OKC Plan, 2000-2020 - City of Oklahoma City
OKC Plan, 2000-2020 - City of Oklahoma City
OKC Plan, 2000-2020 - City of Oklahoma City
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
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 />
31