Progress 2020 by Shawnee News-Star

The Shawnee News-Star

Friday, May 29, 2020

Shawnee boasts another year of economic growth By Vicky O. Misa Vicky.misa@news-star.com | (405) 214-3962 | Twitter: @Vicky_NewsStar

ots of new construction and the arrival of many new businesses over the past year continues to boost growth in Shawnee. “The more projects that are taking place, the more growth our local economy benefits from,” Shawnee Forward Economic Development Director Tim Burg said. New construction in the form of hotels, restaurants and manufacturing are popping up in town. Just north of Interstate 40 sits the brand new Fairfield Inn & Suites, by Marriott. “Another hotel is being planned on the south side of the street in that area,” Burg added. Redrock Behavioral is going to build a new facility on the west side of Harrison, where the former monument business was located, he said. A new physical therapy facility is being planned at Union and 45th Street, Burg said — as well as some other office or commercial space for others to lease or acquire. Also, the new Metro First real estate office on MacArthur and Acme

Road just opened, he said. The addition of manufacturing operation United Dynamics, was established last summer at Wolverine Road and Kickapoo. “It allowed them to hire more employees, and do more specialized projects related to the military, aerospace and aviation,” Burg said. “Having an aerospace firm in your community is certainly a bonus.” Georg Fischer acquired land east of its facility at Leo and Independence, Burg said, and began clearing the site to allow for easier access to their facility by their freight haulers, and to add parking for their growing number of employees. Plans are to double their workforce over the next five years, he said. GF Central Plastics currently

employs around 650 people. But even in a bustling city setbacks can occur. “By far the toughest manufacturing project we dealt with as a community this past year was the closing of Shawnee Tubing Industries,” Burg said, “followed by the immediate acquisitions by investors who restarted the facility, now called Bison Metals Technologies.” They are currently investing millions into the facility to upgrade and improve their production capabilities, grow their customer base and hire more employees. They plan on employing around 325 by the end of a three-year period, he said. There also are other manufacturing expansion projects in the works, he said.

There are many ways an economic impact can be accomplished — not with just a new business opening. Projects like new housing, roads and education can leave a lasting impression on an area, as well. There are several new things in those areas being accomplished right now.

HOUSING Mike Little Construction has recently remodeled a building for Shawnee Lofts on Main Street and built town homes nearby. “We know there are conversations and plans in the works to do more of those kinds of development in the downtown area,” Burg said, “including an ongoing renovation of the old (Sunshine) apartments south of the Salvation Army on 9th street.” By his best estimate, he said there are more than 35 single family housing developments either being finished out, just starting or in the planning, design and engineering phases. Burg said Greg Brown’s Wyndemere project on

MacArthur is ongoing, as it is the final build out of homesites in the Timber’s housing project, with a new builder Rausch Coleman out of Arkansas moving into the area. “Rausch Coleman has purchased the remaining lots in the Winding Creek area, (Acme and Westech) and is building in that location as well,” he said. And that’s not all. “Rick Landes and Bryan Little have started their new housing addition on 45th, east of Union; Salazar Construction has gotten an approved plat for the area between Gordon Cooper Tech Center and the Woodsong housing location and Cotton Homes has started a third phase to the Hyatt Housing addition,” Burg added.

ROADS “There are several significant roadway projects that will enhance access to our area and improve the safety for the residents,” Burg said. The bridge on Highway 177, over the Kickapoo Spur has been completed, and there will soon be additional work commenc-

ing on 177 to repair the roadway, Burg explained. Work is being planned for Independence and Leo in that area as well, he said. “ODOT has started awarding contracts for the work that will allow I-40 to be widened from the Oklahoma/Pottawatomie County Line, to Highway 177 on the west side of Shawnee,” he said. “This will be a six-lane project.”

