A common misconception suggests dense residential areas directly access Main Street. In reality, all primary pedestrian entry and exit points are positioned behind Main Street, creating an access gap for residents.

Residents navigating to Main Street businesses face two distinct choices:

Research consistently shows that residents will naturally choose the alleyway route, provided it meets key criteria:

A significant opportunity exists to capture local spending from the 561 adult residents living within a short walk of Main Street. Currently, less than 5% regularly shop or dine downtown, despite their consumer preferences aligning perfectly with existing merchants.

These residents already enjoy brands and experiences similar to those offered by our downtown businesses. Activating the alleyway will draw this untapped demographic directly into the heart of our vibrant retail and dining scene.

Many small cities face a common challenge: residents spending their money outside the community. This "retail leakage" drains potential revenue from local businesses and impacts the downtown economy.

The primary Alleyway connecting downtown to its primary density is presently characterized by a deteriorating surface of mixed gravel and concrete, urgently requiring comprehensive repair. Beyond its poor structural condition, the alley suffers from inadequate, almost non-existent lighting, rendering it dark and uninviting, particularly after dusk. This lack of illumination creates significant safety concerns for pedestrians and contributes to an overall feeling of neglect. Satellite data further confirms that the alley is severely underutilized, experiencing minimal car or foot traffic. This stark underuse is a direct consequence of its unwelcoming and unsafe environment, representing a significant missed opportunity for urban revitalization and community engagement. Transforming this neglected space into a vibrant, safe, and accessible pathway is essential to enhance connectivity, encourage pedestrian activity, and contribute positively to the downtown area's aesthetic and economic vitality.

Revitalizing alleyways offers distinct advantages over traditional Main Street development, enabling faster, more cost-effective, and less disruptive improvements for urban spaces.

The "Before" image prominently displays the current state of the alleyway, situated between 1st and 2nd Street. This neglected passage, characterized by its deteriorating surface, inadequate lighting, and general disarray, offers no compelling reason for the 500+ potential shoppers to utilize it for walking or biking to downtown merchants. It currently presents an uninviting and potentially unsafe environment. In stark contrast, the "After" and "Night" images clearly demonstrate the transformative potential of strategic improvements. Enhancements such as thoughtful landscaping, improved streetscapes, and modern, effective lighting can dramatically alter the perception and functionality of this space. These upgrades are designed to create a vibrant, safe, and welcoming thoroughfare, thereby enticing shoppers to frequent downtown merchants, fostering increased pedestrian activity, and significantly contributing to the area's economic vitality and aesthetic appeal.

The alley features crucial primary arteries and entry points that serve as vital transition zones, often referred to as "turns," connecting the revitalized alley to Main Street. These intersections are paramount for successful consumer engagement and fostering a seamless connection between pedestrian traffic and downtown merchants. It is imperative that these transition points are meticulously designed with proper lighting to ensure safety and an inviting ambiance, thoughtful landscaping to enhance aesthetic appeal and integration, clear and consistent signage, and intuitive wayfinding systems to guide visitors effectively. Furthermore, safe and manageable crosswalks are essential to prioritize pedestrian safety and facilitate smooth movement. By optimizing these critical junctures, we can significantly influence a shopper's decision to explore downtown, thereby increasing foot traffic, extending visitor stay, and ultimately contributing to the economic vitality and overall attractiveness of the area.

To truly transform Jenks Alleyway, the revitalized parking areas must be as thoughtfully designed and inviting as the main thoroughfare. This involves integrating strategic lighting, lush landscaping, and clearly defined walking and cycling paths. Such design ensures that these spaces are not merely functional for drivers, but also welcoming and safe for pedestrians and cyclists, seamlessly connecting them to the broader urban environment. This approach recognizes that effective urban planning, especially concerning parking, is less about the sheer quantity of available spaces and more about the behavioral science of how these spaces are perceived and utilized. High-quality design, incorporating elements like aesthetics, safety, and accessibility, significantly influences whether individuals choose to engage with an area, encouraging visitation and fostering a positive user experience.

Exposed trash receptacles are often a significant eyesore, detracting from the visual appeal and overall cleanliness of urban environments. Implementing strategic screening solutions for waste management infrastructure is crucial for enhancing public spaces like Jenks Alleyway. This approach, which involves covering these cans, represents a low-cost yet highly effective intervention that dramatically transforms the aesthetic quality of the area. As vividly illustrated in the "Before" and "After" images, this simple improvement transitions the alleyway from an uninviting and cluttered space to one that appears more organized, professional, and welcoming, positively influencing the user experience and perception of the entire environment.

Transforming the alleyway into a vibrant destination means introducing fresh, innovative concepts that draw people in and encourage extended visits. These additions are spark that ignites the alley way activation.

Our financial model quantifies the economic opportunity presented by the revitalized Jenks Alleyway. By leveraging conservative estimates for local residents and spending habits, we project a significant uplift in economic activity for downtown merchants.

Our projected annual revenue increase for downtown merchants is based on a detailed calculation, leveraging conservative estimates of resident engagement and spending. Here's a step-by-step breakdown:

The revitalization of Jenks Alleyway promises a dramatic transformation, converting a neglected space into a bustling downtown asset. This comparison highlights the projected impact on foot traffic and merchant revenue, demonstrating the substantial economic opportunity at hand.

Beyond direct sales, the increased activity creates a significant multiplier effect for the downtown economy. Enhanced foot traffic attracts new businesses, increases property values, and fosters a more dynamic community environment.

