Muscogee Creek Nation To Announce Plans For Jenks Riverwalk

We'll soon know what exactly the Muscogee Creek Nation has planned for the land they bought almost three years ago for $11.5 million.

Wednesday the tribe will announce their plans for the Jenks Riverwalk Crossing.

In two recent Muscogee Creek Nation agendas, a law authorized funding for an entertainment facility to be built with an almost $12 million price tag. At the next meeting, the tribe adopted a resolution and agreement to start building that facility.

The more than 20 acres alongside the Arkansas River is prime real estate, and the infrastructure is already in place.

When Riverwalk Crossing opened in 2005 it took off, featuring restaurants, shopping and live music; but a lot has changed in ten years.

The initial developer couldn't handle the business through the recession and the property went into foreclosure in 2011.

Now, the foot traffic is minimal, many restaurants have come and gone – the exception being Los Cabos – and the live music has been silenced.

"It was a sea of people every weekend, just a party, a great environment. We still have that, unfortunately it's a smaller scale now," said Los Cabos General Manager, Connie Delauter.

It doesn't look like the Muscogee Creek Nation plans to keep it small scale, however.

"They're going to work in unison with what they're doing over at Margaritaville and I think that is positive," said Jenks City Planner, Robert Bell.

Bell kept tight lipped about details on the entertainment facility as well.

"I think the users that are going in there, with more of a national type tenant, would recognize that they need to stay open during the times concerts are going on," he said.

"It is a great venue and the Riverwalk is gorgeous. Muscogee Creek Nation has done a great job with landscaping and lighting so they are getting ready for something, let's just hope it's big,” Delauter said.

More details will be revealed Wednesday at 11 a.m.; but with the redevelopment and Margaritaville going in just up the river, this could be another catalyst for making the riverfront a regional destination.