EDUCATION “I-93 (Shawnee Schools District) has continued upgrading its schools and has hired an architectural firm to design the new elementary school on 45th west of Kickapoo,” Burg said. North Rock Creek opened its new high school facility this past year and the other K-12 schools in the area continued to undertake remodeling and improvements, as the funding they receive from the county allows, he said. “Gordon Cooper Technology Center also has been renovating its seminar center and business and industry services center,” he said.

new construction

First United Bank

In December the new facility for Shawnee's First United Bank opened at the southeast corner of MacArthur Street and Harrison Avenue — formerly Joe Cooper Ford. The former Joe Cooper Ford structure was demolished, and in its place now sits the new headquarters for First United Bank of Shawnee. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

expansion

shawnee milling

Last summer Shawnee Milling Co. began a large expansion project, installing 26 50-foot-tall storage bins — 20 can hold up to 76,000 pounds of finished product; the six larger ones each have the capacity to store 150,000 pounds. A storage warehouse also was added on the north side for packing and ingredients. It’s the mill’s largest expansion since the late ’90s. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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new headquarters

shawnee police Department

Shawnee Police Department is getting closer to having its own headquarters at 912 E. Independence in Shawnee. The site was previously occupied as a First United Bank and is now being renovated for use by the Shawnee Police Department, which is currently housed in the basement of City Hall. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

new living spaces

The groves

Still in a dirt-work phase, construction has yet to begin on a new retirement community near Shawnee Middle School along the west side of Union Street. The Grove, a multi-unit retirement community, is going to be built on 20.14 acres at 3900 N. Union. The development is expected to be single-story units in a gated neighborhood for those age 55 years and up. Amenities such as a clubhouse with workout facilities, safe room and meeting room also are expected at the site. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

new business remodel

sancho ancho A new restaurant opened at the Marketplace last summer. The site at 4734 N. Kickapoo — formerly the Delta Cafe — was remodeled extensively for a new business called Sancho Ancho Latin Cuisine. The remodel has been valued at $300,000 and spans 4,000 square feet. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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Friday, May May 29, 29, 2020 2020 •• 3C 3C Friday,

grand re-opening

Coffee n’ Crafts A grand-reopening event was held in January for Coffee N’ Crafts, at 5 E. Main Street. The coffee shop also hosts art classes and opportunities to create DIY projects. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

expansion new construction

Emmanuel Episcopal Church

domino dog park

Emmanuel Episcopal Church has been undergoing a massive expansion project; the new facility, an extension of the church at 501 N. Broadway, can be viewed from the inside — online.

Domino Plaza, along the east side of Harrison between 45th Street and Interstate 40, has completed a dog park for residents and out-of-towners alike to enjoy. The dog park is just north of a gas station on the far south end and the complex has boasted potential plans for hotels and restaurants at some point — including the current construction of SSM Health Medical Group’s ambulatory medical facility.

Those interested can see a 3-dimensional video rendering from GH2 Architects that features what the intended end result is to be. Find the video on the church website’s home page, at emmanuelshawnee.com.

Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

The project is adding nearly 7,000 square feet of space on the north side of the church, which is valued at $1.5 million, according to a building permit. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

newcomer remodel

city bites The building at 2603 N. Kickapoo Ave. that once housed longtime eatery Chicago Street Deli was remodeled for a newcomer to Shawnee — City Bites, which opened in January. “We have been looking to locate in Shawnee for the past several years and simply had to wait until the right opportunity came along,” City Bites Office Manager Michael Woolf said. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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new construction

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new construction

GOrdon Cooper Technology Center Gordon Cooper Technology Center’s (GCTC) new public safety training center has been erected at the south end of campus. The structure is named the Marty Lewis Public Safety Training Facility, after a former superintendent. The $5 million facility will house training for area high school students and working law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs and paramedics. The more than 20,000 square-foot facility includes four classrooms, a paramedic training lab, firearm simulation room, driving simulation room, workout space, large meeting room, fire training tower and additional water features for fire equipment. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

remodel

new business

In September 2019, McLoud High School graduate Matt Manderfeld opened Peak Fitness — a new 15,000-square-foot gym at 5630 N. Harrison.

Oklahoma City-based Haley’s Carpet expanded to Shawnee; the site on the 4000 block of Kickapoo opened last spring.

Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

Peak Fitness

haley’s carpet

new businesses

bison crossing Lifted Bungee Studio, The Luxx Boutique, Marble Slab Creamery and Tropical Smoothie Cafe are the newest additions to Bison Crossing along the 3900 block of North Kickapoo. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

new restaurant

el patron tacos

Another new restaurant set up shop during the summer. Establishing itself in a strip mall at 322 W. MacArthur, El Patron Tacos opened for business. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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Friday, May 29, 2020 • 5C

new construction

fairfield inn & Suites Fairfield Inn & Suites, by Marriott, has recently established Shawnee as home after building a new hotel just north of Interstate 40. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

new restaurant

bar h bar branding iron

The Bar H Bar Branding Iron, a 6,000 square-foot steakhouse, officially opened its doors last June. Owner Richard Hefner said one of his other ventures, Shawnee Trail Retail Center, at 1049 Vision Blvd., has the potential to house up to seven 1,250 to 1,500 square-foot retail spaces. The strip mall became home to a second Shawnee Cleaners site in the fall. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

remodel

dollar tree

(Kickapoo Location) Several new establishments opened last spring or early summer. A few of them were: Dollar Tree opened a second site in town at 600 W. Independence; Theopolis Social Club, 419 E. Main St.; Public Wash House, a laundromat at 3922 N. Kickapoo; Hearing Health Care, 3954 N. Kickapoo, moved into the strip mall Bison Crossing, directly behind its former building; and Linda’s Marquee Realty is downtown at 425 E. Main St. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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Friday, Friday, May May 29, 29, 2020 2020 •• 1D 1D

new living spaces

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Mike Little Construction remodeled the former Frontline Church site on the southeast corner of Main and Bell Streets, adding new living spaces to downtown’s offerings. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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new construction

SSM health Medical Group

SSM Health Medical Group began new construction Dec. 9 just south of Interstate 40 at 4651 N. Harrison in Domino Plaza. Framing of the 33,000 square foot ambulatory medical building has now started. Originally planned to be done by late 2020, the project is moving forward and is expected to be complete in March 2021, SSM Health St. Anthony-Shawnee Hospital Communications and Marketing Consultant Carla Tollett said. The facility is planned to house primary care and urgent care services on the first floor. The second floor will feature a women’s services suite with specialty offices for OB/GYN providers, mammography services, aesthetics and dermatology. Physical therapy services also will be offered with a separate external entrance. SSM Health Medical Group will continue to offer services at its locations on Kethley, near SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital – Shawnee. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

under construction

new business

old abuelitA rosa’s

taqueria El Dolar

In December, Taqueria El Dolar — a food truck vendor stationed at 1201 N. Harrison — officially opened its window for business in Shawnee. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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The site of former Abuelita Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant, at 2613 N. Kickapoo has recently been under some form of cleaning or possible remodel after being shuttered for months. A large garbage bin sits outside the front doors, hinting at work being done inside. No word yet as to what may be soon to come. Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

