Pryor DesignWorks

PRYOR DesignWorks

Pryor Main Street Mayes County HOPE Coalition City of Pryor OU Institute for Quality Communities Oklahoma Municipal League 1

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Executive Summary The City of Pryor is looking to develop strong public spaces and a great street in its downtown area. The IQC Team collaborated with Pryor Main Street, Mayes County HOPE Coalition’s TSET Healthy Living Program, and additional trustees of the Economic Development Trust Authority including Mayor Larry Lees. The project is supported by funds from Oklahoma Municipal League.

The IQC team completed a two-day site visit to Pryor. The site visit included a walking tour to observe Adair Street and Graham (Main) Street. During the walking tour, the IQC team was able to meet with numerous merchants and business owners in the area. In the evening, IQC hosted a workshop asking community members to evaluate the conditions of blocks on Adair and Graham and record their own ideas using a tool called “The Place Game.” The following day, the IQC team joined the project partners for a tour of the broader Pryor community and concluded the trip with a presentation of preliminary recommendations.

Recommendations in this report are centered around four central themes: ▸ Connection & Access: Creating good wayfinding and access between downtown locations. ▸ Street Safety & Comfort: Improving street design in critical locations for safety and comfort. ▸ Public Space Network: Connecting a new highly-programmed downtown park with smaller public spaces and interesting moments to experience downtown. ▸ Development & Business Mix: Considering themes and programs to promote a strong mix of businesses.

Finally, the report concludes with recommendations for possible funding.

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Site Visit + Community Engagement 2

The two-day site visit started with a meeting with community leaders followed by a walk-and-talk tour with community partners. During a meeting with community residents, the team collected feedback using a visual preference activity and place game activity. The team also participated in a driving tour of assets in the greater region around Pryor.

Each of these activities was useful in directing the team in making essential recommendations to the community.

This section includes a detailed schedule and pictures of the walking tour, key findings and takeaways about the assets and challenges of downtown Pryor, along with community priorities for improving public space.

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A Tour of Downtown Pryor Day One | Tuesday, March 3, 2020 ​ 12:00 p.m. Lunch Meeting with IQC Team + Project Partners ​ 1:00 p.m. Walk and Talk [Adair Street] IQC Team, Project Partners, and invited guests. ​ 3:00 p.m. Field Work Period for IQC Team [Adair Street]​ 5:30 p.m. Community Workshop [Graham Community Center, 6 N Adair]​ ​

Day Two | Wednesday, March 4, 2020 ​ 9:00 a.m. Driving Tour with Project Partners 10:00 a.m. Work Period for IQC Team [Developing concepts and presentation materials]​ 12:00 p.m. Lunch – IQC Team + Project Partners [Pryor Main Street Office, 8 South Vann] ​ 1:00 p.m. Presentation Preparation [Pryor Main Street Office, 8 South Vann] ​ 4:30 p.m. Community Presentation [Graham Community Center, 6 N Adair]

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The Tour Continues

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“Choose Your Favorite” Activity The first community workshop had two activities for the residents: A “Choose Your Favorite” activity with five different boards and The Place Game.

The “Choose Your Favorite” activity was a visual preference survey that gave residents an opportunity to choose their favorite outdoor design spaces for the community.

This activity allowed residents to decide what would work well in their community and look at ways to dream even bigger in their downtown.

Residents chose their favorite pictures from five categories: meeting space, streets and sidewalks, programming, pocket parks, and low-cost opportunities.

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First, the IQC team found the four spaces that were chosen the most between the different categories.

Residents chose spaces that had color, utilized alleyways, added public art to their everyday lives, and offered outdoor seating for leisure and dining.

These different spaces would allow residents and visitors to engage with downtown Pryor in a completely new way.

After residents chose their favorite spaces, they discussed why they chose them with the IQC team. Residents frequently described their desire for fun, artistic, comfortable and collaborative ways to engage with the built environment around them. This discussion further allowed the IQC team to develop a plan for the future of downtown Pryor.

