Lights, Camera, Bartlesville: City council moves ahead with film studio project

Andy Dossett, Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise
·2 min read

The Bartlesville City Council has given unanimous approval to $2 million in city investments and other measures, paving the way to repurpose the former First Christian Church into a "cutting-edge" film studio and film school.

The council convened a special meeting on Monday to approve the measures to open for Buffalo Roam Studios.

"I'm elated," said Evan Hewitt, co-founder of Buffalo Roam Studios. "It's been an absolute pleasure to work with everyone involved with the project — we couldn't imagine doing this anywhere else."

The architectural drawing included in the Buffalo Roam Studios proposal shows the 10,000-square-foot sound studio addition (left) that will match the rest of the building.
The architectural drawing included in the Buffalo Roam Studios proposal shows the 10,000-square-foot sound studio addition (left) that will match the rest of the building.

The council approved $1 million from the Economic Development Fund and $1 million from the Bartlesville Redevelopment Trust Authority (BRTA) in September, which, combined with Buffalo Roam’s $2 million in private funding, will breathe new life into the church.

Buffalo Roam Studios' blueprints envision two soundstages, classrooms, comprehensive production offices, a screening room and more retrofitted into the old church building. The studio is aimed at transforming Bartlesville into a hub for filmmakers.

In addition to preserving the church’s architectural aesthetics, plans are to add to the original footprint with a 10,000-square-foot soundstage to the north.

Buffalo Roam Studios is poised to assume ownership of the property on Oct. 31. Roof repair is an immediate imperative to curb weather-induced delays that could push the project to warm weather months.

More: City Council greenlights film studio with $2 million in funding

The ambitious project required an alignment of various legal facets. A series of lengthy legal documents received the council’s endorsement, setting the stage for the project’s operational onset.

In a governance move, the council created a new public trust, the Bartlesville Film Authority. This entity is entrusted with the oversight of up to $2 million in taxpayer funds earmarked for the church’s renovation.

To mitigate possible BRTA short-term cash flow crunches, the council has offered to extend a loan of up to $1 million from the city’s Economic Development Fund.

City Manager Mike Bailey indicated that the financial arrangement is conceived as "purely a timing thing," assuring that borrowed funds would be replenished through future property tax receipts. The possible loan will allow BRTA to continue to pursue other business opportunities in the works.

More: Could Bartlesville become a regional beacon of filmmaking? It's in city council's hands

"This is a community project," said Buffalo Roam's Monica Smith. "Everyone involved loves Bartlesville and wants to see Bartlesville succeed by creating jobs and creating community around an industry we're passionate about."

The First Christian Church property is located downtown next to the Price Tower and Community Center in Bartlesville.
The First Christian Church property is located downtown next to the Price Tower and Community Center in Bartlesville.

Initially, the city considered converting the church into a conference center. However, the city pivoted from that idea after a feasibility study indicated it would be too costly. The city solicited proposals in late 2022, which culminated in the selection of Buffalo Roam Studios’ vision this past May.

This article originally appeared on Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise: City council OKs new public trust, $2M investment for film studio