By John Dobberstein, Editor
The Broken Arrow Planning Commission will hold public hearings Thursday on two separate projects that propose retail, light industry and both single-family and multi-family housing on 130 total acres on the city’s south and east sides.
A massive 102-acre mixed-use development named “Creekside Commercial” is proposed on property just east of the Creek Turnpike between Kenosha and Houston streets. The site was to be the new location for the relocation of the shuttered Bell’s Amusement Park. But developers pulled the plug on the project in 2023 and announced plans to sell the land.
Also being proposed is Tucson28, a 38-acre development at the northwest corner of Aspen Avenue at Tucson Street. The undeveloped land is across Aspen from Hackberry Market, a $98 million shopping center under construction that will feature Home Depot, Hobby Lobby, T.J. Maxx and Burlington.
The property owner is Tucson28 Development Partners and Joseph and Daisy Nguyen, and Tucson28 is the developer. The two lots are undeveloped and zoned agricultural and would be rezoned to commercial general if approved by the Planning Commission after the hearing.
One issue the Planning Commission will need to iron out is a frontage road along the south side of the Creek Turnpike in the vicinity of the property. The right-of-way being dedicated for the Tucson28 project, according to the city, “does not align adequately with the existing frontage road right-of-way immediately to the west of this site.”
Community Development staff for the city reviewed the Broken Arrow NEXT Comprehensive Plan, the location of the property and the surrounding land uses and recommended the developer’s request be approved. At this junction it’s not clear what potential retailers would locate there.
The Creekside Commercial project would be divided into four development areas for commercial, industrial, single-family and multi-family residential development, with a buffer between the industrial and housing areas. The property is owned by Broken Arrow Investments LLC.
In May, the Broken Arrow City Council approved a Comprehensive Plan amendment for the southern portion of the Creekside Commercial site.
But developers — listed as Kenosha Development LLC — are asking to reclassify the project’s zoning to establish, “a diverse, mixed-use environment supporting high-end commercial, retail, industrial, and single-family residential sectors, with the flexibility to incorporate multi-family units.”
Developers said the site is bisected by an existing stream and waterway that will serve as “the backbone for a communal open space for residents and visitors” — including trails and sidewalk connections to facilitate travel and recreation. The site is also proposed to be served by a collector style road connecting from Kenosha Street to Houston Street.
Reduced building setbacks are planned to bring storefronts closer to the public rights-of-way to create, “an intimate, high-energy streetscape.” No potential tenants for the space have been announced as of yet.
City staff are recommending approval of the requests after reviewing the property location, surrounding land uses and existing and planned transportation infrastructure. The public hearings are scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Broken Arrow City Hall, 220 S. 1st St.
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