Edmond Springs to Life

By 2018, Edmond plans to be the home of a new mixed-use lifestyle center at the northeast corner of 15th Street and Bryant, a massive undertaking that would combine unique upscale retail, dining options and luxury apartment living into one community gathering space.

Poag Shopping Centers of Memphis is proposing a development called the Shops at Spring Creek on approximately 25 acres of land that would be an expansion and transformation of the existing Spring Creek Plaza Shopping Center, currently owned by Ward Construction. Poag has an option to purchase the existing Spring Creek Plaza Shopping Center and combine it with this new development. At a November 14th City Council meeting the development received zoning approval.

The Shops at Spring Creek would not only include high-end retail, but a proposed specialty grocery store anchor tenant and a boutique theatre as well. A pedestrian bridge would connect the development to Hafer Park and green space and walkways would be included. The project, including the existing Spring Creek Plaza, would encompass approximately 320,000 square feet in an upscale lifestyle shopping center that would be the first of its kind in Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma has nothing like this,” said Janet Yowell, executive director at Edmond Economic Development Authority. “The total investment of this development is $150 million. This is a very expensive piece of land to develop. The development would also include up to 325 luxury apartments.”

This project has had some opposition. Residents had the opportunity to voice concerns at city council meetings. Some of the issues raised included traffic concerns and the effect the development would have on the adjoining Hafer Park.

Yowell said Bob Rogers, a Poag Principal, approached the city two years ago to discuss the development, based mostly on studies that show that central Oklahoma and the Oklahoma City metro area is under-served in retail. “He loves how the existing shopping center looks and wants to continue that theme,” she said.

“Poag Shopping Centers specializes in developments with high end stores and boutique shops. As Edmond’s population grows, so should the amenities we have to offer. Cities are funded by sales tax revenue, and this has the potential to significantly impact our sales tax base through its regional draw of shoppers and diners.”

Luxury apartments would be above portions of the retail, with some buildings being four stories. The apartments would be marketed to empty-nesters, young professionals and more. An underground parking area would serve residents’ needs.

According to Poag’s website, Dan Poag and then business partner Terry McEwen, began their company with the idea to transform retail real estate. Poag took the concept of easily accessible stores to the next level by designing centers that offer national specialty stores, restaurants, top architecture and landscaping, park-like gathering areas and other amenities to create open-air environments that reflect the communities in which they are located.

The company has developed lifestyle centers throughout the country including Town Center Plaza in Kansas City, Kan.; Deer Park Town Center in Deer Park, Ill.; Aspen Grove in Littleton, Colo.; Briargate in Colorado Springs; the Promenade Shops at Centerra in Loveland, Colo.; The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley in Central Valley, Penn.; and more.

Bob Rogers told Edmond leaders he felt the community was perfect for Poag’s mixed-use lifestyle center concept with a main street design. “Right now you’ve got to go to Penn Square or somewhere else—you deserve to have it here. The only thing you’re missing in Edmond is this piece,” Rogers said in a recent public meeting.  “When we came here two years ago looking at the entire Oklahoma City metro, this is where we landed. Everything you need will be here.”