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The Place Game Group I Group II Group III Group IV Group V

The Place Game: Created by Project for Public Spaces, this game allows residents to tour and vote on the comfortability, aesthetic, access and uses of a specific location in their community. This gave residents an opportunity to be a tourist in their own city for an evening and identify Pryor’s strengths and weaknesses. Some Pryor residents were able to discover hidden places they had never seen before!

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Lowest Rated Place Characteristics:​ The second activity was the Place Game, originally created by Project for Public Spaces. During this activity, residents joined into four different groups and analyzed different locations around downtown Pryor.

Groups chose either North Adair St, South Adair St, West Graham, or East Graham.

Once in their location, residents answered a series of questions based on the comfortability, beauty, sociability, activities, and linkages in their space. Residents frequently rated their location as being low on comfortability, frequency of events, and presence of children, seniors, or groups. The lowest ranked categories are to the right. Many of these categories are linked together.

Since the area is not attractive or comfortable, there is little presence of groups and children. Likewise, because there are few events in the area, there are often few groups of people, thus little need to make the space attractive. These categories all need to change in order for downtown Pryor to become more attractive.

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Comfort​ Frequency of Events​ Presence of Groups​ Presence of Children/Seniors​ Overall Attractiveness Transit Access​ Evidence of Volunteerism

Pryor Resident’s Most Common Desires for Downtown

Residents also noted the items they want in their downtown. To the bottom right are the main items residents wanted. Most residents wanted outdoor seating, trash cans, trees, signage, lighting, and unified storefronts. These desires reflect the issues that residents identified earlier: that downtown needs to provide more comfort, attractiveness, and opportunities for residents and visitors to interact with downtown.

Outdoor seating, lighting, and trees will provide residents with comfort, while unified storefronts and artwork will create more attractive spaces.

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Downtown Assets

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Located right off Graham, two acres of land sit unused. This space can easily be transformed into a public gathering space. With such a large space, this field could include a park, stage, public restrooms, maps of the city, playground equipment, and a splash pad. This space could incorporate the needs and desires of residents of all ages and even their furry friends.

City owned buildings can lead the way in transforming storefronts. Not only is this space an opportunity to set an example to business owners on maintaining and refurbishing old storefronts, but this space can also act as an indoor public gathering space. This could include public restrooms, maps of the town and its hidden treasures, and local arts and crafts for sale.

Pryor also has many hidden gems around downtown.

Spaces like this have been unused, but could become unique local getaways that residents can sit, chat, or enjoy local takeout. Not only will these spaces attract residents, but they could be unique attractions for visitors who want to experience “where the locals go.”

Empty walls in downtown could be used for public art and advertising. These spaces could be used to promote local businesses while also adding to the overall aesthetic of downtown. Offering signs for automobiles that are labeled “FREE PUBLIC PARKING” can also encourage drivers to park along the exterior or edges of downtown, leaving the rest of downtown as a space for pedestrians.

Downtown Challenges

Wide streets and angled parking on both sides of the street can create difficulties for pedestrians when crossing the street. Narrowing the road with curb extensions and midblock crosswalks can shorten the distance for pedestrians and increase the feelings of safety when crossing.

Encouraging employees to park in off-street parking lots can also preserve on-street parking for customers.

Alleyways across downtown often become unused spaces. Yet, these alleyways can be transformed to public gathering spaces. Extending the curb along both sidewalks can allow this space to become pedestrian only. This change would offer a place for public art, seating, lights, or dining areas. These spaces could significantly increase the number of people downtown.

Empty storefronts can take away from the image and vibrancy of a downtown. Policies for downtown businesses that are closed or are not open to the public should be implemented so that vacant buildings are still clean, organized, and taken care of. This will not only make downtown look better, but will also help the stores located near these vacant buildings.

Downtown storefronts need guidelines for what is and is not allowed. This will allow all new businesses in downtown to follow the guidelines required by the city.

Having unified storefronts creates a sense of place and provides a distinct look. This look can help residents and visitors understand where downtown begins and ends.

