Wagoner County commissioners discuss Wagner Junction downtown project; take no action

County economic development staff gave commissioners an extended briefing on a proposed downtown project in the City of Wagner described in materials as “Wagner Junction.” The project — a public gathering space with a stage, seating, landscaping and associated site work — was presented as an economic-development initiative intended to spur private investment in Wagner’s downtown.

Darla Heller, county economic-development staff, said the Wagner City Economic Development Authority and a private donor have previously committed funds and that the authority’s mission includes downtown investment. “It is a gathering space. It's not going to directly create jobs… the hope of the project is to spur greater development and make folks want to invest in downtown Wagner,” Heller said. She said the county’s economic development authority had approved a commitment in November 2023 and that John Chandler, a private donor identified in staff materials, had committed $300,000.

Commissioners questioned how much the City of Wagner would contribute, who owns the project property and what contractual protections the county would have before releasing any funds. Heller responded that the City of Wagner Economic Development Authority owns the parcel and that the authority’s previously discussed commitment was $300,000; she said the city might be asked to cover the remaining cost and that proposed agreements include clawbacks intended to protect public funds (staff described a clawback provision that would require repayment to the authority if the property were sold, with a repayment formula described as 4% interest over net within 25 years as presented in staff materials). Heller also said there might be a path to state funding but that any state application would be made by the city, not the county.

Commissioners and attendees raised political and leadership concerns. Multiple commissioners said they had received public calls expressing concern about the project and some expressed unease with local leadership and the prospect of county funds being spent on a project where leadership or maintenance responsibilities were unclear. Commissioners discussed a preference that reimbursements be conditioned on completed work and proof of payment; Heller said the authority had discussed using reimbursement-based disbursements rather than upfront grants.

Ultimately the board took no formal action on the request to express support or opposition. One commissioner said the matter would be decided by the Economic Development Authority at its meeting later in the week and recommended the county wait for that presentation before acting. Commissioners suggested language they could request the authority include in any funding agreement — for example, requiring completion of the project elements before reimbursement and including clawback language.