Riverwalk now owned by the Creek Nation

[DTowner]

I thought the MCN had plans to build a hotel next to the River Wind casino (where the old casino was located).  My understanding was the plan was on hold due to the economic downturn and flat gaming revenues.  Does not make sense to build a hotel at RW from which to service the casino - proximity is everything for a casino.  Come on, water taxis could never be anything other than a touristy novelty?

As for placing the land in trust, once the tribe owns the land they simply have to apply to the Secretary of the Interior.  Given RW's location in the historical Creek Nation territory, it would be very hard to stop it from happening.  If it happens, then the MCN Lighthorse Patrol likely becomes the only law enforcment entity for the property and patrons at RW stores/restaurants/bars will be subjecting themselves to MCN jurisdiction.  There's a reason its called "sovereignty."

[Conan71]

Hmmm, maybe it would be fun to see Kitchell make a reappearance to see how they deal with scum like him.

[DTowner]

Hmmm, maybe it would be fun to see Kitchell make a reappearance to see how they deal with scum like him.

Sadly, the MCN courts make the Oklahoma courts look sophisticated.

[Conan71]

Sadly, the MCN courts make the Oklahoma courts look sophisticated.

Court??  Who said anything about court? I was interested as to what the MCN police might do with him.

Wasn't that many years ago, you'd hear about unruly people at bingo halls in Osage County being dealt with by security guards then being dumped er released just off the property and they'd call the Osage County Sheriff's Office: "I need to report someone who apparently was hit by a car just outside Double Eagle Bingo Hall.  *Click*"

[SouthTulsaCountyDude]

Will be interesting what happens here.   Masterplan for Riverwalk Crossing is suppose to be revealed soon.   

[In_Tulsa]

I'm hoping they build a huge outlet mall!!

[Ibanez]

I'm hoping they build a huge outlet mall!!

Something like the one in Branson would be nice. That way I wouldn't have to go to Missouri twice a year for my wife's shopping fix.

[SouthTulsaCountyDude]

Wish they would have retained a more nationally known real estate leasing/property company rather than Merit Properties.   Looks like they have renamed themselves as Select Real Estate Services.   No website and no national marketing.     If I am interested in leasing at RiverWalk Crossing, I would want a website where I could see who the other tenants were, etc. 

Just my 2 cents. 

[JCnOwasso]

Something like the one in Branson would be nice. That way I wouldn't have to go to Missouri twice a year for my wife's shopping fix.

Keep that stuff in Branson... or else instead of two trips a year, you will be making monthly trips and still spending the same amount

[heironymouspasparagus]

Keep that stuff in Branson... or else instead of two trips a year, you will be making monthly trips and still spending the same amount

Or more....

[Conan71]

News conference set for 11am:

Muscogee Creek Nation To Announce Plans For Jenks Riverwalk

JENKS, Oklahoma -
We'll soon know what exactly the Muscogee Creek Nation has planned for the land they bought almost three years ago for $11.5 million.

Wednesday the tribe will announce their plans for the Jenks Riverwalk Crossing.

In two recent Muscogee Creek Nation agendas, a law authorized funding for an entertainment facility to be built with an almost $12 million price tag. At the next meeting, the tribe adopted a resolution and agreement to start building that facility.

The more than 20 acres alongside the Arkansas River is prime real estate, and the infrastructure is already in place.

When Riverwalk Crossing opened in 2005 it took off, featuring restaurants, shopping and live music; but a lot has changed in ten years.

The initial developer couldn't handle the business through the recession and the property went into foreclosure in 2011.

Now, the foot traffic is minimal, many restaurants have come and gone – the exception being Los Cabos – and the live music has been silenced.

"It was a sea of people every weekend, just a party, a great environment. We still have that, unfortunately it's a smaller scale now," said Los Cabos General Manager, Connie Delauter.

It doesn't look like the Muscogee Creek Nation plans to keep it small scale, however.

"They're going to work in unison with what they're doing over at Margaritaville and I think that is positive," said Jenks City Planner, Robert Bell.

Bell kept tight lipped about details on the entertainment facility as well.

"I think the users that are going in there, with more of a national type tenant, would recognize that they need to stay open during the times concerts are going on," he said.

"It is a great venue and the Riverwalk is gorgeous. Muscogee Creek Nation has done a great job with landscaping and lighting so they are getting ready for something, let's just hope it's big," Delauter said.

More details will be revealed Wednesday at 11 a.m.; but with the redevelopment and Margaritaville going in just up the river, this could be another catalyst for making the riverfront a regional destination.

http://www.newson6.com/story/27843982/muscogee-creek-nation-to-announce-plans-for-jenks-riverwalk

[Gaspar]

News conference set for 11am:

Equipment is standing by. . .

[DowntownDan]

I never understood why they call it a "Riverwalk" when it doesn't resemble anything I would consider a river 95% of the time.  How about calling it the "Riverbed" walk?

[Conan71]

Dave & Busters on steroids.  I'm guessing Blake Smith isn't happy about this development:

JENKS - The Muscogee (Creek) Nation announced a $22 million entertainment complex that will be built at the Riverwalk Crossing in Jenks.
The facility will offer high-tech virtual golf, family-oriented games, restaurants, sport bar, party rooms and corporate space.
Principal Chief George Tiger said the tribe hoped to have the facility finished in 18 months. It will be built on the site of the shopping center's movie theater, which will be torn down.

"There will be nothing like it within a 250-mile radius of Tulsa," Tiger said.
Riverwalk Crossing originally opened in 2005, filled with shops and restaurants on the west bank of the Arkansas River in Jenks. One by one, storefronts darkened and the crowds thinned.

In early 2011, American National Bank of Texas sued to foreclose on the center, alleging investor David Salomon failed to repay three loans totaling more than $28.1 million.

By the time the Creek Nation bought the property at a foreclosure auction for $11.5 million in April 2012, only a handful of popular destinations, including Los Cabos, The Melting Pot and RiverWalk Movies, remained. The tribe has been focused on revitalizing the site.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/realestate/creeks-announce-million-entertainment-complex-at-jenks-riverwalk-crossing/article_0296b95c-3063-5f71-8756-b16043a72b9e.html

[Gaspar]

Dave & Busters on steroids.  I'm guessing Blake Smith isn't happy about this development:

Sky-bridge to the casino?