A huge development is being planned in the U.S. and it will be as large as 488 soccer fields. The project it’s called East Edmond 15A PUD and it will be built in Edmond, Oklahoma, about 22 km from Oklahoma City. According to the Oklahoma newspaper, this new development of mix use will completely transform the area and will help maintain the fast increase of the population in the state.
The project covers around 600 acres and the construction is expected to last between 20 and 30 years. Once it’s finished, it will include thousands of houses, restaurants, shops, open areas, and parks, as if creating a new community from scratch. So, let’s find out more about this project.
A development for a growing state
Oklahoma has increased very fast in the last couple of years, especially in the Oklahoma City area. In 2024, the city’s population increased more than 8,000 people, reaching a total of 712,919 citizens, according to NPR.
Local authorities confirmed that this new development will help cover that growing population’s needs. The mayor of Oklahoma City, David Holt, wrote: “People from everywhere are seeing our renaissance story, and they want to be a part of it!”
This new project will bring homes, business, and leisure areas to support the increase of the community. With the amount of land it will take, it will become one of the largest developments in the state’s history.
What will the project include?
The development of the East Edmond 15A PUD will include a combination of residential, commercial, and natural areas. It aims to offer a complete living experience for residents — a place where people can live, work, shop, and relax all in one community. By the end of construction, the development will include:
- 4,500 homes, including single-family houses, townhomes, and apartments
- 120 acres of commercial areas for stores, restaurants, and offices
- 200 acres of forested and open green spaces
- Neighborhoods designed in cul-de-sac style (with closed-end streets)
- Wellness centers, swimming pools, and other community services
In total, the new town will bring about 11,000 new residents to the area, with an average of 2.43 people per household.
Who is behind the project?
The company responsible for this huge development is Arcadia Farm LLC, which plans to transform the place into a new urban center in the east area of Edmond. Arcadia Farm LLC was originally the property of Aubrey McClendon, a well-known businessman who was the co-founder and executive director of Chesapeake Energy. He died in 2026 (55 years old) and now his family is in charge of the business.
McCledon was an important figure in the natural gas industry and he owned about 12,000 acres of land in Oklahoma City. Now, his company aims to make the most of part of that land to create a modern community that combines housing, recreation, and commerce.
A walkable and connected community
Tom Blalock, the chief operating officer of Arcadia Farm LLC, said that this new development will be a “pedestrian-oriented village.” This means the community will be designed for walking rather than driving everywhere. The 600-acre development will connect important local attractions such as Edmond’s trail system and Arcadia Lake parks, making it easy for residents to enjoy nature and outdoor activities.
The plan includes homes, restaurants, recreation areas, and retail spaces in what Blalock described as a walkable, mixed-use environment where people can live, work, shop, and play.
In addition to housing and businesses, the development will also include community services such as a wellness center, a swimming pool, and other shared facilities that will improve the quality of life for future residents.
Concerns
Although the project promises major benefits for the area, not everyone is excited about it. Some critics are concerned about the location. One reader of The Oklahoman pointed out that the new development is being built in the middle of “Tornado Alley,” the region in the Midwest where tornadoes happen most frequently. The commenter wrote, “The planned development is right in the middle of Tornado Alley. It’s like they’re planning without safety concerns.”
So, this criticism highlights a real risk for large developments in Oklahoma, where strong storms are a common part of life.