Concerns from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have stalled plans for Legends Tower, a supertall skyscraper in Oklahoma City that, if completed, would become the tallest building in the United States at 581 metres (1,907 feet). Designed by AO architects and developed by Matteson Capital, the project is part of a proposed mixed-use development downtown.
Height and Air Safety Under Scrutiny
Jeff Mulder, the director of Will Rogers World Airport, outlined his concerns in a letter to the FAA. Mulder highlighted potential safety issues, stating that the skyscraper’s height could “increase travel time” for flights, cause “adverse changes” to departure schedules, and “create the safety of flight issues” across Oklahoma City’s metropolitan area.
The letter emphasized how the tower’s height could elevate the minimum vectoring altitude (MVA), forcing aircraft to take longer descents. Its location would also infringe on airspace for multiple airports, including Tinker Air Force Base, Wiley Post Airport, and Max Westheimer Airport.
Mulder clarified through KOCO News 5 that his letter was part of a standard review process and neither supported nor opposed the project. However, the FAA’s delayed response has left the project in limbo.
Developer’s Optimism Amid Pushback
Matteson Capital founder Scot Matteson acknowledged the concerns but expressed hope for the project’s future. “We expected some pushback from them,” said Matteson. “We’re waiting for the full report from the FAA, which we are supposed to get by the end of this month.”
If necessary, Matteson indicated the tower’s height could be reduced. He told News on 6 that the skyscraper may be “a little shorter,” though it currently holds “unlimited height” approval from local government, granted earlier this year.
Delays Amid Larger Economic Challenges
The Legends Tower is one of several ambitious projects in Oklahoma that have faced delays. Other stalled ventures include an amusement park, an oil refinery, and a solar panel factory. Reporter Steve Lackmeyer of The Oklahoman linked these issues to “unrealistic expectations, politics, government red tape, and shaky economic confidence due to unrest overseas.”
Despite these challenges, the project’s first phase is scheduled for early 2025, though it will not include the skyscraper itself.
AO partner Bruce Greenfield previously commented that the extreme height of Legends Tower “is not something that’s necessary,” reflecting broader debates about the project’s viability.