Online Exclusive: Francis Tuttle in Edmond

Last month, the Francis Tuttle Board of Education
approved a Letter of Intent with Cross Timbers Office Park to design and
construct a two-story, 38,000-square-foot facility at I-35 and Covell in
Edmond.

“This is a momentous occasion,” said Suzette Northcutt Rhodes,
Francis Tuttle Board of Education president. “Having served on the
original Francis Tuttle Board, it has been especially gratifying to me to
witness the growth of this school and, now, to be a part of this next bold
initiative. We have been looking for the ideal opportunity to develop a site in
Edmond and look forward to working with Cross Timbers Office Park to make it
so.” 

Cross Timbers Office Park and Francis Tuttle will begin work on design of the
two-story facility in January, with construction scheduled to begin in July
2011.

“Francis Tuttle has always been forward-thinking in choosing sites for
their technology centers. The site on the northeast corner of I-35 and Covell
is another example of their foresight,” said Roddy Bates, Manager of Cross
Timbers Office Park.

Bates noted that the I-35 corridor is the geographic center of one of the
fastest growing cities in the state.

Francis Tuttle offers courses and workshops in the Edmond Downtown Community
Center, but has anticipated expanding services in the area due to the rapid
growth in population and businesses in the northeast section of their district.

“The Board’s approval of the letter of intent signals the expectation of a
very promising partnership between Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Cross
Timbers Office Park, and our stakeholders in the Edmond area,” said Tom
Friedemann, superintendent/CEO. “Establishing a Francis Tuttle site within
Edmond will allow us to provide even better service to and increased offerings
for the community.  It is vital that we continue to expand our involvement
and this would be the first step.”

Edmond Economic Development Authority Executive Director Janet Yowell sees
Francis Tuttle’s expansion into Edmond as a plus for economic development.
“I look forward to working with Francis Tuttle on their Edmond expansion.
I believe this will enhance our economic development efforts and give us more
ways to create job growth for the community.”

A business incubator, classrooms and offices for the Center for Municipal
Excellence (CME) are intended uses for the facility.

The CME is a partnership between Francis Tuttle Technology and the city of
Edmond to provide training services for professional municipal employees.
Earlier this year the city of Edmond completed construction on an outdoor
regional training area at the Cross Timbers Municipal Complex, which is within
a mile of the proposed Francis Tuttle Edmond technology center. The city’s
training facility will be used for hands-on training as part of the CME
instruction.

“Cross Timbers Office Park is excited to continue negotiations with
Francis Tuttle on our first major project to kick off the development of the
property on the northeast corner of Covell and I-35,” Bates said.
“The Francis Tuttle center will be an integral part of a larger project
proposed for the three corners of the intersection. The master plan for the
northwest and southwest corners of the project will include major retail, a
hotel conference center, a movie theater, and a regional sports facility.”

Bates and partner Mike Dillard are the majority owners of all remaining
undeveloped property at the intersection of Covell and I-35 in Edmond.