Over the last 15 years, the Rose District has flourished, establishing its plaza as a vibrant hub for community engagement.
Whether it's Christmas in Broken Arrow, the Rose District Farmers Market, Shamrock the Rose, or various other public events, the plaza is Broken Arrow's go-to place for gatherings and celebrations.
“It’s become one of those placemaking spaces that people love to come to, it’s very popular, especially with the Farmers Market,” City Manager Michael Spurgeon said in an interview with News on Six. “We want it to be a place where people continue to come, so we need to expand it.”
Spurgeon says the expansion of the Rose District Plaza will be included in the 2026 General Obligation Bond package that Broken Arrow voters will consider in April.
The purchase of the historic grain silo in the heart of downtown allows the city to maximize the Rose District Plaza’s footprint and make it even more attractive and accessible for people and events.
For several months, the city has been collaborating with architects FSB and the civil engineering firm Kimley-Horn on developing a Master Plan for the Rose District.
City of Broken Arrow Special Projects Division Manager Shannon Marshall said an internal committee was coordinated to include representatives from various city departments, including Engineering and Construction, Maintenance Services, Parks and Recreation, Community Development, and Tourism.
The group brainstormed while collaborating with architects and civil engineers to determine the best use of the space. This led them to three options, which were eventually narrowed down to two.
Marshall presented the City Council with two options for consideration at the public meeting on Nov. 17. Both designs shared similar elements but differed in their arrangement.
“We are keeping the existing splash pad and we’re aligning the open lawn and Farmers Market, so it’s very open,” Marshall said about the first of two conceptual options. “And we’re relocating the pavilion to the north on El Paso Street. This will keep a similar architectural feel along El Paso and create a boulevard through the plaza.”
The City Council ultimately voted unanimously to choose Masterplan Option 1.
“I like either one, but I kind of favor the stage back in the center, because there is more opportunity for people to see it,” said Vice Mayor Johnnie Parks.
With the Farmers Market Pavilion set perpendicular to El Paso Street, City Councilor David Pickel thought it would be more efficient for vendors to load and unload at the market.
“It makes sense to have that pavilion on the north side, I think for everyone who comes in and out of the Farmers Market, to be able to utilize El Paso Street for loading and unloading would be more efficient."
The option chosen from the master plan has the following features:
- Double the size of the covered Pavilion Area to be used during Farmer’s Market, Ice Skating, and Outdoor events.
- Open Lawn with permanent stage
- Encases the existing portion of the smaller open depot pavilion for more restrooms and storage
- Designated Food Truck Alleyway
- Additional play features for the iconic logo around the existing splash pad
- New covered seating is distributed throughout the plaza
- Marked entry and site improvements at Ash St. from the existing public parking lot
- Custom Playground features within the existing Grain Silo
Now that an option has been selected, Marshall says the consultant will finalize the plan and provide an updated cost estimate to ensure it falls within the boundaries of the General Obligation Bond package.
For more information about the 2026 General Obligation Bond, visit the city's website.
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