Tulsa Ballpark; A Big Hit?

A proposed $60 million minor league baseball park in downtown Tulsa would generate $13 million a year in purchases of local goods and services, according to a study by the Center for Applied Economic Research at Oklahoma State University.

The proposed facility for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League would create an estimated 200 permanent jobs, $4.4 million in annual payroll, and annual total sales tax revenue of $485,000, of which $160,000 would go to the city.

In addition to the permanent benefits, the study said one-time benefits to Tulsa during the construction of the stadium would include $114 million in economic activity and 1,400 construction jobs with a $46.4 million payroll.

The City Council extended the Downtown Tulsa Improvement District and authorized it to increase its annual assessments to 6.5 cents per square foot for property within the district to support $25 million of 30-year bonds for the new ballpark.

Other financing will include $5 million from the stadium lease with the Drillers and $30 million in private contributions.

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