Owasso committee releases RFI for North Second Street redevelopment after neighborhood input

The Owasso Economic Development Committee on July 1 approved releasing a Request for Interest (RFI) for redevelopment of the North Second Street area, incorporating neighborhood input gathered at a June 16 public meeting.

ED Manager Lynch said staff held a public input meeting June 16 at the public library, delivered flyers to every house and business in the study area and posted notices in common areas of nearby apartment buildings. Lynch reported 14 meeting participants, nine completed feedback forms and one emailed response; staff adjusted the RFI scoring to give additional weight to proposals that reflect that public input.

Public feedback documented in the packet emphasized a preference for a development that includes some commercial space rather than all residential, a mix of incomes rather than exclusively income‑qualified housing, parking access for Third Street businesses and an appearance consistent with the neighborhood’s traditional character — described in staff notes as “brick and siding” rather than modern glass facades.

The RFI’s draft schedule posted in the packet sets a proposal deadline of Aug. 15; staff said scores and initial review would allow the committee to consider submissions at the September Economic Development meeting. Lynch said the RFI allows staff and committee greater flexibility than an RFP because it asks potential developers to demonstrate capability and concepts rather than produce a full, finalized development plan.

Director Feifreq (identified in the meeting as a city director) cautioned that timeline expectations should be modest. He said that, even in a best‑case scenario, staff might see groundbreaking in the fall following an RFI and selection, but more likely a spring 2027 groundbreaking given environmental reviews, utility work, zoning and site design processes. Alder Henke said he expected a longer timeline based on his committee experience; Alder Tierney raised concern that several other housing projects are already in the pipeline and asked whether overlapping projects could affect absorption of new residents.

Staff also noted one funding detail discussed in the public input: the city used Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to purchase one lot in the RFI area, so any proposals should account for that funding source in their plans. Lynch said staff will ask developers submitting proposals to specify expected price points or approach to affordability; the public input showed some residents want market‑rate housing or a mix of price points, not strictly income‑restricted units.

A motion to release the RFI was made by Alder Henke and seconded by Alder Tierney; the committee voted in favor with no opposition. The packet and staff comments indicate the RFI will be released the week following the meeting with a return deadline of Aug. 15 and that staff will return scoring results and recommended next steps to the committee in September.