0 Comments
   
Main Street Enid Celebrates 10 Years!
Letter from 2004: Main Street Enid has designated 2004 as "The Year of Retail." We are reminded of how important it is to maintain a positive attitude, to be receptive to new ideas and to always view the glass as half full, even though it may, on some less than perfect days, appear as only murky pond water. 
 Vance AFB Tours of Downtown Enid were a great way to introduce Air Force students to the community and was nominated for a state-wide award in 2003.
 Corner Nodes  Jazz on the Main
 Enid Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall, photo by Lynn Smith Photography Here are some of the major improvements downtown in 1998:
1997 brought more progress and reinvestment in downtown Enid, such as...
Months after Lynn Smith purchased 220 and 222 W Randolph, he began this amazing facade transformation, removing the solid front, exposing and renovating the original character of the historic building. Downtown Enid saw many more improvements in 1996, including...
Facade renovation at 206 W Randolph: Facade renovation at 216 W Randolph: Facade renovation at 213 W Broadway: Watch each week as the revitalization of downtown Enid unfolds, then join us on May 31 to party like it's 1994 for our 20th Anniversary Bash! Main Street Enid really started rolling in 1995 with more projects! The Streetscape Improvement Project resulted in a wonderful new sidewalk for the 100 block of West Randolph.  Another improvement project was the creation of the Randolph Mid-Block Walkway, located at 214 W Randolph. It was once home to a variety of different businesses including J&J Grocery (1926), Simons Paint Store (1938-1950) and Wilson Mattress Factory (1987-1995). The City of Enid purchased the building in 1995 and collaborated with Main Street Enid and local architecture firm, Corbin Associates, to create a pedestrian walkway. The award-winning design incorporates part of the original 1920 brick facade with a lighted pedestrian thoroughfare. These photos show progress on one of four facade improvements in 1995. This is at 117 N Grand, current home to GYM. Most photos above are courtesy of Lynn Smith Photography. You are welcome to add a comment, question or what you remember downtown 1995!
In 1994, a small group of progressive downtown business owners initiated the revitalization of downtown Enid. Gary Hulse, Lynn Smith, David Hume, Bob Berry and Todd Humphrey wanted to preserve their community. The livelihood of downtown could not solely rely on retail business. "We wanted downtown to represent a focal point for all of Enid," said Hulse. "Members of the community take ownership in downtown," added Smith, "they think of downtown ans their downtown and they take pride in it. In order for downtown Enid to be a destination spot once again, it needed a viable framework for an organized approach, and the application to become a Main Street community was accepted. Armed with a preserving spirit and led by a national organization, downtown Enid began its journey to revitalization when Main Street Enid opened its doors in June, 1994. The same year, the very first Enid Lights Up the Plains, the community event the kicks off the Christmas season was created for residents and visitors to enjoy downtown Enid! Lynn Smith took the initiative to renovate the facade of his building that housed his professional photography studio at 126 S Independence. This was the beginning of many facade renovations to come!
|
|
Main Street Enid • Downtown Enid, Oklahoma
217 N Washington, Enid, OK 73701 open by appointment (580) 234-1052 We thank our Partners, the City of Enid and Park Avenue Thrift, History Makers and project sponsors! Privacy Policy |
|
|