Tulsa Police Department Heliport, Hardesty Hangar
This facility was a Notable in the Law Enforcement Facilities III category of the 2025 Officer Station Design Awards.
Official Project Name: Tulsa Police Department Heliport, Hardesty Hangar
Project City/State: Tulsa, OK
Date Completed: April 25, 2025
Chief/Director: Lieutenant Nick Cory, Air Support Unit Supervisor
Project Area (sq. ft.): 13,430
Total Cost: $4,704,174
Cost Per Square Foot: $350.27
Architect/Firm Name: BKL
City/State: Tulsa, OK
Phone: (864) 634-8818
Website: bklinc.com
Design Team: Jenni Hammock, Alex Sisk, Connie Weber, Holly Sandberg, Jamie Wilson, Jayde Dzierba, Matt Winn, Ryan Mahaffey, Stacy Loeffler, Stephanie Johnson
Project Description
The Tulsa Police Department Air Support Unit needed a purpose-built facility to better serve the city’s expanding aerial operations. The existing hangar was no longer meeting the demands of their growing helicopter fleet or the team that maintains and pilots them. In response, a new 13,430-square-foot hangar was designed and constructed on the grounds of the Tulsa Police Academy. The goal was clear: create a space that supports rapid deployment, routine maintenance, and ongoing training.
The hangar houses up to three helicopters and includes on-site aviation maintenance shop and fuel storage to keep operations efficient. Within the hangar, you'll find infrared heaters, exhaust fans, active louvers, epoxy flooring for durability, an overhead crane, and individual gear lockers for flight crews serving two ASDF 123s. Two large sectional doors open to a dedicated apron and landing pad outfitted with FAA-compliant lighting and striping, streamlining safe landings and takeoffs around the clock.
Connected to the hangar is a suite of support spaces tailored for the unit’s day-to-day needs: a maintenance bay, simulator room, offices, conference room, kitchen, restrooms, and a comfortable lounge. Every part of the layout was designed with input from those who use it—officers, pilots, and support staff—to ensure the space functions as an effective home base.
The project faced challenges of coordinating between aviation safety requirements and the footprint limitations of an active police campus, but the team delivered. The final build came in at $4.7 million, funded through a mix of city, and private sources.
The Tulsa Police Hardesty Hangar reflects Tulsa’s investment in its officers and their ability to respond quickly and effectively. It’s not just a building—it’s a mission-ready hub built for the needs of modern law enforcement.