PRESS RELEASE — The City of Norman has nearly completed the first phase of a long-range plan to revitalize Porter Avenue, a busy commercial corridor in Central Norman. On Thursday, September 10 at 6:30 P.M., the Norman Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the plan to revitalize Porter in a way that encourages commercial development and supports the long-term health of adjacent residential neighborhoods. The public hearing will be held in City Council Chambers in the Municipal Building, 201 West Gray Street.

The Norman City Council will follow with a public hearing on the plan on Tuesday, September 22 at 6:30 P.M. Following public comments, the Council will consider the plan and take appropriate action. The Council meeting will also be held in City Council Chambers.

Susan Connors, Director of Planning and Community Development for the City of Norman urges citizens to attend both public hearings. “From our perspective, there are substantial opportunities along Porter Avenue to improve aesthetic, economic, and social conditions for both residential and commercial property owners for years to come. We hope citizens will attend the public hearings and give us their input on the future of Porter Avenue.”

In March 2008, City Council designated a 60-block district along and around Porter Avenue as the Porter Corridor Plan area in response to growing disagreements between commercial and residential property owners about land uses. In doing so, the Council acknowledged that there was a significant opportunity to make Porter Avenue an attractive, pedestrian-friendly destination that attracts a healthy mix of land uses.

Over the past 15 months, guided by an 18-member stakeholder committee appointed by Mayor Cindy Rosenthal, the planning team led by the design firm Ochsner Hare & Hare of Kansas City, MO has thoroughly analyzed the mile-long corridor and conducted over 50 interviews with residential and commercial property owners in the area. In October 2008, the team held a three-day public Design Charrette to establish consensus about a vision and long-term goals and to articulate redevelopment options for Porter that were acceptable to the community. On May 20, over 150 people attended a public Open House at City Hall during which the planning team presented drawings and answered questions about the study and the future vision for the Porter Avenue Corridor.

For more information, contact Susan Atkinson, City of Norman, 405-366-5392.