Main Street Enid continues its effort of revitalization

ENID, Okla. (AP) - Main Street Enid was founded in 1994 by business leaders with a mission to revitalize downtown.

“Like communities across America, the popularity of malls and the progression of development away from the traditional downtown square left Enid’s downtown lacking the luster it once had,” said Main Street Enid Director Kelly Tompkins told the Enid News and Eagle . “The Main Street four-point approach of organization, design, promotion and economic restructuring, provided a structure for moving forward.”

Main Street Enid started with facade improvements, which uncovered architectural treasures, and streetscapes that cleaned up sidewalks.

“Since improvement is contagious, property owners quickly jumped on board as the enthusiasm of renovating the once-bustling area began to grow,” Tompkins said.

From 1995-99, 30 facades were renovated or saw significant improvement. Main Street Enid volunteers provided hands-on assistance by removing aluminum slip covers that hid original brick buildings. Building owners were responsible for needed renovations after that point.

Events that bring many people downtown also started in the 1990s, including Enid Lights Up the Plains, which was a “huge hit and still is today,” Tompkins said.

In 1997, Main Street Enid worked with the city on the Outdoor Dining Ordinance, which resulted in the first of several sidewalk dining establishments. Main Street Enid also had a part in Enid Symphony Center, David Allen Memorial Ballpark and Leonardo’s Children’s Museum’s Adventure Quest.

“Working to visually improve the district, creating excitement with events and adjusting sidewalk limitations resulted in several businesses and restaurants moving to and opening downtown,” Tompkins said. “Their work laid the path for reinvestment in downtown Enid. Vacant buildings were purchased, interiors were renovated and beauty was restored.

“This reinvestment continues today, with an incredible mix of boutiques, restaurants, art, entertainment, financial, law, health, beauty and a variety of other businesses.”

In 2001, Main Street Enid won the Great American Main Street award. In 2007, downtown Enid became an official historic district on the National Register of Historic Places and, in 2015, a Designated Cultural District.

“We help make downtown a place where people and businesses want to be,” Tompkins said, “and continuously promote the district so more will realize what we have here.”

“First Fridays start in April and go through October, the Turtle Invasion will be May 12, Downtown Dogfest will be June 16, Music & Movie on the Lawn will be Sept. 14, and of course Enid Lights Up the Plains on Nov. 23,” Tompkins said of upcoming events. “We are bringing back Main Street Mixers, after-hours networking events, and we’re adding walking tours to immediately follow each one. Attendees will be able to share community information, and the tours will feature shopping, dining, history, architecture, arts and entertainment.”

She said projects for this year include continued lamppost refurbishment, energy efficiency, more murals, video histories, more benches, disaster prevention and recovery plans, event banners and efforts to reduce smoking on sidewalks for a healthier community.

“We share and promote training for businesses, to help them continue to improve and thrive,” Tompkins said. “This year, we will offer one-on-one marketing consultations for partners, which will be available for a fee for non-partners. We will also have group marketing training to make sure businesses are effectively promoting themselves and connecting with customers.”

“This spring we get to work with the OU Institute for Quality Communities, thanks to (Oklahoma Municipal League) and TSET, to make downtown safer for those who walk, roll and drive,” Tompkins said. “This increases public health as well as economic health of our local businesses.”

TSET stands for Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust, which was set up in part to help improve quality of life for Oklahomans.

Tompkins said Main Street Enid is happy to deliver maps to businesses - with points of interest that include shopping, dining, arts and entertainment - plus a dog-friendly map. She said MSE also offers business recruitment packets for those considering downtown as a location for their business.

“Our most successful events are Enid Lights Up the Plains, with several thousand people, and First Fridays, usually with over a thousand people at each one,” Tompkins said. “Enid Lights Up the Plains has grown with activities and decorations, and First Fridays include live music at several locations and over 30 places to enjoy shopping, dining and entertainment.

“Due to its popularity, many other non-profit organizations align their events in conjunction with First Fridays.”

“Main Street Enid has 85 partners, and we like to thank them on social media often,” Tompkins said. “We hope people noticed the LOVE ENID valentines on many business windows as another way to recognize our partners. Most are located downtown, but several partners are not in the district and have supported us since 1994.

“We have 33 History Makers, individuals who contribute to our historic district.”

Tompkins said any business, downtown or community-wide, can be a partner and support Main Street Enid’s mission of downtown revitalization, which strengthens the entire city. Partnership levels start at $350 per year and extend to $3,500 and beyond.

“Each level allows the business to choose events to sponsor, since our events are what people regularly enjoy and want to be part of,” she said.

“While businesses are partners, individuals may contribute by becoming History Makers,” Tompkins said. “This campaign provides funds for facade renovations, which made such a difference in the past. History Makers contribute at least $100 per year to be part of uncovering, preserving and making history in downtown Enid.”

“I would like to see the Safer Streets Road Diet Workshop findings implemented,” she said.

The Federal Highway Administration workshops focus on safer roads for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Improving walkability helps us do what we used to do, spend more time walking, gathering and spending money with local businesses downtown,” Tompkins said.

She also would like to see more people take full advantage of what Enid has to offer.

“The Maker Trail was so successful, I’d like to see the maker movement taken further in the community,” she said. “I would love for more people to enjoy our envious amount of arts and entertainment.”

The trail was introduced to Enid last year in conjunction with some of the First Friday offerings and consisted of stops where residents were able to make something collectively or individually.

Main Street Enid’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. The organization has won awards for Best Creative Fundraising Effort, Best Placemaking Project, Best Sustainable Design Project. It also has earned two Premier Special Event awards and two Outstanding Image Promotion awards and was named 2015 Program Manager of the Year and 2016 Community of the Year.