Main Street brings report to City Commissioners

Main Street Executive Director Chelsea McConnell presented the annual report on the program Monday night to the Ponca City Board of Commissioners.

The second “Battle of the Burgers” is set for June 2 with Ponca City Energy as the title sponsor, she said. The event will be held in conjunction with Cruzin’ Grand. Main Street currently is seeking teams and sponsors for this event.

McConnell talked about the Design Committee’s work with facade grants. Grants have been made to Jodi Cline for the work she has been doing on the Marland Building at Fourth and Grand, as well as to Shelly Olsen at  The Attic Boutique.

The Design Committee is also working with the City of Ponca City to develop a downtown sign ordinance to preserve the historic nature of the downtown district. An artistic flare will be added with the “Outside the Box” contest for artists to create works of art on the signal boxes at First Street, Third Street and Fifth Street.

The Promotion Committee is working on several projects to draw people downtown, including the Summer Solstice Sale on June 21; Crazy Days Sales Aug. 3-5 with a Street Party Aug. 3 at the Veterans Plaza; Ladies’ Night Out on Sept. 14 and Goblins on Grand on Oct. 26.

The Economic Vitality Committee is spearheading a grant application for a Cultural District Development Program, which is due April 15. Work of the committee includes writing a grant narrative, developing a cultural asset list and collecting letters of support. The program expects to hear from the Oklahoma Arts Council about the grant by July.

Ponca City Main Street is participating in the State Main Street Awards program with 13 competitive nominations submitted. Ponca City has been nominated as one of the top three cities in 10 categories. It has also been chosen as one of the Top 10 communities. Announcements of the state awards will be made at a banquet May 9.