As Rose District Grows, BA Plans To Renovate Church Into Mixed-Use Space

Business is in full bloom in Broken Arrow's Rose District, and there’s a new plan in the works to bring even more shots and restaurants to the heart of the city.

"The Rose District is full. We have no retail spots open. We have no office spaces open," said Broken Arrow Chamber President Wes Smithwick.

But that's about to change.

One block off Main Street, plans are in the works to redevelop the old First Presbyterian Church into mixed-use space.

"We feel like this property has another life in it," said project developer, Stan Synar.

Smithwick said, "This church was here for many, many, years, and the fact that we're going to be able to repurpose it into something for a second life is very important to the community."

With dozens of shops and restaurants, Smithwick said the Rose District's turnaround over the past five years has been remarkable.

"It's been a renaissance, a rebirth of the entire area that was dead," he said.

Developers said construction will start as soon as the first tenant signs on the dotted line - turning what was old into something new again.

"I don't think they're going to find another district that is family friendly and has an old town feel to it anywhere else in the area," Synar said.

Developers said once it starts, construction will take about 10 months.