Broken Arrow City Manager talks about potential data center

Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon announced the city's proactive transparency regarding a potential data center development. The Broken Arrow Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation informed Spurgeon that a site selector, representing an unnamed data center company, requested a pre-development meeting with the city's community development department within the next four to eight weeks. Spurgeon explained that the city decided to release information early due to public concerns observed in other communities regarding data center developments. He clarified that the city cannot simply reject the proposal without allowing the applicant to go through the established land development process, which could expose the city to legal liability. The proposed 51-acre site in East Broken Arrow, located near the Creek Turnpike and Highway 51, is currently zoned agricultural, meaning the applicant would need approvals from both the planning commission and city council. The City Manager stressed that no non-disclosure agreements have been signed, nor have city officials met with company representatives or discussed incentives. The pre-development meeting is an internal process for the applicant to learn about city requirements for infrastructure, land use, zoning, and building codes. The city has initiated preliminary discussions with utility providers, including PSO for electricity and Real Water for water, to assess potential impacts. Spurgeon emphasized that the project is not the city's initiative, and they will continue to keep the community informed throughout the process.