As one of Oklahoma’s fastest-growing suburbs, Jenks has been the site of many exciting developments. These projects aim to improve the quality of life for residents and position Jenks as a recreational destination.
Tulsa Premium Outlets, also known as the Simon Outlet Mall, which opened in August, has been one of the most highly anticipated developments in the city, costing an estimated $100 million. The open-air shopping center consists of more than 80 premium brands, offering patrons discounted prices of up to 65%.
A 10-Year Project
Although it may seem like the outlet mall cropped up overnight, the project has been in development for a decade. Simon Property Group first announced its plans to develop the space in Jenks in 2015.
“The Simon Outlet Mall will provide much needed shopping to our residents,” says Christopher Shrout, the city manager for Jenks. “Many residents live here but work in Tulsa because we haven’t always had the amenities related to entertainment and shopping.”
Another reason for Jenks’ selection is its close proximity to highway U.S. 75 and the Creek Turnpike.
“You can get anywhere in the Tulsa metro from Jenks within 15 minutes. It’s also an enviable location for visitors from Arkansas, southern Missouri and Kansas,” explains Shrout.
Simon planned to open the mall in 2017. However, the company faced setbacks along the way. Construction, which eventually broke ground in 2020, was put on hold due to supply chain issues. The project resumed in 2023, and negotiations for retail leases began in the fall of that year.
Community Impact
At the time of the development’s announcement, there were two other proposals for outlet malls in the Tulsa area, which ultimately did not pan out. Most notably, Simon planned to open an outlet mall on the west side of Turkey Mountain – a project that was opposed by the Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition.
Jenks, however, has been a different story. Local business owners have welcomed the outlet mall with open arms. City officials estimate that it will attract 7 million visitors annually and create over 800 jobs.
“The economic impact that this will have on Jenks is going to be in the hundreds of millions of dollars,” says Shrout. “Not just from the sales at the mall, but from ancillary sales at other restaurants and stores in Jenks.”
Recognizing the opportunity the outlet mall would bring, the city revamped its tax increment financing districts to support the project. The additional funding has gone not only to the mall, but to other ongoing projects near the Oklahoma Aquarium and Jenks Riverwalk.
Tulsa Premium Outlets brings a variety of classic brands to the greater Tulsa market. Some of the tenants include Tory Burch, Vineyard Vines and Polo Ralph Lauren.
Designed as an open-air concept, the 340,000-square-foot space features a two-acre children’s park and playground, a restaurant and a large decorative fountain. More than 1,000 construction workers and contractors contributed to the project.
Simon, the company behind the development, owns over 250 retail properties, including the Woodland Hills Mall in Tulsa.
“We’ve been working with Simon for a while, and they’ve been a great community partner,” says Shrout.
Infrastructure Expansion
Given the projected number of visitors, Jenks has been expanding its infrastructure to accommodate increased traffic flow and pedestrian activity. Developers intentionally designed a one-way traffic circle that leads up to the mall in an effort to eliminate traffic jams. The outlet mall also features 2,000 public parking spaces.
The city has focused on improving the roads near the attraction, too.
“We’ve widened Main Street from two to four lanes for about two miles, from Highway 75 to Elm,” says Shrout. The City of Jenks also added a new interchange near the Turnpike on Elm Street.
To improve the city’s walkability, government leaders have constructed walking and biking trails that provide access to the mall. The city will continue expanding its infrastructure, with plans to widen Elm Street from three to five lanes.
More in Store
Tulsa Premium Outlets is just one of many new projects that will transform the Jenks landscape. Reviving Main Street, for example, has been a big focus for several years.
“The city council has prioritized incentivizing new businesses and supporting existing businesses,” says Shrout. “We’ve been working hard to ensure that – although we have a huge retail destination with the outlet mall – we maintain our small-town charm with our Main Street.”
New office spaces and restaurants are in the works, including a concept from the McNellie’s Group: City Hall Steak & Cocktail. A full-service hospital, operated by Ascension St. John, is slated to open south of Main Street as well.
The area surrounding the Oklahoma Aquarium is also a hot spot for development. Opening in 2025, Camp Pickle will be a 1940s-inspired restaurant and bar that features 10 pickleball courts. High 5, a multi-story family entertainment venue, is another up-and-coming project.
“We’re going to see even more visitors coming to the mall, the aquarium and everything else that there is to do in Jenks,” says Shrout. “We have a lot going on … and I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon.”
Photo credit: The Simon Outlet Mall/Tulsa Premium Outlets, a project ten years in the making, opened in August with retail stores, a children’s park and restaurant. Photos courtesy the City of Jenks
