In a recent government meeting, officials discussed the continuation and expansion of a pilot program aimed at promoting local shopping and dining for visitors in Broken Arrow. The initiative, which offers free rides to the Rose District and New Orleans Square for hotel guests, has seen approximately 258 trips over two years, with a total expenditure of around $7,000—significantly less than the initial $50,000 budgeted for the pilot. Feedback from the Visit Broken Arrow Board has been positive, leading to a recommendation to formalize the program in the city’s budget.

To enhance the program's effectiveness, officials plan to extend the service hours to accommodate new businesses in the Rose District that operate until 2 AM. Additionally, there are discussions to include transportation to and from Tulsa Airport, which stakeholders believe would further benefit local hotels and attract more visitors.

The meeting also addressed the approval of Resolution 1603, which pertains to the issuance of general obligation bonds for various projects, including transportation and quality of life improvements. The bonds, totaling nearly $20 million, are part of a series approved by citizens in a 2018 election, with the city set to sell them in the coming month.

Furthermore, the council approved a contract for professional consulting services with traffic engineer Luke Schmidt from Kimley Horn. This move aims to improve traffic management in the growing community, with Schmidt expected to provide data-driven insights and innovative solutions for traffic flow and signal optimization.

Overall, the meeting highlighted the city’s commitment to enhancing visitor experiences and addressing infrastructure needs, with plans for ongoing evaluation and adaptation of programs to better serve the community.