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Trust signs $750,000 contract for downtown strategic development plan; trust to contribute $250,000
Summary
The trust approved a $750,000 professional services agreement with Sasaki Incorporated and partners for a downtown strategic development plan. The City will provide $500,000 and the Trust $250,000; the study will run about 10 months and cover core downtown development issues.
The Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust on Sept. 23 approved a professional services agreement valued at $750,000 with Sasaki Incorporated and partners to produce a downtown strategic development plan. Under the arrangement described to trustees, the City will provide $500,000 and the Trust will contribute $250,000 from its general economic development funds.
Staff said the contract team includes Sasaki as lead, with Kimley-Horn, local architecture/engineering firm ENTRE, and economic analysis firm SB Friedman. The scope will analyze land use, infrastructure, transportation and parking, security, and market absorption for offices, residential units and hotel keys. Staff estimated a roughly 10-month study period.
Trust staff framed the plan as a coordination tool ahead of large projects and events, including Olympic-related planning, a proposed multipurpose stadium, and the new Thunder Arena. Staff said the study area is roughly northwest 13th Street to the river, Western Avenue to I-235/I-35, and that about 300 acres of developable property are in the core area. Trustees were told the study will engage private developers and other stakeholders through a steering committee that will include city staff, chamber and business leaders.
A trustee asked whether the city already has a downtown strategic plan; staff said this project differs from older comprehensive plans and will consolidate and incorporate prior studies to look forward around the coming investments. Trustees also asked about prior clients for the selected consultant; staff listed other large-city engagements including Denver, Houston and Nashville and said Sasaki has national and local experience.
Trustees moved and approved the professional services agreement. Staff said the effort aims to produce actionable recommendations on infrastructure needs and policy levers, and to inform potential use of voter-authorized infrastructure funds and other economic-development tools.
