By John Dobberstein, Editor
The Broken Arrow City Council is expected to consider an economic development agreement Tuesday that would bring a 12,500-seat outdoor amphitheater to the city to host a variety of live musical performances and entertainment.
The $71.5 million development would be located just north of the Broken Arrow Events Park, 21101 E 101st Street South. The agreement between the Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority and Sunset at Broken Arrow LLC calls for the city to create a tax increment financing (TIF) district for the project to pay for various site improvements in conjunction with the development.
The investment would create 741 jobs during the construction period and 86 direct full-time positions with an annual payroll of approximately $3.5 million, along with 154 indirect jobs with an annual payroll of approximately $4 million, the development agreement says.
The project would also, according to the proposed agreement, generate approximately $933,000 in new annual ad valorem taxes that would benefit entities such as Wagoner County, the Wagoner County Health Department, Broken Arrow Public Schools, Tulsa Technology Center and city of Broken Arrow.
The developer plans to buy 13 undeveloped acres from the EDA immediately north of the Events Park and just east of the Creek Turnpike, and potentially up to 7 more acres if needed. If the development agreement is approved and the project moves forward, the projected opening is December 2025.
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Nearly $18 million in site improvements will be needed for the project that would be funded by the TIF, which includes construction of 2,360 parking spaces ($7.1 million) and stormwater detention facilities ($2.2 million).
The city would also execute a lease or agreement with Northeastern State University’s Broken Arrow campus for the use of 1,000 parking spaces there for events at the amphitheater.
Road improvements include work inside the Events Park ($2.5 million) and, subject to property acquisition, a roadway extension to the site’s north end ($2.1 million), and a roadway extension providing connecting access to State Highway 51 at East Washington Street, including railroad crossing improvements ($3.5 million).
The city would also agree to build a third access point across a creek to connect the project site with the Challenger Sports Complex ($250,000). The developer would pay for internet, electric, public utilities or natural gas access.
If the agreement is approved, the developer will be required to submit a planned unit development and site plan for review by city officials.
Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Notes Live has proposed several amphitheater projects throughout the U.S., including a $70 million project in Mustang, west of Oklahoma City, and $40 million projects near Nashville and in Colorado Springs.
The projects are noted for their quality and upscale feel, as they typically include landscaped grass berms, fire pit suites and corporate suites. The Sunset Amphitheater at Mustang Creek will have upper and lower bowl seating and a general admission lawn.
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