Homes in Gilcrease Orchard

Over 40 acres of the 107-acre Gilcrease Orchard Foundation is to be converted to a 100-home neighborhood. There was wide spread opposition to this new development. Economic benefits were the reason behind this transition, operating the orchard incurred a $200,000 loss per year. By selling the 40 acres of the land to the housing developers, they can survive the crisis and can keep the 67 acres of the orchard open to the public.

The revenue collected by the land sale would be helpful in refurbishing the orchard and the nearby sanctuary. The orchard has been open for the last 25 years but the Gilcrease family has been raising chickens and growing alfalfa on the property since 1920. The family believes that this property is not an historical site and so should not have any opposition regarding its sale. The commissioner threatened to veto the proposal if the developers did not abide by the rule. Originally the construction company thought of building 3 homes per acre of land but had to bring it down to 2.5 homes because that is the norm in the neighborhood.