WAGONER, Okla. — The City of Wagoner is building a new outdoor entertainment venue.

“We’re hoping this would be a mechanism to draw people to the downtown area and help support the existing businesses that are here,” said Chris Edwards, Wagoner District 2 County Commissioner and Economic Development Board member. 

Edwards said this project has been in the works for about a year. They’re calling it the junction, it will be Wagoner’s first ever outdoor entertainment venue.

In addition to a stage and sound system, there will also be space for people to hang out. 

“A place for people to come relax and hangout, enjoy the downtown and revitalize what once used to be here,” said Edwards. 

Local bands, schools, and more will come perform there. 

“It’s just for anybody that wants to come do standup comedy and showcase their talents” said Edwards. 

The junction is going into a space downtown they call the burned out building area.

In 2017, a fire ripped through and destroyed century old buildings. They’re building the junction where one of the buildings used to stand.

But Edwards says they’re working on incorporating bricks from those original buildings into the new venue. 

“Preserve the history of these buildings in some way, some small token where it continues to live on,” said Edwards. 

Kristen Mallet with the City of Wagoner says the junction is a collaboration between the city, economic development authority and private donors. Each group is putting $300,000 toward it, $900,000 in total. 

“It will definitely be an impact to our local businesses,” said Mallett. 

Mallet says they expect the junction to bring more people and businesses to downtown Wagoner. 

“We anticipate many many people coming here to this area to shop and spend money at our local businesses so not only will that benefit them, but it will benefit the city who is funded on sales tax,” said Mallett. 

They expect this project to be completed in May or June of 2024.