Enid Safer Street Simulation

Enid, Oklahoma | Summer 2018
View the Final Report Below

Main Street Enid and Rural Health Projects, Inc. received a matching grant from the Oklahoma Municipal League to seek assistance with a street design demonstration. During Fall 2017 and Spring 2018, the project partners collaborated with the University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities to prepare a street design concept and plan for a temporary installation inspired by the Better Block Project. The team selected a block of Randolph Avenue, an important downtown street.

After seeking approval and assistance from the City of Enid, the project partners began to prepare materials and assemble components for the demonstration. The team scheduled the “Safer Street Simulation and Retail-Oriented Road Diet” for June 21-22, 2018 to coincide with the Oklahoma Municipal League’s Mayors Summer Conference, so dozens of Oklahoma mayors also got to tour the project. On Thursday, June 21, city crews prepared the street for the simulation and in the early morning the volunteer team began to install the project. Volunteers included representatives from the TSET Healthy Living Program from around the region, local Main Street supporters, and members of the local Realtor association.

Throughout Thursday, the team observed the street conditions and made minor changes to the design concept. City officials and the public toured the project with a special event Thursday evening. The installation remained overnight and through Friday morning before being disassembled.

This report contains an overview of the street design concepts tested during the project, helpful tips about the materials and techniques used, and some reflections on how the project team evaluated the success of the project.