City Of Owasso Growing Faster Than The Roads

At least half a dozen new restaurants and retailers are coming to Owasso. At the same time, the city is making major improvements to parks and sports complexes.

Now all that's lacking is infrastructure to support it.

The city admits it is a bit behind in expanding roads and keeping up with the growth, and while it hasn't become a priority for the city yet, that could soon change.

Stakes are in the ground and construction equipment is in place as crews start working on several projects across Owasso.

Growth in the city is undeniable as a Sprout's and Sam's Club went in a few months ago. Next will be an Academy, La Quinta hotel, Buffalo Wild Wings and Dairy Queen, all in the Garnett area.

Then, a Walmart Neighborhood Market goes up on 116th, with a new Taco Bell and Arby's nearby.

Chelsea Levo with the City of Owasso said, "They're not going to build somewhere where there isn't a demand. So I think that it just shows, in this area, that Owasso reflects that demand. We have a lot of customers in our community, plus our community just continues to grow."

All of the growth has some wondering when roads will grow too, specifically 116th.

"116th is a very busy road, already," Levo said.

It's busy because of the Owasso Sports Complex.

The city is proposing $2.5 million to improve parking, lighting and spectator areas at the park, but it's not proposing improvements to the street, yet.

"That's going to become a priority to be able to widen 116th," said Levo.

She said the city is extremely sensitive to the growth and is aware that roads will have to expand. It's a problem the city is happy to solve as it brings in more development.

The recently-passed half-penny sales tax increase will help pay for future street projects.

Some of the businesses being built will open this fall.