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Friday, May 29, 2020 • 3D

OBU concludes 2019-20 year, celebrating new president and new campus while thriving during online learning The academic year of 201920 was an eventful one on Bison Hill. The OBU campus celebrated many things, including the hiring of their new president, the gifting of a second campus, the addition of new students, the graduation of hundreds and a successful move to online learning. In August, the University welcomed more than 520 students to campus Saturday, Aug. 17, for OBU’s annual Move-In Day. Current students, faculty and staff greeted a class of 451 first-time freshmen and 70 transfer students to campus. For the 15th consecutive year, The Princeton Review named OBU one of the best colleges and universities in the western United States and College Consensus ranked OBU seventh nationally on a list of Best Online Christian Colleges and Universities. OBU also ranked second on with College Consensus for Best Colleges and Universities in Oklahoma, eighth in Best Regional Colleges of the West, and 13th on the list of Best Christian Colleges and Universities in the Nation, while OBU was one of only four schools in Oklahoma ranked on the Best Colleges and Universities in the Nation list. In late August, Dr. Pat Taylor, OBU interim president, delivered the 2019 Convocation address, challenging the entire campus community to embody the University’s mission statement. During the service, five faculty members were installed to endowed chairs and professorships. For the 28th consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report ranked OBU as one of the top colleges in the nation. OBU ranked on five lists, including, “Best Regional Colleges of the West,” “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” “Best Value Schools,” “Best Colleges for Veterans,” and “Top Performers on Social Mobility.” In “Best Regional Colleges of the West,” OBU ranked seventh in the Western region of the U.S. Also during September, the University was recognized for its academic excellence by Washington Monthly, an online and print news magazine. OBU took the top spot in the state of Oklahoma as the best bachelor’s degree institution for 2019, ranking ahead of the four other Oklahoma institutions on the list. Washington Monthly also ranked OBU nationally as a “Best Bang for the Buck” university in the Southern region of the United States, based on the best educational value for the money regarding “net” price, how well universities graduate students they admit and future earnings of graduates. Later that month, the University announced an increase in the guaranteed minimum scholarship for all new students, raising it to at least $7,000 per year, while most students receive more. This change takes effect beginning fall 2020 and makes an already affordable private Christian education even more attainable at the University. Rankings were also released showing OBU has a lower net price (the average price students actually pay) than almost all other major public and private universities in the state. These stats were prior to OBU increasing its net minimum scholarship. The University welcomed hundreds of alumni back to Bison Hill Oct. 25-27 for its annual homecoming celebration. The weekend featured a Bison football game, the second annual SGA homecoming parade, concerts, theatre performances and the announcement of the 2019 Harvest Court. Emily Wall was named the 2019 harvest queen and Anthony Williams won the harvest king. The best all-around female went to Megan Kalinowski, while Ryan Fisher won best all-around male. Taylor Seacat was selected as the most servant-like female while Misael Gonzalez won most servant-like male. Exciting news broke in early November on Bison Hill, as the OBU Board of Trustees selected Dr. Heath A. Thomas as the University’s 16th president during its fall meeting Nov. 8. At the time, Thomas was serving as dean of the Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry and the associate vice president for church relations. He assumed the role of president Jan. 1. Thomas joined the OBU faculty in 2015 as dean after serving as director of Ph.D. studies and

associate professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina. A 1998 OBU graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature with a religion minor. He then earned a Master of Arts in theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Old Testament from the University of Gloucestershire (UK). He also earned a certificate for leadership in higher education from Baylor University in 2016. He has served on staff at churches in Oklahoma, Texas, North Carolina and in the United Kingdom. OBU conferred degrees upon 72 undergraduate and 38 graduate students during the Winter Commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 13. The ceremony took place in Raley Chapel’s Potter Auditorium. Dr. Heath A. Thomas, president-elect of OBU, delivered the address. Earlier that week, Hobby Lobby and the Green Family formally announced their donation of the former St. Gregory’s University campus to OBU during a special event Wednesday, Dec. 11. The event took place at the Rockwood Center on the campus of the former SGU, now the OBU Green Campus. Hobby Lobby purchased the property last year following SGU’s bankruptcy proceedings, after SGU closed its doors in December 2017. At that time, OBU offered a teach-out agreement to SGU students, with many of them transferring to OBU to complete their degrees. The donated property is approximately 72 acres, with 286,600 square feet contained in seven major buildings. The donation deed for the property was filed earlier in the week, officially transferring ownership to OBU. St. Gregory’s Abbey and Monastery will continue to occupy its current property, as will the Mabee-Gerrer Museum, as they operate as separate entities from the university. The new year saw the beginning of the presidency for Dr. Heath A. Thomas, assuming office Jan. 1. It likewise saw the end of the interim term for Dr. Pat Taylor, who began as interim president the prior February. He guided the University through the transition process over that 11-month period. Taylor retired from Southwest Baptist University in Missouri in August 2018, after nearly 22 years as the university’s president. Prior to becoming president of SBU, he served as chief academic officer at OBU for 10 years, from 1986 to 1996. In mid-January, the University appointed Dr. Robbie Henson as dean of the College of Nursing. Henson had served as interim dean since August 2019 and was the Lawrence C. and Marion V. Harris Chair of Nursing. Her duties as dean began immediately. Henson earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at OBU and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She then earned a Ph.D. in Nursing from the University of Colorado. February saw a strong start to the spring semester on Bison Hill. Several major events took place, including the 46th annual Concerto-Aria performance Feb. 16. Nine students performed at the event, hosted by the Warren M. Angell College of Fine Arts and the Division of Music. Concerto-Aria gives outstanding musical performers the ability to appear with a live orchestra and

