For those interested in what the new Chi Omega chapter house will look like I'm adding a pic here. You can view other renderings here: http://www.cooperpa.com/portfolio_page/chi-omega-sorority-at-oklahoma-state-university/
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Shifting from defense to offense: Mayor Will Joyce looks ahead in State of the City address
https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/shifting-from-defense-to-offense-mayor-will-joyce-looks-ahead-in-state-of-the-city/article_6598d760-15d0-11ec-9e15-3776e9b536b8.html

Article ends with, "Things are starting to move in terms of economic development, Joyce reported.

Several large housing developments are under construction.

Four local development projects have been approved for funding through a Tax Increment Financing incentive district and are underway, including a Stonecloud Brewery taproom at 10th Avenue and Husband Street and the repurposing of Boomer Lake Station.

Two more projects are just over the horizon, he said.

Details behind new Stone Cloud Brewing taproom. It will be in a downtown building closed for decades:

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/city-council-approves-tif-incentive-for-stonecloud-brewing-taproom/article_f593ac82-1760-11ec-ba6a-ef5fa28b87f7.html

Dutch Brothers has grand opening in Stillwater: https://www.ocolly.com/west-coast-coffee-is-in-stillwater-dutch-bros-finds-success-in-its-first-week-in/article_c3f6b63e-221d-11ec-828b-cb463cb9075b.html

Some pretty significant road improvements planned for SH-51. It’s disappointing we aren’t even seeing a painted bike lane.

https://cpyengineering.wixsite.com/website-1

They do propose protected bike lanes on Monroe possibly creating a cycle corridor from OSU to downtown. Still I think SH-51 could squeeze in bike lanes while burying utilities underground. The driving lanes are proposed at 11ft inside and 13 ft outside with a 14ft turning lane. Reduce the outer lane to 12 ft and the turning lane to 12 ft giving you 4 extra feet of ROW to use. Invest in the state more and build a sidewalk on top of the utility lines beautifying the area. That’ll give another 4 feet of ROW. It’ll be more costly but the end result will be much better.

https://94721a06-be39-498d-921b-c8e99c5aa8cc.filesusr.com/ugd/2e84c5_7f0f76e2ef79441499034e4fb4477a00.pdf

New convention center with hotel proposed on Duck St. near Eskimo Joe's: https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/review-committee-recommends-6-2-million-in-tif-funding-for-convention-center/article_48476a2a-3b80-11ec-b305-5b4459c7b895.html

Long awaited ramen shop opens in Stillwater: https://www.ocolly.com/do-not-miso-out-long-awaited-ramen-shop-opens-in-stillwater/article_07af4c9a-4322-11ec-a94a-1f34f088cef3.html

New convention center with hotel proposed on Duck St. near Eskimo Joe's: https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/review-committee-recommends-6-2-million-in-tif-funding-for-convention-center/article_48476a2a-3b80-11ec-b305-5b4459c7b895.html

A hotel and convention center project that city leaders say will transform an empty tract of land on Duck Street, spur visitor growth and create opportunities that broaden Stillwater’s tax base, is moving forward.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/local_news/city-council-oks-convention-center-agreement-adds-visitor-tax-to-ballot/article_f08d0328-94de-5ee1-9731-d820a7400661.html

A hotel and convention center project that city leaders say will transform an empty tract of land on Duck Street, spur visitor growth and create opportunities that broaden Stillwater’s tax base, is moving forward.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/local_news/city-council-oks-convention-center-agreement-adds-visitor-tax-to-ballot/article_f08d0328-94de-5ee1-9731-d820a7400661.html

Very excited for this project, but was hoping for just a bit larger!
Visiting football teams travel with about 115 team and support staff. This will be very close to that limit. For example, the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan, KS (where OKState stays for games) has 26,211 sq ft of space and 135 rooms. If we could get to 25,000 sq ft and another 10-20 rooms I would be happy. Honestly though, anything will be better than the empty space that lot has become.

