX Energy of the creativity and idea infrastructure that’s here.

Where I work, more than a quarter of our engineers and geologists are female. Millennials choose energy because they can lead at an early age and work on multimillion-dollar projects right out of college.

I’d also like to point out three more trends that are changing the face of American oil and gas, highlighting how we’re entering a new era of opportunity.

Saying goodbye to boom and bust The big contrast we’ve seen in the historical ups and downs in our industry should become the exception, not the norm.

Granted, we’re emerging from a recent downturn where our freshest recollections are of cost-cutting and layofs.

But there’s a trend we can spot over the past two years as oil prices plummeted from around $100 per barrel to less than $30.

For the most part, oil prices settled in at a fairly consistent narrower band of $40-$60 per barrel. Looking ahead, we’re more optimistic for $50-$70 per barrel, but a tighter range remains.

Natural gas is another case in point. It climbed to $13 per Mcf a decade ago before crashing. In the years since though, a consistent pricing band has emerged from $2.50-$3.50 per Mcf. With consistency comes more certainty and stability.

These narrower pricing bands drive better planning, eiciencies and what I believe will be

healthier, steadier, sustained long-term growth.

and it’s just one of more than a dozen layers of hydrocarbonbearing rock.

That’s why my company We’re still finding invested $3.5 billion to amass billions of barrels of oil 120,000 net acres on the Delaware side. Babies born We’re nowhere near “peak today will be drilling wells on oil.” Advances in our ability to access new supplies of domestic this acreage 40-50 years in the future. oil and gas at decreasing costs I should know. I’m the third is going to keep raising the ceilgeneration in my family to ing on our potential higher. work in energy. Fifty years ago, A few years ago, it took over I recall driving down these a month to drill a two-mile same West Texas roads with my horizontal lateral on a North dad as he worked on pipeline Dakota oil well. and compressor projects.

Now we can take the lateral three miles in about half the time for at least $5 million less. America is the new energy king Best of all, we keep inding more layers in the earth to There’s no longer a question apply this expertise. Headlines about who’s the biggest player recently buzzed with news on the global energy stage. It’s about 20 billion barrels of oil in the U.S. We now produce more the Permian Basin’s Wolfcamp oil, natural gas and reined formation. products than any other nation That discovery, however, is on the planet. literally only half the story. The Along the way, we’ve made estimate only accounted for energy more afordable, saving the more mature, eastern half American households more of the Permian Basin known as than $1,300 a year in utility the Midland side. bills and more than $500 per On the western side of the year in fuel costs.

Permian lies the Delaware subCheap energy also spurs basin. Guess what? The Wolfmanufacturing growth, which camp formation is there, too, President Trump prioritized.

Tulsa will beneit because of our manufacturing capacity that boasts a labor force of more than 40,000 people and the Port of Catoosa.

The U.S. also leads the world in reducing energy-related greenhouse gas emissions thanks to our industry’s commitment to deploying cleaner, greener technology.

Since 2000, oil and gas companies have invested nearly $90 billion in emissions-reducing eforts, more than any other private industry in the country.

The tally for capital investments in energy production and environmental protection will continue to increase. It’s a great path for the future of Tulsa, our state and everywhere we impact the world.

Rick Muncrief is the chairman and chief executive oicer of Tulsa-based WPX Energy (NYSE:WPX), where he has overseen $6.5 billion in major transactions. He was vocal in the ight to lift the crude oil export ban and has appeared as a voice for energy on CNBC. He also serves on the board of the American Petroleum Institute.

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BARTLESVILLE

Growth promises more jobs, tax revenue Bartlesville expecting new retail outlets, manufacturing firms

About Bartlesville

Bartlesville

By Laura Summers For the Tulsa World

BARTLESVILLE — New development is expected to bring more jobs to the Bartlesville area in 2017 with growth underway at the city’s industrial park and in the retail sector.

New tenants coming into Bartlesville Industrial Park, along with several up-andcoming shopping development projects promise to bring more employment to the area and an increase in sales tax revenues to the municipal cofers.

“2017 could be the biggest year in retail since the mall was built in Bartlesville,” said Jared Patton, Bartlesville Development Authority vice president.

The authority, which oversees Bartlesville’s economic development recruitment eforts, is working with a developer on a major south U.S. 75 project that would open up 145,000 square feet of new retail stores, along with restaurants, to be located on lots located around the 3200 Block of Washington Boulevard, according to David Wood, Bartlesville Development Authority president. The newest retail development would ill lots on U.S. 75 located between a brand new Atwoods store that opened in November and a CarMart auto retailer.

While tenants for the new development are added to the renderings, dirt work is underway at the Silver Lake Village Center, which is expected to open this fall on Adams Boulevard near

Population: 36,595, 12th most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +2.4 percent * Median household income: $50,280 ** Median home price (owner-occupied): $111,700 ** Unemployment rate: 5.1 percent ** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

TULSA Work is underway at the Silver Lake Village Center retail development site on Adams Boulevard in Bartlesville. The shopping center will have restaurants and retail stores, including T.J. Maxx, Ross and Rack Room Shoes.

JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

Lowe’s Home Improvement Store. The city of Bartlesville provided $1.5 million in incentive funds for the new Silver Lake shopping center, which will have restaurants along with stores including T.J. Maxx, Ross, Petco, Rack Room Shoes and Ulta Cosmetics. The Silver Lake project is being developed by Tennessee-based GBT Realty.

A second phase of the Silver Lake retail development has been proposed with the potential for construction to begin this winter. If all the details fall into place, the additional development would bring a large athletic goods store to the region, Patton said.

“The developer is negotiating with the land owners,” Patton said. “If they can come to an agreement, we are optimistic it will come to development.”

While construction is underway on retail projects, develop-

ment also is rolling along on industrial projects. The development authority is working with Custom Moulding Services on plans for a new 25,000-squarefoot facility to be built in the eastside industrial park this year. The Bartlesville-based company already has a reputation for making top-notch thermoformed plastic products and has several new lines expected to begin manufacturing this year.

Custom Moulding, which was founded locally in 1973, plans to expand its employee base to accommodate the new contracts, makes products for transportation, sports, medical, marine, industrial and recreational clients.

“This is our primary industry win for 2016-17,” Patton said.

The year is still young, however, and other prospects are on the line. Another new development in the works at the indus-

trial park is an Oklahoma Natural Gas Service Center building being constructed on a 10-acre tract.

Bartlesville has seen development in mixed-use spaces in the downtown area over the last 12 months with more projects coming to fruition soon. The Ross Group and New Leaf Development have fully leased commercial and loft housing spaces created in historic buildings in the 100 block of Second Street that were renovated in 2016.

The same irms are working to develop into housing and retail space the 90-year-old former First United Methodist Church building downtown. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development issued a $500,000 grant for the church renovation project, which includes 32 residential apartments, along with space for stores and hospitality venues.

Largest Employers: Phillips 66 (2,100) ConocoPhillips (1,410) Jane Phillips Medical Center (1,049) Bartlesville Public Schools (804) Wal-Mart Logistics (680) Did you know: Bartlesville consistently ranks high in surveys on quality of living, receiving praise from Coldwell Banker as one of the nation’s best “booming suburbs,” and being listed as one of the 15 Smartest Cities in Oklahoma by www.onlyinyourstate.com.

History: Entrepreneurs have been drawn to Bartlesville since its days as an Indian Territory town, but it was oil that put the city on the map. The most famous oilman from Bartlesville is Frank Phillips who founded Phillips Petroleum Co. Key contact information: Bartlesville Regional Chamber of Commerce, 201 S.W. Keeler Ave., 918-336-8708, bartlesville.com; Bartlesville Development Authority., 918-337-8086, 201 S.W. Keeler Ave., bda ok.org; Main Street Bartlesville, 401 S.E. Dewey Ave., mainstreetbartlesville.org; 918-2148500.

BIXBY Bixby becoming ‘big deal’ for business opportunity

By Stephanie Andre

About Bixby

For the Tulsa World

BIXBY — Bixby is quickly making a name for itself as a city of opportunity when it comes to business.

The once-vacant Memorial Drive that runs through the heart of Bixby is now lanked with commercial developments, and, according to Mayor John Easton, it is only the beginning.

“When we sit down at the table and talk to folks about what Bixby has in store, their eyes get really big,” said Easton in his last state of the city address. “I think in the next ive years you are going to see a change in what you can do and where you can eat and shop in Bixby. It’s going to be a big deal.”

But residents do not need to wait ive years to see that change. In the past 18 months alone, large corporations like QuikTrip, Jimmy’s Egg and Taco Bell have all set up shop to take advantage of Bixby’s afluent and growing population.

Michael Thornbrugh, manager of public and government afairs for QuikTrip, said a lot of research goes into selecting the right location for a store.

“We are fortunate that we are able to grow and expand and we don’t go into an area unless it is the right location for us,” said Thornbrugh. “Bixby as a community has been exploding and we just really felt that it was a piece of our long-term

TULSA

Bixby

Population: 24,657, 18th most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +18.1 percent * Median household income: $73,143 ** Median home price (owner-occupied): $192,400 ** Unemployment rate: 4.0 percent ** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

The River Trail Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge opened in Bixby a year ago. It ofers state-of-the-art medical equipment and a highly trained staf to care for family pets. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

puzzle that we’ve been looking for and the opportunity was there to acquire the land and build the store.”

The River Trail Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge at 126th Street and Memorial Drive opened approximately one year ago. It is the second Tulsaarea location for the business, and features a facility with state-of-the-art medical equipment and highly trained staf to provide top-notch care for family pets.

Next door to the hospital, construction is underway on a project that will serve as the new corporate oice for The Galley, a business that produces award-winning kitchen workstations sold throughout

the country.

