The future for Owasso looks ' bright'

Monday, March 7th 2005, 10:52 am

By: News On 6

The Jim Giles Wild, Wild Weather Show rolls into Owasso Tuesday night. It's a town that is changing almost daily. More people are moving to town and soon there will be dozens of new shops and restaurants to attract visitors.

News on 6 anchor Craig Day says all across Owasso, there are signs of things to come. Construction is underway on projects that will bring dozens of new businesses to town.

Owasso's director of economic development lists off a few of them. Rickey Hayes: "Pier One, Old Navy, Dress Barn, Linens and Things. Pets Smart. Two shoe retailers, Kirklands, TJ Max, Lane Bryant." And the list goes on. Rickey Hayes says the largest project underway is the Smith Farms Marketplace. It includes 600,000 square feet of retail space, anchored by Target, Belks and Hobby Lobby. It will open in October.

Across US Highway 169, another 60,000 square feet of space will soon be built next to a newly opened retail center, attracting plenty of shoppers.

Those people who shop or who will shop in Owasso come from a number of communities, including Skiatook and Sperry, Claremore, Collinsville, Oologah, Nowata and even as far as Pawhuska, Bartlesville and communities in Kansas.

And it isn't just shopping that will attract visitors. A community built playground project, the largest of its kind in Oklahoma will be built in May. It's a giant playground over three and a half acres. Kenna Cataudella with Owasso Community Foundation "Lots of new people are coming here with retail, restaurants and home builders and so that's the reason we're doing it. We want to stay hometown friendly and family friendly and keep our small atmosphere so we're doing it and working together to like I said, built new relationships and new friendships."

Rickey Hayes: â€œI think the city's vision of quality residential development has created that environment that quality of life essence that people are looking for.â€

City leaders say the reasons for Owasso's success are a good location, quality schools and active churches.

Jim Gilesâ€™ Wild, Wild Weather Show is set for Tuesday evening in Owasso. It begins at 7 PM at the high school gym. The special mad science pre-show starts at 6:30 PM. The show is free, but you can bring a canned food item to donate to charity.