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Concepts + Recommendations 12

Based on the comments and observations from the site visit, recommendations are organized into the following themes: Connection + Access Street Safety + Comfort Public Space Network Development + Business Mix

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Proposal Map

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Graham or Adair road diets, parklets, and landmarks (See Pages 22-23) Adair and Graham Intersection Improvements (See Page 21)

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New highly-programmed urban park (See Page 26)

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Hidden Treasures and Y Murals (See Pages 30-35)

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Pryor Pocket Park (See Page 25)

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Driver-Oriented Wayfinding (See Page 18)

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Pedestrian-Oriented Wayfinding (See Page 17)

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Storefront/Business Development Microgrants (See Page 37) Jefferson Highway Connection (See Page 38)

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Commemoration of Historic Tornado, Tours (See Page 39)

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Connection + Access Important changes for Pryor are to ensure there is a connection between amenities and to improve accessibility for walkability. To create a more walkable community, it will be important to have clear directions for cars that direct them to public parking off of the main roads, leaving the main streets for walking and biking. This will allow drivers to know where there is available parking and allow pedestrians safer walking connections. ▸ Identify citywide wayfinding opportunities targeted toward drivers. ▸ Convert drivers to pedestrians with “park and walk” signage. ▸ Identify downtown wayfinding opportunity targeted toward pedestrians.

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Create wayfinding for drivers.

Introducing wayfinding signs for cars is the first step in directing visitors and residents to Pryor’s most important spaces and places. These signs are the main markers that direct the flow of traffic in the right direction and ensure that drivers get to their desired destination. Signage for cars can be stand alone or can be incorporated into the existing infrastructure. This could not only help with cost, but also could keep sidewalks or medians from being overcrowded by extra signage. The examples to the right are from Jasper, AL and Fayetteville, AR. This rendering is an option for Pryor to add to their downtown. The first picture is of a current lamp post and the second picture depicts how signage could be easily attached to an existing structure to point residents and visitors in the right direction. This signage can direct traffic towards the courthouse, banks, post office, public offices, and Pryor’s public outdoor spaces.

Small additions to signs or poles that already exist downtown could help drivers and pedestrians find important amenities in the area. Simple signs can be placed on light poles that identify where City Hall is located or other important municipal buildings or local businesses.

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Create “park and walk” signage.

Pryor offers its residents free public parking, ensuring that everyone can get to their preferred destination. An important addition to this will be to create better signage showing drivers where to park and encouraging residents to walk. Adding signage around downtown labeled as “FREE PUBLIC PARKING” at certain locations and utilizing large parking lots not currently at capacity (such as the municipal buildings’ parking lots) can encourage residents to park off the main streets and end the myth that there “is never parking” downtown.

Offering “FREE PARKING” signage, as well as “PARK AND WALK” signs tell the drivers that there is free public parking, while also letting residents know that the downtown streets are reserved for pedestrians. This additional signage can also be placed on existing structures to lower cost and can add necessary directions for all people to understand where public parking should be located. A mural depicting free public parking could also be used to show the availability of parking. Review historic preservation best practices before painting historic surfaces.

Using building sides for parking signage and public art can create inviting spaces that also encourage parking in designated areas. Parking lots on the exterior of downtown reserves the interior streets for pedestrian-oriented streets.

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Current public parking sign in downtown Pryor.

An example of a public parking sign for drivers in Westerville, Ohio.

Create wayfinding for pedestrians.

Wayfinding signage for pedestrians will also be necessary for residents and visitors to know where they are going after they park. Offering an average time of how long it will take to walk to a specific location will help all pedestrians gauge how close many of these amenities are and how easily they can get to them on foot. These signs can also be added to existing structures for a low cost or can act as stand alone structures.

Offering a map of downtown that points out all the downtown businesses and shows pedestrians a “YOU ARE HERE� symbol will allow everyone to better understand downtown Pryor. This map can also be used to advertise the town’s many amenities and public spaces.

This could also be used to offer a downtown scavenger hunt or other activities that increase the number of people and things to do downtown.

Low-cost pedestrian signage in Okemos, Michigan.

Downtown map in Buena Vista, Colorado.

A downtown map for pedestrians can also direct residents and visitors to their preferred destination. Labeling important areas can allow pedestrians to navigate through the different public spaces and businesses offered in downtown.

