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OKC Plan, 2000-2020 - City of Oklahoma City

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Neighborhood Business Development<br />

The vitality <strong>of</strong> neighborhood business districts is a vital component <strong>of</strong> neighborhood<br />

stability. Strong neighborhood commercial areas provide convenient shopping and services for area<br />

residents and provide employment opportunities for area and <strong>City</strong> residents. Declining businesses<br />

not only fail to provide these positive benefits, but <strong>of</strong>ten detract from the neighborhood’s<br />

attractiveness due to structural deterioration and poor property maintenance.<br />

Directions<br />

Preserve and strengthen business districts in traditional neighborhoods as a vital component in<br />

the <strong>City</strong>’s overall program to build and maintain desirable neighborhoods.<br />

Strengthen existing businesses within traditional neighborhoods and promote the development <strong>of</strong><br />

new businesses to provide additional jobs and higher incomes for central city residents.<br />

Actions<br />

Encourage cooperation among neighborhood residents and business owners to promote<br />

redevelopment <strong>of</strong> existing neighborhood commercial areas and development <strong>of</strong> new businesses<br />

in older neighborhoods which benefit both residents and business owners.<br />

Improve the appearance <strong>of</strong> business districts and the condition <strong>of</strong> business structures through<br />

concentrated code enforcement efforts.<br />

Promote cooperative arrangements among business owners within identified neighborhood<br />

commercial areas to identify common concerns and work toward solutions. Models for such<br />

agreements include Main Street programs, Business Improvement Districts, and Business Owner<br />

Associations.<br />

Develop land use and development regulations which minimize adverse impacts <strong>of</strong> commercial<br />

development on adjoining residential areas.<br />

Assist neighborhood business owners in identifying potential markets and promoting appropriate<br />

development to serve these identified markets.<br />

Work with business owners to provide building, street, and parking improvements to maintain<br />

and enhance the viability <strong>of</strong> neighborhood commercial areas.<br />

Provide assistance and incentives to businesses and developers seeking to establish, relocate, or<br />

expand in older neighborhoods.<br />

Link incentives for business development to locating within older areas or hiring low- and<br />

moderate- income residents.<br />

Assist potential business owners with training in entrepreneurial and management skills and with<br />

information about franchise and other business start-up opportunities.<br />

Develop job training and education programs to build job skills <strong>of</strong> residents <strong>of</strong> older<br />

neighborhoods and provide employees for businesses within older areas.<br />

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