Nichols taps former mayor to guide financing and development of convention center headquarters hotel.
TULSA — Former Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor has been selected to lead Tulsa’s effort to develop a downtown convention center headquarters hotel, a major economic development project city leaders hope will strengthen the city’s convention business and continue downtown revitalization.
Mayor Monroe Nichols announced Taylor’s appointment this week, saying her experience leading major public development projects made her the logical choice to help steer the project through financing and development.
Taylor currently serves as chairwoman of the Tulsa Public Facilities Authority, which is expected to own the project. Nichols told the Tulsa World that Taylor’s experience overseeing development of the BOK Center and ONEOK Field gives her the background needed to guide another complex public-private partnership.
The proposed hotel would be built on the site of the current Police Courts Building adjacent to the Arvest Convention Center. City officials have estimated the project will cost between about $350 million and $400 million, with additional infrastructure improvements also planned.
Officials continue working to close a funding gap and develop a financing plan. City leaders have said the project will move forward only if they determine it represents a sound investment for taxpayers.
Construction also depends on completion of Tulsa’s new public safety center, expected to open in fall 2027, allowing demolition of the existing Police Courts Building. City officials have previously said they hope to open the hotel in 2029.
