City Becomes A Shopping Destination

Monday, November 12th 2007, 9:57 pm

By: News On 6

A retail boom continues in Owasso. The city has transformed itself into a shopping destination. News On 6 anchor Craig Day reports 70% of the cityâ€™s sales tax revenues comes from out-of-towners. There are new hospitals, stores, dozens of new restaurants, and much more. And, other things could be on the cityâ€™s horizon.

Construction has been a familiar sight in Owasso over the past few years. Work underway just off 96th Street North is where JC Penneyâ€™s will open its largest free-standing store in Oklahoma. There will also be an Olive Garden and Ross at that location.

"In real estate, the old adage location, location, location is still the key driver that drives a lot of these decisions. Owasso has a defined traffic pattern. US 169 just literally divides our city,â€ said Rickey Hayes, economic development director for Owasso.

That location is helping to fuel growth. A new hotel will open soon, another is under construction, and dirt work is starting on a third.

Over the past 24 months, 20 new restaurants have opened. Owasso now hopes to attract a name brand book seller, and a large scale sporting goods store.

"Academy, Sports Authority, Gander Mountain, Dick's Sporting Goods and then Sportsman's Warehouse, have all at least been talked to,â€ said Rickey Hayes, economic development director.

The city has also talked with Cabela's which sells hunting, fishing, camping and outdoor merchandise at about two dozen giant stores across the country.

"We have talked to them. We are still talking to them, trying to get them to see Owasso as a future site, but we're not there yet,â€ said Rickey Hayes, economic development director.

"All I know is that when they get ready, we're ready to deal with them. We're ready to provide the right environment the kind of partnership, that would make them want to be a part of Owasso,â€ added Rodney Ray, city manager for Owasso.

In addition to retail, the city is concentrating on attracting corporate offices. The goal is to create corporate campuses along Highway 169.

"We're talking about having the 169 corridor look like you are driving into Dallas, Texas. Good office buildings with good jobs. Major companies from around the United States and the world locating right here in Owasso,â€ said city manager, Rodney Ray.

Owasso is working with corporate relocators to make the goal a reality. The city has a goal of creating 3,000 new jobs over the next four years, through corporate offices.

Watch the video: The Business Boom In Owasso