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Midwest City hosting public meetings on mall future

The City of Midwest City has posted signs around the Heritage Park Mall property notifying the public about two upcoming meetings about plans to revitalize the area. The city is using Urban Renewal Laws to reduce blight and revitalize the former commercial area. Photo by Jeff Harrison

Council holding meetings March 28 and April 25 to discuss Heritage Park Mall Area Urban Renewal Plan

By Jeff Harrison
Midwest City Beacon

Midwest City will host two public hearings to discuss plans to revitalize the Heritage Park Mall area.

The first hearing will take place at 6 p.m. March 28 as part of a regular city council meeting. The meeting will take place at the City Council Chambers, 100 N. Midwest Blvd. The purpose of the meeting is to provide information and answer questions.

A second meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. April 25. Individuals will be allowed to express their views on the Heritage Park Urban Renewal Plan prior to the city council voting on the matter.

Midwest City is planning to revamp the property through a process of Urban Renewal. The proposed Heritage Park Mall Area Urban Renewal Plan seeks to facilitate and promote the redevelopment of a distressed and blighted area in order to create economic development opportunities and contribute to the economic and community health of the area.

The proposed Heritage Park Mall Area Urban Renewal Plan includes property acquisition and disposition authorizations.

The urban renewal area is located on the northwest corner of Reno Ave. and N. Air Depot Blvd., primarily consisting of the former Heritage Park Mall, Sears, Montgomery Ward, A to Z Outlet as well as the former Thunder Burger.

The mall, Montgomery Ward, A to Z Outlet and Thunder Burger are owned by Ahmad Bahreini and ABAB Inc. Midwest City’s Economic Development Authority purchased the Sears building in 2019. Midwest City’s Economic Development Authority purchased the Sears building in 2019.

Life Church, Pelican’s Restaurant, and Becker’s Auto Service are not included in the blighted area nor the urban renewal efforts.
Oklahoma’s Urban Redevelopment Law allows cities to create a workable plan to eliminate and prevent the spread of blight, encourage rehabilitation, and provide for redevelopment of blighted areas.

“By using the urban renewal process versus condemnation, we have the ability to use the property for economic development purposes,” said City Attorney Don Maisch.

The city council declared the Heritage Park Mall property as blighted in August and called on the Urban Renewal Authority to create an Urban Renewal Plan. In December, the Authority recommended approval of the plan. The planning commission also recommended approval and sent it to the city council for hearings and a vote.

The proposed Heritage Park Mall Area Urban Renewal Plan, and supporting documentation can be found at www.midwestcityok.org.

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