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• FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2019 • JENKSTRIBUNE.COM •
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LOOKING BACK
AMUSEMENT PARK TEASE IN JENKS Despite rumors, the “Horizons Park” amusement park coming to Jenks is a hoax. Read the story on Page 2A.
-Part One-
As the end of 2019 approaches, we take a look back at some of the top stories covered by the Jenks Tribune since it launched Aug. 16. Today is part one of the two-part series. We will reflect on the first 10 weeks and choose the top story from each edition of the Jenks Tribune from Aug. 16 through Oct. 18.
Jenks Mayor Robert Lee delivers the “State of the City Address” earlier this year. Photo/File By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
OUTLET MALL RENDERINGS The Tulsa Premium Outlet Mall appearance review was approved by Planning Commission Dec. 19. See outlet mall renderings on Page 5A.
A LOOK BACK AT 2019 As the 2019 year comes to an end, the Jenks Tribune takes a look back at the year’s sports highlights on Page 12A.
Week 1, Aug. 16 – Launch of Jenks Tribune; outlet mall announcement The Jenks Tribune launched its first edition on Aug. 16 giving the Jenks community its first community newspaper since the Jenks Journal closed its doors several years ago. The Tribune started out by mailing to all the mailboxes in Jenks for the first 14 weeks and then switched to free sub-
scriptions Nov. 22. Simon Premium Outlets announced the purchase of the land just south of the Creek Turnpike in Jenks by the River District to build Tulsa Premium Outlets in Jenks. Construction has started underground, and it is on schedule to open January of 2021.
historic Arkansas River flood that hit the Tulsa area hard. Jenks was one of those towns hit hard by the event and House Rep. Lonnie Sims launched a campaign for an Arkansas River flood study to help prevent and prepare for another event like the one we saw in 2019.
Week 2, Aug. 23 – Oklahoma House Representative Lonnie Sims announces flood study May and June saw one of the worst floods in Oklahoma history with the
Week 3, Aug. 30 – Popular horse dies in Jenks People in Jenks were saddened by Continued to 2019, Page 6A
Low water dam project faces uncertain future By KYLE SALOMON
ksalomon@jenkstribune.com
April of 2016, Jenks voters said yes to the Vision 2025 Sales Tax Extension, which included a low water dam to be built in the Arkansas River connecting Jenks and Tulsa. If certain funding does not come through in less than a year, funds allocated for that project by the City of Jenks and City of Tulsa can be used for other capital funded projects. The City of Jenks and City of Tulsa have done their part with their portion of the funds needed to build the dam, but a maintenance
endowment needs to be funded for the project to be completed and maintained. According to Jenks City Manager Chris Shrout and Assistant City Manager Robert Carr, no agreement has been reached to fund that endowment. Both Jenks and Tulsa officials say they want the project to get done. “Jenks is already a destination city with the Oklahoma Aquarium, the Riverwalk, Flying Tee and the Tulsa Premium Outlet Mall coming. This would add to that and provide some outdoor recreation for people,” Shrout said. “The maintenance endowment funding needs to be
Celebrating Christmas ‘Cousin Eddie’ style In honor of the Christmas movie classic, “Christmas Vacation”, this young man in Jenks is showing off his best “Cousin Eddie” impression. Photo/Courtesy
agreed upon by December of 2020 or the agreed upon funds from Jenks and Tulsa can be used on other capital projects.” Jenks’ share of the dam construction is $16.67 million. When describing the low water dam project, the April 2016 ballot voted yes by the voters in Jenks read: “$16,670,000 in funding proposed for Jenks/Tulsa Arkansas River low water dam project for the purposes of constructing, reconstructing, improving, remodeling, repairing, operating and maintaining the proposed low water dam and related facilities with additional funds to be used for capital projects,
including constructing roads, road maintenance and park improvements and construction.” The bond that was passed was for 55% of every penny of sales tax to go to the Vision 2025. Carr added that if the funds for the endowment do come in, it will take time to get the dam constructed and placed. “It still needs to be engineered,” Carr said. “Even if the funding comes in, it’s not like construction will start January of 2021. There are environmental factors that have to be addressed as well.” Continued to DAM, Page 9A
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