From:
Colin Tawney
TUWC Government Affairs Coordinator
According to our sources at INCOG, Simon has requested another continuance of their zoning hearing before the TMAPC to August 19, 2015.
Based on lack of public support as well as lack of support from the City Council, we cannot see how Simon would still be preparing a site plan for this property.
However, the recent announcement by the City of Jenks that Simon had signed a contract on land south of the Creek Turnpike, was pre-empted by a cancelled press conference.
What does all this mean, and should we still be concerned? Anyone involved with this project has said Simon has been very silent since the forums were held in mid-March. The series of delays and lack of communication on this matter has puzzled government leaders as well as development insiders.
Based on what has happened in other markets where there have been multiple developers vying for an outlet mall in a market which will only support one, this is really not terribly surprising. In other markets where Simon was late to the game, they have used similar tactics to end up either chasing out competition or partnering with another developer. Simon is the undisputed king of outlet retail management companies, they also rule the traditional mall market. With that sort of presence comes the clout to woo all of the major retailers required to develop an outlet mall.
Certainly, we cannot take our eyes off Simon, but with the high cost of infrastructure improvements as well as numerous challenges the Turkey Mountain site presents, there really does not seem to be any reason for Simon to attempt to develop there.
We are continuing to monitor the situation and follow up with city officials as well as contacts we have within the development community. We will have someone attend the June 17 TMAPC meeting to report back on the continuance or if there are any other developments.
