Lankford Champions Jenks Revitalization
- Apr 12
- 3 min read
Downtown Jenks Gets National Recognition for The Ten District as a Model for Downtown Revitalization
JENKS, OKLAHOMA — U.S. Senator James Lankford made a stop in Jenks this week, shining a national spotlight on what's happening in the heart of downtown — and he liked what he saw.
Walking the ten-block stretch that makes up The Ten District, Senator Lankford pointed to the area as a prime example of what happens when federal infrastructure investment meets private-sector vision.
"It's pretty remarkable just to see this area — Tulsa, Jenks, and all of the developments happening," Lankford said, referencing the convergence of the Tulsa Premium Outlets, The Ten District, turnpike construction, highway improvements, river development, and critical water infrastructure that have collectively reshaped the region's trajectory.
From Pass-Through to Destination
For years, Jenks was a community people drove through on their way somewhere else. Senator Lankford sees that story changing — fast. "Jenks is not only a community that is growing on its own, but it's also a community that people pass through to go from one area to another," Lankford said. "To be able to have a district that is set up to say don't drive through — stop — and give people a reason to stop, and not just a reason to stop but a reason to have a destination point — that changes a lot."
That shift from pass-through to destination is exactly the mission behind The Ten District. Ten downtown blocks, deliberately curated to give Jenks and South Tulsa a true gathering place — somewhere worth the trip, not just the commute.
The Instagram Test
Senator Lankford also touched on something every modern retailer, restaurateur, and entertainment concept understands: the experience economy.
"It's a place where I like the atmosphere, and it's a place where I can snap an Instagram photo and say that's a memory of a place," Lankford said. "People want to have that experience with their family or someone significant for a moment, and so places that have a little history and places that look a little different... people can snap a picture, post on social media."
The best districts don't just attract foot traffic — they create moments people want to share. That organic, word-of-mouth marketing is exactly the kind of energy The Ten District is designed to generate.
Federal Investment Meets Local Vision
Lankford made an important distinction about how revitalization actually works. Federal partnership in infrastructure — water systems, roads, transportation corridors — lays the foundation. But it's private investment and local vision that builds what people actually experience when they show up.
The roads bring people to Jenks. The district gives them a reason to stay.
And the impact ripples outward. As Lankford noted, successful development like this strengthens the entire tax base — funding schools, supporting first responders, and creating the kind of community services that attract even more families and businesses to the area.
What This Means for The Ten District
When a U.S. Senator walks your downtown and calls it a model for revitalization, it validates what this community has been building. But we're just getting started.
The Ten District is actively recruiting brands and concepts that align with Jenks and South Tulsa consumers. We've built a suite of free, interactive data tools — including a Market Report with over 267 data points, a comprehensive breakdown of city incentive programs, and a fully interactive version of the Jenks Comprehensive Plan — all designed to give prospective businesses every reason to say yes.
Ten blocks. One mission. The best district in the state of Oklahoma.
To learn more about bringing your concept to The Ten District, visit thetendistrict.com or explore our Market Report, City Incentives, and Jenks Comprehensive Plan.
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