Ted’s Escondido bringing its new Ted’s Tacos and Cantina restaurant concept to Stillwater:
https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/ted-s-bringing-new-restaurant-concept-to-stillwater/article_76734cda-48b3-11ec-928d-475fddf6398f.html

And Stillwater, like other college towns, considers options for census undercount:
https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/stillwater-like-other-college-towns-considers-options-for-census-undercount/article_0eb0727c-49b1-11ec-a380-a7731c4ece59.html

City Council previews 6th Avenue Corridor Study
https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/city-council-previews-6th-avenue-corridor-study/article_74505808-518c-11ec-976a-0bf25222613d.html

Yeah, something needs to be done about the parking situation on the strip, due to how parked 4 door pickups stick out too much in the street. Changing to parallel parking on one side of the street could be a solution, but then making it one way doesn't look so desirable.

Parking garage preferably underground

Wow, major local company, Kicker, aka Stillwater Designs, donates $3.5 million to finally get Block 34 project, downtown, off the ground:

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/kicker-makes-major-donation-to-block-34/article_cadded58-53b6-11ec-8326-ffe2af399eb9.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR1qMapiVacXx2Fg7cquAT9fJokb5ijfbrefAetvK Yyb1n4g6dtvJHnAkJE

7-Eleven convenience store coming to 711 N. Main

That URL isn’t working on my phone

That URL isn’t working on my phone

Oops, sorry. This will work:

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/7-eleven-convenience-store-coming-to-711-n-main/article_4cf363ec-6788-11ec-9992-5b0258dae2a2.html

Coming Soon!
A New Oklahoma Community Credit Union West Branch: https://www.okcommunitycu.com/west-branch/

Pretty Cool stuff: McKnight Center, NY Philharmonic announce three-year partnership

https://tulsaworld.com/entertainment/arts-and-theatre/mcknight-center-ny-philharmonic-announce-three-year-partnership/article_39b4329e-a6cf-11ec-8db8-63f584db1bf7.html#tracking-source=home-the-latest

That is super cool, and a great opportunity for the OSU students that will benefit from the relationship.

Stillwater’s investment in remote workers paying off.

https://journalrecord.com/2022/04/01/stillwaters-investment-in-remote-workers-paying-off/

Stillwater grants development incentive for new downtown restaurant from Tulsa:
https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/local_business/city-grants-development-incentive-for-new-downtown-restaurant/article_90a7caba-badf-11ec-8b81-8f53b7ade707.html

City of Stillwater approves $7 million incentive for USA Rare Earth manufacturing facility to employ at last 100.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/city-of-stillwater-approves-7-million-incentive-for-usa-rare-earth-manufacturing-facility/article_67aefc7a-e602-11ec-99bd-3b7cf24163a9.html

Heard the softball donation could be announced this summer. $10MM donation, $10MM in debt, for a $20MM facility which is going to be the nicest in the country.

Heard the softball donation could be announced this summer. $10MM donation, $10MM in debt, for a $20MM facility which is going to be the nicest in the country.

OU's new softball stadium is going to be 42 mil .. breaks ground this summer ... 20 mil is not getting osu the "nicest in the country"

OU's new softball stadium is going to be 42 mil .. breaks ground this summer ... 20 mil is not getting osu the "nicest in the country"

Hey bud. just relaying what i heard. I'll be sure to keep it to myself next time.

100 million dollar manufacturing plant coming to Stillwater. The company is USA Rare Earth that provides elements needed for batteries and such for “green” technology.


To become the first vertically integrated domestic supplier of critical materials fueling the green tech revolution, using ESG best practices at every stage of the process.

Company website: https://www.usare.com/


The company considered more than 50 sites in eight states before deciding on Stillwater, USA Rare Earth President Thayer Smith said. Rare Earth will refurbish a 309,000-square-foot facility built by World Color Press in the 1970s and later purchased by an energy company, said Justin Minges, president and CEO of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce.

Tulsa World article: https://tulsaworld.com/business/local/100m-manufacturing-facility-coming-to-stillwater-usa-rare-earth-announces-with-oklahoma-officials/article_77ad9856-e752-11ec-8875-dbb67023bc84.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Heard the softball donation could be announced this summer. $10MM donation, $10MM in debt, for a $20MM facility which is going to be the nicest in the country.

