Recurring words used about Newcastle at the Coffee with the City
If you’ve driven around Newcastle recently, you can’t miss the construction and activity that is taking place.
In Tri City, there are lots being cleared along State Highway 37 and new businesses are holding their ribbon cuttings. On State Highway 9, there’s a new Braum’s which is about to open, and a new Taco Bell is open for business. Along Main Street, property south and east of the SH-32 intersection is nearing completion, and the City has begun utilities work on their property at Main Street and E. Fox Lane.
These areas and more were the focus of a Coffee with the City held Friday morning at Newcastle City Hall. The overall theme at the Coffee was of successes in past planning and growth today and in the foreseeable future. In fact, a term that was used to describe Newcastle was “Great and Growing.”
Assistant City Manager Jeannette McNally welcomed the attendees to the Coffee, and then excitedly began describing how quickly things are changing in Newcastle including the new Eastto- West Turnpike which will connect Newcastle to Moore and Norman. She said because of times such as the backup experienced on U.S. Interstate 44 this week due to the I-44 construction and a fatality wreck on U.S. Interstate 240, getting over the South Canadian River is important.
She said the turnpike project is now “full steam ahead” and area drivers will be able to drive that route by September 2027. She pleaded for residents to be patient with the project.
McNally said there are some architectural renderings, which have not yet been released to the public, on how the Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Newcastle might look. She said these plans are being taken to their govern- ment for approval, and then the public will likely see more information being released.
McNally said the renderings are “absolutely stunning,” and show a beautiful campus.
Housing continues to be active in Newcastle. McNally said there were 39 singlehome permits pulled at City Hall in January. She said the developers continue to look at Newcastle for housing.
“People want to be here, and why would you not,” she asked.
She said there are many commercial entities wanting to locate in Newcastle, but said she could not make any official announcements.
She did say that before too long, “No matter what your hobby is, you will be able to spend money here.”
She added, “We will have a lot of new buildings coming. People have been holding onto their land in anticipation of the turnpike coming.”
McNally said the City continues to work on infrastructure needs for the nineacre property at Main Street and E. Fox Lane, and there are other lots in Newcastle that are working their way through the process with Newcastle City Council. She said there will also be activity soon on Main Street and North 24th Street on land north of the Newcastle Christian Church.
McNally said the City continues working towards a second sewer plant on SH-9 to service the southern end of Newcastle. She said there is a new Taco Bell in the area, and also a Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store which will open soon.
“You’ll see some new things in that area,” she said.
McNally said it seems everywhere you look in Newcastle there is a survey crew working, and “we are blessed to be here with the business community and the city leaders we have.”
She noted that everything takes time and money, and the past planning by the City leaders has given the City the opportunities it has today.
She said the Pavilion Grant for a new facility at Veterans Park is almost complete. It had been stalled by federal issues with this type of grant, and although there is no start date yet, it is about to begin moving forward. This is a $1 million grant to build a pavilion and amenities at the park, which can be used for gatherings, city functions, and the Fa rme r s ’ Market. She said, as noted in last week’s issue of the Newc a s tle Pacer, there is a 2,000 square foot expansion of Newcastle Library underway by the Pioneer Library System.
A $1 million grant at the Newcastle Sports Facility will enhance the parking lots and entrances, and pay for some Americans with Disabilities Act provisions. This grant, she said, was applied for and planned for before COVID 19. It would have paid for a much larger project at the time, but won’t go as far in post COVID dollars.
McNally said the Newcastle Parks & Recreation Master Plan is underway and is paying dividends for quality of life.
Parks & Recreation Board member Cindy Frizzell said she doesn’t care how small a project is that Parks and Rec are doing, she still gets excited. She noted the changes at Veterans Park, the walking trail, and SplashPad, as well as the trees.
McNally said Newcastle is building a community for all, and noted the kids who are already utilizing the parks and facilities including handicapped children. She said the City strives for better sidewalks and better safety, as well.
City Council member Gene Reid said he likes to call Newcastle a 5-Star Community, and asked “who wouldn’t want to live here.”
Reid said his five stars include the Business Climate, City Government and Operations, Newcastle Public Schools, and the Churches.
He said, “The fifth star is God‘s blessing of putting us here in the center of the state, next-door to the great cities of Oklahoma City, Moore, Norman, Blanchard, Tuttle. Alongside the river and several miles of State and Interstate highways. And we have 62 square miles, which equates to approximately 40,000 acres of beautiful central Oklahoma landscape.”
