Midwest City looking for dry land
Midwest City commissions flood plain study for property near SE 29th St. and Douglas Blvd.
Midwest City leaders hope to learn more about a piece of city-owned interstate property.
The city has commissioned a FEMA Flood Study for the vacant property along SE 29th Street east of Douglas Boulevard. The study will evaluate the impact of Soldier Creek on the land.
City leaders hired Crafton, Tull and Associates Inc. to conduct the study for $26,500. The study is funded through the Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority. The city council also serves as trustees for the Hospital Authority.
The flood study is expected to be finished this fall and will serve as the first step toward possible development of the property.
“We have talked to several developers to see if they were interested in some type of master plan and everybody I spoke with was shy about making a move, and a lot of that had to do with know knowing how big the flood plan is,” said Robert Coleman, Economic Development Director.
A flood plain map was created years ago, primarily based on the contour of the land. Coleman believes the new study will provide a more detailed and accurate picture of the creek and flood plain.
Midwest City commissioned a flood study to determine the impact of Soldier Creek on city-owned property near SE 29th and Douglas. (Staff photo by Jeff Harrison)
“The current study has limited details about the south side of SE 29th Street and much of the land is unmapped,” Coleman said. “Our independent contractor will go in and determine the capacity to hold water between SE 29th Street and I-40.”
The Midwest City Memorial Hospital Authority purchased about 93 acres more than a decade ago as a buffer for the Town Center Plaza development. The land is located in the city limits of Oklahoma City, just south of Midwest City’s boundary.
City leaders have taken a patient approach towards selling or developing the property. They would like to see light industrial or an office complex developed on the land. Any sales tax generated from the property would go to Oklahoma City. Midwest City could receive revenue from utilities that run through property.
“The decision would be made by the city council, but we certainly would not recommend any free standing retail for the property,” Coleman said.
The property has been vacant for years. A trailer park was previously located on the site.