Crosswalks can also be added to increase pedestrian safety around downtown.

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Street Safety + Comfort Street safety, particularly along Graham Avenue, is an especially important area for Pryor. It currently feels unsafe or uncomfortable at times to cross Graham.

A new streetscape focusing on Adair Street and the intersection of Adair and Graham can help make downtown safer and more comfortable. ▸ Improve crossing safety at the key crossing of Graham and Adair. ▸ Advocate a Graham Avenue road diet. ▸ Add a downtown landmark.

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Improve crossing safety at key crossing of Graham Avenue & Adair Street.

Graham and Adair is the “100% corner of downtown Pryor, where the city’s character is best showcased. Although the posted speed limit on Graham Avenue is only 25 mph, many residents reported that crossing at Adair Street does not feel safe.

This feeling of unease may be attributed to multiple factors. Because Graham Avenue measures 75 feet curb to curb, vehicles tend to drive faster than the posted speed limit. Additionally, this intersection has no pedestrian-oriented traffic signals, which forces pedestrians to make their own judgments on the best time to cross. This may lead to miscalculations and leave walkers stuck in the middle of the road when the traffic light turns green. Lastly, the crosswalk paint at this section is worn and not very clear, making it harder for drivers to recognize that people may be crossing at this intersection.

Because Graham Avenue is an ODOTcontrolled roadway, city leaders and advocates will have to work with the state agency on improvements within its right-of-way. The improvements outlined here have minimal impact and should be encouraged with ODOT: •

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Install pedestrian-oriented signals to improve the safety of pedestrians who are crossing the busy intersection.

Repaint the crosswalk with a bolder design to inform drivers of this intersection and encourage them to slow down.

Add bumpouts on all four corners to shorten crossing distances.

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Repainted Crosswalk

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Vegetated Bumpout

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Gateway

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Crossing Signals 21

Advocate a Graham Avenue road diet or curbside parklets.

A road diet means reducing the number of moving traffic lanes. For Graham Avenue, the street could become a 2-lane street with a center turn lane for left turns. Road diets often improve safety, slow down traffic, and can even make traffic flow more efficient by reducing left turn conflicts. A road diet could make 10-15 more feet available; This space could be reallocated to wider sidewalks or create space for angled parking, increasing the number of parking spaces. A road diet would require full participation from ODOT, but would be a worthwhile achievement to improve safety and economic development for downtown Pryor.

Curbside Parklets As an alternative to a road diet, small parklets can be installed in select parallel parking spaces. Tahlequah, which has limited space on Muskogee Avenue, has installed many of these parklets to create space for trees, landscaping, and benches on the sidewalk.

Tahlequah parklets occupy a portion of a parking space and include trees, landscaping, and benches.

Metal plate connects parklet to sidewalk, allowing existing drainage channel to pass between curb and parklet.

Parklets create space to incorporate street trees. Street trees are proven to help slow down drivers and also create shade, which is crucial for creating a walkable community in summer months. Street trees and parklets also create some protection for the sidewalk, and create an opportunity for seating that allows users to sit and relax in the shade.

Example locations for parklets along Graham and Adair. See page 33 for larger alleyway parklet concept.

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Add a downtown landmark.

A gateway marker or landmark could be a nice way to create a memorable impression in downtown. Column-type markers could work well on an intersection like Graham and Mill Street, because Graham Avenue is too wide for a gateway feature. A gateway feature could work on a street like Adair, which is narrower. This could help create a sense of place for all of downtown. Since this gateway is a landmark it will encourage passersby to slow down and admire it, which will in turn improve the feeling of safety for walking pedestrians. With the addition of street trees, walking signals, bumpouts, a gateway, and the repainting of the crosswalk, pedestrians would have a greater sense of safety which would significantly increase the walkability of Pryor.

