Jenks Mayor- Who is Cory Box Jenks?

Mayor Cory Box, elected to City Council in 2017, advocates for less government. However, his policies and use of taxpayer funds suggest alignment with liberal, big-government approaches, contrary to conservative principles. Examples include:

Cal Ripken Experience - Generous tax incentives and prime land were gifted to the developer, yet the land remains empty after years of controversy over the Mayor's mishandling of the deal, leading to a petition to reclaim the land and halt the project.

Library Land - The City of Jenks owns four undeveloped acres in its prime commercial district. Despite taxpayer expense and incentives, the Mayor has again failed to secure a developer deal for the land, estimated to generate $7 million annually. This failure stems from a lack of essential infrastructure when the deal was signed in 2022, causing setbacks and underutilization of this valuable city asset.

The Simon Outlet Mall and Oklahoma Aquarium are in a $200 million TIF. Decades later, land around the Aquarium lacks expected development and ROI. The Simon Mall, open a year, has no adjacent land development. Jenks residents are concerned about the lack of return on public investment.

The Bank development, in another Tax Increment District, is a multi-million dollar project in Jenks with major vacancies years after completion. The Mayor and City of Jenks ironically consider buying it back, drawing criticism as the city struggles to recoup its investment and residents question economic development strategies.

Jenks Riverwalk Crossing- has faced numerous foreclosures seven years after its inception. The Mayor envisions a bay overlooking the Arkansas River, similar to OKC and San Antonio. However, the Arkansas River in Jenks barely qualifies as a creek, often dry with sandbars and debris, making it unsuitable for a "bay" or waterfront district. This disconnect between the Mayor's vision and the river's reality raises questions about his development plans' feasibility and transparency.

Jenks Mayor Cory Box, a conservative Republican, promised fiscal responsibility and economic development. However, his tenure saw the city's largest taxpayer expenditure with minimal recouped incentives. He used millions in taxpayer Covid money and bought a luxury ranch, contrasting his campaign promises. His economic development approach has been criticized for overpromising and underdelivering, leaving taxpayers to fund unsuccessful projects.

The above article is an opinion piece from Jenks Citizens. We encourage everyone to conduct their own research and form their own conclusions based on all publicly available data. While we will provide links to public information, our interpretation and opinion of this information are simply that—our opinion. We do not hold any position within the City and are not professional advisors, just citizens aiming to share with our community.

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