Themes generated from a community hope workshop in downtown Muskogee.

1. RESULTS FROM THE COMMUNITY VISIONING PROCESS – DECEMBER 7, 2016

2. WHAT ARE CITIZENS’ HOPES
FOR DOWNTOWN MUSKOGEE?
INCREASE ACTIVITY
IMPROVE CONNECTIONS
SAVE HISTORIC BUILDINGS
REVITALIZE ARROWHEAD MALL
INTRODUCE GREEN SPACES Some of the approximately 150 participants at
the Community Hope Workshop on Nov. 15th.

3. INCREASE DOWNTOWN ACTIVITY
• ATTRACT VISITORS
• ATTRACT EMPLOYERS
• ATTRACT RESIDENTS
• DEVELOP ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH
• DECREASE PARKING
restaurants, bars, hotels, galleries, events
market rate housing, grocery store, services
reduce off-street, not on-street
capture existing jobs, encourage start-ups
athletics, arts, music, job training
Citizens share their hopes on the brown bag
idea wall. Over 250 ideas were collected.

4. IMPROVE CONNECTIONS
• IMPLEMENT A ROAD DIET
• PROVIDE FOR PEDESTRIANS
• BETTER ALTERNATIVES
• INCREASE CONNECTIVITY
• MAKE BEAUTIFUL STREETS
fewer lanes, slower speeds
bike lanes, frequent buses, easy to understand routes
gateways, street furniture, plantings, lighting
fix sidewalks, safer crossings, places to rest
link attractions, better north-south connections, centennial trail
Cyclists design a complete street.

5. SAVE HISTORIC BUILDINGS
• STABILIZE STRUCTURES
• MODERNIZE SERVICES
• MEET BUILDING CODES
• RESTORE FACADES
• ATTRACT NEW TENANTS
assess conditions, prevent collapse, keep elements out
egress, fire protection, abatement, accessibility
mixed uses, interior improvements, marketing and leasing
upgrade MEP systems, fix century old city infrastructure
uncover original materials, improve storefronts, signage
OU students assist participants create
a downtown vision using a scale model.

6. REVITALIZE ARROWHEAD MALL
• LEASE EMPTY SPACES
• CONNECT TO DOWNTOWN
• IMPROVE AND UTILIZE SITE
• TRANSFORM SUBURBAN IMAGE
• ADD CIVIC USES
alternative configurations, new anchor, outward focus
build on out-parcels, introduce landscaping, temporary uses
post office, library, children’s museum, plaza
pedestrian linkage, compatible architecture, focus on southwest side
reduce parking, more windows, de-emphasize megastructure
Citizens complete the Collective Hope
Survey. Over 250 have responded so
far.

7. INTRODUCE GREEN SPACES
• PROGRAM THE GREEN
• CONNECT TO PARKS
• ENHANCE THE DEPOT DISTRICT
• RECLAIM PAVED AREAS
• BE CAREFUL WITH STREET TREES
scheduling and promoting, food trucks, build stage, restrooms
outdoor exhibits, intermissions, performances, private parties
remove trees from Broadway, out of pedestrian path, no grates
Spaulding, Elliot, Turner Hill, Gulick, Beckman, King, trailheads
absorb run-off, better microclimate, urban agriculture, pocket parks
Urban Design Studio students talk
with visitors at the Farmers’ Market.

8. WHAT ARE THE PATHWAYS TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS?