The Plaza District and the Velvet Monkey have been the beneficiaries of Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Main Street program. Commerce department officials said. The Main Street experience is designed to develop a thriving downtown district - rich architecture and history, personal service, local ownership, sense of community, fun and unique opportunities to visit, work, and play.
This is the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Oklahoma’s Main Street at its best.
For 18 years, the state program has been pumping new life back into the heart of communities across the state. A series of celebrations are being held at main street locations statewide to celebrate the 18th year.
Combining historic preservation and downtown revitalization efforts with economic stimulation, Main Street restores the core assets of communities and enhances the quality of life for our citizens, said Commerce spokesman Jason McCarty.
The Plaza District is an emerging art and entertainment district located in the heart of Oklahoma City, off NW 16th between Classen and Penn Avenues.
Former Oklahoma Department of Commerce Secretary Russell Perry chose the district as a Main Street beneficiary during his tenure several years ago.
A district with rich history, diverse culture and renewed energy, the Plaza District is home to local shops, galleries, restaurants, studios and creative businesses.
Plaza district is a two and a half block niche of commercial buildings along NW 16th between North Blackwelder. Every second Friday is LIVE on the Plaza, an artwalk featuring local artists, live music, deadcenter film screening, local retail shopping and much more
About Commere’s Main Street program:
The Oklahoma Main Street Center provides training, resources, and technical assistance for preservation-based commercial district revitalization. It also helps districts obtain financial resources such as tax credits to accomplish the revitalization.
The program’s theme is: Restore, Restructure, Revitalize, Results.
And it has resulted in quantifiable, economic impact.
From program inception to November 2009, the private/public economic impact of Commerce’s Main Street totaled an estimated $708 million.
The program has yield a net gain of 3,613 net gain in new business expansions and a net gain of 3,993 new jobs.
Volunteers have donated 773,013 hours to helping the effort succeed.
Prospective communities interested in participating in the Main Street Program are required to send two representatives to the annual Main Street Application Workshop held every September.
Formal applications are accepted from workshop attendees and are due in January for review and selection by a panel of judges.
Related Website: National Main Street Center Contact: Oklahoma Main Street CenterLinda Barnett 405-815-5271 800-879-6552