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1 Repainted Crosswalk 2 Vegetated Bumpout 3 Gateway 4 Street Trees in Curbside Parklets 23

Public Space Network Downtown Pryor is filled with interesting, small, unexpected spaces and sights. These places can all become part of an experience where residents and visitors can discover the authentic, unique character of the community while spending time in public. In addition, Pryor has a plan for a new highlyprogrammed urban park that can become a great gathering place for people. ▸ Create a Pryor Pocket Park in the alley with the PRYOR Mural. ▸ Create a great new downtown urban park. ▸ Find potential in the hidden, authentic spaces that could host a network of hidden treasures to get people to explore downtown.

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Create a Pryor Pocket Park.

The “PR Y OR Mural” has already become a wonderful, Instagrammable moment in downtown Pryor. It’s a star of Pryor’s downtown “Hidden Treasures.” There are alternative vehicular access points to the area behind this alley, so Pryor could consider turning this into a special place where the mural can be celebrated.

Close the driveway to extend the parklet all the way out across the sidewalk and into the parking lane.

Use pavement art or a new paving material to define the parklet. Add string lights, planters, wall art or green walls, and a banner sign with a new name for the parklet.

Add seating and community games so people can enjoy their tea, coffee, pizza, or barbecue-style tacos with friends and family.

Community games

Banner sign

Extend into parking lane

Paint or pavement material

Planters provide protection

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Create a great highly-programmed urban park.

A new type of park is sweeping the nation, and provides something new and different from traditional city parks. These are typically smaller, active spaces in downtown areas that are highly programmed and function more like community living rooms rather than outdoor recreation areas.

Examples include Guthrie Green in Tulsa, Discovery Green in Houston, and Fountain Park in Rock Hill, SC. A highly-programmed urban park will provide a destination within downtown, where residents and visitors can engage in different types of activities and connect with nature. This section includes recommendations for this space.

PROGRAMMING In order to make this park a focus point within downtown and attract its residents and visitors, a good strategy would be to provide a variety of activities for people. By overlaying density of programming in creative ways, it allows the park to promote a variety of activities and experiences for different population groups.

The Discovery Green Park, in Houston, is an example of a park that provides high density programming. Their website is a good resource for suggestions of activities and events that could take place in the new city park in Pryor. https://www.discoverygreen.com/

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VARIETY OF ROOMS A variety of “rooms” – spaces – within the park is another strategy to accommodate different types of users.

It is important to provide spaces that offer contrasting opportunities like shade and sun; privacy and gathering; quiet spaces and active noisy spaces; spaces for music presentations, and spaces for meditation and relaxation; amongst others.

Guthrie Green Park, in Tulsa, is a good example of a park that is roughly the same size as the new Pryor city park.

BRANDING These parks are often named after a local characteristic or a design feature, and often use place term like Green, Square, Park, or Place.

“Guthrie Green” in Tulsa is named after local cultural icon Woody Guthrie.

“Fountain Park” in Rock Hill, South Carolina is named after its central design feature. “Discovery Green” in Houston uses a name that evokes the type of experience you might have.

What Kind of Name? Try these combinations: Local Name Pryor Huckleberry Coo-Y-Yah City Hall

Place Term X

Park Hill Place Square

What do you think? “City Hall Square” might emphasize the location of the space. “Huckleberry Hill” might emphasize a central design feature of huckleberry trees and a small hill that rises in the park and creates seating and views. “Pryor Place” might reference the goals of creating a sense of place for Pryor. “Coo-Y-Yah Park” references local traditions.

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Case Study: Fountain Park, Rock Hill, South Carolina Rock Hill’s 1.5-acre Fountain Park may be a good source of inspiration for creating a highly-programmed urban park.

Located within the Charlotte metropolitan area, Rock Hill, South Carolina, is a growing community with many bustling residents. Community members are always looking for new and engaging ways to spend time in their community and with their friends and families.

The City of Rock Hill recently created Fountain Park to be a gathering place for the community. The park includes a large fountain that has light shows at night, a stage for performances, and a large open green space for organized activities and leisure. The city has programmed this park to include special city events and act as a gathering space for the community.

Located just 2 blocks east of Rock Hill’s downtown shopping, Fountain Park connects the pedestrian to east of downtown. Not only did the city invest in this park, but in the sidewalks, street trees, and lighting that made residents feel comfortable walking or biking to this park. Further, the city invested in the neighborhood surrounding the park. They developed Fountain Park Place as a commercial center next to the park to further redevelop downtown Rock Hill.