Another big development in the vicinity is the construction of the Residences at Boardwalk at 121st Street and Memorial Drive. The high-end apartment community will feature 377 units on 25 acres that will surround a ive-acre lake with a recreational area with fountains, a boardwalk, water activities and a 2-mile walking trail.

The second phase of the project, scheduled for late 2017, will include 55,000 square feet of commercial space that will feature retail shops, oices and restaurants.

Kevin Jordan, CEO of Black Gold Group, said in a statement that resort-style living is

a growing national trend that his private equity irm would like to bring to Tulsa and its surrounding areas.

“We’re starting to see development of some high-end apartments and condos in downtown, but there’s nothing like this in south Tulsa for young professionals and empty-nesters,” he said. “Residents will be able to go from their home to eat, shop and work, all while enjoying the waterscape and view of the lake, pool and recreational exercise area.”

While the business outlook is positive, Easton said his council and the chamber of commerce will continue to relentlessly pursue every avenue to help bolster revenue.

“We can’t lose sight of the fact that Bixby gets its income from sales tax,” he said. “Competing with the internet and the city of Tulsa has been a real challenge, so trying to attract commercial development is job No. 1 here in Bixby.”

Largest employers: American Foundry Group (225), Lowe’s (160), Butler Manufacturing Co. (150) Did you know: Bixby is home to BTC Broadband, a fiber-optic based broadband communications company that has the largest fiber footprint in the state. It is also one of the oldest businesses in Bixby having been owned and operated for over 100 years. BTC also gives back to the community by holding fundraisers and providing scholarships for high school students.

History: Bixby was home to Red Stevenson, a famed pilot and aircraft dealer. At one time, Stevenson was the largest aircraft dealer in the world. He also built a small chapel in downtown Bixby as a tribute to his wife that became recognized as a local landmark for its uniquely small size. Stevenson died in October.

Key contacts: Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce, 918-366-9445 or bixbychamber.com. “Like” the Bixby Metro Chamber of Commerce page on Facebook, or email events@bixbychamber.com to join their mailing list and receive updates on business news and events in the community.

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TULSA WORLD

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BROKEN ARROW

BA oicials to make job announcements Official hints FedEx hub to be joined by additional energy, aerospace projects

About Broken Arrow Population: 106,563 fourth most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +7.8 percent * Median household income: $67,131 ** Median home price (owner-occupied): $155,600** Unemployment rate: 5.7 percent **

By Michael Overall Tulsa World

BROKEN ARROW — Oicials aren’t ready to reveal any details yet, but Broken Arrow expects to make “several announcements” this spring concerning job growth and the expansion of manufacturing in the Tulsa suburb.

One project that has already been made public involves shipping giant FedEx, which announced late last year that it will open a 250,000-square-foot distribution hub at 1214 E. Houston St. Set to open by August, it will be similar in size to other regional hubs that employ hundreds of workers.

Other projects remain more secretive for the time being, but Wes Smithwick, Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce president and chief executive oicer, hints that at least some of them will involve the energy and aerospace industries.

“We see a lot of movement here with our manufacturers,” Smithwick said, “and we’re working on a lot of things that are going to be exciting to talk about when the time comes.”

In the meantime, Broken Arrow will also continue to attract new retail outlets, especially along the BA Expressway. The Target Center, for example, plans to add a Ross and Ulta store soon.

“That retail district should continue to ill out at a rapid pace,” Smithwick said. “Retailers

Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimate

Broken Arrow’s downtown Rose District has turned the formerly deserted historic area into a bustling commercial hub in recent years and is continuing to grow. TULSA WORLD FILE Raul Ortiz of Tri Star scoops concrete as a construction crew works on the grounds in Broken Arrow’s Rose District, where a streetscaping project is underway.

Brownstone-style townhomes are also planned for the district. CORY

see the success that others are having here, and they want to be a part of it.

Downtown’s Rose District, which has turned a mostly deserted historic area into a thriving commercial hub in recent years, will also continue to grow

Brownstone-style townhomes will give Broken Arrow residents a new option for housing, bringing a lifestyle more associated with big cities.

“We’re going to have a lot more density than the typical suburban area,” Smithwick said. “The Rose District certainly shows no signs of slowing down right now.”

The city will also see several major road projects this year.

“Road improvements always YOUNG/Tulsa World stimulate new developments,” in 2017, Smithwick said.

Smithwick said. “So I think we’re Construction crews are work- going to see good things there.” ing on a four-block area to improve sidewalks, lighting and Michael Overall landscaping, more than dou918-581-8383 bling the downtown area that michael.overall has been given the “Rose District @tulsaworld.com look.”

Twitter: @MichaelOverall2

Largest employers Broken Arrow Public Schools (2,090) Wal-Mart Stores (900) Northeastern State University (800) FlightSafety (735) Did you know: Broken Arrow is the fourth largest city in Oklahoma and the state’s third largest base of manufacturing.

History: The completion of the Broken Arrow Expressway in the 1960s was a big factor in the beginning of the city’s growth.

