Construction begins at Hackberry Market

A groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 7 marked the beginning of construction for Hackberry Market, a new 211,000 square foot retail development, situated on over 30 acres at the northeast corner of Aspen Avenue and Tucson Street.

This development will bring popular retailers such as Home Depot, Burlington, TJ Maxx, Hobby Lobby, and more to south Broken Arrow.

This new development is more than a shopping center, according to Mayor Debra Wimpee. She says it reflects Broken Arrow's momentum, leadership, and commitment to smart, quality growth.

"This project provides a $98 million private investment in our city and is made possible through strong public-private partnerships between our city, Hackberry Market, LLC, Sooner Investment Development Company, and Lockwood Development," Wimpee said. "Their vision will bring new jobs, shopping, dining, and entertainment to an area that residents have longed to see grow."

Wimpee said that due to a new Tax Increment Finance district (TIF), which is the city's sixth TIF District, Broken Arrow will be able to support the infrastructure improvements needed for a project of this size and scope without negatively affecting current taxes.

"When it is built out fully, this development is expected to generate $120 million in new sales tax revenue," Wimpee said. "That's why it is so important for people to have places to shop and eat here in Broken Arrow."

The President of Sooner Investment Group, Chris Challis, opened the ceremony by recognizing those who have made the project possible.

Challis congratulated City leadership for being proactive, business-minded, and welcoming to new development.

"This is just one step out of many that had to be made to get here, decisions that the Council has made, leadership and guidance from the staff," Challis said. "Retailers don't become interested in this area, except for what you've done elsewhere around it, and so congratulations to all of you at the city for that."

City Manager Michael Spurgeon expressed gratitude to the developers and businesses that have committed to Hackberry Market for recognizing Broken Arrow as a promising investment.

"The sales tax generated will support critical services like public safety, infrastructure, parks, and more," Spurgeon said. "This is how we maintain one of the highest qualities of life in the state, as well as the nation, for our residents."

Spurgeon said this project was a long time coming.

"For the past 15 years, the city has focused on trying to attract significant commercial and retail investments to south Broken Arrow," Spurgeon said. "Without question, it's been a challenge."

According to Spurgeon, traffic counts and rooftops play a significant role in helping a developer justify the $98 million that is needed to make this type of development happen.

"Since 2015, the traffic counts on the Creek Turnpike have increased 35 percent," Spurgeon said. "As for rooftops, which house the folks that will use the business here, I'm proud to say that since 2016, we've added 2,500 new single-family homes, and right at 875 new apartments, for a total of right at 3,400 new units. That, along with the existing residents here in South Broken Arrow, and more in our community and surrounding communities, will help support the nearly $100 million investment in this project."

Spurgeon says Hackberry Market is part of the larger puzzle that the Council and the administration have been working on for nearly a decade. The momentum started building in the area with the Aspen Ridge Development and the new Reasor's grocery store, along with all of the businesses there.

"We also know the development of the 14 acres across the street from Aspen Ridge and Reasor's will be coming out of the ground soon," Spurgeon said. "And also, as for our bold, new, Innovation District-Arrow Forge. We just announced our first business that is coming to the District. All of these projects complement each other incredibly well, helping to create a thriving, commercial and innovative hub right here in the south part of our city."

Spurgeon also said he hopes to announce other exciting things happening at the Shops at Aspen Creek by the end of the year.

In closing remarks, Challis said the groundbreaking ceremony is just a milestone.

"Obviously, success has not been achieved on this project yet," Challis said. "That'll come when we have our retailers here and we're cutting ribbons in a little over a year, and I can't wait for that."