By John Dobberstein, Editor
The biggest story in Broken Arrow in 2021 will likely continue in the headlines as 2022 has arrived.
In an online survey that ran for 2 days, nearly half of readers said the proposed Bell’s Amusement Park relocation to Broken Arrow was the biggest story in 2021.
Below is a rundown of the three biggest stories and honorable mentions for 2021.
1 Bell’s Amusement Park proposal (49%): Robby Bell III and the Bell family announced in November plans to relocate the iconic park, which closed 15 years ago, to 106 acres of land on East Kenosha St. along the Creek Turnpike. Working in phases, the family plans to open an amusement park, water park and indoor facility.
Although detailed plans have yet to be released, neighborhood organizations within a couple of miles of the site are already getting petitions signed that oppose the location of the park, citing concerns about a decline in property values and increased crime and traffic.
City of Broken Arrow planners have had a pre-development meeting, which is routine, with the park’s developers but no formal site plans have been submitted yet. Since a large creek runs through the property the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is also preparing an assessment of the site. The development will also have to pass muster with the Broken Arrow Planning Commission and Broken Arrow City Council.
2 Development accelerating in south Broken Arrow: For residents of south Broken Arrow who’ve been wanting to see more retail and shopping options, 2021 was a big year. The city broke ground on the $32 million Aspen Ridge development, a mixed-use project that will include a new Reasor’s grocery store, retail space and a 168-unit apartment complex.
Norfolk Drive is being extended to the east of Aspen Avenue, near the Creek Turnpike, to facility the development. The city approved a tax increment financing (TIF) request from developers for Phase 1 of the project.
The city also spent $5 million to acquire land for the proposed Innovation District along Florence Street just east of Olive Avenue, and plans for a large public park, named “Elam Park” were announced just to the east of the Innovation District location.
It was also a big year for New Orleans Square, the name selected and approved for the intersection of New Orleans Street and Elm Place. The New Orleans Square advisory committee reviewed and approved a special overlay district for the intersection intended to serve as a guideline as the intersection is redeveloped. The plan will go before the Planning Commission and City Council soon.
New tenants have begun filling empty storefronts at the intersection and the city hosted a block party last July that far exceeded the expected turnout. The Cypress Place shopping development opened and a multi million-dollar reconstruction and beautification of the intersection is planned this year.
New home construction also continues at a strong pace. The Lakes at Rabbit Run is being built along W. New Orleans St. just east of Olive, and the city council recently approved a zoning change for a 58-acre housing development along Olive just northwest of New Orleans.
3 Three women elected to City Council for first time in history: 2021 was a historic year in Broken Arrow politics as well, as Debra Wimpee and Lisa Ford were elected to the City Council last April. Ford knocked out longtime council member and mayor Craig Thurmond and Wimpee was re-elected to her seat.
Serving alongside Christi Gillespie, it’s the first time in Broken Arrow history that three women have served on the city council at the same time.
Last May, Wimpee was elected mayor by council members and Gillespie was elected vice mayor, which marked the first time women held both of those roles at the same time.
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