Broken Arrow Intersection Gets ‘New Orleans Square’ Redesign

Crews are working on a face lift to the Elm and New Orleans Avenue intersection in Broken Arrow.

City leaders have been working to revitalize that area for more than a year. Thursday night, the city is painting the crosswalks and adding things like benches, lights, signs, and an art photo spot. They say it's all part of the plan to rebrand the intersection as "New Orleans Square."

That's the name BA's city council decided on earlier this year after getting thousands of suggestions from residents. More businesses are moving into the area as well as the city pours effort into making it a hotspot. BA Community Development Director Larry Curtis says the city is starting with low-budget, big effort events. It's what they're calling "Tactical Urbanism."

"It's pretty exciting when you see not only the business owners really excited, but also the property owners get involved," Curtis said.

"We're working with the property owners to redevelop this space into a more livable, breathable, walk able environment"

Some developers are seeing more potential for the intersection as well. Josh McFarland, with Red Dog Construction, says work is set to begin revamping part of the old Hobby Lobby at New Orleans Square next week.

"We've already done the one remodel for Home Church and then we've purchased and acquired the 12,000 square foot on the east side, and have three tenants already signed up and committed to going in there, and we're in the design phases," McFarland said.

McFarland says it was a pleasant surprise to find out the city would be starting to boost the image of the area, and Curtis says it's just the beginning.

"To add some color and flair to the area is really going to create some talking points," Curtis said.

There will be a press conference next week to announce some of the new businesses