Steve Lackmeyer The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma City Council is being asked to approve $4.75 million in tax increment financing to build out Wiley Post Park and a planned USS Oklahoma City memorial along the north shore of the Oklahoma River. 

The memorial has been in the planning stages since first being announced in 2017. Wiley Post Park was chosen after the originally announced location along boathouse row was determined to be a less desirable spot. 

Once completed, the park and plaza will feature the sail of the decommissioned USS Oklahoma City submarine, a navy dive plane and other displays commemorating Oklahoma’s naval history.  

Parks Director Melinda McMillan-Miller estimated the park and plaza will be completed in 2026, though a replica of the submarine’s sail will be needed because of the time it takes to cool down the decommissioned ship’s nuclear reactor. 

“We’ve found a wonderful location,” McMillan-Miller said in a recent presentation to the Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust. “The memorial itself will include not just the USS Oklahoma City and dive plane, but other items of significance including plaques honoring crew members on this vessel.” 

The north shore park improvements are the third of five phases of work planned at Wiley Post, which is named after the famed Oklahoma City aviator who completed a solo flight around the world in 1933. 

The entire budget for the project is $8,186,490 which includes $3,645,000 from ARPA pandemic recovery funding. The tax increment financing is intended to cover a shortfall that currently stands at $4,541,490. 

If the funding is approved by the city council on Oct. 8, construction is set to start in January. The monument itself is being paid for through private donations. 

What to know about the USS Oklahoma City submarine

The project was first announced in 2017 by retired Rear Adm. Greg Slavonic, retired Navy Cmdr. Jon “Tucker” McHugh and architect Don Beck, the same group that led the establishment of a memorial for the USS Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor.   

The USS Oklahoma City submarine was decommissioned in 2022 after 34 years of service during which it supported missions including submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. 

The memorial also will commemorate the USS Oklahoma City Cruiser, which was commissioned in 1944 and was converted to a guided missile cruiser in 1957. The ship played a supporting role in the Okinawa, Western Pacific, South China Sea and Vietnam campaigns. 

The tax increment funding request notes the memorial and park is likely to draw tourists and will serve as a connection between other destinations along the Oklahoma River and nearby Scissortial Park. 

The north shore section of Wiley Post Park consists of a lawn and parking area connecting to the city’s trail system. The improvements are designed for families and veterans. 

Improvements at Wiley Post Park include amphitheater, seating and playgrounds

Improvements are set to include an amphitheater, a covered stage, terraced lawn seating and seating along the shoreline, shade structures, bench swings, benches and tables, a sculpture garden and playgrounds designed for ages 2 through 5 and 5 through 12.

McMillan-Miller said the parks department employs two security officers along the river and that the city is determined to keep it well maintained. 

“You won’t be able to get on top of the dive plane; it’s very tall,” McMillan-Miller said. “But we can’t keep children from trying to climb up on the full side of the submarine.” 

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/local/2024/06/14/okc-zoo-redesign-new-species-penguines/74073366007

Sam Royka

The Oklahoman

The Oklahoma City Zoo proposed big changes in the 2024 Master Plan released this week, which will include a new cafe, more than 10 new species, and an extensive reorganization.

Dwight Lawson, executive director and CEO of the Oklahoma City Zoo, called the 10-year plan "perhaps the most ambitious in the Zoo's 122-year history."

The zoo began work on its most recent master plan in 2018, bringing the Sanctuary Asia, Expedition Africa, and Predator Pass projects to life along with many others. The last facet of this plan, called Shore to Sea, will be a new home for the California sea lions, African penguins, and harbor seals. This space is projected to open in 2027.

The plan is projected to cost between $115 and $230 million, according to the plan summary, and budgeting is already underway.

Funding for the master plan will come from a combination of private fundraising efforts, possible historic tax credits, and funding from a 1/8-of-a-cent sales tax approved by Oklahoma City voters in 1990, according to a press release.

The new master plan includes a host of construction projects to "modernize some of the Zoo’s oldest structures into immersive habitats that provide superior animal care and guest experiences," Lawson said in a press release.

