Vision 2025 Construction Progressing
By D. J. MORROW INGRAM
Associate Editor
ARENA WORK UNDERWAY: Excavation work has begun on the site of the new Tulsa Regional Convention/Events Center. The project should be completed in 2008.
D. J. MORROW INGRAM for Union Boundary
As the two-year anniversary on the passage of the historic Vision 2025 tax package approaches, Tulsa County residents are beginning to see clear signs of progress.
“If cranes are synonymous with construction activity, what began as criticism for a lack of cranes in the air has actually become a demand for cranes,” reads the Executive Summary of the Vision 2025 monthly report.
A portion of one major project was completed in the past fiscal year when the first phase of the 61st Street project in the Union District was opened to traffic. The City of Tulsa portion was completed in March with approximately $2 million in project savings. The Tulsa County portion has begun.
“Vision 2025 is right where we expected it to be at this time,” says Kirby H. Crow, owner and managing director of Program Management Group (PMg), the company that is overseeing the execution of Vision 2025 for Tulsa County. “We will continue to see projects progress to the tune of about $100 million in expenditures this year.”
Presently, extensive projects are underway at the Collinsville City Hall and Fire Station, OU-Tulsa, NSU-Broken Arrow, Morton Health Care, the Jenks/Glenpool Community Center, and site work continues for the Osage Prairie Trail. Additional construction has been approved at the Tulsa Community College Southeast Campus and for the second phase of the 61st Street Improvements project.
Project updates include:
Tulsa Regional Convention/ Events Center: Excavation is currently in progress to relocate utilities and clear land. The design work on the Arena continues and is slated for completion in the fall. Construction is scheduled to be completed in 2008.
Expo Square: Extensive work is also underway at Expo Square with construction going on at the Expo building, North Arena, and Barn E. Construction of “mega” Barn D will begin immediately after the Tulsa State Fair.
Bixby Downtowns and Neighborhoods: The preliminary plans for the streetscape and street rehab are complete and a Neighborhood Coordinator has been hired. Construction bids are scheduled to be let in August 2005.
Broken Arrow Community Center and Swimming Pool: The design plans for the Community Center have been expanded to increase the originally planned size of the gymnasium. The preliminary pool designs were approved by the Broken Arrow City Council and are expected to be finalized in late July/early August.
Owasso Community Center: The Vision 2025 portion of the Community Build Park is substantially complete and work is underway for the support facilities (access road, parking area, shelters and site fencing). The park, “Funtastic Island,” opened to the public in May and a youth-oriented veteran’s memorial will be completed over the next several months.
Collinsville City Hall /Community Center: The new Fire Station Building is substantially complete with a grand opening set for July. The City Hall project is about 70 percent complete.
Osage Trail: This project is under construction, with the Skiatook section scheduled for substantial completion in September.
Northeastern State University Broken Arrow: Construction on the first building will begin soon and construction bids for the second phase of construction have been let.
OU-Tulsa: The second phase of the utility relocation work is underway. Foundation work for the new parking structure continues and the clinic building has been advertised for construction bids.
More information on the progress of Vision 2025 projects can be found at www.Vision2025.info.
Updated 07-25-2005
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