Nice. A new softball stadium is badly needed. I wondered if Kenny Gajewski was promised a new stadium before signing that new contract. Building the nicest softball stadium in the country will look great right next to the nicest baseball stadium in the country.

100 million dollar manufacturing plant coming to Stillwater. The company is USA Rare Earth that provides elements needed for batteries and such for “green” technology.



Company website: https://www.usare.com/



Tulsa World article: https://tulsaworld.com/business/local/100m-manufacturing-facility-coming-to-stillwater-usa-rare-earth-announces-with-oklahoma-officials/article_77ad9856-e752-11ec-8875-dbb67023bc84.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

That's great news. Total Energy had purchased the building but couldn't make a go at it and had it for sale for like 10 long years.

The Armstrong floor plant may go out of business soon, so there may be another big industrial building looking for a new owner.

Nice. A new softball stadium is badly needed. I wondered if Kenny Gajewski was promised a new stadium before signing that new contract. Building the nicest softball stadium in the country will look great right next to the nicest baseball stadium in the country.

google Mississippi State baseball if you want to see the nicest baseball stadium in the country

Oklahoma officials announce a $100 million, high-tech factory is coming to Stillwater

https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/299bc23/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4760x1232+0+0/resize/880x228!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F04%2F8c%2F5d8b5b7f46 a0ba38d20e46d7a4e5%2Fusarareearth-logo2.png

https://www.kosu.org/business/2022-06-09/oklahoma-officials-announce-a-100-million-high-tech-factory-is-coming-to-stillwater

Are there any renderings of this facility available? This is a big deal for Stillwater. I'd love for more facilities like this, or in related industries to end up in OKC as well as all over the state.

You can see it in video here. It will have solar panels on the roof.

https://ktul.com/news/local/governor-stitt-welcomes-green-energy-company-usa-rare-earth-into-stillwater-electric-vehicles-oklahoma-mining-minerals

Stonecloud Brewing Co. had it's soft grand opening on Saturday. It's near S. Husband and 10th. It has patio in back. In Oklahoma City there is one on 1st St.

http://okie.world/photos/stonecloud.jpg

New apartment complex on W. 9th recently finished. It's about 5 blocks from downtown.

http://okie.world/photos/9thstapartments.jpg

A look at what's still planned for the old power plant area:

https://powerdistrict.com/

https://lakeviewlandingstillwater.com/lifestyle

Construction webcam shows OSU's new agriculture building in early stage.
https://api.ibeamsystems.com/api/cameras/e5608a59b6/large/latest/?timestamped=true

Oklahoma City's Hatch coming to downtown Stillwater.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/local_news/hatch-a-modern-brunch-concept-coming-to-downtown-stillwater/article_7913023c-4e6b-11ed-b5c2-cf29818a5a61.html

Massive $325 million facility upgrade proposed that touches 7 sports. The new softball stadium is the crown jewel in this package but there are a lot of great projects in this for basketball, wrestling, football, golf, equestrian, softball and track. This will be a slow process to complete but this is huge for athletics at Oklahoma State.

New Softball Stadium
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Dedicated Wrestling facilities
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Basketball Practice facilities
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Human Performance Innovation Complex
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GIA Welcome Plaza
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New Indoor Track facility
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Website here (https://static.okstate.com/custompages/allin2023/)

TW article on it: https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/bill-haisten-the-oklahoma-state-plan-unrivaled-facilities-and-no-debt/article_890837ae-b6e2-11ed-bb94-b7fe5acc1df2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

Two recent openings in Stillwater:

St. John Catholic Student Center
http://okie.world/photos/stjohn.jpg

7/11 - Gas there on 4/30 was $3.15.
http://okie.world/photos/711.jpg

I walked by the Catholic center on a recent visit to Stillwater and was very impressed, nicely done

TW article on it: https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/bill-haisten-the-oklahoma-state-plan-unrivaled-facilities-and-no-debt/article_890837ae-b6e2-11ed-bb94-b7fe5acc1df2.html#tracking-source=home-top-story

In recent years, it hasn't been too hard to find millions to build impressive new academic buildings, so maybe it will be the same way with the sports stuff. However, once those sports facilities are built it may be hard to find enough students playing sports. But at the same important to have shiny new better facilities to attract student athletes. Interesting article here:

The incredible shrinking future of college. The population of college-age Americans is about to crash. It will change higher education forever. https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23428166/college-enrollment-population-education-crash

Consequently, college towns, like Stillwater, better figure out a better way to attract new industry.

