Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority Meeting - May 5, 2026
Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority Meeting - May 5, 2026
The Broken Arrow Economic Development Authority (BAEDA) met on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, following the City Council and Municipal Authority meetings. The board approved the consent agenda and received an update from the City Manager on the upcoming venue and amphitheater project. The meeting then moved into executive session to discuss two economic development projects. All trustees were present: Chairperson Debra Wimpee, Vice Chairman Johnnie Parks, and Trustees Lisa Ford, Justin Green, and David Pickel.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes: The board unanimously approved the minutes of the April 21, 2026 BAEDA meeting as part of the consent agenda. No items were removed.
Discussion Items
- City Manager Remarks on Venue/Amphitheater: The City Manager reported that within the next 30 to 45 days, the governing body and committee will begin announcing key details about the venue project, including the operator and naming rights. Substantial completion is expected around October 19, 2026, with transition from construction to entertainment operations beginning in early October. The manager also noted progress on securing the final railroad right-of-way needed to finish the road. Trustee Green mentioned a recent trip to Fort Worth where he observed a similar project and noted Broken Arrow's more advanced stage.
Key Outcomes
- Consent Agenda Approved: Unanimous approval of the April 21, 2026 meeting minutes.
- Executive Session Authorized: A motion to enter executive session (pursuant to 25 O.S. § 307(C)(11)) was made by Vice Chairman Parks, seconded, and approved unanimously (5-0). The session was to confer on matters pertaining to economic development: (1) an update on the existing EDA for The Shops at Aspen Creek, and (2) discussions regarding a project known as "Tucson 28." The room was cleared for the closed session. No action was taken in open session following executive session, and the meeting adjourned thereafter.
Meeting Transcript
Wimpy. Here. Any items to be removed from the consent agenda motion to approve consent agenda that stands. Second to talk to Cox about getting some faster in that. Item five is public hearings, appeals, presentation recognitions and awards. There are none. There is no general authority business. Any remarks from governing body members? City manager. I do, Mayor. Just one item. It's related to venue and the amphitheater. Is I anticipate sometime in the next 30, 40, 30 to 45 days, the governing body and the committee will start to hear some announcements with regard to the venue it it itself. Things uh announcing the operator, uh, more information about possibly naming rights and a few other uh I would say just important announcements related to transitioning uh in early October from the construction into the actually the the entertainment portion of it. And so I'm very excited to let the council members know. Uh we're looking at, I believe, around October 19th as the substantial completion date based on the current schedule, and that these announcements are going to be a part of this. Once we make the announcement with regard to the operator, that's when uh Kenny Swab's team along with public safety and other members of the leadership team will get together and begin the logistical and operational planning associated with uh supporting the events and understanding in exactly uh how we're gonna work together, you know, in terms of traffic management, uh emergency management, and so forth. And so it it is that time, and it's exciting that you know, literally approximately six months from now, uh we'll be transiting out of the uh the construction. And as you know, last week uh Mr. Schwab mentioned this exciting news about the railroad and then securing the the final uh right of ways we needed to finish the road. So everything's actually coming together, moving towards that date to where they start having concerts. So this is just a little bit of preview of the things that are to come, and obviously Aaron McColly working with Venue will be making those announcements to the community. Yeah, I was in Fort Worth last week for a conference and um got to drive by McKinney. And you know, it's so exciting to see how far along ours is, and theirs was just just getting a little sick, you know. So um I was like, oh, I remember when we were like that. You stop and let them know. You should see how far along we are in the setting. Um we do have an executive session, so I'll entertain a motion. So I'll move like a motion to go into executive session. Clear the clear the room chamber. Don't we need to uh adjourn them from um for a parent? No, we're in this it's in this meeting, guys. Mr. Parks made the motion to clear the room. We need a second. Second also included to go into executive session. Okay. Is it after executive? We're gonna do executive session and beta, then we'll reopen in council. Uh pickle. Yes, yes. He's like, am I here or my green? Yes. Ford. Yes. Parks, yes, Wimpy. Yes. All right. So we are the room. Clear the room.
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