Redevelopment Bringing Big-Name Stores To Muskogee

In Muskogee, several retailers and restaurants are building on land set aside for redevelopment.

The city's urban renewal authority is trying to revitalize the 90-acre area in a growing part of the city; and one of those, Chick-fil-A, is almost ready to open for customers.

The franchisee said he's excited about opening the store along the busy Shawnee Bypass.

The restaurant is across the street from the development area where a sporting goods store is in the final phases of construction - the area is about to be the home of a Dick's Sporting Goods, TJ Max and Ulta Beauty.

Muskogee resident, Dottie Combs, was going to lunch Tuesday when she saw all the construction.

"I think this is wonderful what's going in here," she said.

City Manager Howard Brown said the Urban Renewal Authority turned the area of vacant and blighted properties into a business development area, and more stores are in the works.

“Our residents, right now they're seeing what's happening here, but we have plans to develop," Brown said.

He said the neighborhood will be redeveloped with more retail and restaurants. He also said 200 apartments and homes will be built on the land. Plans also call for office space.

Brown hopes areas like this will attract families to Muskogee.

“We want them to be able to come through our community, see what it has to offer and consider Muskogee as a community of choice and a place to live and raise their family," he said.

People can't wait to try out the new stores.

Combs said, "I think this is going to go gung ho over here, I really think it will."

Developers who build across the street are eligible for tax incentives.

The Chick-fil-A is expected to open on October 8th.