Oklahoma Main Street Center

10/08/2026

Today, we wrapped up our last statewide Program Director/Volunteer training for the year in Altus! We had a great three days together learning from our partners from the OU Institute for Quality Communities, the Oklahoma ABLE Commission, the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and Main Street America. Thank you as well to Matt Farley for making the trip to Altus to teach us “how to be unignorable!”

We also enjoyed a wonderful evening viewing a new infill project in downtown Altus at the Gunkel Law Group. Thank you, Preston Gunkel, for hosting us!

A big thank you, also, to Main Street Altus for hosting the entire group in such a beautiful event space – Hudson Hall! The Worrell family did an amazing job in the transformation of that building. Be looking for a before and after post soon! It’s one we have highlighted before but bears repeating.

We hope everyone had a great week and got home safely!

10/05/2026

😍

Adaptive reuse is a powerful example of how preservation and Economic Vitality work hand in hand.

Rather than tearing down a historic building, communities can breathe new life into existing spaces—turning vacant storefronts into restaurants, offices, housing, shops, creative spaces and more.

The result? Historic character is preserved while new investment, businesses, jobs and activity are brought downtown.

That’s the heart of the Main Street approach: use what you have, build on what makes your community unique, and create an environment where businesses and people want to be.

Historic preservation isn't just about saving buildings. It's about creating places with an economic future.

09/30/2026

Our former and longtime Main Street architect, Ron Frantz!

09/29/2026

😍

09/29/2026

The Oklahoma Main Street Center is proud to announce that Sapulpa Main Street has been named a Great American Main Street semi-finalist!

We are SO excited to announce this year's 2027 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA) semifinalists! GAMSA recognizes Main Street programs that demonstrate exceptional achievement in downtown revitalization, and these eight semifinalists show how communities can grow and thrive with the Main Street Approach. Congratulations, semifinalists!

Center City of Amarillo
Astoria Downtown Historic District Association
Downtown Excelsior Partnership
Downtown Johnson City
Downtown Lake Orion
Montpelier Alive
MainStreet Oceanside
Sapulpa Main Street

09/29/2026

**Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Spotlight**

Recipient: City of Hydro

The City of Hydro applied their incentive funds toward renovations of the WPA Community Building at City Park. Future plans for the building include becoming a Community Center and possible senior center.

Projects like this show how improvements to longstanding buildings can make a big difference in how a downtown feels and functions.

The Oklahoma Main Street Center is proud to be able to offer the Certified Main Street Incentive to eligible programs in our network.

09/24/2026

😍

09/24/2026

**Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Spotlight**

Recipient: Sapulpa Main Street, a fully-designated Main Street program since 1990.

With the Route 66 Centennial looming, Sapulpa took the opportunity to refresh the historic highway through downtown and update the streetscape including water infrastructure, landscaping and lighting. What once looked maybe a little tired, now looks like something off a movie set!

Projects like this show how infrastructure upgrades can make a big difference in how a downtown feels and functions.

The Oklahoma Main Street Center is proud to be able to offer the Certified Main Street Incentive to eligible programs in our network.

09/21/2026

**Oklahoma Certified Main Street Incentive Spotlight**

Recipient: City of Guthrie, network level program since 2022.

The City of Guthrie applied incentive funds towards a new pocket park with landscaping, benches, pop-up retail and picnic tables.

The city transformed a former parking lot beside the Incubator Park into an inviting shared space that brings residents and visitors together to enjoy local offerings.

The Oklahoma Main Street Center is proud to be able to offer the Certified Main Street Incentive to eligible programs in our network.