BIG CHANGES COMING TO PLAZA SANTA CECILIA

The plaza may have new owners, but their faces are well known in the community. A partnership between the Ibarra family that owns Supermercados Morelos and Esteban Torres, who owns Azteka Motors and La Que Buena radio, recently purchased the East Tulsa landmark and is pleased to be part of the property’s transformation.

Torres spoke with La Semana this week, and explained that the plaza will have both a new look as well as major upgrades inside and “under the hood.”

“Well, the entire facade is going to be done on the outside,” Torres said. “And it’s going to be Gxed inside too, including ceilings, air conditioners, lights, and plumbing.”

City o#cials were set to gather Wednesday to unveil another aspect of the project that promises to have a big impact for new entrepreneurs – a business incubator like those that have been successful in other parts of the city.

“The Business Incubator at Plaza Santa Cecilia will act as a hub to include robust programmatic support to launch and scale immigrant businesses, a community space to host workshops and classes, as well as an international market- themed retail space for immigrant entrepreneurs to test and market their products,” the City stated. “These unique features will support immigrant entrepreneurs all over the Tulsa metro area, promote tourism, and serve as a model for inclusive economic growth.”

In addition to the investment made by the plaza’s new owners, being the site for the new business incubator brings additional funds to get the project off the ground.

The City of Tulsa invested $1 million in ARPA funding for the Business Incubator, with Tulsa County also contributing $120,000 in ARPA funds. GKFF also contributed $1,400,000 to the project through Elevate East, its new program that is funding an array of initiatives in East Tulsa to lift families and improve neighborhoods.

“Many immigrant entrepreneurs often need help navigating resources, such as how to form an LLC, get permits, and acquire capital,” the City said in a press release. “The Business Incubator at Plaza Santa Cecilia will be the Grst business incubator in Oklahoma to cater specigcally to immigrant entrepreneurs.”

Torres said he is proud to be part of the plaza’s rebirth, which he believes will benegt the entire area.

“I think it's going to be a very, very good project for the east side of the city,” he predicted. “Let’s give life, so that the people who work there have their businesses and can work in a more digniged, safer place and degnitely better facilities.”

“Groundbreaking for construction at Plaza Santa Cecilia is set for summer 2024,” the City stated. “GH2 is the architect for the project.” (La Semana)