Envision 240 Update

Jan 2015Vince HowieEnvision 240

Project Director

Envision 240

Envision 240

Urban Land Institute Report• Urban Land Institute of Okla (ULI) “Envision 240” report, Mar 6 - Apr 12, 2012

– Need for “collaborative unified leadership”– Need for a “vision for the area”

• Focus area: 1 Mile north & south of I-240– 14,000 households– 36,000 residents– Over 100,000 vehicles per day on I-240 corridor

• Lack of distinctive character– Freeway infrastructure– Street Stress - poor conditions – Sea of concrete– No uniform signage– Lack of right-of-way maintenance– Acres of parking lots

“Unattractive & lack of appeal”

Demographics69% Caucasian19% Hispanic9% African American2% Native American1% Asian

Envision 240

ULI Report Continued• Positive - Strongest retail area in South OKC – Over 90% Occupancy Rate!

• Challenges – Competition– Modern, appealing, & streamlined development in Moore and MWC– OKC is losing sales tax revenue

• SOKC flat over last 5 years• Moore & MWC double digit growth

• RecommendationsRe-Think, Reinvest, & Redevelop Area

1) Involve the community2) Tame the traffic3) Establish an image4) Eradicate the ugliness

Envision 240

Envision 240 Project Emerged• Established Envision 240 Steering Committee

– Property Owners, Business Owners, HOA President, State, City, & County Representation, etc.

• Established Improvement Priorities – Beautification– Maintenance– Safety– Security– Marketing

• Incorporated Business Association• Councilman David Greenwell Fully Supportive as are Several Other Councilman & City Leaders

Vision: “Create an economic district where the greater OKC community wants to shop, eat, work, and live”

Envision 240

Activity Over Past Year• Developed Priorities

1) Create an identity – “The TWO40”2) Control the gangs (reduce crime)3) Get rid of panhandlers4) Fix the service roads5) General grounds upkeep mowing/weeding/trash6) Install ADA sidewalks/bus stops7) Fix-up intersections/concrete aesthetics8) Landscaping/trees9) Influence ODOT on I-35/240 interchange

• Established Committeesa) Marketing Committeeb) Maintenance and Beautification Committeec) Safety and Securityd) I-35/I-240 Interchange Committee

• Incorporated “Envision 240 Inc.”– 501(c)6 Not for profit LLC– Conducts business activities for Envision 240 Project

• Created www.Envision240.com website• “Lariat Landing” & “Plaza Mayor” involved

Envision 240

Active Projects• Pave the service roads

– OKC Planning Dept engaged– Two miles paved

• Paint six overpasses along I-240– Shields Boulevard– Santa Fe – Walker Avenue– Western Avenue– Pennsylvania Avenue– May Avenue– OK County will provide labor

• Mow the right-of-ways along I-240– OK County contracting with ODOT– Will provide mowing & trash collection in Spring of 2015

• Install ADA compliant sidewalks and intersections– Used ACOG 80/20 funding process– Councilman Greenwell committed $100K– ACOG awarded additional $500K for project!

Envision 240

Next Steps• Complete the projects

‒ Finish paving service roads ‒ Begin mowing & trash collection‒ Paint the overpasses‒ Install ADA sidewalks

• Market the “TWO40” and activities

• Complete petition drive to establish Business Improvement District (BID)

‒ Kicked off petition drive!‒ Provides funding to fulfill the dreams‒ Gives owners a voice in their district‒ Increases value in community, property, & people‒ Simulates growth ‒ Brings new & old customers back to I-240

Mission: “Stimulate the I-240 property and business owners into action to create a Business Improvement District along the I-240 corridor!”

Envision 240

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing!”- Theodore Roosevelt

• Making a difference along I-240– Paving service roads– Painting overpasses– Improving mowing & trash collection– Installing ADA compliant sidewalks and intersections

• Improvements are happening on both ends of I-240 – “Lariat Landing” & “Plaza Mayor”

• Timing is right to make things happen along the I-240 Corridor!

• Kicking off petition drive to establish a Business Improvement District

Don’t let I-240 be the way to a destination, make it the destination!!

Summary