The University of Oklahoma’s Institute for Quality Communities (IQC) has embarked on an exciting partnership with the City of Checotah to revitalize its downtown area. Through this collaboration, OU’s Landscape Architecture students, under faculty guidance, will work to reimagine Checotah’s downtown spaces.

The project, titled “Downtown Greenspace,” aims to transform the town’s core into a more vibrant and accessible area for residents and visitors alike. The initiative focuses on three primary goals: Mayor Daniel Tarkington expressed optimism about the partnership.

“Councilman Jay Hays got the project rolling and we are excited to see what kind of new ideas they can bring to our downtown area,” Tarkington said. The project starts with community engagement, involving local voices to shape the ideas for downtown improvements, such as streetscapes, parking, planters and other aesthetic improvements.

‘We are looking for ideas and suggestions that we might not be thinking of,” Tarkington said.

The project will kick off with a site visit and community meeting on Jan. 22. Throughout the spring semester, students will conduct analyses, refine concepts, and incorporate feedback from local stakeholders. The initiative is set to conclude in May with a presentation of the final designs and a detailed booklet delivered to the Checotah Committee.

Business owners and community members are invited to this meeting on Jan. 22 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.

IQC will take these suggestions along with their own observations and develop preliminary designs and programming ideas to guide professional redevelopment efforts.

They will then provide actionable insights for project implementation in the form of concept diagrams and presentations.

“The goal is to create a revitalized downtown that fosters community pride and provides new opportunities for events and activities,” said Dr. Leslie Palacios, the project lead from OU’s Division of Planning, Landscape Architecture, and Design.

The collaboration offers students a unique, hands-on learning experience, combining academic principles with real-world application. Over several months, the team will engage with Checotah through fieldwork, and produce detailed design concepts. The final product will include a comprehensive report featuring project background, community feedback, and concept designs.

The estimated project cost is $3,000, with $2,000 covered by a sponsorship from the Oklahoma Municipal League (OML) and the remaining $1,000 funded by the City of Checotah. These funds will support student travel, materials, and other project-related expenses.