Historic Capitol Hill plans new plaza

Oklahoma City's Historic Capitol Hill is building a new plaza for its downtown area.

“The Historic Capitol Hill business district has envisioned a plaza for probably two decades, and has been trying to figure out how to fund a project,” Historic Capitol Hill Executive Director Gloria Torres said.

The improvement district has been able to secure some property for the new plaza, located on Harvey Avenue between Southwest 25th Street and Southwest 24th Street. 

“If you look at any of the Latin American communities you see the hub is the plaza or a town square."

“The business district envisioned being able to build this community asset,” Torres said. "We know the plaza is that hub for most of our Latin communities.”

The district wanted to create that hub for its community to ensure and solidify the welcoming environment they are in today, she added. The plaza will be an economic driver and bring an identity to the community.

The design for the new plaza began about six to eight months ago. However, the design is in the works of being re-done and is awaiting final approval from the Oklahoma City Council for the new design's contract to happen.

Torres said they are looking to begin construction in the early part of 2023, but will be given a scope of what the upcoming timeline for the project will be after hearing back from the city council.

“We are very excited about having that sense of place for our community here,” she said.

“The most exciting thing to me is that this plaza is the result of community input.”

The community came together and did a community charrette to discuss what they would like to see in a plaza in Capitol Hill.

“Anybody who was invested in Capitol Hill, we invited them to be part of this community charrette to talk about 'What do you want to see in a plaza?'"

The feedback included a place people can come on Sundays with their families and run into their friends.

“Oklahoma City has become more and more diverse over the years, and one thing you see throughout the districts is the diversity of the cultures when you go to these destination places," she said. "That is going to be something you will be able to see in Capitol Hill, the diversity of the Hispanic influence on Oklahoma City’s community."