Chick-fil-A confirms new Sand Springs location

View fullsize

The City of Sand Springs has been developing new land and beautifying the city to try and attract new businesses in recent years. Pictured here is the entrance to the new Sheffield Crossing development, where the City hopes to attract a large box store.

The City of Sand Springs announced Wednesday the upcoming arrival of national restaurant retailer Chick-fil-A to Sheffield Crossing at Sand Springs. The announcement comes immediately following the successful closing at the city-owned site. Following construction, which should commence in early 2020, Chick-fil-A says the new restaurant will be open late 2020

“While we are still early in the process, Chick-fil-A is happy to share that we have chosen our first location in the Sand Springs area,” reads the short statement. “We look forward to working through the approval process with the city and are excited by the prospect of joining this vibrant community. We hope to have the opportunity to serve new guests delicious food in an environment of genuine hospitality.”

Chick-fil-A is a quick service restaurant known for its original chicken sandwich and signature hospitality. Part of the way they achieve this hospitality is through local ownership of its restaurants. The Sand Springs Operator will not only work in the community, but also live in the area as well. Chick-fil-A Operators look for opportunities to creatively serve and have a positive impact on their local communities.

This announcement is the first of what the City hopes will be many more updates as work continues at the Sheffield Crossing at Sand Springs site. With more than 80,000 vehicles passing by daily and a trade area of 100,000 customers, this retail site is one of the best in the N.W. Tulsa metro region. Land adjacent to the Chick-fil-A site is also ready for retail development.

Success at the Sheffield Crossing at Sand Springs development area has been based on several key partnerships, which helped build support and gain momentum. Leaders at OmniTRAX (previous owners of the industrial site) worked collaboratively with the City of Sand Springs to plan for future development. Sand Springs voters passed a 2017 General Obligation Bond measure securing revenue to be used on economic development projects within the community. Without the support of leadership from our City Council, OmniTRAX and from Sand Springs voters, the site would likely remain in its former state.

“We wish to express our deep appreciation to the voters of Sand Springs, OmniTRAX, ODOT, and the many other partners we’ve worked with along the way to help make this announcement possible,” said James O. Spoon, Mayor of Sand Springs. “Our council and staff have worked diligently for many years to share exciting news such as this, and we look forward to providing more good news from Sheffield Crossing at Sand Springs in the future.”

Additionally, the City would like to acknowledge the help of Orion Realty Advisors, Tri-Star Construction, and O.D.O.T. Special recognition should be given to Tri-Star Construction, who (as part of a $1.7M construction contract) constructed an entry road, highway turn lane, traffic signals and all public utilities necessary to serve the development and the Chick-fil-A pad site.

In the months ahead City staff will be examining preliminary layout options for the site including infrastructure, utilities, grading and drainage. Much work will be happening at the site in 2020 to coordinate additional improvements, planned by O.D.O.T. in the years ahead along the Highway 97 corridor.

For more information about the City of Sand Springs, please visit www.sandspringsok.org and follow the City’s social media on Facebook and Instagram for the latest updates. Inquiries regarding Sheffield Crossing at Sand Springs may contact City Manager Elizabeth Gray at 918-246-2502 or eagray@sandsprings ok.org.

The Atlanta-based company currently operates 47 locations in Oklahoma, including nine in the Tulsa Metropolitan area. They have 2,500 restaurants throughout the United States and Canada.

Sand Springs has been pushing hard for economic growth in recent years, developing two City-owned properties in the Highway 412 corridor. The River West Shopping Center has attracted a Holiday Inn Express, Colton’s Steak House, El Maguey Mexican Restaurant, Warren Clinic, ALDI, Starbucks, CVS, and IHOP.

The City has plans for numerous infrastructure and aesthetic improvements throughout the City. A main-street extension is currently in the works that will connect Main Street to Highway 97 right before the Arkansas River bridge, and will add a frontage road connecting Main Street to the Highway 412 on-ramp at Lincoln Avenue. The City is also negotiating with OmniTRAX to purchase a 7-to-10-acre tract for a proposed roadway over the Arkansas River/Highway 97 levee that separates Case Community Park from the Sheffield Crossing development.

At Monday night’s regular City Council meeting, Council approved an $84,000 investment in tree-planting and landscaping along the highway corridors to improve the aesthetic appeal of the City in the eyes of potential investors and developers. A wall is currently being constructed around the City’s water treatment plant at the corner of Highway 97 and Morrow Road, which will also feature decorative landscaping to shield the public’s view of the facilities.