By John Dobberstein, Editor
City Manager Michael Spurgeon signed a construction contract that will set in motion the creation of the Aspen Ridge Development in south Broken Arrow.
The contract calls for construction to extend Norfolk Drive to the east of Aspen Avenue near the Creek Turnpike for a $31.6 million mixed-use development on nearly 40 acres. The project includes a new 60,000-square foot Reasor’s grocery store, a 180,000-square-foot, 168-unit apartment complex and 200,000 square feet of commercial or retail space.
The extension of the road is a key public infrastructure improvement for the project. Construction on the new roadway is scheduled to begin Monday, Aug. 30.
The Broken Arrow City Council approved a tax increment financing (TIF) district for phase I of the development. With the contacted signed for public infrastructure, some new businesses are expected to break ground later this year and in early 2022, Spurgeon says.
The construction contract was awarded to Cherokee Pride Construction with a total bid of $2,377,674 — approximately $600,000 below the engineer’s estimate, the city says.
News of the project starting has been long awaited by residents after promises were made several years ago by city leaders about development to come along the Creek Turnpike in south Broken Arrow. The new Reasor’s store replaces the one that was closed by the company on Elm Place at New Orleans Street.
In March, the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corp. and city officials also announced land acquisition activities for the “Innovation District” to be located on 90 acres along the Creek Turnpike between Aspen and Olive avenues, east of the Aspen Ridge development.
Voters approved $9 million worth of infrastructure improvements in the 2018 general obligation bond for the employment, housing and education initiative, which has been in the planning stages since 2017.
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