A third group unveils its plan for a Tulsa outlet mall.
Horizon Group Properties plans to build The Outlet Shoppes at Tulsa near where I-44 and I-244 meet. The company estimates the project will create nearly 4,000 jobs total. CEO Gary Skoien said don’t count on Tulsa having three outlets, though.
"Just to be very clear, there's not going to be two outlet centers or three outlet centers in Tulsa, just like there's not going to be another outlet center in Oklahoma City," Skoien said. "The cities are of a size that, you know, can only really support one outlet center."
The other announced projects are a Simon Properties development near Turkey Mountain and a Cherokee Nation outlet mall near the Hard Rock Casino.
Skoien said all three groups are working on securing leases for their projects, and these sorts of developments don't begin building until 60–70 percent of the leases are signed.
Land owner Bob Stearn said Horizon Group's 355,000-square foot, upscale outlet mall will help with the dearth of hotels near the airport.
"There will be many hoteliers — there's already been many that's expressed interest in building everything from the Marriott brands to the Hilton brands to limited-service hotels to a full-service hotel," Stearn said.
Horizon Group is working to secure leases now. Its plans call for 90 retailers and a summer 2015 groundbreaking.
