EAST
CLINTON REVITALIZATION PROJECTS
A Series of Collaborative Projects To Enhance Local Quality of Life and Tourism
East Clinton is home to all of Clinton's Route 66 paths and historical architecture, showcasing a vibrant array of walkable shopping options, diverse business districts, churches, and essential services including municipal, law enforcement, and fire departments. The area also hosts the majority of residences and serves as a popular destination for tourism.
Over the decades, community leaders have predominantly focused on expanding westward in hopes of generating new property tax revenue and taxable income. While this expansion is necessary, it is equally vital to nurture and revitalize older districts and neighborhoods. A community thrives when all its parts are healthy; neglecting any section can undermine the overall well-being.
These proposed projects represent just a small but significant step toward fostering growth and revitalization in East Clinton. They are designed to make a quick and noticeable impact for both locals and tourists. These initiatives not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also encourage visitors to linger longer, dismantling the 'easy off, easy on' itinerary created by I40 westward expansion.
We believe these projects will do more than enhance tourism and quality of life—they will play a crucial role in establishing a welcoming ecosystem. In this environment, tourists will feel at home, while community members can enjoy a sense of respite and leisure, fostering repeat visits and generating enthusiasm among locals.
Below are some proposed projects from Exit 69 through the Historic downtown.
To talk more contact westokcoop@gmail.com.
AUGMENTED REALITY DOWNTOWN ONE ACT PLAYS AND HISTORIC BUILDING PLAQUES
Proposed are monikers attached to object like the downtown light poles and buildings that contain scannable QR codes that open your phone to a prerecorded video, filmed from the exact same view point. These videos use your camera to put the video objects into your phones camera to make it seem like it's really happening in real time in front of you. These uses of augmented reality give a community a fun means to present the heritage and history to tourists and locals alike. Being a fun use of tech and written "fictional history" it engages everyone. Still not getting it? Click HERE or HERE for external articles
WELCOME MAT MURALS+
Proposed are a series of murals and art installations that greet travelers as they enter the city from Exit 69. The murals would begin after the bridge at the cotton seed mill and extend down Choctaw Ave to 4th st covering over 10,000 sq feet. This has already begun with the East wall of the newly renovated RT66 Cafe. Proposed is for the remaining approved buildings to contain a cohesive theme of a positivity and greeting. All Kinds of Kind is the West OK Co-Op's current idea, portraying kindness and diversity.
HISTORIC DOWNTOWNALLEY, MAIN STREET & POCKET PARK ACTIVATION
This project includes fun municipal
way finding using string lights, LED
strip lighting, mural paintings, augmented reality and much more. Projects like these entice tourists into the small business revenue district and promote spending the night, provide quality of life points for locals and are a way illumination to a district that creates after hour safety. To see some examples, click HERE
THE WELCOME DISTRICT
The Welcome District is a private project of Jason Smith covering nearly a city square block. This area will focus on capturing travelers to pull over and observe many art installations and quality of life businesses as they enter town. With an urban sprinter van style rv park, the aim is to get people to spend the night and have plenty to do with in walking distance, including The Calmez Visitor site, the Mother Road Project, Reimagined Lyons Park and adjacent Nature Preserve, RT66 cafe, the new DG food market directly north on RT66 and the Historic Downtown.
MOTHER ROAD PROJECT
This project will be located on a patch of original 1926 RT66 roadbed. This project is hoped to be completed by summer of 2026 and funded by the Oklahoma RT66 Commission Grant. This project is being viewed as a catalyst to further efforts in the area. To see more click HERE
RIVER WALK, PET FRIENDLY PARK, & NATURE PRESERVE
Lyons Park has more potential than any park in Western Oklahoma. Sunk down into the Washita Valley right on RT 66, this micro climate contains fewer winds, a water front and the grandest trees in 100 miles. With the potential Mother Road Installation being created directly across the street, this park and city field directly north are ripe for tourists and locals alike. This is a large project that would have several phases over the course of 10 years.
ARTISTIC POINTS OF INTEREST ALONG THE ROUTE 66 CORRIDOR
The RT66 corridor that leads into Clinton from Exit 69 should be an experience and a tabloid regular. The strong cultural heritage along Clinton's RT66 stretch is like none other. We propose celebrating this with pull off and selfie worthy art and signage along the way. Starting with an iconically designed billboard urging to take the exit, travelers, tourists and home bound locals could witness numerous installations and artistic signage and branding that make theme glad to be in Clinton. From abstract repurposing of old billboard poles, wrapped Trees, sculptures and signs commemorating historic areas like Essary-Ville and more. If you have time to let you mind imagine for a minute, HERE and HERE are articles on locations such as the Storm King sculpture park and more.
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