A mixed-use project slated for the northwest corner of 11th Street and Lewis Avenue is in line for up to $5 million in public assistance.
ITulsa LLC is behind the $38 million development at the old Tulsa Welding School site, which will include 245 apartments, a parking garage with around 400 spaces and at least 8,000 square feet of commercial space. Funds will be paid out over 25 years from increased property and sales taxes after the project is built.
"As to the total project cost, I think that’s a really – we always strive to minimize that as much as possible, and I think our team feels like that’s a really reasonable level of support for the project," said City Chief of Economic Development Kian Kamas.
City Director of Economic Development Jim Coles said while activity has picked up along 11th street ahead of the launch of a Route 66 bus rapid transit route, they think that anything more than a small retail strip still needs a hand.
"To really meet the community’s vision over there with the density and walkability along the upcoming BRT and sort of the walkable nature, there’s still a gap there that we’re trying to assist on these larger, more destination Route 66 projects," Coles said.
The developer behind the project, Chris Ellison, also built the Fernweh Shops across Lewis Avenue from Mother Road Market. He is married to Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation CEO Elizabeth Frame Ellison. The foundation built Mother Road Market, and a related LLC is receiving public funding for street improvements it’s made in the corridor.
