By Staci Elder Hensley
The Journal Record

NORMAN- Sometimes everything old is not always new again, but improved as well. Such is the case with Norman’s downtown historic district, which has entered its third century on the crest of an unprecedented growth spurt that represents the best of what can be accomplished through cooperation between federal, city and private sources.

The story of downtown Norman’s comeback is the story of Downtowners Association, a group that in the early 1990’s went from a merchants-only organization to a general property owners’ group focused on improving the economic climate in the city’s historic downtown. Using both private and municipal funds, the group formed The Heart of Norman, a subcommittee that produced a workable economic and redevelopment study. Under the guidance of Chuck Thompson, president of Republic Bank, the group outlined four separate work programs. The first, to improve the streetscape along the 100,200 and 300 blocks of E. Main Street, was funded by an 80/20 federal matching grant, with $800,000 in federal funds matched by 20 percent raised by private business owners.

While the federal funds were designated to replace sidewalks, improve drainage and fund many other visual improvements, the city of Norman also stepped in, determining it was an optimal time to upgrade the downtown area’s again water and sewer lines.

“What you had was an $800,000 streetscape improvement project that turned into a $3.6 million public works project,” Thompson said. “The approval of the federal grant kicked off this entire thing.”

The transformation wasn’t without pain or casualties, however. Construction and remodeling ended up taking about a year longer that expected, and several businesses went under during the upheaval. However, once the projects were complete, “ It made a huge difference in cleaning up downtown, and the new sidewalks and streetlights have certainly improved the appearance,” said real estate developer Jim Adair, whose grandfather was one of the district’s first tenants. Adair’s firm has remodeled several downtown buildings in the past three years, adding loft apartments to many. These urban-feel apartments would not have been possible before the infrastructure improvements, since the city’s old water lines weren’t sufficient to allow sprinkler systems to be installed.

“I think downtown is just rally healthy right now,” Adair said. “Everybody’s proud of it.”

Jeremy Howard, owner of Winans Chocolates & Coffee, agrees.

“Downtown Norman is special because, whatever you are doing downtown, it is a personal experience,” he said. “It is a personal experience because the shop owners greet you when you walk in the door. They remember your name and what you purchased last Valentine’s Day for your significant other, or what your ‘usual’ is in the morning. It is special because your parents shopped there, or you bring your kids there for breakfast every other weekend. And it is authentic because most of the buildings are over 80 years old and are constant reminders of Norman’s past.”

Completion of a new parking facility, now under construction, is expected to add to the boom. Located on Gray Street, the first phase of the project will add 108 parking spaces, controlled by computerized meters, allowing shoppers ample time downtown. Current street parking spaces only permit parking for one to two hours. Weather permitting, phase one should be completed within the next few months, which additional phases to be added in the next two to three years.

“There have been a number of merchants in the last five to 10 years who have wanted to come in but were kept from it by the lack of parking,” Thompson said. “That will soon change.”

Businesses in downtown Norman run the gamut, from anchor entities such as First fidelity bank, Republic Bank and the Cleveland County Courthouse, to third-generation tenants Adair & Associates, to a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, art galleries, antique stores, jewelers, nightclubs, professional offices, furniture stores, churches, non-profit agencies, civic groups, the restored Sooner Theater and the restored railway Depot, which serves as a stop for the Heartland Flyer, Robin Allen, owner of Fancy That café and bakery, opened doors in downtown Oct. 9, and said business is booming.

“With the courthouse, the banks and all the businesses downtown we have lost of foot traffic,” he said. “Another great changes is that with all the art and culture we have downtown now, it has increased the foot traffic, and it’s also bringing people downtown in the evenings, which we didn’t have before.”

Howard agreed.

“It doesn’t cater to any one segment of Norman. Instead, it is a shared space for all tastes, ages and incomes. One of our goals right now is to augment the current landscaping and incorporate more public art.”

Norman’s downtown night life is largely due to the ever-growing number of events and activities, said current Downtowner President Mike Pullin, executive vice president of First Fidelity Bank. Some are funded and coordinated by the Downtowners Association; others are arranged by individual organizations and business owners. Some of the more popular events include the annual 89ers Day activities, the annual Art Walk and Christmas parade, a Winter Wind concert series sponsored by the Norman Performing Arts Studio, a Summer Breeze lunchtime concert series at the Depot, and MuggleFest, a Harry Potter themed event located at the Norma Public Library. Individual businesses often host poetry reading or art shoes, whole the restored Sooner Theater has a continuous program of plays, concerts and other community events.

“We’re not yet going 24 hours a day,” Thompson said. “But it’s definitely at least 18.”

The April 2006 dedication of a larger-than-life-sized bronze statue of Norman native James Garner on the downtown plaza has further increased the number of out-of-town visitors.

“Mr. Garner has made generous contributions to the Norman community and to the University of Oklahoma,” Pullin said. “It seemed appropriate to recognize him.”

And there’s more to come. Norman’s City Council is working on a second federal streetscape grant application which will revitalize the 100,200 and 300 blocks of W. Main Street, directly west of the railroad tracks. Even more long-term plans include street projects which will connect the James Garner Parkway (formerly first Street) directly north to State Highway 77 and Interstate 35, improving access to the downtown area. Plans also are in the beginning stage to extend the parkway south to Jenkins Avenue and from there to State Highway 9.

“A City council member said several years ago that we can’t just put a coat of paint on downtown, we have to change the economics,” Thompson said. “We are doing that.”