Sidewalk project pivots to Noble Ave.

With a few more items to finish on the new sidewalks along S. Division St., the project is now underway on Noble Ave.

The project is being funded by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). The nearly $873,000 contract was awarded to C-P Integrated Services, of Oklahoma City.

The project has seen the addition of ADA-compliant sidewalks on Division St. from Industrial Rd. to just past Grant Ave.

Now, the construction has moved to State Highway 33 (Noble Ave.) from just west of Ash St. to just east of Drexel St. in Guthrie.

The downtown area is not included in this particular project due to historic preservation concerns.

In August 2020, the Guthrie Historical Preservation Commission (HPC), a City board comprised of volunteers who are appointed by the city council, voted twice to approve the sidewalk project with the condition that the entire sidewalk project within the historic district be red brick and not concrete. Related article: Watch: HPC calls for special meeting to reconsider downtown sidewalks

Less than 24 hours after the second meeting held by the HPC, the city council held an emergency meeting to override the decision to allow the sidewalks in the historic downtown area.

Despite the council’s action, ODOT elected not to include the downtown area with this project.

ODOT’s media relations told Guthrie News Page, “The City of Guthrie, the historic preservation commission and ODOT are working on a solution for downtown.” However, no formal plans have been discussed. Related article: City Council overturns HPC on downtown sidewalks