The Guthrie City Council has given the green light to transform a downtown parking lot into a vibrant pocket park and community space. On Tuesday night, the council unanimously approved the Main Street Incentive Program to fund the project at the corner of Wentz St. and Oklahoma Ave.
Now the concept will move on to the Historic Preservation Commission and Parks Board for approval to move forward.
Shawnda Rooney, Director of Economic Development, presented the initiative to the council, emphasizing the potential to enhance the area often used for food trucks, vendors, and community events. The City owns the parking lot, which has become a hub for downtown activities.
“Pocket Parks are very beneficial for downtown communities, especially when there are already surrounded by pavement, parking, and buildings,” Rooney told the council members. “It’s nice to have small green spaces, especially whenever you have a town like ours that has so many regular events that would benefit from this area.”
The project is backed by a 50/50 matching grant from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce through the Oklahoma Main Street Incentive Program. The total cost is $50,000, with the City and ODOC each contributing $25,000.
The funds will be used to create a green space and pocket park adjacent to The Shoppes, a retail incubator and pop-up shop park established in 2023. Planned improvements include removing the parking lot surface and adding seating, shade structures, landscaping, and designated food truck spaces.
The Oklahoma Main Street Incentive Program focuses on sustaining or restoring vibrancy in commercial districts across the state. By enhancing these areas, the program aims to attract more visitors, encourage longer stays, and boost local and state sales tax revenue.
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