Key contact information: Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce; 210 N. Main, Suite C; 918-251-1518; brokenarrowchamber.com

TULSA

Broken Arrow

CATOOSA Catoosa slots, shipping containers bolstering city cofers

By Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton

About Catoosa

For the Tulsa World

CATOOSA — With slot machines and shipping containers paving the way, more businesses are inding their way to western Rogers County and bolstering Catoosa’s cofers.

Despite sales tax collections slumping statewide in recent months, Catoosa’s business community continues to grow. According to the Oklahoma Tax Commission’s sales tax report issued on Jan. 20, Catoosa brought in $459,645.04 in sales tax revenue in late November and early December, up from $426,174.43 from one year ago.

That boost can be attributed in part to the continued growth of the Catoosa Hills shopping center near 193rd East Avenue and Interstate 44 across from one of the city’s biggest employers, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. More than a dozen businesses have set up shop since the center’s anchor, a 155,000-square-foot Wal-Mart Supercenter, opened its doors in June 2014.

“We’ve worked hard to work with developers coming to town to make sure we’ve got some good, planned growth and get the things and businesses our citizens want and need,” City Manager David Tillotson said.

That planned growth and the revenue it has brought in so far have allowed Catoosa oicials to invest more in infrastructure, including an ongoing widening project along Pine Street.

“The continued increase in tax revenue has allowed us to continue a lot of work on our street

Catoosa TULSA

Population: 7,146, 56th most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: -0.07 percent * Median household income: $50,750 ** Median home price (owner-occupied): $103,200 ** Unemployment rate: 4.5 percent** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

Catoosa Hills shopping center is near the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa.

CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

projects without dipping into reserves signiicantly,” Tillotson said.

Along with improvements to the community’s roads and drainage systems, other longrange municipal projects funded by the surge in sales tax funds include improvements and ex-

pansion at Roger Berry sports complex and Rogers Point Park to bring in more events, such as baseball and softball tournaments, festivals and carnivals.

Preliminary dirt work is underway at the Roger Berry complex, with the project slated to take up to two years. Plans for

an amphitheater and additional green space at Rogers Point Park are contingent upon the completion of water and sewer line improvements.

It has also opened the door for the city to move forward with plans to hire additional staf and vehicles for its police and ire departments.

“This year is about managing the growth, so we’re putting more money in the personnel side this year,” Tillotson said.

In an efort to keep the momentum going while cashing in on its international fame, municipal oicials have scheduled a corridor study for Catoosa’s portion of historic Route 66 later this year in hopes of furthering the community’s economic development beyond the casino’s shadow.

Although more retail and hospitality options continue to set up shop in the western Rogers County town, the Port of Catoosa remains the community’s largest job site. The second furthest inland port in the United States — trailing only Minnesota’s Port of Duluth-Superior —

Largest employers: Tulsa Port of Catoosa (2,800) Cherokee Nation Businesses (1,900) Did you know: The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is the second-farthest inland U.S. port, trailing only Minnesota’s Port of Duluth-Superior.

History: Initially a Cherokee community, Catoosa benefited as the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad laid tracks into town in 1881, sparking its transformation into a cattle hub. Although agriculture remains significant, the town’s location on Route 66 led to further economic diversification in the 1940s and 1950s, thanks to travelers.

Between the port, which opened in 1971, and the development and expansion of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, Catoosa’s population grew from less than 1,000 in 1970 to more than 7,000 in 2012.

Contact info: catoosachamber. org, 918-266-6042

the 2,500-acre Port of Catoosa is home to 72 companies employing 2,800 people, accounting for a combined payroll of more than $150 million and a statewide estimated economic impact of $300 million.

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CLAREMORE

Infrastructure projects aim for new firms Claremore’s surging population is drawing influx of new businesses

About Claremore

By Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton For the Tulsa World

CLAREMORE — With its population surging, Rogers County’s largest community is seeing more businesses come in, helping to keep new residents’ tax dollars at home.

Having grown almost 20 percent since 2000, Claremore is now seeing an inlux in businesses setting up shop, with $10 million invested in private developments along Main Street.

“We’ve got more businesses opening up downtown,” Mayor Bill Flanagan said at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City address at Rogers State University. “It’s so important that we visit our local businesses and restaurants, as those are tax dollars that will pump back into our local economy and help us prosper.”

City Manager Jim Thomas said while the rest of the state continues to wrestle with slumping sales-tax revenue, Claremore is on solid inancial footing, with collections remaining relatively unchanged from 2015 to 2016.

“We’re not struggling as much like the state as a whole … but we are holding our own,” Thomas said.

The inlux of new businesses is not limited to Claremore’s downtown district. Talks are underway with an as-yet unnamed national retailer about setting up shop in a 250,000-squarefoot space. The city is putting an additional emphasis on bringing in more industry in 2017 as a complement to its largest employer, Baker Hughes.

Contrary to rumors lying around town, at least one national restaurant chain is still set to open in Claremore in 2017.

“I assure you folks, Chick-Fil-

The District on Main owner Cari Bohannan stands inside the store in Claremore, which has seen an inlux in new downtown businesses. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

A is still coming,” he said. “It’s taken a little longer than anticipated … but they are still coming and should be opening this year.”

In order to accommodate the inlux of new residents and the accompanying businesses, several infrastructure projects are underway.

A new water treatment facility is nearing completion and slated to open this summer. The new plant will increase the community’s volume capacity to 8 million gallons just as Claremore opens its second splash pad.

On the east side of town, a new sewer line connecting Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs is set to come online in February, replacing a lagoon system.

The new line is expected to open an additional 800 acres for potential development in the near future.

The District on Main is among the many shops in downtown Claremore. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World

Eforts are underway to put up new runway signage and taxi lanes at Claremore’s regional airport. In 2016, the commu-

nity revived its air show after a decade, bringing in more than 8,000 attendees. However, with renovation work going on, the airport will not host the show again until 2018.

Additionally, work is underway to widen Oklahoma 20 to three lanes while realigning the road to link with Route 66.

With multiple ongoing projects and the city about halfway through its last strategic plan — Claremore 2020 — municipal oicials are planning on canvassing the community this year to start devising a new plan to carry Claremore through 2025. Titled “Claremore Dreams 2025,” the plan will stem from input from residential and business interests.

“We have accomplished much over the last few years and we have caught the attention of

Population: 18,997, 27th most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +2.2 percent * Median household income: $40,559 ** Median home price (owneroccupied): $115,600 ** Unemployment rate: 7.3 percent ** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates Largest employers: Baker Hughes (900), Claremore Public Schools (651), Rogers State University (500) Did you know: Claremore’s Rogers State University is the only university in the state to own and operate a full-power public television station.

History: Originally named for an Osage chief, Claremore has been served by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway and Union Pacific Railroad for more than 120 years. Famous former residents include humorist and actor Will Rogers, singer Patti Page and Lynn Riggs, the author of “Green Grow the Lilacs,” the basis for the musical “Oklahoma!”

Contact info: Claremore Chamber of Commerce, 918-341-2818

Claremore TULSA

leaders from home,” Thomas said. “Now is not the time for Claremore to rest on our past success. Now is the time for Claremore to dream 2025. We should expect nothing less.”

GLENPOOL Saint Francis medical complex set to open in 2018

By Britt Greenwood For the Tulsa World

GLENPOOL — The southern corridor of Glenpool is at the brink of change with the cornerstone of that development, a new medical complex, ofering care currently unavailable in the city.

The Saint Francis Health Complex announced plans in September 2015, but met signiicant delays in 2016 due to state permitting. Long-awaited construction began in early January.

“We are pleased to be able to bring the services that will be ofered by the Saint Francis Health Complex to Glenpool and the surrounding areas. With construction now underway, we anticipate that this campus will be operational by mid-2018,” said Saint Francis spokeswoman Lauren Landwerlin.

The facility will ofer convenient access located directly of U.S. 75 and 151st Street. Being the irst medical center of its kind in Glenpool meets the needs of not only Glenpool residents but those in surrounding communities of Mounds, Kiefer and other areas, saving many area residents time by not having to drive into Tulsa or other cities for medical requirements.

Services include an emergency department with eight exam

Workers continue construction on the $23 million, 49,000-square-foot Saint Francis Health Complex in Glenpool. JESSIE WARDARSKI/Tulsa World

rooms. The emergency section of the complex will host the same care available at Saint Francis Hospital South and will be open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year with board certiied emergency medical providers on staf.

Ancillary services such as a full-service lab, X-ray, CT, ultrasound, bone density scanning and mammography are to be ofered in addition to outpatient physical therapy and occupational therapy with four treatment rooms and a modality room.

Many residents will also enjoy the increase in primary care physicians at the new Warren Clinic oice with 12 exam rooms.

Betsey Saltzman, a mother

and 10-year Glenpool resident, likes the assurance of knowing there will be emergency services at the medical center.

“If my kid fell and broke his arm, I would have somewhere close to go,” she said.

Saltzman works as a radiation therapist in Tulsa. “I think the Saint Francis addition is a great thing. There are not many medical facilities out this way. It will be a nice option for people to go to.”

Saint Francis is anticipating the creation of 50-60 new jobs.

Saltzman believes many local medical professionals that now work outside of Glenpool will be applying for jobs at the facility for the convenience of being

close to home.

Since the groundbreaking and start of construction at the Saint Francis Health Complex, signs of the domino efect of new development are being seen.

City Manager Roger Kolman said, “The Saint Francis Health Complex project has proven to be a catalyst increasing interest and investment by the commercial development community in Glenpool south of 121st Street South. Since Saint Francis entered the market and planted its lag at 151st Street South and Highway 75, several other commercial and retail developers have taken a serious look at the southern portion of the city along Highway 75.”

Glenpool Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sydney Bland sees the southern corridor of Glenpool mimicking the growth of the Southwest Crossroads shopping, business and restaurant district at 121st Street and U.S. 75.

“According to Glenpool’s city leaders and planners, you won’t recognize the community in a year or so,” said Bland, “Nothing is being done haphazardly.”

The Glenpool Industrial Authority recently entered into a contract to sell its 37 acres of property immediately south of the Saint Francis Health Complex for retail development, Kolman said.

About Glenpool Population: 13,225, 35th most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +22.4 percent * Median household income: $59,444 ** Median home price (owner-occupied): $124,700 ** Unemployment rate: 4.0 percent ** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

Largest employers Glenpool Public Schools (350) Wal-Mart (300) XPO Logistics (170) Did you know: 45,000 vehicles drive through Glenpool a day on U.S. 75 History: In addition to putting Tulsa on the map, the discovery of the Glenn Pool launched the communities of Kiefer, Jenks and Mounds Key contact information: Glenpool Chamber of Commerce: GlenpoolChamber.org

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JENKS

Jenks projects have oicials feeling bullish RiverWalk Crossing, Jenks Landing, Premium Outlets Mall signal growth in Jenks

About Jenks Population: 20,740, 21st most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +22.5 percent * Median annual income: $86,747 ** Median home price (owneroccupied): $187,700 ** Unemployment rate: 3.5 percent **

By Michael Overall Tulsa World

JENKS — Still preparing the groundwork at 111th Street and U.S. 75, crews won’t begin putting up the irst walls until late February or March.

But the massive Jenks Landing development, combining residential apartments with retail and oice space, has already secured leases for tens of thousands of square feet.

“It’s been phenomenal,” said developer Donny Willliamson, taking it as a sign of investors’ conidence in the future of Jenks.

Williamson himself must feel bullish about the Tulsa suburb, because he’s putting millions into Jenks Landing and another $4.2 million into an expansion of the Village on Main project in downtown Jenks, where he plans to move his company headquarters.

Planning continues for a Simons Premium Outlets mall just of the Creek Turnpike in Jenks, which won a major coup against Tulsa in 2015 by attracting the development, worth an estimated $4.5 million a year in sales tax revenue. It was originally aiming for a summer 2017 grand opening, but more recent estimates suggest an opening in June 2018.

Meanwhile, the FlyingTee golf attraction has pumped new life into the RiverWalk Crossing.

And construction continues on a $1.2 million park that is replacing a parking lot at Second and A streets.

With a sleek, modern design similar to Tulsa’s Guthrie Green, the Jenks Downtown Commons will include green space and a covered stage for concerts and

Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

Adrian Lopez of Williamson Companies trowels concrete pavement at Jenks Landing, a mixed-use development coming to Jenks. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

TULSA

Jenks

Jenks Landing, a mixed-use development, is one of the new projects coming to Jenks. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World

public events, creating a convenient gathering place for pedestrians as they come and go from nearby shops and restaurants.

Mayor Kelly Dunkerley pro-

motes it as a tool for economic development that will help attract young professionals to the suburb.

“Time and again, experts tell

us the importance of place in making a decision where a person chooses to live and work,” Dunkerley said at the recent groundbreaking ceremony. “People will choose an urban area that ofers a diverse economic base and amenities that contribute to an excellent quality of life.”

Jenks is prospering because city leaders have that kind of forward-looking vision and a

Largest employers Jenks Public Schools (1,300) Kimberly-Clark (400) Did you know: In 2007, Money Magazine’s ranked Jenks No. 43 in its “Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S.,” making it the only city in Oklahoma to make the list.

History: Opened in May 2003, the Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks has become one of the top tourism destinations in the area with more than half a million visitors a year.

Key contact: jenkschamber.com

pro-growth mentality, Williamson said.

While construction won’t start on the residential side of the development until next year, demand has so far exceeded all expectations for retail and oice space at the Crossing, and Williamson expects to have more than 60,000 square feet built and occupied by this fall.

“Attitudes are changing,” Williamson said. “For so long, Jenks was always known as a great place to live and to have kids in school. But now there’s a realization that Jenks is also a great place to hang out and go shopping.”

Michael Overall 918-581-8383 michael.overall @tulsaworld.com Twitter: @MichaelOverall2

OWASSO Redbud District designed to revitalize downtown

By Kyle Hinchey

Owasso

Tulsa World

OWASSO — Eforts to revitalize Owasso’s downtown recently made signiicant headway as the city moved forward with creating an incentive program designed to attract businesses to the area.

In its inal meeting of 2016, the Owasso City Council voted to approve the implementation of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District for the downtown area. A TIF District allows cities to direct some local taxes and fees to stimulate private development and provide improvements to development projects.

To qualify, an area must be considered unproductive, underdeveloped or blighted. Downtown Owasso hits those marks, said Chelsea Levo, the city’s economic development director.

“A lot of people didn’t even know we had a downtown Main Street,” Levo said. “Owasso’s Main Street has been rather unknown for years just simply because Owasso never really had a Main Street. By name we have one and the city hall was located there, but really it was not like what you would see in a lot of other communities, small or large, that were established years ago with a lot of commerce in a downtown area.”