Street trees and greenery acting as a buffer to the sidewalk traveling east from downtown to Fountain Park.

Fountain Park Place commercial building next to the park.

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Rock Hill’s “Fountain Park” is a great example of the new variety of highlyprogrammed urban parks. In its modest 1.5-acre footprint, it is programmed with activities that attract residents, it includes a variety of “rooms” that allow different types of park use, and it is branded around a central design feature. While passive recreation is possible during many times, this is more of a space for gathering.

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Find potential in hidden, authentic spaces.

AUTHENTICITY During our visit, we notice that Pryor’s streets have a strong identity and vintage/funky feel to them. The businesses have authentic facades, windows, and interiors.

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AVAILABLE SPACES At the same time, Pryor has many leftover spaces like unoccupied alleys and hidden courtyards. These spaces have the potential to be gathering and meeting areas, safe pedestrian routes, and provide recreation opportunities for the residents. By doing that, Pryor would activate its public spaces, promote safety and create a sense of community. The next page provides a few examples of what could be implemented in these leftover spaces.

ALLEY OPPORTUNITIES Alleys can be relaxation spaces by incorporating different types of seating, vegetation and water features.

Rev. Linnette C. Williamson Memorial Park, New York City.

Paley Park, New York City.

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Or they can be active sports areas for all ages.

Alley Oop, Canada.

They can also be active educational spaces for kids, or community gardens where adults can plant food.

Wilderness Village Pocket Park, Maple Valley, WA.

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Los Amigos Community Garden, Harlem, Manhattan

The alleys can also be simply a walkable trail connecting two streets, with contact with nature and safety.

The New York Restoration Project, New York City.

Progress Hammock Memorial Greenway, Fort Lauderdale, FL

EXTENDING THE SIDEWALKS Curb extensions shorten the crossing distance for walkers, slow down traffic on the corners, and provide an opportunity to beautify the corners with plantings.

They can accommodate shade trees or rain gardens that slow down stormwater runoff. Parking spots can also be an opportunity to implement parklets and pocket patios, creating gathering spaces along the sidewalk.

Curb bumpout with rain garden.

Pocket Patio on Congress Ave, Austin, TX.

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A NETWORK OF HIDDEN TREASURES By taking advantage of Pryor’s existing hidden gems and places, all of these new public spaces could be connected in a public space network and explored in activities such as scavenger hunts and geocaching.

They can incorporate works of art, book exchange stations, amongst others. This network can be an opportunity to involve kids and teens in a recreational activity; to engage residents with their community; and to attract visitors, inviting them to explore Pryor’s treasures.

In Fort Worth, TX, the Foundry District has 29 mantras scattered around the district’s walls and doors.

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“We are the Y”: This slogan of Pryor Main Street expressed in the Pryor name mural is a strong brand for this community, one that can be explored in this network of hidden treasures.

Other murals can be implemented around the city with other words that contain the letter Y:

LOYAL COMMUNITY DIVERSITY PRAYER Y’ALL COO-Y-YAH

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Development + Business Mix Pryor generally has a strong mix of businesses downtown and most of the ground-level commercial spaces are currently occupied. A couple of opportunities stand out for how to enable local businesses to take part in improving downtown Pryor and activating its streets and public spaces: ▸ Evaluate hours of operation and investigate consumer preferences. ▸ Consider a micro-grant program for businesses to make desired improvements. ▸ Build on a connection to the Jefferson Highway. ▸ Build up to a potential commemoration of the tornado anniversary as a significant historic event.

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Evaluate hours of operation and investigate consumer preferences.

Currently, many downtown businesses do not stay open and offer evening hours for customers. Some businesses do stay open later, or offer later hours on special events.

With a median closing time of 5:36 p.m. and an average commute time of about 20 minutes, many people don’t even make it home from work before half of downtown businesses are closed.

Many businesses have expressed that they experimented with adding more evening hours, but found it unsustainable. The coming addition of more food service businesses downtown may help make evening hours more sustainable.

