Waurika DesignWorks

WAURIKA DESIGNWORKS Beyond the Brick Waurika Chamber of Commerce Oklahoma Municipal League OU Institute for Quality Communities

Drone photos taken by Historic Preservation Planning student: Cameron Conyers 10/20/18

Executive Summary In the spring of 2018, a collaboration between the city of Waurika and the University of Oklahoma’s Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) sprung when the chamber of commerce was awarded a matching grant from Oklahoma Municipal League. The aim was to make use of design students from the Gibbs College of Architecture and staff from the IQC, as well as, work with community members and stakeholders in facilitating a scheme to “REINVENT DOWNTOWN WAURIKA”.

Prior to the workshops that took place in the Fall of 2018, the chamber board members took a few IQC staff on a main street tour to explore the history, assets, challenges, needs, and vision for the city of Waurika. Waurika is the county seat of Jefferson County, located between Ardmore and Randlett, with a population of about 2,000 people.

On October 16, 2018, the City of Waurika invited the IQC team on a 2-day visit to conduct a workshop with over a dozen residents and stakeholders. The workshop included various activities ranging from mapping exercises to the idea wall, calendar wall, and a place game to evaluate 3 key spots on Main Street. On October 17, the IQC team led by the director, Shane Hampton, presented a preliminary feedback from the workshop to the stakeholders at lunch and this created a series of discussions that set the framework for this report.

On October 20, the team was invited back for the Brickstreet Classic Car Show, and also hosted a group of Historic Preservation Planning students from OU. The class led by Ron Frantz assessed the historic buildings downtown, taking inventory of architectural conditions and vacant buildings.

This information will help with possible submission to the Oklahoma Landmark Inventory which is an initial step for consideration of being listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Assets in Waurika

Volunteerism/Community Support: The City of Waurika prides itself with community support. Its citizens are always willing to volunteer their time and resources in improving the welfare of their community. An example is the DesignWorks workshop on the left, and the stakeholders meeting on the right that included a few city leaders and the chamber of commerce.

Public Institutions: Waurika posesses a good number of historic buildings with quality architecture. It preserves them through various means, including reprogramming to prevent deterioriation. It has a potential for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

Public Spaces & Programs: The level of volunteerism and community support from the citizens of Waurika has led to the several efforts to revitalize its downtown area through programming of public spaces to create a sense of place. Some of the products of these efforts include the Veteran’s Park; The Lawn, Farmer’s Market; and Sorosis Park. The beauty of the brick streets conecting all of these spaces is of significant value.

Process & Site Visits

Waurika Events Calendar January February X

X

March

April

May

June

July

August

Jefferson County Rattlesnake Downtown Again Summer Reading Program Jr. Livestock Festival Downtown Dash 5k

Ranch Rodeo

Elementary school carnival

Fourth of July Festival

September

October

November

December

Jefferson County Homecoming Veteran's Day Christmas Free Fair Parade Parade parade Friends of the Christmas Tree Brick Street lighting ceremony Library "Santa's Classic Car Show & cocoa and carols Workshop" Lions Club Golf High school band Lions Club Tournament carnival Pancake Day Waurika Book Sale ‐ elementary school Friends of the veteran's day Library program

Place Evaluations- Power of #3 PLACE GAME Identify Oppurtunities

P L ACE P ER FO R MAN CE EVAL UAT I O N

1. What do you like best about this place?

2. List things that you would do to improve this place that could be done right away and that wouldn’t cost a lot.

3. What changes would you make in the long term that would have the biggest impact?

4. Ask someone who is in the “place” what they like about it and what they would do to improve it.

During the workshop, among the several interactive activities facilitated, was the Place Game piloted by Hope Mander. As a result of the huge interest in public spaces downtown Waurika, it was important to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and opportunites of key locations on Main Street. The Place Game is a community workshop activity employed from Project for Public Spaces (PPS) in evaluating public spaces, giving “local residents an easy tool with which to identify the assets and shortcomings of the public spaces they use everyday”. The results of the three (3) spaces evaluated are seen on the next page.

EVALUATIONS Comfort & Image Overall attractiveness Feeling of safety Cleanliness/quality of maintenance Comfort of places to sit Access & Linkages Visibility from a distance Ease in walking to the place Well conneected Clarity of information/signage Uses & Activities Any visible activity Frequency of community events/activities Overall busy-ness of area Economic vitality Sociability Number of people in groups Evidence of volunteerism Sense of pride and ownership Presence of different age groups

