FISTA ready to launch construction on new conference space, kitchen

The new STEM Lab isn’t the only construction project that FISTA Innovation Park’s governing board is ready to launch.

Members of the FISTA Development Trust Authority also have amended some contracts and approved others that will allow renovation to begin for converting one-time retail space into work space for tenants, while also moving forward with a $4.5 million project that will double the conference space now available while also adding a cafe and kitchen spaces. Trustee members amended their existing contract with construction manager CDBL, so that firm can begin the process of building space that is being funded with federal grants, as well as public/private partnership monies, said FISTA CEO/President Krista Ratliff.

The project is important and so is its timeline. Ratliff said existing conference space, already heavily used, needs to be bigger. That’s especially important for a major event FISTA will be hosting in April 2025: The Fires Symposium. Space that has been used in Lawton for past conferences isn’t quite large enough any more, which is among the reasons Ratliff is excited about the idea of FISTA being able to host the event that is expected to draw 1,000 people.

While trust authority members are thinking about new uses for FISTA space, they also are looking at tenant needs.

The board approved projects that will remodel 3,000 square feet of space within FISTA 1 (the old Sears store) for Eprius Inc. and 4,000 square feet of space for Camgian. Ratliff said FISTA will pay $250,000 of the Eprius conversion; the company will cover the remainder, coming back to the board with a list of guaranteed maximum price for subcontractors later. FISTA will be paying $650,000 for conversion of the Camgian space.

The board also approved a new five-year lease with Warfighting System Solutions Inc., a long-time partner which now wants a presence in FISTA. Ratliff said the company will be leasing the 750-square-foot suite that had been used by Berry Aviation, which has vacated the space. She said the company already has one employee in FISTA and expects a second employee “soon.”

The board also approved a contract with Chisholm Trail Consulting to tackle a problem that dates back years: flooding on the east end of the mall. Ratliff said FISTA’s $40,000 contract with the company will cover an engineering evaluation, with recommendations to resolve problems. She said the contract allows for the evaluation and, potentially, the beginning of mitigation, depending on what is found. The analysis is due no later than Dec. 31.

Ratliff said FISTA has allocated $250,000 for the project, meaning $210,000 would be available should mitigation efforts begin.

Richard Rogalski, long-time city planner and now executive director of the Lawton Economic Development Authority, said the project is in its study phase to identify the problem before construction begins. He said part of the problem is the area was not designed to handle the amount of rainwater that has flooded it. He said part of the solution will be carrying that water away, explaining the area was designed as a detention area — and that is what it is doing.