Store Construction Has Residents Protesting

Some South Tulsa neighbors continue their fight against a proposed Super Target Store.  It's supposed to be built near 101st and Memorial.  The News On 6's Chris Wright reports the South Town Market is planned to cover 21 acres.

People who live nearby tell The News On 6 they don't have a problem with some development, but say the Super Target is too much.

The construction is well underway on what will become South Town Market.

When residents of nearby subdivisions first heard about the development, they say they were told it would be an upscale shopping center.  Many even began to refer to it as a "Utica Square South."  But they say that all changed after the developer announced plans to build a Target.

"A lot of people went in and bought based on the representation that is was going to be a nice, upscale retail and office space," said South Tulsa resident Matt Hudspeth.

Dozens of residents gathered to protest the development at City Hall Wednesday afternoon.  They contend that the size of the Target violates South Tulsa Zoning Regulations, and the store will be too close to single family homes.

"They are not opposed to commercial development at 101st and Memorial.  They just want to make sure it doesn't adversely affect their quality of life, their safety, and their home values," said District 8 City Councilor Bill Christiansen.

Residents had showed up at City Hall to speak their minds during Wednesday's Metropolitan Area Planning Commission meeting.

While their vision for South Town Market may not be realized, they still hope that a compromise can be reached.

"I think the homeowners deserve to be listened to by the developer.  At the end of the day, all the homeowners want is responsible commercial development," said Christiansen.

The developer says smaller, upscale development did not prove to be feasible there.

The residents are also concerned about traffic at the intersection.  They say it is already heavy and the area can't handle any more cars.