Owasso started out as a farm town and later became a bed-

TULSA

About Owasso Population: 34,542, 13th most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +19.5 percent * Median annual income: $65,881 ** Median home price (owneroccupied): $151,200 ** Unemployment rate: 4.6 percent ** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates

Traic moves along at Main Street and 76th Street North in Owasso. The city has rebranded its downtown as the Redbud District and is in the process of developing guidelines, which will include planting redbud trees.

JAMES GIBBARD/Tulsa World

room community for Tulsa. Levo said the city has grown up in the past 20-30 years, with some of the biggest economic strides happening now.

The rejuvenation of downtown really started about ive years ago with the formation of the Gathering on Main, a group of small-business owners who wanted to bring people to Main Street once a month for a festival. The monthly events feature bands, merchants, kid zones, food trucks and have attracted thousands of visitors. Levo credits the festival as being the catalyst for downtown’s social emergence.

Last summer, a community

naming process led to downtown being rebranded as the Redbud District, named for the trees for which the state is known. To go along with the new title, city oicials sought to plant redbud trees throughout downtown.

“We’re deining who we want to be and what kind of development we want but also what kind of lifestyle we want to be able to ofer the people who live and work here,” Levo said.

As a result of the city approving the TIF District, Levo said, two families already have purchased properties in downtown and plan to develop multimillion-dollar, mixed-use complex-

es containing retail, restaurants, oice space and apartment units. She also said she has been contacted by a couple of smallbusiness owners inquiring about the application process for TIF funding.

Oicials are still leshing out the policy guide that governs the district and will dictate what kind of development is eligible.

Levo expects the guide to be inished either in February or March.

“The outlook is good for the Redbud District,” she said.

“What we foresee and just talking with developers in the area and small businesses that are looking to move to the area, this is going to be Owasso’s version of (Broken Arrow’s) Rose District.”

Kyle Hinchey 918-581-8451 kyle.hinchey@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @kylehinchey

** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

Largest employers Owasso Public Schools (1,100+) Wal-Mart (715) Macy’s Fulfillment Center (1,500 to 4,000 during peak season) Did you know: The city has a public arts initiative called “Timmy and Cindy.” It began in spring 2004 as part of the city’s centennial celebration. The bronze castings, each displaying an active young boy and girl, have been purchased by individuals, families or organizations.

History: The city’s proximity to the city of Tulsa and two federal highways, U.S. 169 and U.S. 75, have made Owasso an attractive destination and regional retail player. As Tulsa’s second-largest suburb, it likely will maintain that appeal.

Key contact information: Chelsea Levo, Owasso economic development director, 918-3761518.

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SAND SPRINGS

Industrial, retail opportunities abound River access, land and people looking to spend money all possible draws

About Sand Springs Population: 19,783, 24th most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +4.6 percent * Median household income: $51,067 ** Median home price (owner-occupied): $118,100 ** Unemployment rate: 5.2 percent **

By Paighten Harkins Tulsa World

SAND SPRINGS — Sand Springs is looking for its business niche.

It has the land, it has a railroad, and, most important, Mayor Mike Burdge said, it has people looking to make and spend money.

There are four areas of town Burdge thinks could host businesses, either retail or industry.

Last year, crews opened the Sheield Crossing area, near the OnmiTRAX facility south of Morrow Road, for businesses or retail. The area will also be the site of the city’s new public safety facility.

In February, demolition of the city’s old steel mill, located west of Oklahoma 97 and south of Morrow Road, will open the area for industrial development, Burdge said.

“The city of Sand Springs is going to be really beating the bushes looking around for industry to come into that area and a little more retail,” he said.

For retail, the RiverWest Development, which currently houses an IHOP, Starbucks and El Maguey Mexican restaurant, among other tenants, also seems promising, he said.

Then there’s the Arkansas River, which Burdge said is rife with development opportunity.

“There’s not anybody besides Tulsa that has the river access that Sand Springs has,” Burdge said.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

Rafters pass beneath a bridge during Tulsa’s Great Raft Race on the Arkansas River in Sand Springs in September.

JESSIE WARDARSKI/Tulsa World

to Skiatook Lake and Hominy, west to Cleveland and Pawnee and south to Drumright, according to information on the city’s economic development website.

For retail, Burdge said the city is still looking for unique dining options so residents don’t have to drive to Tulsa.

“It’s been a challenge. It’s kind of a catch-22 because we’re so close to Tulsa and there’s so many restaurants close,” he said.

Burdge also sees a lot of potential in the river.

He said of the entire Tulsa metEl Maguey Mexican Restaurant is expected to open soon in the RiverWest ropolitan area, Sand Springs has Development area in Sand Springs. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World the most opportunity for river Sand Springs has the space. Burdge said they’re really open development, especially once ViNow oicials are working to ind to anything, and hope businesses sion 2025 funds kick in to build a what industry would suit the city. will seek out Sand Springs be- low-water dam, just downstream “One of the things we have to cause of its amenities. of Oklahoma 97.

