American Heartland theme park deal 'falls apart': Will Legends Tower still happen?
Though the theme park would've brought attention to the northeast corner of the state, it wasn't the only big-ticket attraction coming to Oklahoma.
Announced in December 2023, the Boardwalk at Bricktown development caught national attention and appears to have slowed, which was expected to start construction in 2024, but has yet to have any permits filed with the city.
After the news broke that American Heartland's lead investor filed a lawsuit against the park's developers and the project was apparently kaput, posters on social media were quick to ask if the Boardwalk at Bricktown project might meet the same fate.
Here's where the project stands today.
Legends Tower marked to be tallest in nation
The height of Legends Tower is set to be 1,907 feet tall, surpassing the One World Trade Center in New York City.
When the tower was announced, the Federal Aviation Administration opposed the tower's height, following warnings from local airports, pilots, and at least one airline that it would jeopardize flight operations in the area.
Julie Morgan, manager of the FAA's Obstruction Evaluation Group in Fort Worth, notified developer Scot Matteson in a Dec. 4, 2024, letter that if the building is built at 1,907 feet high, it will be a "hazard to air navigation."
"The study disclosed that the described structure would have a substantial adverse effect on air navigation," Morgan wrote. "This determination becomes final on January 13, 2025, unless a petition is timely filed."
Nonetheless, developers said that they are working through some of the threats that the FAA has raised.
Matteson told The Oklahoman he is "working through the issues" with the FAA and local and state authorities to mitigate concerns. With the tallest tower being part of phase 2, Matteson said, "We have time to work through those issues."
How tall would Legends Tower be?
If built as planned, the 1,907-foot-tall Legends Tower would be the fourth tower at the Boardwalk at Bricktown, and the tallest in the country, surpassing One World Trade Center's 1,776 feet.
First announced in 2023, the tower would consist of apartments and a hotel.
Developer says 'there's more to come' for the tower's future
In a statement to The Oklahoman, Matteson said the project has not been abandoned and instead is still being developed.
Matteson also said there has been talk about "doing more" and expanding the project.
"There's more to come, that's all I can say," Matteson told The Oklahoman in July.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: American Heartland theme park falls apart: Is Legends Tower still on?
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