Broken Arrow's Rose District Plaza Expansion: A Vision for Growth and Community Engagement
11/25/2025 10:23am
BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — The Rose District in downtown Broken Arrow is gearing up for a possible exciting expansion, with plans set to double the size of the existing plaza and add several new amenities aimed at boosting local business and community engagement. This project will be part of the 2026 General Obligation Bond Package, which will be considered by voters in April 2026.
The expansion plan, approved earlier this month by the Broken Arrow City Council, includes a variety of new features that are designed to enhance the district’s appeal. These features include a larger pavilion, a permanent stage for events, an expanded food truck area, and a custom playground surrounding the iconic silo. City Manager Michael Spurgeon expressed his excitement about the changes, saying the plan will create more opportunities for people to gather while keeping the small-town charm that Broken Arrow is known for.
“We are very excited about this project,” said Spurgeon. “The Rose District is one of the key places where people come to support local businesses and enjoy the farmers market. Expanding this area will create even more opportunities for folks to gather, engage, and enjoy what this community has to offer.”
Spurgeon highlighted that the addition of a permanent stage will make the district a central hub for concerts, festivals, and other community events, with the historic silo serving as a dramatic backdrop. “It’s going to create more opportunities for events and more people to engage with our community,” Spurgeon added. “This is the perfect time to expand, as it’s part of our broader vision to help Broken Arrow grow while maintaining its small-town feel.”
The city manager also emphasized that expanding the pavilion and food truck areas will make the Rose District an even better place for locals to gather and enjoy food, music, and shopping. “The farmers market is one of the best around, and with these additions, we’ll be able to accommodate more vendors, more people, and create an even better atmosphere for everyone,” he explained.
Sarah Lopp, owner of Funktified, a popular business in the Rose District, is thrilled by the expansion plans. “We absolutely love it. The whole plan looks amazing,” Lopp said. “Broken Arrow tends to be a little bit of a hidden gem, and the more people who discover it, the better for everyone. This expansion looks like a huge attraction not only for our business but for the whole district.”
Lopp sees the expansion as a major opportunity for local businesses to grow. Her shop, Funktified, already benefits from the foot traffic brought in by the farmers market every Saturday morning, and she expects the expanded plaza to attract even more visitors to the area. “We get a lot of business from the farmers market, so if they expand it and add more events, it’s definitely going to bring more people to us,” Lopp noted.
For Lopp and other business owners in the area, the expansion will create a bigger sense of community and open up new possibilities. “We love everything that’s happening down here in the Rose District,” she said. “We’re a big part of it and really plugged into the community, so we’re excited for what’s coming. I’m looking forward to the events, whether they’re in the morning or evening. For our store, we’ll accommodate—we’re happy to open early or stay late to make sure we help foster that community feel.”
While the expansion is being hailed as a positive step forward, there are some considerations about how best to preserve the district’s beloved charm while creating space for new opportunities. Spurgeon noted that the Option One plan, which was approved, offers an open layout that complements the existing space and allows for future growth. This design keeps the pavilion just north of the silo, providing a more spacious and welcoming feel.
“Option One is the best choice because it maintains the open area we’ve all come to love,” Spurgeon said. “It’s important that we make sure we don’t crowd out the existing features that make the Rose District so special, like the silo and the farmers market. This expansion will still give us room to grow, but it won’t overwhelm the space.”
The Rose District expansion is now part of the upcoming General Obligation Bond Package, which will go before voters on April 27, 2026. If approved, the project will be funded through the bond and is expected to transform downtown Broken Arrow into an even more vibrant and engaging space.
For Lopp and other local business owners, the expansion presents an exciting future. “The more people that find Broken Arrow, the better it is for everybody,” Lopp said. “This is going to bring more people, more events, and more opportunities to grow our businesses.”
