A battle is brewing over a prime piece of real estate in downtown Tulsa. We are talking about land that's directly across the street from the new BOK center.

Several different developers want that property to build a hotel, but some issues are getting in the way. Those issues are how big to build, and how much to spend. NewsChannel 8 wanted to find out who's making those decisions and why.

Tulsa Architect Larry Gordon Wilson tells it like it is.

“I was quite surprised.”

Surprised that his 38 million dollar 20 story hotel project may have been shelved by the Tulsa Development Authority. Wilson was hoping a high end hotel and conference center would complement the new upscale BOK Arena.

“Our project is to take advantage of the new arena and have restaurants and bars and give people a place to go before and after events at the BOK.”said Wilson

But the TDA is looking in another direction and is negotiating with an out-of-state company for a much smaller project an 8 story Hampton Inn. Total price about 4 million dollars.

“The TDA's job is to make that part of downtown all it can be.”

Tulsa Chief Economic Development Officer Mike Bunney says that smaller project may make more sense. It would be cheaper, quicker, and easier.

“The site the TDA actually owns is a small site and not large enough to build a hotel and conference center with it.”said Bunney

But Wilson says there are ways around that and is hoping the TDA will see a larger picture. Stand alone Hampton Inn built by outsiders versus upscale hotel and conference center built by Tulsans.  

“Two shocks, one that out of town development and two a low end hotel that will not support BOK what does tulsa want? “

The Tulsa Development Authority is made-up of 5-appointees. They are experts in the fields of law, real estate, and economic development.