Development near Broken Arrow's Bass Pro Shop

If you blinked, you might have missed the walls going up at the new Bass Pro Shop in Broken Arrow. And officials say that's not the only development in the fast-growing city. <br/><br/>News on 6

Wednesday, April 27th 2005, 10:43 am

By: News On 6

If you blinked, you might have missed the walls going up at the new Bass Pro Shop in Broken Arrow. And officials say that's not the only development in the fast-growing city.

News on 6 business reporter Steve Berg says Broken Arrow wants more businesses to fill in around the area and the Bass Pro Shop is the bait, so to speak.

Broken Arrow resident Kissy Anderson does her grocery shopping at the Reasor's in Broken Arrow. And she would like to do more of her shopping and recreation in Broken Arrow. â€œI'm lazy and I don't like to get to Tulsa, especially around the 71st Street area, that's quite congested." Soon, she can add the long-awaited Bass Pro Shops to her choices.

Just days ago, the area was a flat slab. But with pre-cast sections, the walls are going up fast and the ceiling could be on by the end of next week.

"So it looks like things are happening overnight, but actually, they've been working on setting the stage for this event for the last few months." Chamber of Commerce President Ted Allison says the presence of Bass Pro is luring other businesses to the site. "We've got several restaurant people that have already made commitments and they'll announce at the appropriate time. Some hotel people that we've been talking to and some major retail, so all the pieces are starting to come together very quickly."

Meanwhile, just a mile to the east down the expressway, businesses are starting to trickle into the Park at Adam's Creek, where the city's first major multiplex theater has been announced and city officials say a road is in the works to connect these two critical masses of retail, so people don't have to get on the highway.

And Kissy doesn't have to drive to Tulsa. "What we're getting now is wonderful; we need it here in Broken Arrow."

City leaders say Bass Pro's opening day is set for October 19th, just in time for Christmas and maybe hunting season too.