City leaders in Tulsa are actively seeking a developer for a significant $390 million hotel project planned for downtown. This ambitious initiative will feature 650 rooms and occupy 54,000 square feet, set to replace the current police headquarters located at 6th Street and Frisco Avenue. The police department will relocate to a new Safety Center in East Tulsa as part of this transition.
The hotel project is anticipated to create approximately 400 new jobs and generate an estimated $61 million in annual sales tax revenue, which city officials believe will significantly boost local economic growth. City staff highlighted that Tulsa missed out on hosting 154 potential events from July 2023 to June 2024 due to insufficient hotel accommodations, underscoring the need for this development.
Supporters of the project, such as Jaron Richie, argue that the new hotel will enhance tourism and provide much-needed facilities for visitors. However, there are concerns from opponents like Elise Oldfield, who believes the city should prioritize other pressing issues and is worried about potential traffic impacts resulting from the new development.
The city anticipates selecting a developer by late 2025, with the goal of completing the project by 2030, marking a significant step forward in Tulsa's efforts to revitalize its downtown area and improve its hospitality infrastructure.
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