Bartlesville Ends Buffalo Roam Soundstage Project

The Bartlesville City Council voted June 1 to terminate its development agreement with Buffalo Roam after the developer completed Phase One but abandoned plans for a soundstage at the former Bartlesville Christian Church site, 520 S. Osage Ave.

The termination returns $1.05 million in unspent grant funds to the City and Bartlesville Redevelopment Trust Authority in equal shares. Buffalo Roam cited market conditions for canceling Phase Two, which called for replacing the north parking lot with a soundstage.

The City and BRTA had committed up to $2 million in matching grants under a 2023 agreement, with each phase eligible for up to $1 million. Phase One rehabilitated the church building to house a film academy, with work nearing completion.

The film academy will proceed in the renovated building. The soundstage will not be built.