Assets

Short-Term Changes

FARMER'S MARKET

SOROSIS PARK

THE LAWN

2.2 2.8

2.2 3.6

2.6 3.8

2.0 1.6

2.4 1.6

2.0 1.6

1.8 3.6 3.0 2.8

3.4 3.6 3.6 1.8

2.8 3.4 3.2 2.2

3.2

3.2

2.4

2.8 2.8 3.0

2.4 1.8 1.6

1.8 1.8 1.6

3.0 3.2 3.0 3.2

3.2 2.8 2.6 2.8

1.6 2.8 2.6 3.0

FARMER'S MARKET

SOROSIS PARK

THE LAWN

Sense of home and community participation Keeps money in town Uses extra produce

Openness and Visibility Versatility Performance area

Programming and activities Landscaping

Install electricity and lighting

Move existing picnic tables Renovate mural and clean wall

Install electricity and lighting Locate performance stage area

Remove crumbling stucco

Add more lighting in/on tree

Seating and trash cans

Weather cover/shade Permanent signage on brick Permanent waterwashing station

Replace concrete

Easel sign and portable event signage

Long-Term Changes

Relocate stage Complete mural restoration

Improve landscaping Install restrooms Improve shading

Scenes from the 2019 Waurika Downtown Again & Downtown Dash 5K/1M For the past 6 years Waurika Chamber of Commerce has put together a great event where Waurika residents come together to promote their town, engage with one another and bring vitality to the streets of Waurika.

( Photo Credit, Waurika News Journal)

Key Recommendations

Recommendation 1: Transform the current farmers market into Eagle Plaza.

Recommendation 2: Incorporate the Farmers Market into Sorosis Park.

Recommendation 3: Energize “The Lawn.�

Recommendation 4: Gateway Entry & Signage.

Recommendation 5: Historic Preservation-Findings & Recommendations.

BROADWAY AVENUE MAIN STREET

Eagle Plaza

The Lawn

W D AVENUE

E D AVENUE

Sorosis Park

Recommendation 1:

Transform the farmers market into Eagle Plaza EXISTING CONDITIONS: The image on the left shows the space proposed for the Eagle Plaza. It is currently used as a Farmer’s Market on Saturdays between 8:30 and 11:00am. The space is located along Main Street, on the west side of the block north of Broadway Avenue. It possesses a hard ground surface that requires little improvement, hence, the potential for a sitting space to host community engagement events such as Movie Nights and gardening.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS: The graphics on the following pages show conceptual ideas for the proposed Eagle plaza.

Sitting Benches

Clean-up hard flooring

Canopy shade

Movie Projector

Restore Brick Wall

Planters

Recommendation 2:

Incorporate the Farmer’s Market into Sorosis Park EXISTING CONDITIONS: The image on the left shows the Sorosis Park, currently an open space used for music concerts and club meetings. It possesses a hard ground surface and stage area, including trees for shading and a remarkable art mural on the wall.

The space has more potential than is currently employed, hence, the proposal for a public space that could serve multiple functions. Also, the orientation of the stage causes music to escape outwards. A seat wall provides a strong corner for the Sorosis Market area.

This location is ideal for commercial activation because of its location on the corner of Main Street and D Avenue.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS: The graphics on the following pages show conceptual ideas for the proposed improvements to the Sorosis Park.

Preserve Trees for Shading

Food Delivery Truck

Farmer’s Market Stall Tents

Restore Art Mural

Restore Flooring

Picnic Area/Sitting

Recommendation 3:

Energize “The Lawn” EXISTING CONDITIONS: The image on the left shows “The Lawn”, which is a public space currently used for informally programmed events, including sports and recreational activities. It has a permeable ground surface, creating the potential for mixed-use activities. Also, its location close to the proposed Eagle Plaza allows for a possible walking experience between both spaces. In a downtown retail environment, safe crossings should be spaced frequently for freedom of movement. A mid-block crosswalk from The Lawn to the east side of Main Street creates another opportunity for pedestrians to move freely between the Eagle Plaza and The Lawn to the Sorosis Market.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS: The graphics on the following pages show conceptual ideas for improvements on

The Lawn, and the space connecting it to the Eagle Plaza. The proposed pedlet is a temporary sidewalk extension that fills a few parking spaces and acts as a public picnic area.

Canopy shade

Incorporate temporary cross-walk

Preserve Name

Wooden Pedlet

Trees for Shading Picnic Area/Sitting

Visible Entrance

Food Truck

Design-Spaces-Pedlet-Street The beautiful commercial structure located between Eagle Plaza and The Lawn could become a valuable civic asset to help activate these downtown open spaces. The structure appears to be in good condition. If acquired by the community, the building could house important functional spaces like restrooms and storage. It could also offer space to pursue complementary uses like space for indoor events, meetings, and a coworking environment with Internet access.

The parklet may be constructed with materials such as wood, that can sustain exposure to the elements and is easily maintained. It should be slip resistant and level with the sidewalk to avoid gap.

Recommendation 4:

Gateway Entry & Signage EXISTING CONDITIONS: Downtown Waurika currently lacks proper way-finding signage that could serve as a landmark for those walking or driving along the Main Street. There is a need to incorporate a powerful landmark that draws attention, at the same time, represent an image of Waurika.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS: Waurika ‘s slogan is “ On the Trail, By the Lake which the cowboy on the fish beautifily symbolises Waurika’s location and its history. This symbol should become a landmark at the intersection of Main street and U.S. Route 70 highway.

