Oklahoma City's Economic Development Trust voted unanimously Thursday, Oct. 8, to spend $12 million upgrading water and sewer lines for the state's first proposed Buc-ee's, KFOR reported.

The vote pushes the city's total direct infrastructure commitment for the Buc-ee's project to at least $22 million. The Oklahoma City Council approved a separate $10 million road project at the same site on Sept. 29.

Both projects target the Interstate 40 and Cimarron Road area in far west Oklahoma City, near Yukon. Mayor David Holt has described the area as mostly rural and not built for the traffic a Buc-ee's would draw.

Holt told KFOR on Oct. 7 that the existing roads cannot handle that level of traffic, adding, "If you've ever been to a Buc-ee's, you know what I mean."

The utility proposal follows the council’s Sept. 29 approval of an interchange agreement supported by a $10 million federal grant. The proposed $12 million utility expenditure still requires City Council approval.

The infrastructure money would also support future development surrounding C.E. Page Airport, The Oklahoman reported.

Road project already in motion

The council's Sept. 29 vote sent $10 million in federal funds, secured by former U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, toward rebuilding the I-40 and Cimarron Road interchange. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is contributing $15 million, and CSMS Management LLC, a company owned by Buc-ee's CEO Arch "Beaver" Aplin III, is putting in up to $8 million. The total road project is valued at $25 million.

That vote passed 5-2. Mayor Holt and Council Members Bradley Carter, Todd Stone, Matt Hinkle and Mark Stonecipher voted in favor. Council Members JoBeth Hamon and James Cooper voted against it. Council Members Katrina Avers and Camal Pennington abstained.

Public Works Director Debbie Miller told the council the road project will rebuild the Cimarron bridge from two lanes to five, with dedicated left-turn lanes, realigned ramps and protected turnaround lanes, The Oklahoman reported.

Critics question the price tag

Ward 2 Council Member James Cooper, who voted against the road project, warned at the Sept. 29 meeting that the spending would spur more development and consume farmland.

"I'm worried about losing our farm and country land, especially for gas stations," Cooper said at the meeting, according to The Oklahoman. "There has to be a moment where we can say 'no.'"

Oklahoma City resident Michael Washington echoed that concern during public comment, telling the council that Buc-ee's should invest more of its own money rather than relying on public funds, The Journal Record reported.

City Manager Craig Freeman said the week of the Sept. 29 vote that the city is not providing a direct incentive to Buc-ee's. Holt has said the store will be a sales tax boost, telling the council on Sept. 29 that he expects drivers from hundreds of miles away to choose this location over other stops along the interstate.

ODOT has said road construction could tentatively begin as early as 2028, pending approvals from the city and Buc-ee's. A Buc-ee's spokesperson declined to comment as of the Sept. 29 council vote, KFOR reported.