perform repertoire from the great catalogues of piano concertos, opera arias, instrumental concertos and other works, including original compositions by student composers. Earlier in the month, OBU President Dr. Heath A. Thomas shared about the impact OBU makes on its students during the Bison Connections event Feb. 6 at Jasco Products in Oklahoma City. He spoke with a group of alumni, friends and members of the metro area business community and described how the University not only delivers a world-class education to its students, but how it also teaches them to fear God and keep His commands. “We hope that they go on a journey of discovery that helps them understand and remember how to fear God and keep His commands no matter what they’re doing,” whether as a nurse, business person, professional, teacher, scientist, doctor, lawyer, health professional, or minister. He continued, “We equip students to go and make a difference for God. This means that as OBU personnel, we are invested in equipping students for lifelong success and with the tools they need to go make a difference for God.” Henry Winkler, Emmy-winning actor, director, producer and New York Times best-selling author, inspired more than 370 attendees at OBU’s eighth annual Green and Gold Gala March 3, at the Bricktown Events Center in Oklahoma City. The annual Gala raises funds for student scholarships at OBU and showcases how an OBU education transforms students’ lives as they, in turn, impact the world. The event was emceed by John Holcomb, OBU alumnus and sports director of KOTV the News On 6 in Tulsa. During the Gala, OBU president Dr. Heath A. Thomas shared about the personal impact OBU made on his life and is continuing to make on generations of students. “OBU is a special place with a wonderful story. Like many prospective students, I was captured when I came here for the first time on a campus visit. My life and my trajectory, the very trajectory of my future, was eternally transformed because of my time on Bison Hill. But my story is not unique. For more than a century, OBU has transformed the lives of thousands of students who, in turn, impact their world.” Winkler shared his inspiring story with the audience, focusing on how he overcame dyslexia, the power of education, the impact of learning, and the necessity of focusing on the strengths of every student. “I say to every child that I ever meet in the universe, whether they understand me or not, whether they want to hear it, or not, ‘You’ve got greatness inside you and your job is to figure out what your gift is, dig it out, and give it to the world, because everybody cannot wait to see who you become.’” On March 7, OBU hosted a student apologetics conference titled “Generation ‘Why?’ – Reasonable Faith in a Post-Christian Age.” Hundreds of students attended the first annual event, designed to equip students from middle school, high school and college to be prepared and effective defenders of the faith. Students learned about the rational foundations demonstrating the Christian faith is true while gaining practical tools to show others the truth about their faith.

Heather Hamilton | OBU. In mid-March, things suddenly changed on Bison Hill as they did on campuses throughout the world. In response to the novel coronavirus pandemic, the University moved to online learning for the remainder of the spring semester. Over spring break, faculty, staff and administration worked together to make the transition to online instruction. While the University delivers numerous master’s degree programs online, its undergraduate offerings were previously offered in person only. With OBU already utilizing a Learning Management System called Canvas, the infrastructure was in place for the transition. Students and faculty had been using the system for a few years for assignments, course content and more, easing the transition during this sudden move to fully online learning. The University also moved its weekly chapel services to an online format, posting a chapel devotion every Wednesday with students completing a simple five question quiz to qualify for chapel credit. President Thomas began sharing weekly video announcements, posted on the University’s website and social media channels, offering updates and encouragement to students, faculty and staff amidst the work of hosting the latter half of the spring semester online. In April, OBU announced the appointment of Dr. Matthew Emerson as dean of the Herschel H. Hobbs College of Theology and Ministry. Emerson had served as interim dean since January 2020 along with his duties as associate professor of religion. Emerson was appointed after a national search and full interview process. His duties as dean began immediately. Emerson earned a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and both an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He joined the OBU faculty in 2015. He previously taught at California Baptist University, where he served as chair of the Arts and Sciences Department in the Online and Professional Studies Division. The University hosted a Virtual Preview Day experience Saturday, April 18. The event replaced a previously scheduled on-campus Preview Day, which was altered due to the coronavirus pandemic. The virtual event allowed students from all over the country and around the world to get a peek at what life is like on Bison Hill. Prospective students watched a livestream video on OBU’s website, including a highlight overview of OBU, a special message from President Thomas, and a virtual campus tour. Stu-

