Warr Acres hears proposal for Hispanic Route 66 Cultural Center; council asks for feasibility and pauses action

Representatives of a nonprofit and architect Andrew Stone presented a vision Oct. 15 for an Oklahoma Route 66 Hispanic Cultural Center in Warr Acres and asked the city to partner on a Route 66 Commission/Department of Commerce grant application.

Stone, principal of Okra (Ocra) Projects, said the project would combine museum and exhibition space, pop‑up retail and food, a neon sign park, possible drive‑in events and EV charging. The group identified a potential site — a former dealership on Northwest 39th Street of about 1.63 acres — and indicated they would bring initial private match money to the table. Staff explained the Route 66 Commission application rules require a public entity to administer grants; the nonprofit has proposed a $500,000 match for a likely $2.5 million Route 66 application, with the overall project potentially $4–6 million.

Council members pressed for details on site control, timeline, project feasibility and how the city’s Economic Development Authority (EDA) would administer and approve expenditures if the grant were awarded. Staff said the grant window likely reopens in early 2025 and that applications often require the city or another public entity to act as administrator if a private partner is included.

Council did not commit funding and voted to table the item so the nonprofit can return with articles of incorporation, a feasibility study, a clearer budget and answers about who will operate the center and how EDA funds or approvals would be structured. Staff suggested continuing discussion before the next regular meeting and circulating written questions from council members to the nonprofit.