In recent years, it hasn't been too hard to find millions to build impressive new academic buildings, so maybe it will be the same way with the sports stuff. However, once those sports facilities are built it may be hard to find enough students playing sports. But at the same important to have shiny new better facilities to attract student athletes. Interesting article here:

The incredible shrinking future of college. The population of college-age Americans is about to crash. It will change higher education forever. https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/23428166/college-enrollment-population-education-crash

Consequently, college towns, like Stillwater, better figure out a better way to attract new industry.

I think you will see all the regional colleges close down. I don't foresee OSU and OU closing down. They will just be the only colleges in the state (state public higher ed that is).

I think you will see all the regional colleges close down. I don't foresee OSU and OU closing down. They will just be the only colleges in the state (state public higher ed that is).

NSU and SWOSU are pretty large and established. ECSU, SEOSU, NWOSU and PSU could, and should, definitely be on the chopping block.

Stillwater Chamber and Tonkawa Tribe announce plan to develop big entertainment destination in northeast Stillwater at the southeast corner of N. Perkins Rd. and Airport Rd. Stillwater can't attract industrial development so there is at least this big deal:

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/stillwater-chamber-and-tonkawa-tribe-announce-plan-to-develop-massive-entertainment-destination-in-stillwater/article_60dbc74c-f43a-11ed-9d89-33fbfdc8fa27.html

it looks like Karsten Creek renovations and the new Human Performance Innovation Complex will be the first two sports projects on the list to get built. kind of bummed it wasn't the new softball stadium but it is a pretty good start.

Oklahoma State University Receives $120 Million From T. Boone Pickens Foundation (https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2023/06/20/oklahoma-state-university-receives-120-million-from-t-boone-pickens-foundation/?sh=4dbdd43e651c)

$63.7 million, will go toward student scholarships, so OSU should be able to attract more students.

Pickens' all-time donations to OSU are at nearly $650 million. https://www.ocolly.com/news/t-boone-pickens-foundation-donates-120-million-to-osu/article_9a003f86-0f82-11ee-8048-8705df79f21e.html

Mayor Will Joyce presents his Vision Forward at State of the City: https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/local_business/mayor-will-joyce-presents-his-vision-forward-at-state-of-the-city/article_70a28f9c-4e91-11ee-b497-8792c42243ff.html

Mayor Will Joyce presents his Vision Forward at State of the City: https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/local_business/mayor-will-joyce-presents-his-vision-forward-at-state-of-the-city/article_70a28f9c-4e91-11ee-b497-8792c42243ff.html

Aside from the UNP expansion that might be coming (and maybe CC), Stillwater has infinitely more going on.

If those 2 things happen in Norman, I will stand corrected. But the city council has been so anti-development for years, I still have doubts.

Aside from the UNP expansion that might be coming (and maybe CC), Stillwater has infinitely more going on.

If those 2 things happen in Norman, I will stand corrected. But the city council has been so anti-development for years, I still have doubts.

This is spectacularly incorrect.

The Main Street corridor has seen a ton of redevelopment and great urbanism. The area between it and Campus Corner has seen dozens of new infill projects. Lindsey has been completely rebuilt with great streetscape and bike lanes and new businesses. Some great new civic projects downtown. Tons of new development in North and East Norman. The very nice NOUN hotel recently opened near campus. OU is already about midway through a massive replacement of all the student housing. UTC is already the largest commercial draw in the entire state and a major expansion is under construction. Norman is now the third-largest city in the state and growing very quickly.

And you can't just discount $1.5 billion in additional projects that are on the drawing boards.

This new 'Team Norman' coalition has most the City government, the Norman Chamber, Economic Development and private developers all working together.

Aside from the UNP expansion that might be coming (and maybe CC), Stillwater has infinitely more going on.