View of rendering looking North on the intersection of Waurika’s Mainstreet and U.S. Highway 70.

Recommendation 5:

Historic Preservation- findings & recommendations First Appearance on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps First Appearance on the Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps ! (

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The survey involved exploring the historic uses and timeline of the buildings downtown as presented on the next pages. The maps shown represent findings from comparing the Sanborn maps to the existing structures along mainstreet.

The aim of this project was to assess the historic buildings, taking inventory of existing conditions and to outline possible adaptive reuse and business strategies for local implementation.

The findings are archived for the City of Waurika to make submissions to the Oklahoma Landmark Inventory in order to list on the National Register of Historic Places.

E H ST

W H ST

The Historic Preservation Planning students from the Gibbs College of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma carried out surveys for historic buildings downtown Waurika. Prior to the visit, the students analyzed Sanborn Fire Insurance maps that date as far back as 1910, examining changes that have since occured.

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Downtown Waurika, Oklahoma Surveyed Buildings 45! (

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Historic Use of the Surveyed Buildings C AVE MERIDIAN

NW 1ST ST

Local Road Historic Use Unknown

N Main St

Brick Road Primary Road

ASH

C AVE

D AVE

Auto Sales & Service Bank W BROADWAY ST Barber

BROADWAY

2ND ST

Church Drugs

Dry Goods DwellingAVE ANDERSON

E AVE

Filling Station Funiture Storage

Grocery Lodge Hall Office Printing Store Tailor

W G ST

E G ST

SW 1ST ST

Meat

MERIDIAN

General Store

F ST

S Main St

Garage

T DS OA ILR RA

Furniture

E H ST

W H ST

Tin Shop Vacant Wood Frame

0

US Hwy 70

0.125

0.25 Miles

RAIL ROAD

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Next Steps This document provides basic concepts for improving public spaces and engaging community activities downtown. The three (3) spaces on the block north of Broadway Avenue and south of West D & East D Avenue are chosen based on community members’ evaluations from the Place Game. They are the prime locations for increasing activities that would, in turn, catalyze developments along the brickstreet corridor.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: TSET Incentive Grants: Waurika is eligible for approximately $22,000 from TSET Healthy Living Program Incentive Grants. These funds would be ideal matching funds for key sidewalk construction or a signage program.

AARP Community Challenge Grants: This annual grant program funds ‘quick-action’ projects that are ready to go. In 2017, the grant program helped city officials in Shawnee construct a traffic mini-circle. In 2018, Vinita won a $25,000 grant to construct a public space in a downtown alley. Wewoka may consider competing for funds from this program.

America Walks: This is a community change grant program, that awards $1,500 to communities for projects that help create healthy, active, and engaged places to live, work, and play. The purpose of the grant is to advocate environmental sustainability, through locally supported efforts to improve walking and walkability.

Collaborators City of Waurika

OU Institute for Quality Communities

Jacob Eck, Waurika Chamber Crystal Hinshaw, Waurika Chamber Joanna Dyer, Waurika Chamber Lauren Nitschke, Waurika Chamber Adam Brinson, Waurika Chamber Jon Waid, Waurika Chamber Michael W. Bryant, City of Waurika Catrina Watters, City of Waurika Brad Scott, City of Waurika Richard Gillespie, County Hospital Heather Bryant, County Hospital Amy Eck, Teacher Roy Bartling Gary Duncan Sharon Duncan Charles Schultheis Carter Waid Pat Mc Griff Dana Biff Eck Mike Rung Paula Driggers Brenda Estep Bryce Bohot Jennifer Aldridge

Shane Hampton, Director Hope Mander, Associate Director Ron Frantz, Environmental Design Coordinator Amy Hostetter, OU Division of Architecture Folasayo Salami, OU Division of Regional and City Planning Goutam Vella, OU Division of Landscape Architecture Sridhar Yalamanchili, OU Division of Landscape Architecture

Student Participants Brad Anderson David B. Campillo Jennifer Connett Cameron Conyers Armani Frye Trevor DeBee Sephra Kolker Tanner Dixon Emma Mangum Katie Fiddler Madison McKinnis Youssef Guessab Jacob Miller Madeline Harris Sonia Ramirez Matthew Mcclure Marshall Stringer Aidas Rudis Sarah Wickersham Erick Silva Daniel Woodruff Ignacio Velasco Gil Clay Dobbins Erica Grayson Bethany Grissom Max Harris Zach Hicks Jon Scharton Sean Harrell Noel Jenkin Brendan Summerville Petya Stefanoff, Ph.D Candidate Jake Pitcher, Guest Linda Gary Skaggs, Guest

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