dents then joined Zoom room chats with faculty members who talked with them and answered questions about their majors of interest. In early May, the University announced the new date for Spring Commencement, now set for Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. This followed the previous announcement of the ceremony’s postponement due to the coronavirus pandemic. Students and faculty concluded the spring semester May 14, as finals week came to a close. A wide offering of classes will be offered online this summer for students to catch up, get ahead or reduce their course loads for future semesters. The University also promoted a series of online announcements for student award winners from each College and Division. While these awards are typically presented during the final chapel service of the spring semester each year, a new plan was made due to the move to online learning. The Board of Trustees met via Zoom May 8. During the meeting, President Thomas and the board discussed in-depth plans to bring students back to campus for in-person classes in the fall. OBU will implement recommended health and safety guidelines concerning social distancing and COVID-19 testing, and take extra steps to augment campus cleaning procedures to prepare for students to return for classes on campus in August. “Our goal is to provide a healthy and safe environment on campus for our students and our employees,” Thomas said. He likewise shared an inspirational message regarding the impact OBU makes and the importance of remaining focused on the mission, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. “OBU must embrace the urgency of our mission,” he said. “We will double our efforts and double down on strategies to tell OBU’s story, recruit students, equip them, and transform their lives so that they can go into their world and make a difference for God and for good.” The board also voted to approve promotions for six faculty members as well as new contracts for two faculty members in the College of Business, who will begin this fall. For more information about OBU, visit okbu.edu.

Tecumseh Schools to work on ag building, other projects this summer This summer, one of the biggest projects the Tecumseh School District hopes to complete is the construction of an agricultural building.

“That is moving forward. It had been slowed down just a little bit due to the spring and the chaos in the world,” said Assistant Superintendent

Robert Kinsey said. “We are planning to kick that off hopefully here in the next four to eight weeks...Our plan is hopefully by August it will be

completed and we’ll be ready to move in.” In addition to the agricultural building, Kinsey said the district will also complete

projects such as resurfacing the tennis courts, painting buildings, roof repair and other needed maintenance.

PROGRESS 2020

4D • Friday, May 29, 2020

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What’s new around CPN… In the last year, Citizen Potawatomi Nation reached economic development milestones, including a groundbreaking for the first company subleasing from Iron Horse Industrial Park, expanding and improving emergency communications for rural communities in Pottawatomie County and ensuring children’s safety with a new storm shelter. Iron Horse Industrial Park In fall 2019, Pro-Pipe USA LLC broke ground on a 50,000-square-foot production facility at CPN’s Iron Horse Industrial Park located on 25 acres of Tribal land. The Canadian firm began subleasing the facility from the Nation through contractual tenets laid out by the U.S. Helping Expedite and Advance Responsible Tribal Homeownership Act, or HEARTH Act, which restores authority to federally recognized tribes for land development and long-term leasing agreements. Once at peak production, Pro-Pipe USA LLC’s Iron Horse facility will employ 20 to 30 workers and manufacture high-density polyethylene pipe for the oil and gas, mining, irrigation, sewer, telecommunications, geothermal and municipal water markets. The development brings jobs and international trade to Pottawatomie County, increasing CPN’s economic impact. Citizen Potawatomi Nation Sod Farm The Citizen Potawatomi Nation Sod Farm is open for business. It supplies Oklahoma-grown, fresh sod at an affordable price. One of the Tribe’s many local enterprises, it offers three varieties of grass — fescue, Bermuda, buffalo – to those landscaping their homes and businesses. Whether looking for a warm or cool-season turf, all the farm’s offerings come in different sizes to fit clients’ needs with a reasonable, additional fee for delivery and planting for orders over 6,000 square feet. Bridge rehabilitation projects In early December 2019, CPN opened two steel truss bridges near the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort and Rural Water District 3 pumping station, both crossing Deer Creek. The extensive infrastructure undertaking stemmed from the 2019 spring storm season that saw record rainfall in Oklahoma. It became a necessity after overflow washed out a low-water crossing near the Grand Travel Plaza. The bridge northeast of the Grand received a rating for up to 100 tons, providing stability at one of the Nation’s heavily trafficked enterprises. A fully loaded semitruck typically weighs 40 tons. Now, both bridges give cars numerous options to enter and egress the complex. Road infrastructure development In late December 2019, a ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorated the completion of the Ohio Street Extension project near the FireLake complex. Funded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Tribal Transportation Program at the cost of approximately $320,000, the new roadway has improved interconnectivity and alleviated local traffic.