In the meantime, extended hours during one evening per month like Third Thursday is a great way to continue building up the habit of visiting downtown businesses in the evening hours.

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Median Closing Time Downtown Businesses

Consider a microgrant program for businesses to make desired improvements.

Improvements to the design of the street are a great start for downtown.

But the street itself is defined by the buildings and businesses that face it, providing the attractive and active edge that creates a lively environment.

Many businesses may want to make improvements to their structures or add character elements to enliven the street, but may need a boost to get there.

A micro-grant program could offer $250-500 matching grants for a wide range of issues related to the public experience of the street. Business or building owners could apply for funds to put toward storefront window displays, window repair or cleaning, engineering, new signs, paint, interior de-cluttering, purchase of outdoor furniture or planters, or other local priorities.

Set aside about $10,000 to begin the program, and offer grants from $250-500.

Limit the time period when people can apply for funds and make them firstcome, first-served to encourage urgent action. Allow grants to be combined with several grants for one project (for example, one project could receive stacked grants for paint, signs, and window repair). The Newkirk Main Street Authority in Newkirk, Oklahoma, has had success with a program like this.

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Build on a connection to the Jefferson Highway.

Local groups like the Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce are already looking for opportunities to build on one of Pryor’s major branding assets: Its location along the historic Jefferson Highway.

The Jefferson Highway was the first transcontinental, international highway in North America. The Jefferson Highway Association was created in 1915.

By 1917, there was a road trip in a 1917 Hudson Motorcar that traveled 2,267 miles through 1 Canadian province, 7 American states, 79 counties, and 264 cities, towns, and villages. The promotional line for the route was “From Pine to Palm,” nodding toward the diverse ecosystems the route traversed on its route from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to New Orleans, Louisiana.

Celebrating and highlighting Pryor’s location on the Jefferson Highway is one way of attracting visitors who are interested in international road trips like Route 66. Pryor can roll out the welcome mat for these travelers with markers, guides, and graphics that use the language and graphics of historic branding of the highway.

Downtown New Orleans features a 1917 stone marker commemorating the end of the route. Iowa has a statewide program for highlighting the Jefferson Highway. The organization around this historic roadway (jeffersonhighway.org) creates promotional programs, and still meets annually, with the 2020 meeting coming up in Mason City, Iowa, on June 3-6. Currently, there are no Pryor area landmarks listed on the group’s interactive map.

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Common markers include historic stone-carved markers, new highway signs, and the distinctive JH logo painted on utility poles. Many signs and commemorative works include the historic pine to palm imagery.

Build up to a potential commemoration of the 1942 tornado anniversary as a significant historic event.

The 1942 Pryor Tornado is an important part of Pryor’s shared history and identity. The evidence of this event is still present in the architecture and spaces of downtown Pryor, as well as the historic photos on many walls and the memories that still stick with residents.

Pryor’s experience with the tornado is also a story of the community’s resilience, and it is possible to continue this narrative as Pryor community members continue to work on a strong downtown. The 80th Anniversary of this event will be April 27, 2022. With cleaned-up facades from the new micro-grant program, the community is ready to invite guests for a commemoration of this important history. Not a festival, or a party, but a commemoration of the community’s resilience in the face of difficult circumstances.

Enlarged historic photographs in storefront windows could tell the story of the tornado’s extensive damage to downtown commercial buildings. The photos can be paired with buildings that are on the same spot as historic views, so guests can see how Pryor rebuilt itself after this tragedy.

Once the town is ready, host walking tours of Pryor’s architecture pointing out the evidence of the town’s rebuilding. Coordinate with the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture, which recently hosted a tour working with Okmulgee Main Street.

Woodward, Oklahoma, is another community that was devastated by a significant tornado in the 1940s. Shortly after the tornado, a public prayer service was held in the Woodward Theatre (one of the few buildings to escape major damage). For the 50th anniversary of Woodward’s tornado, the community organized another public prayer service using the original scripts of that first 1947 service.

Historic photos of tornado damage enlarged to fill storefront windows for a community exhibition.