This plan is broken down into three priority areas the zoo will tackle first.

Africa Plateau

The Africa Plateau currently includes large areas for hooved animals, including Okapi, Wildebeest, and Zebra. The new plan would add wild encounter spaces for Okapi and break down the hoofstock areas into larger savanna habitats. One goal of the large savanna areas is to create a feeling for zoo guests more reminiscent of the African grasslands, according to the presentation. New additions would also include gardens and a vulture exhibit. The new animals in the Africa exhibit, which opened in March, will include antelope, gazelle, grey crowned crane, guinea fowl, impala, kudu, sitatunga, southern white rhino, vulture, and waterbuck.

Reptile Preserve

The Reptile Preserve is also prioritized. The zoo trust plans to move this climate-controlled space closer to the zoo entrance. This provides better accessibility to patrons sensitive to heat and cold. Meanwhile, they plan to turn the current reptile building into a lounge for guests. The construction will also provide indoor/outdoor habitats for the animals.

Heart of the Zoo

The Heart of the Zoo and new Redbud Cafe are also high priorities in the project, with the trust aiming to organize the flow of traffic and provide more shaded outdoor seating for visitors. They also plan to relocate the carousel and create a stream connected to the alligator habitat in order to manage stormwater. The cafe will also house "exceptional restrooms," according to the project summary.

Other OKC Zoo additions:

Guest suites

Lower on the priority list but still on the project, the trust wants to construct an underwater viewing option for the brown bear and create some new walking routes through the zoo.

In multiple places, the summary mentioned new overnight accommodations.

"For those looking to extend their stay at the Zoo, the addition of up to four Oklahoma-themed guest suites with private outdoor viewing of bison can be rented out," the summary read. The trust intends these suites for use as a new kind of Wild Encounter experience.

Children's area

They also plan on updating the children's adventure area with larger areas focused on nature play, each themed like a different ecosystem. Plans also include reorganizing exhibits for animals that are "high impact, playful, and social," according to the document.

Front entry

The zoo entry area, currently open-air, will also receive an update in the form of a new shade and arbor. In warmer months, this space will provide a respite from midday heat as well as a comfortable entry, according to the summary. The arbor is also intended for use with annual winter light displays.

Elephant, primate habitat

An expansion of the elephant habitat is also planned, with two extra acres planned for the large elephant herd as well as a new tram route around the elephants. In the primate exhibits, guests will find another new addition in the form of the black and white colobus monkey. More new species will also reside here. The primate habitats will receive updates as well.

Describing the new rooms in more detail, "with a glass front separating guests from the apes and an operable glass back offering views to the landscape, these day rooms are an ape version of an indoor-outdoor living room," the document read.

Feline Oasis

The cats at the Feline Oasis were also included in the plan, with expanded jaguar and tiger habitats and seven small cat exhibits receiving complete renovations. There will also be a big cat training wall for demonstrations. More information about the wall will be provided when available, and the full Master Plan presentation can be found here.

State Investment Gives Big Boost to RSU’S Proposed New STEM Facility

The goal of building a new Center for Science and Technology at Rogers State University took a big step closer to reality June 14 when House Bill 2928 was signed into law, appropriating $10 million of state funds to the project.

A new facility to house RSU’s growing science, technology and engineering programs has been needed to replace the current Loshbaugh Hall. Built in 1955, it is no longer large enough to accommodate enrollment and is plagued with a number of structural and maintenance issues.

After two years of advocacy, the legislature agreed to help fund the project. The process began in the Senate, where Sen. Ally Seifried of Claremore, vice chair of the Senate Education Committee, and a member of the Senate Appropriations Education Subcommittee, worked the entire session to gather support of committee leadership and members through a thorough and public Senate budget process.

“Nothing is easy at the State Capitol, especially when we are talking about dedicating large amounts of money to a certain project,” Sen. Seifried said. “However, in keeping with Oklahoma’s continued efforts to grow opportunities for students in STEM-related fields, I deeply believe in the worthiness of this project. This new science and technology building will help students learn and become fully equipped to meet the workforce demands of the future.

