Collinsville, Oklahoma

A Historic Heart Embracing Modern Growth

 

Exploring sustainability and historic preservation as pillars for rapid city development

One big factor usually indicates whether or not a developing city will experience a rapid wave of expansion. The city’s leaders often manage things with a particular balance of progress and preservation.

That’s exactly what can be seen in the charming city of Collinsville.

Nestled in the heart of Oklahoma, Collinsville is a community steeped in history, charm, and progress. Located just half an hour north of Tulsa, this town has become a beacon of growth and innovation while holding tight to its roots.

By balancing the preservation of its historical charm with modern development initiatives, the city stands on the cusp of significant growth.

Efforts in expanding infrastructure to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and attracting commercial investments that complement residential growth have been especially crucial to the city’s development.

Equally important, Collinsville leaders have fostered lasting partnerships with developers, supporting sustainable business practices, and are working closely with state-level initiatives to position the city as a key player in Oklahoma’s economic landscape.

On the residential level, Collinsville constantly nurtures its vibrant community.

It preserves its historical downtown district while promoting new, modern amenities that enhance the quality of life for both long-time residents and newcomers.

Thanks to a focus on supporting local businesses, improving public parks, and maintaining a focus on public safety, Collinsville assures its residents a strong foundation as it evolves.

Today, Collinsville is a thriving hub of commerce and community, a city where economic opportunity and quality of life are in harmony, offering a mix of small-town charm and big-city amenities while keeping its roots intact.

This unique balance of small-town appeal and access to big-city amenities is a rare combination that has made it an attractive destination for businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

A Historical Foundation

Collinsville’s rich history is palpable, with its downtown area still featuring brick roads and buildings dating back to the 1800s.

As it approaches a population milestone of 10,000, the community is preparing for the challenges and opportunities that come with rapid growth.

With a clear focus on preserving its culture and heritage, Collinsville’s leadership is determined to maintain its identity while embracing the future.

“One of the things we’ve done is establish a Historic Preservation District. We’ve received our historical Main Street designation, and we are protecting that identity and culture while also embracing the outskirts development,” says City Manager Chuck Ralls.

The Historic Preservation District is complimented by a Historic Preservation Committee that includes property owners, planners, and local historians. This group works collectively to ensure that the historical significance of Collinsville’s Main Street is maintained, creating an environment where history and modernity coexist.

The city’s Main Street, now designated as the “Depot District,” stretches four blocks and is home to buildings that have witnessed over a century of local evolution.

At the east end, the historic train depot, built in 1908, is currently being transformed into a museum, accompanied by a turn-of-the-century caboose — one of only 40 remaining in the United States!

In collaboration with the Cherokee Nation and private partners, the city is also developing a $3.5 million Depot Park, further solidifying the historical importance of the railway to Collinsville past and future.

“We’re embracing the historical significance of the railroad in our community… so the railroad made a huge role in transporting products across the country, and the world in some cases, to service men and women back during  World War I,” Ralls explains.

This dedication to preserving history is a key part of the city’s identity, and also a big factor behind its support of veterans.

The city recently fully restored and renovated its veterans’ building — built towards the end of World War II — and hosts an annual Purple Heart Day celebration to recognize Collinsville citizens who have received the acknowledgment.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about the city is that even with all the efforts to preserve it doesn’t hinder Collinsville from embracing growth and modernization.

Sustainable Preparation for Commercial and Population Growth

“Our residential growth is outpacing our commercial growth at this point, we have subdivisions either under construction or with plans permitted but not yet in construction,” Ralls states, explaining that Collinsville’s population is soaring, with over 500 new homes currently under construction or in the planning stages.

While the residential boom is impressive, it presents challenges that the city is addressing head-on. “We want to be careful not to become just a bedroom community,” Ralls says, regarding city overcrowding and its effects on quality of life.

As such, Collinsville is focused on encouraging commercial development to keep pace with the influx of new residents. The goal is to offer the necessary amenities—restaurants, healthcare, and recreational facilities—while maintaining the quality of life for both new and long-standing residents.

“We’ve established a new Land Management Authority to help us be proactive in that development. We’re working to build incubator spaces so that if we have new businesses wanting to open up who can’t afford an office space or warehouse space, we can provide that environment at very low cost, in some cases, zero cost for lease,” Ralls says.

Collinsville has also committed to enhancing its energy infrastructure. As a public power entity, the city operates its electric utility, boasting higher reliability than investor-owned utilities.

The city’s response time during outages is significantly faster, with major events being resolved in under three hours. To accommodate future growth, Collinsville is investing $8 million in a new substation, a project that is expected to be completed within the next 18 to 20 months.

The city is also executing a $49 million infrastructure improvement plan that includes upgrades to water, stormwater, and sewer systems.

Among these initiatives is the construction of a new $28 million wastewater treatment facility designed to meet the city’s growing needs while focusing on sustainability.

The facility is expected to be nearly zero-waste, with plans to send sludge to a composting facility, further enhancing the city’s green initiatives.

Collinsville’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its new wastewater treatment facility. The city is actively working to reduce its environmental footprint through various green initiatives.

A composting facility is in the works, which will process not only sludge from the wastewater plant but also yard waste and storm debris. This is part of a broader effort to reduce the city’s reliance on landfills and repurpose waste materials.

In addition, the city has embraced recycling and water conservation. Although curbside recycling is not yet available, Collinsville offers drop-off facilities where residents can bring their recyclables.

The city also hosts a rain barrel giveaway each year in partnership with the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA), promoting water conservation efforts.

Electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are also making their way into the community. Two EV chargers are already in place, with plans to add four more, including rapid chargers at key locations such as the Veterans Building and the public library.

Lastly, educating the next generation about sustainability is also a priority.

“We’re working with the University of Tulsa on an internship program to plug our youth into areas they’re interested in so that they don’t have to wait until they graduate to find out if it’s a good fit or not,” Ralls says.

These internships may offer college credit hours, deferred or reduced tuition, or be paid by the city.

Moving Forward while Preserving the Quality of Life

One of Collinsville’s standout features is its city park, which rivals parks in much larger cities.

The park offers an array of amenities, including four tennis courts, two basketball courts, a sand volleyball court, a skate park, a large splash pad, and ADA-compliant playground equipment.

The park’s walking trails, clean restrooms, and secure lighting create a welcoming environment for all ages. With such a range of amenities, the city park is a testament to Collinsville’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents.

The city is also home to several community events that draw visitors from across the region. Hogs and Hot Rods, one of the largest antique and classic car and motorcycle events in the state, takes place every June.

In September, Collinsville hosts “A Brush with Jazz,” an arts festival featuring live jazz music and painting artists on every corner.

These events, along with others, contribute to the city’s vibrant community life and attract positive media coverage from local outlets such as the Tulsa World and Fox 23 Tulsa.

Looking ahead, Collinsville’s leadership is focused on continuing the city’s momentum while addressing the challenges that come with growth.

Key initiatives include the completion of the new substation, advancing the wastewater treatment facility, and ensuring that the city’s infrastructure is ready for future expansion.

The annexation of new areas is also on the horizon as developers seek to partner with the city, seeing the value of being part of Collinsville’s future rather than pursuing rural developments.

As the city continues to grow, it remains committed to maintaining the charm, culture, and community spirit that has made it such a desirable place to live, work, and visit.

AT A GLANCE

The City of Collinsville

What: A vibrant and historically rich community experiencing rapid growth.

Where: Oklahoma—located 30 minutes north of Tulsa

Website: https://www.collinsvilleok.org