Broken Arrow Residents Voting Today

By Tara Vreeland, The News On 6

BROKEN ARROW, OK -- Broken Arrow voters are going to the polls Tuesday to decide bond issues that city leaders say will improve public safety and tourism.

In addition to the new proposals for a hotel and conference center and an Emergency Operation Center, the City of Broken Arrow wants to make better use of money that's already been approved.

08/05/2009  Related Story: Broken Arrow Voters To Decide Bond Questions Next Week

Four propositions are on the table for Broken Arrow voters.

Proposition One will provide $8 million in funds for a public safety complex. The complex will include headquarters for the police and fire departments in north-central Broken Arrow.

 "We have no place to meet in Broken Arrow. And, we have a growing business community here that needs to have a more convenient source for conferences and meetings," said Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce President Mickey Thompson. 

Proposition Two is asking for $8 million more to fund the construction of a convention center along the Broken Arrow Expressway.  The preferred location is just north of the Bass Pro Shop. New features for the Grand Lodge at Stony Creek  include high tech conference rooms and two stories instead of one.

"I'm confident that most people in Broken Arrow want these facilities. It's a matter of who goes to the polls," said Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce President Mickey Thompson. 

Thompson says there will not be a tax increase for the projects, but he says the terms will be extended for the collection of the tax to pay for the facilities.

The other two propositions will allocate funds.   

Proposition One is for downtown redevelopment. City staff wants to change the purpose of that money to develop the entire downtown area and not just the businesses on Main Street between College and Memphis streets.

Changes in traffic flow prompted Proposition Two.  It asks for traffic and street improvements in several locations around town.

"These are not new things. We've talked about both of these for a number of years in Broken Arrow and generally most people believe we need to have these services so it's just a matter of approving them now so we can go ahead and get them done," said Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce President Mickey Thompson.     

Polls in Broken Arrow are open until 7 p.m.