A business could use the city’s decide for sure is what’s the best railroad, as well as its regional it for us,” Burdge said.

Paighten Harkins City oicials have looked into airport. Plus, Burdge said Sand 918-581-8455 bringing a medical research in- Springs is close to Tulsa and paighten.harkins dustry to the city, because that boasts easy expressway access. @tulsaworld.com The city’s trade area stretches was an option in the past, but Twitter: @PaightenHarkins

Largest employers: Sand Springs Public Schools (819) Webco Industry (575) Did you know: In October 2016, Sand Springs City Council approved a 10-acre facility near the OmniTRAX facility for a new public safety facility, and land adjacent to that facility is available for retail development.

A Wal-Mart, Rib Crib, Charlie’s Chicken and QuikTrip sit just north of the area.

History: Oilman Charles Page founded the city in 1911. He built the still-standing power plant in the same year.

Key contact information: Sand Springs Chamber of Commerce, 918-245-3221

Sand Springs TULSA

SAPULPA Developments expected to bring hundreds of jobs

By Kyle Hinchey Tulsa World

SAPULPA — Several new developments that have popped up in Sapulpa are expected to bring hundreds of jobs to the city.

Companies that have purchased properties in Sapulpa include a cosmetics distribution center and an engineering and manufacturing irm. A large industrial park that has been in the works for over a decade also is now fully developed and sold out.

Claremore developer David Polson announced plans to establish the 150-acre Polson Industrial Park between Interstate 44 and 65th West Avenue in 2006.

He envisioned the park as a combination of oice, warehouse and industrial space and expected it to be ready by the following year, he told the Tulsa World at the time.

However, a legal scule concerning the installation of a railroad crossing prolonged the project, which inally was completed last year.

“It was a long struggle,” said Ted Fisher, economic development director for Sapulpa. “To get to the property, we had to have a new railroad crossing put in, and so it was a lengthy battle with the railroad to get the crossing put in, but eventually we got it done.”

The key players at the industrial park — a public-private partnership between Tulsa County, the city of Sapulpa and Polson — are IPC Piping and Green Bay Packaging, which will be building a 40-acre facility there within two years, Fisher said.

The remaining acres consist of

The GasTech facility in Sapulpa is expected to open by the end of February.

The company employs 100 workers and serves the engineering and equipment needs in the oil and gas industry. CORY YOUNG/Tulsa World file The new 21.5-acre home of GasTech Engineering LLC in Sapulpa is shown. It is expected to bring 100 jobs when it relocates from Tulsa. The company provides engineering services and equipment for the oil and gas industry. COURTESY

smaller purchasers who have not inished building.

Fisher said the park will have a signiicant economic impact on the city.

“We don’t know for sure yet, but we think there will be several hundred jobs out there,” he said.

Another 100 jobs will come from the relocation of GasTech Engineering LLC, a Tulsa company that provides engineering needs and equipment for the oil and gas industry. Fisher said he expects the new 21.5-acre facility, located in north Sapulpa that was once occupied by Thermal Engineering International, will open by the end of February.

SeneGence International, a cosmetics and skin care irm from California, announced in 2016 that it would be opening its Midwest Distributor Center in the Sapulpa area. The company bought about 225 acres just

TULSA

Sapulpa

About Sapulpa Population: 20,579, 22nd most populous city in state * Population change since 2010: +0.2 percent * Median household income: $39,880 ** Median home price (owner-occupied): $103,400 ** Unemployment rate: 5.4 percent ** Source: U.S. Census Bureau * July 1, 2015 Population Estimates ** 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-year estimates

outside city limits at 18377 W. Oklahoma 33, where it will build a massive warehouse slated to open in 2018.

According to Fisher, the property will feature corporate oices, restaurants and a manufacturing campus for training.

SeneGence also will be renovating a building in downtown Sapulpa and establish a Pick and Pack warehouse. The com-

Largest employers T.D. Williamson (500) John Christner Trucking (500) Sapulpa Public Schools (300+) Did you know: Sapulpa bills itself as Oklahoma’s most connected city

because of five four-lane highway options, but the first transportation bragging rights came with the junction of the Atlantic and Pacific Railroads in the 1880s to easily transport walnut logs.

History: That railroad connection was called Sapulpa Station in honor of Chief Sapulpa, the first permanent settler who befriended the railway workers. The railroad access became instrumental in Sapulpa’s growth after discovery of the Glenn Pool oil field in 1905, launching dynamic growth in oil and related industries.

Key contact information: cityofsapulpa.net and sapulpachamber. com

pany has rented warehouse County residents as we can.” space in Tulsa to use until the new facilities are constructed, Kyle Hinchey and its founder, former Sapulpa resident Joni Rogers-Kante, last 918-581-8451 year promised in a statement to kyle.hinchey@tulsaworld.com hire “as many Sapulpans, Creek Twitter: @kylehinchey

O32 SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017

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