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Next Steps This page provides some leads on funding sources. Placemaking can be even better if it is lighter, quicker, and cheaper. Costs can be reduced by selecting lower-cost materials, finding material and labor donations, and identifying improvements that can be implemented with the help of volunteer labor from community members or groups like Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Local Contributions Local contributions may come from a variety of sources.

Check with local businesses, service providers, banks, utility providers, nearby auto dealerships, charitable foundations, etc. Don’t forget the value of in-kind contributions of materials, equipment, and labor from skilled local workers.

Land & Water Conservation Fund Grant Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department Division of State Parks Susan Henry, Grant Administrator (405) 522-9521 susan.henry@travelok.com The Division of State Parks distributes the federal funds for this grant. The grant reimburses up to 50% of expenses from projects that include acquisition of land and/or development of outdoor recreation facilities. Facilities might include sports facilities, playgrounds, campgrounds, trails, swimming facilities, splash pads, etc.

Recreational Trails Program (Same Contact Info as Above) This grant reimburses up to 80% of the costs of developing a recreational trail with a 20% local match.

Transportation Alternatives Program Oklahoma Department of Transportation https://www.ok.gov/odot/Doing_Business/Local_ Government_Resource_Center/Transportation_ Alternatives_Program_(TAP)/index.html This program funds downtown enhancements near state highways from federal funds.

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Placemaking Grant National Association of Realtors https://realtorparty.realtor/community-outreach/ placemaking Up to $5,000 is available for placemaking activities. The local Realtor Association must be engaged in order to apply.

TSET Healthy Incentive Grants for Communities https://tset.ok.gov/content/healthy-communitiesincentive-grants Sponsored by Oklahoma’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, these funds can construct public facilities related to health and wellness, like walking trails, farmers markets, or sports and recreation facilities. After meeting certain criteria, communities become eligible for varying levels of funds. Communities that are more proactive about healthy living policies are eligible for more funds.

AARP Community Challenge AARP Livable Communities https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/communitychallenge/ The AARP Community Challenge funds over 150 community projects each year. The program funds projects for public space, bike/walk mobility, and housing that have fast implementation schedules.

Rural Economic Action Plan (REAP) Grand Gateway Economic Development Association REAP Grants are authorized by the Oklahoma Legislature for funding small, rural communities with less than 7,000 in population. GGEDA manages distribution of these funds in Mayes County. Grants do not require a local match, and can be used for a wide variety of public projects including transportation and community buildings.

Collaborators Pryor Main Street

Community Participants

Jennie VanBuskirk, Executive Director

Alicia England Amy Allen Audrey Vasquez-Vargas Brock Beatrie Jared Crisp Candi Mendivil Chase McBride Chris Hardy Clarissa Yates Courtney Parker Eric Hansbrough Faith Gates Jack Hardy Jason Erwin Jennifer Meeks Jenny Rollins Jeremy Vargas Jessica Long Jessica Vargas John Hawkins Kara McCarthy Katie Thibodeaux Kerry Pace Kimm Kennon Leah Mackey Lesa Ritchie Leslie Considine Lisa Melchior Lori Northcutt Maria Yerten Nena Roberts Paul Melchior Rhoda Strode Robin Gordon Samantha Williams Sara Rich Scott Miller Sherrona Melchior Steve Arric Terri Ross Terry Allen Thomas Williams Tim Lawson Todd Rice Twila Gaines

Mayes County HOPE Coalition Arianna Derr, Healthy Living Program Specialist

City of Pryor Larry Lees, Mayor

Pryor Area Chamber of Commerce Barbara Hawkins, Director

First Pryority Bank Gene Dillard, CEO/Chairman

OU Institute for Quality Communities Shane Hampton, Director Ron Frantz, Director of Small Town Studios Alice Calmon, Graduate Assistant Taylor Huizenga, Graduate Assistant Matthew Kessler, Graduate Assistant

Funding provided in part by the Oklahoma Municipal League.

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Report Prepared By: The University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities Christopher C. Gibbs College of Architecture 830 Van Vleet Oval, Gould Hall Norman, Oklahoma 73019 iqc.ou.edu

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