City of Broken Arrow

Early voting for the general election begins Oct. 30 in Oklahoma. It will continue for four days, from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2, regardless of the county in which you live. Tulsa County residents can vote early at the current Tulsa County Election Board office, 555 N. Denver Ave., and the future Tulsa County Election Board office, 12000 E. Skelly Drive. Wagoner County residents can vote early at Northeastern State University-Broken Arrow, 3100 E. New Orleans St., and First Baptist Church, 401 Northeast Second Street, Wagoner. Both counties have the same early voting hours, dates, and times. • Wednesday, Oct. 30—8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Thursday, Oct. 31—8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Friday, Nov. 1—8 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Saturday, Nov. 2—8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please note that early voting sites are not the same as polling sites. Any registered voter in Tulsa County or Wagoner County eligible to vote in the upcoming election can vote at early voting if they have not returned an absentee ballot. Depending on where you live, Broken Arrow voters must be registered in Tulsa or Wagoner County and have proper ID to vote. You may show any ID issued by the United States, the State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized tribal government if it includes your name, a photograph of you, and an expiration date later than the election in which you are voting. The free Voter Identification Card is also acceptable. Absentee Ballots must be received by the Tulsa and Wagoner County Election Boards by Election Day, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. to be counted. Hand-delivered Absentee Ballots must be received by 5 p.m., Nov. 4, at the Tulsa and Wagoner County Election Board Offices to be counted. Voters can only hand-deliver their own ballot and must show an ID when delivering it. With the passage of Senate Bill 376, as of Nov. 1, 2023, Physically Incapacitated Absentee Ballots (Pink Affidavit Envelope) can be hand-delivered. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Go to the OK Voter Portal to find your polling location.

Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon, MPA, has been awarded the 2024 Presidents’ Award for Community Service, one of the highest honors Northeastern State University and the NSU Alumni Association bestows. For more, go to https://lnkd.in/gZK44Zgv.

It's official! Elam Park will officially open on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd, at 4:30 p.m., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony! The celebration will mark the completion of Elam Park Phase 1, which is approximately 9.5 developed acres of the 53-acre property located at 2900 W. Florence St., between Olive and Aspen Avenues. Elam Park includes several standout features designed to enhance the park experience for everyone, including: • A Destination Playground—A state-of-the-art inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities, featuring adaptive equipment that accommodates various physical, sensory, and developmental needs. • Restroom Facilities—Modern, fully accessible facilities to ensure comfort and convenience for all visitors. • A Feature Fence and a Tree Grove Picnic Area—A beautiful, natural space for picnicking and gathering. • Parking Lot—Parking to accommodate park visitors. What sets Elam Park apart from other parks in the city is the overarching theme of inclusivity. The park's design provides an environment where children of all abilities can play together, ensuring no one is left out. The inclusive playground is equipped with ramps, wide pathways, adaptive swings, and sensory-rich play elements, creating an environment that is accessible to children in wheelchairs and those with mobility challenges. The synthetic turf and thoughtfully designed play areas ensure safety and engagement for all.

With the My Broken Arrow Action Center app, connecting with the City of Broken Arrow is at your fingertips!  • Report non-emergency issues—code enforcement violations, potholes, missing pets, etc. • Make utility bill payments. • Stay informed about city news and events. • Apply for and renew city permits or licenses. • View the city Events Calendar and make your plans for the weekend! • Check out dining, shopping, and lodging options in Broken Arrow. • Connect with City Councilors and city leadership. • Be in the know about city projects. Download the FREE My Broken Arrow Action Center app in the App Store or Google Play today and start exploring Broken Arrow, the city where opportunity lives! #KnowYourBA

Infrastructure construction set to begin at Arrow Forge Construction of a three-lane asphalt roadway, water, and sanitary sewer lines, and a four-way traffic signal are a few of the infrastructure improvements that are coming to the 90 acres just south of Florence Street, between Aspen and Olive Avenues, known as the Arrow Forge Innovation District.  As a part of the 2018 General Obligation Bond, Broken Arrow voters approved the initial infrastructure to create an Innovation District. This mixed-use development will bring high-paying career opportunities to Broken Arrow in a collaborative effort with developers, local businesses, the Broken Arrow Economic Development Corporation, public and higher education, and the City of Broken Arrow. https://lnkd.in/gBzP3zbC

