Sand Springs Development Close To Reality

We're getting close to knowing who the main tenant will be in a Sand Springs development. Four years after it was announced, the "River City Crossing" is getting closer to reality.

The News On 6's Dan Bewley reports Sand Springs was given more than $14 million as part of Vision 2025. The lions-share of that is for a development on the city's south side.

Green grass and a bare field mark the sight of what's hoped to be Sand Springs newest destination. River City Crossing is planned to cover 30 acres just south of Highway 412 and east of Highway 97.

"What we're looking forward to here is the development of approximately 250,000 square feet of retail, shopping, and dining," said Sand Springs City Manager Douglas Enevoldsen.

City leaders call the project the cornerstone of change for Sand Springs.

"This was actually a re-development project. It was a neighborhood which had become somewhat blighted over the years," said Enevoldsen.

When the plan was announced in 2004, 151 properties sat on the land. The city used Vision 2025 money to buy out the owners and make room for the development.

Four years later, only the Centennial Baptist Church remains. No one was there on Saturday and a published phone number went unanswered.

Enevoldsen says the city is no longer involved in negotiations and it's up to the developer to determine the next step.

"It's a significant part of our community and we wish it the best. But any changes that they make will be between them and the developer," said Enevoldsen.

River City Crossing is one of several Vision 2025 projects in Sand Springs. A $4 million community center will open in September and land is still being cleared for a brand new early childhood education center.

Enevoldsen says the four year wait since the unveiling will be worth it.

"It's a terrific time to be in Sand Springs. Smart money is going to be looking to Sand Springs to invest, to locate businesses and to move. We have a wonderful school system and tremendously safe as well," said Enevoldsen.

Construction is expected to begin shortly after the big announcement of the main tenant which could come in a few months.