Carter Continues to Grow Its Presence in Enid, Okla.

By Danny Jardine, senior vice president, Carter

ENID, Okla. (April 13, 2011) - Last week, the Enid board of commissioners voted 7-0 to approve a contract with Carter for project management services for the Enid Renaissance project which includes a new event center and renovations to the existing convention hall.

This is a big step for Enid after citizens voted down a 40 million dollar bond referendum for the Gateway Enid project last August. In an effort to revitalize Enid’s downtown, the Gateway Enid project plan included a new event center, renovation of the convention hall, expansion of Cherokee Strip conference center and a large public green area. The vote late last summer has forced the project to be scaled back, but Carter is excited to get started with the now $20 million project. This project will still include the event center construction, which contains an exhibit, concert and multipurpose hall. The new center will be an ideal location for conventions and athletic events. Carter will also complete renovations to the existing convention hall as funding allows. Convergence Design is the architecture firm and Flintco is the construction manager at risk for the project.

When the bond referendum needed for Gateway Enid failed by 132 citizen votes last August, the project was never pronounced dead. Back in February of this year, Carter was asked by the city to help in the negotiations with Flintco. By taking the lead in this process and staying engaged, Carter now serves as the owner’s representative and will provide onsite project management for the city. Carter is expecting construction to begin in early May and the project to be completed by Oct. 1, 2012.

Due to our successful project with the Enid public schools, we have a proven track record in this community. We are excited about bringing jobs to Enid for the project’s construction and stimulating Enid’s current businesses.