“This session, I spent many hours discussing the merits of the building with my colleagues, explaining its importance to northeast Oklahoma, and especially, our community. I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to them,” she added. “No project can be successful in the legislature without the support of others. Once completed, this new building will have a positive impact that will be felt throughout the entire state.”

RSU President Dr. Larry Rice described the appropriation as a game changer for the school.

“This is a historic moment for RSU and the future of workforce development in northeast Oklahoma,” Rice said. “The new Center for Science and Technology will help recruit more students into our STEM programs and will help recruit and retain top faculty to teach in those programs.

“The state investment into this facility was made possible through the leadership of Senator Ally Seifried and Representative Mark Lepak,” Rice said. “Senator Seifried in particular demonstrated a lot of political acumen in getting the bill across the finish line.”

Rice also thanked House Speaker Charles McCall, Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Chuck Hall, House Appropriations Chairman Kevin Wallace, House Pro Tem and Speaker Designate Kyle Hilbert, and Senate Education Chairman Adam Pugh for their support.

In addition, Rice offered appreciation to Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Chancellor Allison Garrett and the members of RSU’s governing board, the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents, for supporting the request.

Paired with the $4 million gift made earlier this spring by the Cherokee Nation, $14 million of the $30 million anticipated for construction is in hand. RSU officials plan to ask its Board of Regents for permission to issue bonds to help pay for the facility.

However, Rice said an additional $4 to 5 million in private support is needed to fully fund the project.

“We have a funding plan in place that called for $8 to $9 million of private investment,” Rice said. “The gift from the Cherokee Nation gets us about halfway home. Working through the RSU Foundation, we’re in a race to get to a point where we can move forward with the construction process. We still need help.”

Persons or companies interested in making tax-deductible investments to the project are asked to contact Steve Valencia, vice president for development, at svalencia@rsu.edu or 918-343-7780.

The Beck team presented the current state of the proposed masterplan for the Broken Arrow Innovation District to the Broken Arrow City Council. This presentation marks a great milestone of this multi-year, multi-discipline effort of research, analysis, and design. The masterplan identifies a framework reflective of the characteristics that drive successful innovation districts with input from local and national partners ranging from development, engineering, private, and civic realms. Find out more about this innovative project by following the link below.

https://www.brokenarrowedc.com/innovation-district/

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2023/08/24/okc-zoo-aquaticus-demolished-new-sea-lion-exhibit-planned/70649713007/

https://ktul.com/news/local/city-of-bixby-breaks-ground-on-new-municipal-building

Innovation District update | City News | City of Broken Arrow (brokenarrowok.gov)

Beck Design has been selected by the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation to create a master plan for the 90-acre Innovation District. 

The Innovation District is in the TIF No. 3 boundary south of Florence Street between Olive Street and Aspen Avenue. The project includes developing a schematic layout of physical space with conceptual designs, including story, platforms, and brand experience for the Innovation District.

Beck Designs is a 42-year-old architectural firm with offices in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and New York City. Don Beck, the principal architect of Beck Design, made a presentation to the Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority at its meeting on May 2.

His presentation included several design projects similar to the Innovation District that his team has completed in Oklahoma City, Edmond, McPherson, Kan., San Antonio, and Houston.

“Our firm has also designed several projects in Broken Arrow,” Beck said. “My most memorable one is the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center.”

He says his team is thrilled to be selected for the project.

“It’s exciting, and it’s what we do; it’s a great piece of property…We are thrilled about your opportunity,” Beck said.

Ted Cundiff, Innovation District Committee Chair, also presented a progress update to the BAEDA.

“We’re in our sixth year, this project is something that I believe is going to transform Broken Arrow, and it’s focused on the workforce,” Cundiff said.

Cundiff, the President and CEO of AVB Bank, says he is often asked what an Innovation District will be. He says it will not be an industrial park but defines the project as workforce development.

“We’re creating an environment to bring Broken Arrow’s K-12, Tulsa Tech, and higher education together with private business, so we’re creating internships, research, collaboration for our students and supporting our industries with a constant flow of workforce,” Cundiff said. “This gives our students, children, and grandchildren work and a way to stay here in Broken Arrow.”

