Midwest City Beacon Area News
Fundraising campaign launches for new YMCA
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Community leaders kicked off a fundraising campaign to build a new Midwest City YMCA. The kickoff event last Thursday was hosted by Dr. Bobby and Jayne Christensen. The facility is planned as part of the Plaza 62 development near the SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital campus, through a partnership…
Read MoreSenior Center renovation underway
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Construction is underway on a roughly $1.1 million renovation project at the Midwest City Senior Center. The project includes ADA upgrades, additional restrooms, expanded fitness space, roof repairs and general updates to the building’s interior. The renovation is expected to take eight to 10 months and could be completed…
Read MoreDukes delivers final State of the City address
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes joked that his final State of the City address might last “two and a half hours.” It might have taken that and then some to cover all the accomplishments of the past decade. Instead, his swan song was marked by humor, gratitude and visible…
Read MoreCity leaders form coalition opposing proposed countywide jail sales tax
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon A group of local leaders have formed a coalition opposing a proposed countywide sales tax being considered by Oklahoma County Commissioners to fund construction of a new county jail. The coalition includes Midwest City Mayor Matt Dukes, Del City Mayor Floyd Eason, Del City Ward 1 Councilman Michael Dean,…
Read MoreMidwest City outlines plan for TIF district near I-40
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Midwest City Economic Development Director Robert Coleman outlined plans for a proposed Tax Increment Financing district near SE 29th St. and S. Douglas Blvd. during a Feb. 26 meeting of the Local Development Review Act committee. The proposed Interstate 40 Corridor Improvement Increment District would center on the city-owned…
Read MoreMidwest City assumes ownership of Heritage Park Mall
Midwest City Urban Renewal Authority approves demolition of Heritage Park Mall By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon The Midwest City Urban Renewal Authority on Friday approved a resolution authorizing the demolition of Heritage Park Mall, marking a major milestone in the city’s long-running effort to redevelop the long-vacant property. The action follows a ruling by…
Read MoreCity reaches deal to buy Parklawn property
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Midwest City’s plans to redevelop the area surrounding SSM St. Anthony Hospital–Midwest cleared another hurdle Tuesday night. The Midwest City Council approved the purchase of property at 2813 Parklawn Dr. for $315,000, plus associated closing costs, clearing the way for continued development of the Plaza 62 project. The agreement…
Read MoreMidwest City man hurt in police chase denied compensation
City insurer says officer acted within scope of duties during pursuit By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon A Midwest City man says he suffered serious injuries and financial losses after his pickup was struck by a vehicle involved in a police pursuit last fall, but his claim for compensation has been denied by the city’s…
Read MoreMayoral hopefuls share plans at Chamber Forum
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon With the Feb. 10 mayoral election approaching, Midwest City residents had the chance Thursday to hear directly from candidates Rick Rice, Espaniola “Espy” Bowen, and Rita Maxwell at a Chamber of Commerce forum at Rose State College. The candidates shared their approaches to economic development, housing, education, neighborhood revitalization,…
Read MoreOklahoma County commissioners decline to advance Lowe jail sales tax proposal
By Jeff Harrison Midwest City Beacon Oklahoma County commissioners on Wednesday rejected a proposed sales tax that would have funded construction of a new county jail and public safety operations. District 1 Commissioner Jason Lowe had proposed placing a permanent 5/8-cent, or 0.625%, sales tax on the April 7 ballot. The proposal failed because no…
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