Our initial financial projections are conservative, focusing only on local residents and smaller purchases. However, a revitalized alleyway triggers a cascade of additional economic benefits, significantly amplifying the total impact for downtown merchants.

Considering these multiplier effects, the total annual merchant impact is projected to be significantly higher than the baseline model, creating a robust and sustainable economic boost for downtown.

Investing in the revitalization of Jenks Alleyway offers a clear and compelling return. Our analysis projects significant economic uplift for downtown merchants, far outweighing the initial infrastructure investment.

These figures demonstrate the robust financial case for activation. The projected revenue growth and cumulative economic impact underscore the long-term value creation for the entire downtown ecosystem.

Alleyway activation is the critical link transforming potential foot traffic into tangible economic activity. It bridges the gap between residential density, downtown vibrancy, and broader commercial success, directly addressing Mayor Box's vision for Jenks.

Investing in walkable communities creates substantial advantages for apartment owners, translating directly into enhanced property value and financial security.

Beyond apartment owners, downtown commercial property owners also experience significant financial upside from increased walkability and alleyway activation, translating into higher rents and property values.

Alleyway activation provides tangible benefits for homeowners in adjacent neighborhoods, directly impacting their property values and overall quality of life through enhanced walkability and reduced traffic on residential streets.

Academic research consistently highlights the Agglomeration Effect, where retail clusters create powerful attractions that draw customers from wider areas. This phenomenon is vital for cultivating a thriving local economy and retaining local spending.

The agglomeration effect highlights how clustering diverse benefits in one area creates a combined impact greater than the sum of its individual parts. Alleyway activation isn't just about single improvements; it's about a synergistic uplift for all stakeholders, including the City's bottom line.

Improved walkability is a direct pathway to increased municipal revenue. As American Trails states,

Higher assessed values translate to more property tax revenue for the city, without needing to raise tax rates.

This table outlines the tangible financial impacts across various property types, demonstrating the broad economic uplift generated by the Jenks Alleyway Activation project.

Connecting residential areas to downtown via activated alleyways creates an immediate, dedicated customer base for all local businesses. As stated by Local Housing Solutions, “Businesses benefit from the built-in customer base of nearby residents in areas where housing may not previously have been allowed.”

Academic research into consumer behavior consistently highlights the profound impact of "shopping local" on community prosperity. This phenomenon goes beyond mere transactions, fostering a powerful sense of loyalty and tangible benefits for downtown areas.

Our comprehensive alleyway activation plan is strategically divided into three phases, ensuring a systematic and measurable transformation of Jenks' downtown core. This approach allows for continuous learning, iterative improvements, and maximizes impact with targeted investments.

Revitalizing the 7-block corridor, approximately 2,400 linear feet, requires targeted infrastructure upgrades. These improvements will enhance safety, aesthetics, and functionality, transforming the alleyway into a vibrant community asset.

This strategic investment transforms 7 blocks of underutilized alleyway into a vibrant pedestrian corridor, directly connecting 374 households to downtown Jenks. It's more than beautification; it's a permanent link designed to foster community and economic vitality.

This table outlines the comprehensive infrastructure and activation elements planned for the entire 7-block alleyway corridor, detailing the scope of enhancements over the 12-month activation period.

This summary provides a clear overview of the phased budget allocation for the comprehensive alleyway activation project, detailing the estimated investment for each stage over the 12-month period.

This project aligns directly with Oklahoma's Local Development Act (62 O.S. §§ 850-869), making it eligible for significant funding. The revitalization of Jenks Alleyway fits perfectly within the scope of permissible expenditures.

Up to $138.9 million over 25 years is available through the Jenks LEDZ program, with state-matched funds from Tulsa Premium Outlets sales tax revenue. This robust financial mechanism ensures sustained investment.

Data consistently shows that strategic public improvements in downtown alleys "crowd in" private investment from adjacent businesses. This leads to enhanced back entrances, vibrant patio areas, and a significantly improved atmosphere, ultimately boosting revenue and economic vitality.

When the city strategically invests in the Jenks Alleyway corridor, it creates a powerful ripple effect, attracting significant private follow-on investment from adjacent businesses. This initial public commitment acts as a catalyst, unlocking new economic potential.

Public investment in alleyway activation serves as a powerful catalyst for private sector engagement. As depicted in the 'Before,' 'After,' and 'Night' images below, the transformation of these previously underutilized spaces encourages adjacent businesses to significantly enhance their back entry points and create new amenities. This often includes the development of inviting back patios, vibrant outdoor dining areas, and aesthetically pleasing rear entrances, turning what were once neglected service corridors into attractive community assets. This activation creates a potent multiplier effect: initial public improvements foster private enhancements, which in turn draw more foot traffic and further commercial interest. The resulting vibrant, safe, and engaging environment becomes a compelling destination, significantly increasing its appeal to the over 500 residents residing in nearby apartments, encouraging them to utilize and enjoy these revitalized spaces.

Targeted alleyway development offers a multitude of benefits, from enhancing public safety to driving significant private sector investment. By transforming these underutilized spaces, we unlock new economic opportunities and create vibrant community hubs.

The City of Jenks offers targeted grants to assist property and business owners with qualifying exterior improvements to their back alley facades. This program encourages the transformation of underutilized alleyways into vibrant, accessible spaces.

A thoughtfully designed back entrance significantly enhances a main-street retail location, transforming what might be a neglected space into a valuable asset. This strategic addition unlocks new opportunities for customer engagement, operational efficiency, and overall business growth.