Cundiff says he’s appreciative that the citizens of Broken Arrow realized this need and passed a bond issue to support the infrastructure for the Innovation District.

The master plan for the 90-acre Innovation District will take all the information that the committee has gathered over the last six years and couple that with the expertise provided by Beck Design.

The master plan will consider streets, zoning, plating, access, utilities, office space, mixed-use, common area, traffic flows, connectivity, walkability, and more. This plan will also include information on the Innovation District’s absorption rate, outlining the amount of retail, housing, and businesses the district can support.

Beck will deliver a final master plan concept this summer. 

By: Kathryn McNutt//The Journal Record//April 11, 2023

OKLAHOMA CITY – The crew members who served for more than 80 years aboard two U.S. Navy vessels named USS Oklahoma City will be honored at a maritime display to be located along the Oklahoma River on the north shore of Wiley Post Park, 1700 S. Robinson Ave.

The Oklahoma City Council on Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding for the project with the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority and the USS Oklahoma City Park Association.

“It’s a fantastic day,” said retired Rear Adm. Greg Slavonic, who worked with retired Navy Cmdr. Tucker McHugh for five years to secure a location for the display. “We’re finally across the finish line. It’s an ideal site.”

Private funding for the project will be raised by the USS Oklahoma City Park Association. Slovanic said roughly $600,000 to $700,000 in grants and donations will be needed.

The site selection committee looked at many locations over time. Former Mayor Ron Norick – who was present when the USS Oklahoma City submarine was commissioned in 1988 – served on the committee and felt it needed to be by the water, Slavonic said.

Architect Don Beck has drawn renderings that show how the sail from the submarine will be displayed along an area that is the width and length of the vessel to give visitors a sense of the entire nuclear-powered attack sub.

The sail with its dive planes is the only part that can be acquired and displayed due to security concerns, Slavonic said.

“Also on this display will be pieces of the other Oklahoma City vessel. We’ll have hopefully the anchor, bell, other components from that ship,” Parks and Recreation Director Melinda McMillan-Miller said.

The USS Oklahoma City cruiser, which served the Navy from 1944 to 1979, was converted to a guided missile cruiser in 1957 and was the first U.S. warship to conduct a successful combat surface-to-surface missile shot, destroying an NVN mobile radar station in 1972.

Narrative panels are planned to tell visitors about each ship’s rich history.

The next step for the city is to petition the Department of Defense to request a long-term loan agreement for the items to be displayed, McMillan-Miller said. “Hopefully in two to three years we’ll be able to have all those components in place and we’ll be able to do a big grand opening of the new park,” she said.

McMillan-Miller noted Wiley Post Park is at the southern tip of Lower Scissortail Park, so locating the naval display there “will make a really great progression for pedestrians and people to enjoy our river parks up and down the entire river corridor. It will be a great enhancement and really harkened to the history of our wonderful military personnel and veterans who always make Oklahoma City shine.”

Slavonic, interim director of the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, said a lot of Navy veterans live in Oklahoma City.

After more than 34 years of service – including anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare missions and sensitive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions across the globe – the USS Oklahoma City submarine was formally decommissioned last year during a ceremony at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.

The U.S. Navy honored City Council Chief of Staff Debi Martin during the ceremony with its Meritorious Service Award, the highest honor a civilian can receive from the National Office of the U.S. Navy League. Martin served as the submarine’s primary Oklahoma City liaison for 28 years, planning tours to Oklahoma City for sailors and officers and coordinating visits to the sub for city officials.

City Councilman Mark Stonecipher, who also attended the decommissioning, said he learned while there the submarine’s mess hall was named after Cattlemen’s Steakhouse. Many retired officers who served on the USS Oklahoma City come through Oklahoma City and “they always stop at Cattlemen’s to have lunch or dinner,” he said.

A nonprofit has been established to accept tax-deductible donations to fund the project. For more information or to contribute, email jmchugh5@cox.net.

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