Assistant City Manager Kenneth Schwab is the Chair of the Southwest Section of the American Water Works Association. In this article, he writes about "A Day That Changed Everything: June 10, 2013. In this article, he discusses how the City of Broken Arrow experienced a catastrophic event that became a turning point for the organization. Even if you aren't involved in water utilities, there are nuggets of wisdom you can gain from Mr. Schwab's leadership during a crisis. The article is on page 6. https://lnkd.in/gyvRNwYn

Ridership on Broken Arrow Transit has increased 276 percent over the previous public transportation option, saving the City of Broken Arrow more than $31,000 during four months of the six-month pilot program. (Data is not yet available for August and September). Due to its success, the city will enter Phase 2 of the pilot program, which will extend service times and widen the service area map. Broken Arrow has been awarded a $250,000 Section 5310 grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to increase mobility for seniors and assist people with disabilities. "It's touching to see the impact this service has made on individuals who don't have reliable transportation, individuals with disabilities, the elderly, the youth who either don't own or can't afford a vehicle," said Community Development Director Rocky Henkel. "This program allows individuals an affordable option to get groceries, pick up medications, make it to scheduled doctor appointments, and get to and from work or school." Broken Arrow Transit is an affordable public transportation option that is currently available: • Monday through Friday, • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., • At a cost of $2 for a 3-hour ticket, or • $4 for an all-day pass. • Additionally, the program is free for all veterans, super seniors (75+), and minors (18 and younger). Discounts are available for seniors over 65.

Vice Mayor Christi Gillespie has been selected as the 2024 Public Official of the Year by the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association (OFMA). The recognition is given to officials who implement public policy initiatives that demonstrate excellence in addressing the community’s present and future floodplain management needs. Floodplain management is an effort to prevent or reduce the risk of flooding and the damage it causes to lives and property. The Vice Mayor was honored at the OFMA Annual Awards Banquet on Sept. 17 in Durant. Gillespie was first elected to represent Ward 3 in 2019 and selected to be the Vice Mayor in 2021. She says she is honored to be recognized by OFMA. “As an elected official, I take seriously my responsibility to educate myself on issues that affect our community,” she said. “Floodplain management is an opportunity to put into place systems in our city that can prevent issues that could potentially become emergencies later.” OFMA commended Gillespie on her outstanding leadership in prioritizing stormwater and floodplain management. “Vice Mayor Christi Gillespie demonstrates a strong willingness to force development to consider new and innovative approaches to increase beneficial uses of flood-prone property while adhering to a commitment to mitigate flood risk,” OFMA said in a statement. They also noted her willingness to learn from professionals and engage in difficult conversations that have led to the City of Broken Arrow’s ability to enhance and expand its stormwater and floodplain management programs. In addition to serving on the City Council, Gillespie’s involvement on the city’s Drainage Advisory Committee also demonstrates her commitment to solving floodplain issues. OFMA noted that Gillespie was instrumental in the City of Broken Arrow receiving the Ronald D. Flanagan Gold Project Award for the Park on Florence Detention Facility Restoration and Enhancement Project in 2023. This award is for an Oklahoma community or agency that goes above and beyond to complete a specific project. Project candidates include stream restoration, repetitive loss buyouts, green belt creation, and floodplain partnerships. Congratulations to Vice Mayor Gillespie for being chosen for this prestigious award. We are grateful for her dedicated service to the community. Vice Mayor Christi Gillespie (center) stands with City staff following her selection as the 2024 Public Official of the Year. From left, Stormwater Project Engineer Sarah Walters, Stormwater Division Manager Patrick Wilson, Utilities Director Tim Robins, Assistant City Manager Kenny Schwab, Emergency Management Director Jamie Ott, and Stormwater Project Engineer Charles Collins.

Join us as we celebrate breaking ground on the Sunset Amphitheater with a Community Street Dance on Oct. 11 featuring King Cabbage Brass Band.

Sunset Amphitheater Street Dance Oct. 11 Venu, the visionary behind the nation’s most luxurious live music venues, is excited to announce the official groundbreaking of the Sunset Amphitheater in Broken Arrow. While construction is already underway, this special event on Oct. 11, 2024, will mark the official celebration with a community street dance featuring local Oklahoma favorite King Cabbage Brass Band to bring residents and visitors together for a day of music, food, and festivities.   Date: Oct. 11, 2024 Time: 5 p.m. Gates Open | 6 p.m. Music Starts Band: King Cabbage Brass Band Location: The Rose District - 418 S Main St, Broken Arrow, OK 74012