Broken Arrow Schools Performing Arts Center

Broken Arrow is planning its future, hoping to bring people back downtown. <br/><br/>You don't usually think of school districts as being major players when it comes to city development. But that's

Sunday, September 26th 2004, 6:13 pm

By: News On 6

Broken Arrow is planning its future, hoping to bring people back downtown.

You don't usually think of school districts as being major players when it comes to city development. But that's exactly what's going on in Broken Arrow.

The performing arts center won't just be a place to showcase student talent, it's going to be a main attraction for Broken Arrow's new downtown. The new performing arts center will go up exactly where Broken Arrow's education service center sits now near Main and Houston on the southern end of downtown.

Broken Arrow voters approved a $19-million bond for the facility last spring. The new arts center will hold about 1,500 to 2,000 people and will be used for school performances as well as other community events. Broken Arrow's superintendent said the district could have built elsewhere but chose downtown.

Dr Jim Sisney, BAPS Superintendent: "I thought why couldnâ€™t we do it down here and enhance the whole community as well as a fine arts center for our children."

But the performing arts center is only part of the revitalization plan. Broken Arrow is looking at adding more shops, a farmers market, and possibly a new downtown library.