The Hardesty Road widening project between Gordon Cooper Drive and Brangus Road will add two lanes and a center left turn lane to four miles of road. The Nation has plans to install a bridge at Harrison and Hardesty roads. McLoud emergency radio tower In late 2019, Citizen Potawatomi Nation turned on a new emergency communications tower in McLoud, Oklahoma. It covers the northern section of Pottawatomie County, including the Grand Casino Hotel & Resort. It reaches north into Lincoln County as well as three counties south of the South Canadian River. Before the new tower, many rural communities previously relied on outdated communications systems or even cellphones; the current technology covers all dead spots, provides seamless integration and has the capacity to handle traffic from major disasters. CPN dispatch and Next Generation 911 Citizen Potawatomi Nation’s 911 call center provides dispatch serves to every emergency response entity in Pottawatomie County, except the City of Shawnee and REACT. In 2019, CPN received U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. Department of Transportation 911 Grant Program funds and used them to upgrade dispatching services to Next Generation 911 standards. Improvements include new server software to ensure seamless communication with statewide 911 systems and transition from analog to an IP-based format as well as the ability to automatically create and share files of text messages and video calls. Together, these decrease response times and increase information accuracy for first responders in the call center’s greater jurisdiction. FireLake Casino players club Between late January and the end of March, FireLake Casino and Entertainment Center revamped their player’s club for patrons and employees. The cabinetry and granite countertops now shine with a crisp look, and the new display cases offer an easy way to shop for collectibles along with T-shirts, hats and other items. The welcoming area invites visitors to sign up for a player’s club card and promotions as well as request general information. This construction project is the first player’s club renovation since the opening of the casino, resulting in a bigger, more comfortable space for everyone. Storm shelter at Citizen Potawatomi Child Development Center West Opened in August 2018, the West CPN Child Development Center recently added a storm shelter that holds between 300 and 400 people. It provides a safe space for the infants and toddlers as well as the 25 staff members overseeing them. As the storm shelter closest to the CPN West Clinic, the design includes space for health care staff too. The 2,000 square foot facility opened for use in May 2020. While not a public storm shelter, the necessary addition to the complex offers peace of mind to those entrusting the facility with their child’s care.

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

PROGRESS LOCAL NEWS 2020

new living spaces

shawnee lofts townhomes

Friday, May 29, 2020 • 5D

new construction

sonic

Mike Little Construction built the Shawnee Lofts Townhomes directly west of the Shawnee Public Library. The project added several new living spaces to downtown’s offerings.

At the northwest corner of Wallace and Harrison some new groundwork started in May. That location was formerly a Sonic Drive-In, and is technically where the original business (under that name) was operated for many decades. Shawnee City Planner Rebecca Blaine said Sonic is building a new headquarters office building there.

Vicky O. Misa | The Shawnee News-Star.

C T

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Working hard to improve your quality of life. • Open 7 Days A Week • Convenient Drive-Thru Service Phone: 405-273-9417 3210 Kethley Rd www.tcpShawnee.com

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6D • Friday, May 29, 2020

PROGRESS 2020

news-star.com Shawnee News-Star

Still here. Still ready to help. Still looking to the future.

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