Midtown OKC Development Revived with Mixed-Use Project and Park Plan

After years of sitting dormant, a long-discussed development site in Oklahoma City’s Midtown district is finally moving forward — with developers unveiling plans for a mixed-use building and public park they hope to begin as early as 2026, pending city approval.

The vacant plot, idle for more than three years, was originally expected to host a large-scale project inspired by Chicago’s West Loop back in 2022, but that concept never materialized. Now, Midtown Renaissance, led by Chris Fleming, has taken control and redesigned the project to better fit current market realities.

“We took a look at the project with fresh eyes given the construction cost of where we are today and how we could potentially make the project more efficient,” Fleming said.

Introducing "The Eddie"

The new proposal, called “The Eddie,” will include:

• A five-story building
• 13,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space — potentially housing restaurants, retail, or neighborhood services
• Four levels of one- and two-bedroom apartments above

What sets the development apart is its emphasis on public space. A portion of Classen Drive would be permanently closed and converted into a community park.

“It’ll be a park programmed for various uses throughout the course of the year and also just a place to hang out,” Fleming said.

Design plans include an amphitheater and pedestrian-friendly pathways meant to boost connectivity and walkability across Midtown.

Funding Hinges on TIF Support

To make the project viable, developers are requesting access to Classen Corridor TIF (Tax Increment Financing) funds, which redirect future tax revenue from the district back into local improvements.

“The TIF helps plug the financial gap that makes the project buyable to developers to pursue and complete,” Fleming explained.

The TIF committee has already voted in favor of allocating funds from the Classen Revitalization Project, and the proposal now awaits final approval from the Oklahoma City Council.

If approved on schedule, construction could start in 2026 with completion targeted for 2027.

Looking Ahead

City leaders and residents alike view the project as a major step toward revitalizing a key block in Midtown, transforming an empty lot into an active community hub with retail, housing, and green space.

Developers say the goal is not just to build, but to stitch the neighborhood together — combining density, lifestyle amenities, and public gathering space in one destination.

Originally reported by Alyse Jones in KoCo News.