REGION 6

BROWNFIELDS

BOK Center—Tulsa, OK

A Catalyst Project to the
Revitalization of Downtown Tulsa

shops; and dry cleaning, electroplating and printing
facilities. The Tulsa Industrial Authority, through its
EPA Brownfields Assessment Grant and support from
the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality,
funded the original assessments. The City of Tulsa
funded the necessary follow-up environmental
investigations, demolition and cleanup to prepare
the site for arena construction, at a cost totaling
$670,000. Approximately 19,000 cubic yards of
contaminated soil were removed, preparing the
site for construction.

The BOK Center opened in 2008. Today, it ranks
ninth in the United States for ticket sales, hosting
approximately 550,000 visitors annually. The
International Association of Venue Managers
selected the BOK Center for its 2011 Venue
Excellence Award. This prestigious award is given
annually to only one arena in the world, recognizing
the best arena based on four criteria in the
management/operation of a public assembly venue.

In 2003, the voters of
Tulsa approved a one-
cent, 13-year increase of
the Tulsa County Sales Tax for regional economic
development and capital improvements, packaged
as "Vision 2025." The projects which would receive
benefit would focus on enhancing the quality of life for
Tulsa citizens by providing desirable jobs, a vibrant
economy, educational opportunities and new venues
of recreation and entertainment.

The BOK Center is one of the first projects completed
from Vision 2025. It features an 18,000-seat arena for
sporting events, concerts, and other productions of all
sizes. Located next to the Central Business District,
the arena complements the revitalization of downtown
Tulsa along with other nearby public facilities such as
the Tulsa Convention Center, hotels, and attractions.
Designed by world-renowned architect, Cesar Pelli,
the BOK Center serves as an unparalleled and
enduring city landmark. Construction began in 2005.
Funding for the $198 million project came primarily
from Vision 2025 county sales taxes and nearly $18
million from arena sponsors.

Before construction could begin in 2005, the city had
to perform environmental site assessments on
approximately 20 individual properties. These sites
had potential contamination from years of use ranging
from auto repair shops; painting operations; machine

As Tulsa continues to implement the Vision 2025
plan, the BOK Center stands as a daily reminder of
the quality of life improvements that have already
occurred and of the good things the future will offer.

May 2012

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