Oklahoma City, September 14, 2025
News Summary
Plans for a 50-acre sports-driven entertainment district in southeast Oklahoma City and a separate downtown arena have moved from planning to contractor selection, pushing both projects toward construction. The district, led by Echo Investment Capital with Populous as master architect, will center on a new stadium and link nearby attractions for professional soccer, concerts and community events. A Flintco–Mortenson joint team secured the downtown arena contract. JR Jensen added experienced project manager Heath Pickens to its team. City leaders cite renewed downtown access and sustained reinvestment as drivers for advancing both builds.
OKC’s Arena and Sports District Move Forward as Heath Pickens Joins JR Jensen and Echo Investment Capital Unveils 50-Acre District
Updated September 14, 2025 — In a bid to accelerate two high-profile downtown projects, Heath Pickens has joined the JR Jensen team as project manager, bringing more than 15 years of commercial construction experience to the firm. He earned his degree in construction management technology from Oklahoma State University and began his career as a field engineer in Texas, rising into project management and scheduling roles thereafter. In recent years he worked as an owner’s representative for Oklahoma State University and Life Church, overseeing multiple multimillion-dollar builds. His portfolio includes leading the $350 million Dallas Love Field Airport expansion and a $50 million Air Force barracks project, along with numerous church and hospitality projects. His skill set spans estimating, scheduling, design-build delivery, contract negotiations, and project execution, with a strong emphasis on fostering robust client and subcontractor relationships.
Raised on a farm in Oklahoma, Pickens emphasizes integrity, craftsmanship, meaningful connections, and family time, and he has participated in mission work, including helping build homes in Juarez, Mexico with Amor Ministries. His appointment signals continued emphasis on steady, relationship-driven project execution as a cornerstone for large-scale ventures in the region.
The downtown area has reopened after three years of street construction, setting the stage for two major developments that aim to redefine Oklahoma City’s urban core. In the same week, a new 50-acre sports-driven entertainment district was announced by Echo Investment Capital, marking a bold expansion beyond the city’s existing sports and entertainment offerings.
Weather in the area today: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 63°F, high winds from the ENE at 10 to 20 mph, areas of fog, and a low around 58°F with lighter ENE winds. Such conditions are typical for early-fall planning as the city gears up for construction milestones.
The 50-Acre District: Location, Vision, and Key Players
Echo Investment Capital announced the 50-acre development in southeast Oklahoma City, just south of the Harkins Theatre in Bricktown. The project positions itself as a central, walkable playground that connects major civic and athletic anchors. Populous, a master architect for the district, frames the space as a critical “missing puzzle piece” in Oklahoma City’s urban fabric, designed to knit together Riversport, the Convention Center, the Thunder arena, and Bricktown.
The district envisions a vibrant, walkable entertainment district at the heart of downtown OKC, with a stadium capable of hosting soccer matches and large concerts. A former Thunder legend, Russell Westbrook, has been named creative director for the project, bringing international experience in art and design to collaborate with Populous and other design talents. The leadership team says Westbrook’s involvement will help translate Oklahoma City’s sports and cultural identity into the district’s visual and experiential language.
Staging details for the district include a timeline that sets construction to begin in February 2026 and a completion target of June 2028. The plan underscores the district’s role as a venue for professional soccer, high-profile concerts, and other high-demand regional events, with flexible facilities designed to adapt to different kinds of entertainment.
The Downtown Arena: City-Funded Momentum and Builder Commitments
Separately, the city has completed the process of selecting construction partners for a new downtown arena. A contract has been approved with Flintco and Mortenson to deliver the project, reflecting a focus on a state-of-the-art, sustainable, and visitor-friendly design. The design approach emphasizes fan comfort, including seats that are more comfortable and larger with improved legroom, better pathways, and updated restroom locations. Early-stage work will convert conceptual design information into a project estimate over the next two and a half weeks, a key milestone that signals readiness to move forward.
Project leaders describe the arena as a balance between modern aesthetics and references to Oklahoma City’s sporting heritage. One project executive notes that the design will be “full of energy, but grounded in practicality,” and that the team will address infrastructure assessment as a first challenge—determining which systems must stay and which can be updated as part of the arena’s integrated build.
With both the district and arena moving through their respective planning and procurement phases, city officials emphasize the importance of timely execution and sustainable investment in downtown redevelopment. The combined effort aims to create a cohesive, multi-use ecosystem that supports professional sports, community events, and a broader entertainment economy, anchored by a new stadium and an adjacent entertainment district that are designed to attract visitors year-round.
Key Milestones and Next Steps
Major milestones include the start of construction in February 2026 and the projected completion in June 2028 for both the district and the arena project streams, ensuring synchronized development in the downtown core. City officials will continue to monitor design refinements, budget alignment, and infrastructure requirements as the teams move toward the estimate phase and formalized construction start.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Heath Pickens’ new role? He is the project manager for JR Jensen, bringing extensive experience in large-scale commercial construction and owner’s representation.
- Where is the 50-acre sports-driven entertainment district located? In southeast Oklahoma City, just south of the Harkins Theatre in Bricktown, with Populous as master architect.
- Who is the master architect for the district? Populous is identified as the master architect for the project.
- When does construction begin and end for the district and arena? Construction for the district and arena is scheduled to start in February 2026 and reach completion in June 2028.
- Who is the creative director for the sports district? Russell Westbrook has been named the creative director for the entertainment district.
- What venues are involved in these developments? A new stadium and an adjacent entertainment district are planned, with a downtown arena also advancing in planning and construction.
- What design priorities are highlighted for the arena? Priorities include improved seating comfort, more legroom, better pathways, and updated restroom locations to enhance fan experience.
- What is the broader goal for downtown OKC with these projects? To create a vibrant, walkable entertainment district that connects Riversport, the Convention Center, the Thunder arena, and Bricktown while supporting a variety of sports and events.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Role change | Heath Pickens becomes project manager at JR Jensen |
| District scope | 50-acre sports-driven entertainment district in southeast OKC near Bricktown |
| Master architect | Populous |
| Creative director | Russell Westbrook appointed for the entertainment district |
| Timeline for district | Construction begins February 2026; completion June 2028 |
| Downtown arena | Contract awarded to Flintco and Mortenson; design focuses on comfort and accessibility |
| Timeline for arena | Construction begins February 2026; completion June 2028 |
| Design priorities | Better seating, more legroom, improved pathways and restrooms |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
Additional Resources
- KOCO: Sports‑entertainment district, soccer plans for OKC
- Wikipedia: Oklahoma City sports district
- ArcGIS StoryMaps: OKC development / district map
- Google Search: OKC sports district map
- KOCO: New downtown arena construction and design details
- Google Scholar: Flintco Mortenson arena construction
- Free Press OKC: MAPS 4 innovation district connectivity projects
- Encyclopedia Britannica: MAPS 4 Oklahoma City
- The Journal Record: Achievers Under 40 (2025)
- Google News: Heath Pickens JR Jensen Oklahoma City
