Vision 2025: Project Money Staying In Area
SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
Small-business leaders were told Monday that they already are
reaping the benefits of the county's $535 million Vision 2025
capital improvements initiative.
All but three or four of
the 30 major architectural and engineering firms that have been
awarded contracts are local businesses or have a significant
local presence, Vision 2025 Project Director Kirby Crowe said at
SpiritBank's Business Resource Center.
"You want to
talk about impact to Tulsa; you want to talk about how small
business is going to benefit from Vision 2025. There's where you
start," Crowe said.
Projects are being advertised for bids almost every week, he said.
County Commissioner Bob Dick joined in, saying, "You're going to be in awe this summer."
Crowe said $24 million to $25 million worth of projects are under way,
and about $32 million worth of projects are being awarded to
contractors.
An additional $6 million to $7 million in
projects will be advertised for bids in the next 30 days, and an
additional $60 million worth will be advertised in the next four
to five months, he said.
Those figures don't include the
downtown arena, which Matrix Architects President Steve Alter
said is on budget and on schedule.
"It's here," Crowe said, "and it's exciting."
The
County Commission had awarded 62 contracts earlier Monday for the
construction of a new Morton Comprehensive Health Center, a $14
million project.
The county did not hire a general
contractor in an effort to include as many small local companies
as possible. General contractors hire their own subcontractors.
"We took a specific approach with the county on that project that caters to small business," Crowe said.
Dick
said he is proud that Vision 2025 puts $100 million into higher
education and devotes $12 million to common education because
those are the types of amenities that attract people to Tulsa.
Dick
said Vision 2025 also is attracting the interest of companies
looking for a place to locate. He said he would be surprised if
no new-business announcements are made in the next 60 to 90 days.
"Absolutely, we're on the radar," he said.
Dick
added that the Arabian Horse Association's national show, which
is moving to Expo Square's new livestock facilities, will have
the same economic impact as a PGA tournament.
Alter
said the selection of a legendary architect such as Cesar Pelli
for the arena was not only to put Tulsa on the architectural map
but also to create a catalyst for private development downtown.
Investors already are clamoring for space in and around the
arena, which city officials envision as having a full-time
retail/restaurant presence.
In response to questions from the group, Alter, Dick and Crowe said:
- The arena will not be stark white. It will have texture, and the
design team is considering a zinc material that is pewter in
color.
- The Maxwell Convention Center will be redesigned with a discernible front entrance.
- The Arkansas River projects will not start until the Army Corps
of Engineers completes a feasibility study in June.
- Zink Lake on the Arkansas River will be cleaned of silt buildup,
and two more low-water dams will be built at some point.
Dick said it would be a natural choice to put a low-water dam near the
Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks because private businesses already
have begun developing that area.
He said it looks as if
any leftover funds could be put toward river development, which
he said was the most popular issue at every public forum before Vision
2025's passage.
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