If those 2 things happen in Norman, I will stand corrected. But the city council has been so anti-development for years, I still have doubts.

But all is not well in Stillwater, since it still fails to attract enough decent paying jobs. At least the magnet factory soon to start up will be a good-sized drop in the bucket, since it will hire 100 employees with pay of $50,000. Stillwater still won't be the booming blue collar college town it once was. Back then people with low paying jobs could aspire to get on at one of the now closed companies. Mercury Marine would employ as many as 1200. Luckily for the local economy population has grown some since 2020. OSU enrollment is at a record breaking high of 25,174. Nearly all the surrounding towns are at least holding their own, rather than on the decline in population.

Downtown is trying to do better with around 4 bars and restaurants slated to open soon. One of them is Finnigan's Fight Goat Bar, or Fin's for short. It had been closed since summer of 2020, largely due to the covid.

This is spectacularly incorrect.

The Main Street corridor has seen a ton of redevelopment and great urbanism. The area between it and Campus Corner has seen dozens of new infill projects. Lindsey has been completely rebuilt with great streetscape and bike lanes and new businesses. Some great new civic projects downtown. Tons of new development in North and East Norman. The very nice NOUN hotel recently opened near campus. OU is already about midway through a massive replacement of all the student housing. UTC is already the largest commercial draw in the entire state and a major expansion is under construction. Norman is now the third-largest city in the state and growing very quickly.

And you can't just discount $1.5 billion in additional projects that are on the drawing boards.

This new 'Team Norman' coalition has most the City government, the Norman Chamber, Economic Development and private developers all working together.
And a lot going on with Norman Regional.

Stillwater residents frustrated after bridge construction faces delays. E. Third bridge has been frustrating, too. A protected bird's nest delayed construction on it.

https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-stillwater-bridge-husband-street-construction-delay/45144320

The Innovation Foundation at OSU releases plans for Innovation Park in west Stillwater.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/the-innovation-foundation-at-osu-releases-plans-for-innovation-park-in-west-stillwater/article_a936438e-8fa6-11ee-9d3b-e363ba4cd172.html

In other local matters, the E. 3rd St. bridge is finally reopened. It means less traffic on E. Virginia and Miller!

Hatch officially opens to the public in downtown Stillwater.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/hatch-officially-opens-to-the-public-in-downtown-stillwater/article_eaf68730-a693-11ee-9ddf-f7a80bdd81e6.html

Coming in 2024, Empire will be opening a location in Stillwater. According to recent social media posts, they will be located next to Stonecloud Brewing on 10th St. and Husband.
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Interesting concept based on a barber shop PLUS.

Curators of craft: Stillwater business EM flourishes after rebranding, relocation. https://www.stwnewspress.com/community/curators-of-craft-stillwater-business-em-flourishes-after-rebranding-relocation/article_9363fbfa-ac25-11ee-baf4-cf8169fcd242.html

Coming in 2024, Empire will be opening a location in Stillwater. According to recent social media posts, they will be located next to Stonecloud Brewing on 10th St. and Husband.
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Pizza for downtown! It will be quite a startling makeover for that old building and vacant lot next to it that has set unchanged for 50+ years. It was the same with the old building that Stonecloud is in, which is a big hit as if they knew they had to go big to do well against Iron Monk and did.

Downtown Stillwater still has quite a ways to go from having nothing like Outlaws on the Strip and its great dance floor but lately is looking more than usual like a good alternative to the Strip for the nighttime.

Finnegan's returns to Main Street after three years out of business: https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/finnegans-returns-to-main-street-after-three-years-out-of-business/article_40f2964a-bc99-11ee-8bb5-eb64b1779148.html

Great overview/time lapse of the construction progress on the New Frontiers building site in 2023 on the OKState campus. This building will be the new home for the Ferguson College of Agriculture and is expected to open to faculty, students and staff this fall. Approximately $100 mill project will be one of, if not, the largest academic buildings on campus.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRQPOt6XUss

Rendering:
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Block 34 construction officially begins.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/block-34-construction-officially-begins/article_bce25a56-c5fe-11ee-ab8a-774a9d5e79e7.html