Sincerely, The Envision TWO40 Steering Committee

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Erik Griffin
8 years ago
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1 SHOP EAT WORK LIVE

2 The Heart of South Oklahoma City Across the metro, people know the I-240 corridor as the heart of South Oklahoma City. Unfortunately, what they perceive about this stretch of highway is not always favorable. Oklahoma City is in the midst of an economic and cultural renaissance, but the I-240 corridor has not kept pace and has declined since its heyday of the 80s and 90s. The rise of new retail and entertainment options in the surrounding areas has created challenges for South Oklahoma City and specifically for the I-240 corridor. Fortunately, where some only see obstacles, we the local business and community leaders who live and work in South Oklahoma City see opportunities. We have chosen to make a difference and envision a new I-240. In 2012, Oklahoma City commissioned a study by the Urban Land Institute to study the I-240 corridor. The recommendations were to, "rethink, reinvest, and redevelop the area by involving the community, taming the traffic, establishing an image and eradicating the ugliness." (For more information, see the study at Led by the South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and in partnership with the Oklahoma City Planning Department, we created the Envision TWO40 Steering Committee. Our goal is to create a Business Improvement District (BID) along I-240 to lead the revitalization of this important corridor. Envision TWO40 knows that together we can forge a brighter future by creating a unique identity and a defined community district for South Oklahoma City where citizens want to shop, eat, work and live. Together we can Envision TWO40! Sincerely, The Envision TWO40 Steering Committee THE ENVISION TWO40 MISSION Collaborate and partner with existing property and business owners along I-240 and other local community leaders to create a Business Improvement District (BID) that will improve the maintenance, beautification, safety, security and economic vitality of the corridor. Business Improvement Districts A Business Improvement District (commonly known as a BID ) is a special district that allows property owners to assess themselves in order to finance services and improvements in a specific geographic area. The property owners first vote for the assessment and then the City Council makes the final determination. BIDs are common in commercial districts throughout the country and have proved to be an integral part of revitalization efforts, resulting in higher property values, sales, and occupancies. There are already four BIDs in Oklahoma City: Downtown, Stockyards City, Capitol Hill and Western Avenue. BID funds are often used to deliver enhanced maintenance, provide additional security and safety systems, develop the area s image, and engage in marketing and public relations for the businesses in the area. To implement the TWO40 BID we need your support. The BID must be approved by 51% of property owners by acreage within the geographic district. The TWO40 BID boundary is defined as those properties immediately adjacent to the north and south service roads on I-240 between I-44 on the west and I-35 on the east. 2 3

Oklahoma City is in the midst of an economic and cultural renaissance, but the I-240 corridor has not kept pace and has declined since its heyday of the 80s and 90s.

3 i-240 Corridor SUB HEADLINE GOES HERE AND HERE We have an extraordinary Willow opportunity Creek Golf to & ensure Country a brighter Clubfuture for South Oklahoma City with a BID along the I-240 corridor, but we must take action now, and only your support will make it possible. South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads S Pennsylvania Ave S Blackwelder S Blackwelder Ave Ave S Western Ave S Shields Blvd S Santa Fe Ave S Walker Ave S May Ave S May Ave Oklahoma City Community College S Penn Ave Point of Interest Proposed BID boundary 4 5

South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Plaza Mayor at the Crossroads S Pennsylvania Ave S Blackwelder S Blackwelder Ave Ave S Western Ave S

4 Support TWO40 BID The Envisiontwo40 Plan The Envision TWO40 Steering Committee began working in 2013 to establish several near-term goals and priorities. Over the past year, we have been successful and made progress on each objective, including: A Stronger South Oklahoma City The Envision TWO40 Steering Committee believes a stronger, more economically vibrant South Oklahoma City begins with the establishment of the TWO40 BID. The BID has four primary objectives for the I-240 corridor: Improve the area s appearance through beautification efforts. Increase safety and security for businesses, visitors and pedestrians. Stimulate business and economic development. Increase property values. Here are some facts about the TWO40 BID: It will be managed and governed by Envision TWO40, Inc. see the list of board members below. The Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation are already in place, the board is established, and it is seeking its 501(c)6 designation from the IRS. Property owners in the BID will make up a majority of the BID board. The formation of the TWO40 BID requires demonstrated support from a majority of property owners in the area to be assessed followed by a series of City Council meetings that ensure ample time for public input and Council support. City staff will assist all parties throughout and at the Council meetings. Oklahoma City collects funds for the BID and ensures expenditures are appropriate. Envision TWO40, Inc Board Kim Adkins, Eskridge Honda Brad Smicklas, Hudiburg Dealerships Lester Howard, Howard Brothers Florists Lealon Taylor, Oklahoma City Community College Troy Humphrey, Land Run Commercial Real Estate Advisors Mike Voorhees, Voorhees, Voorhees and Byers Creating an identity for the area Installing ADA sidewalks & bus stops The TWO40 Improving the intersections for both Addressing crime & panhandlers safety & appearance Improving the service roads Improving the landscaping Mowing the right-of-ways & Influencing ODOT on the I-35/I-240 removing weeds and trash Interchange To maintain our momentum and continue to address these goals, the steering committee created four standing committees: Marketing, Maintenance & Beautification, Safety & Security and the I-35/I-240 Interchange. We also created the website ( and incorporated Envision TWO40, Inc., the 501(c)6 not for profit that will manage the BID. Once the TWO40 BID is established, we can fully execute the near-term goals and begin focusing on the following mid-term and long-term goals: MID-TERM GOALS: Market and promote The TWO40 and build the area s identity as a unique district. Build the Master Plan to include budgets for landscaping, color schemes, materials, etc. Ensure Envision TWO40 elements are included in the upcoming 2017 General Obligation Bond. LONG-TERM GOALS: Use the Master Plan for public-private partnerships, future MAPS initiatives, and other transformational projects. Redevelop the I-240 corridor into a destination point. Randy Kamp, Kampco Foods, LLC Elaine Lyons, South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce Walt Morris, Walnut Square Shopping Center Kim Cooper-Hart (Advisor), Oklahoma City Planning Department Paul Odom III (Advisor), PB Odom III Construction Co. Vince Howie Executive Director, Envision TWO40 Don t let I-240 be the way to a destination let s make it the destination! 6 7

vibrant South Oklahoma City begins with the establishment of the TWO40 BID. The BID has four primary objectives for the I-240 corridor: Improve the area s appearance through beautification efforts.

5 SHOP EAT WORK LIVE Vince Howie Envision TWO40 Executive Director South Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce 701 SW 74th Street Oklahoma City, OK Renderings provided by

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