Construction of the tallest building in the US delayed due to flight safety concerns

The Legends Tower in Oklahoma City is facing delays due to concerns over flight safety. Planned to rise to a height of 581 meters - 40 meters taller than New York's World Trade Center, the current tallest building in the U.S. - the tower is a centerpiece of the Boardwalk at Bricktown development in downtown Oklahoma City. The project includes four towers: two residential buildings, a 480-room Dream Hotel, and a 350-room Hyatt hotel. Construction on the first phase is scheduled to begin in early 2025.

Jeff Mulder, director of airports in Oklahoma City, has raised concerns about the tower's potential impact on aviation. In a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Mulder warned that the tower could increase travel times, disrupt departure schedules, or pose safety risks. He explained that its height would raise the minimum vectoring altitude in the area, potentially affecting flight paths for Will Rogers World Airport, Tinker Air Force Base, Wiley Post Airport, Max Westheimer Airport, and other nearby facilities.

Mulder clarified that his letter was a procedural formality, not an opposition to the project. However, delays have resulted from the FAA's lack of response. Scot Matteson, CEO of Matteson Capital, stated that the FAA’s report is expected by the end of the month. He also noted that while the city has granted "unlimited" height approval, the tower's height could be adjusted if necessary.