PlaceKeepers helps to ethically reestablish OKC's eastside

Northeast Oklahoma City Renaissance (NEOKCR) has partnered with Urban Land Institute Oklahoma to establish PlaceKeepers. The program is geared towards providing real estate and small business developers with unique networks and mentorships to revitalize the city’s northeast side.

Networks, along with an Impact Investment Fund, help Black-led development projects offset the displacement often caused by gentrification by rebuilding from within the northeast community.

PlaceKeepers is an effort to allow community members to secure a stake in the wealth of redevelopment, and to provide quality housing to community members that remains accessible throughout the city’s recreation.

Although PlaceKeepers has not had any formal conversations with MAPS 4 committees, NEOKCR Board member, DeAndre Martin is hopeful that the program can be brought into discussions on the city’s affordable housing developments.

“MAPS 4 has $50 million to address affordable housing, and we think there is a tremendous opportunity to use these funds for programs like PlaceKeepers to not only build up community minded developers, but also address the affordable housing needs in northeast Oklahoma City. We have not been brought into those conversations yet but would love to be at the table, because we have many ideas.”

More on upcoming MAPS 4 projects

First launched in 2021, PlaceKeepers found success in their first cohort, with four of the first ten participants completing projects within the year, and others currently working to complete projects. The second cohort quickly followed with six additional projects completed.

“We do not just want PlaceKeepers to be a training program, but we want individuals to come out and tackle projects, so we were very impressed by the number of projects that have been completed and hope for many more.”

Martin said the program is putting an emphasis on helping PlaceKeepers who have not yet completed projects to do so in 2022.

PlaceKeepers accepts applications on a rolling basis, with a third cohort set to start on June 11. Applicants should be stakeholders in northeast Oklahoma City, meaning they:

• Attended school in the area
• Have family in the area
• Work in the area
• Own a business in the area
• Volunteer in the area

An interest in ethical real estate development is also required of applicants. Ideal for developers looking to get started, or small-scale developers looking to scale, PlaceKeepers educates participants on the history of northeast Oklahoma City, as well as a variety of topics needed for quality development:

• Built environment
• Sourcing a property
• Acquiring financing
• Design and construction
• Selling and leasing

To apply as a participant, visit the PlaceKeepers website. Once the application is processed, applicants will be interviewed on their goals for potential participation, then evaluated by the PlaceKeepers Advisory Committee.

ULI Oklahoma serves as an ally to the program by providing a network of resources and partners. Others are encouraged to support the program by building relationships with advisors and participants. Potential allies can connect through the PlaceKeepers website, as well.

Allies serve as trainers, mentors, or co-developers. Trainers teach an hour-long course over their expertise. Mentors meet with PlaceKeepers participants for an hour, once a month to discuss challenges and brainstorm ideas. Co-developers allow participants to partner on a project to help participants gain experience and equity in a project.

PlaceKeepers also invites sponsors to visit cohort trainings and events, and to support participants in making connections related to their expertise.

ULI Oklahoma + PlaceKeepers Cultural Exchange

The PlaceKeepers program recently held their Cultural Exchange event in conjunction with ULI Oklahoma. With a long history of hosting peer city trips, ULI Oklahoma helped establish this exchange after being approached by NEOKCR leaders, Erica Emery; DeAndre Martin; Sandino Thompson and others who wanted to host a similar event in Oklahoma City.

(Top) PlaceKeepers Cultural Exchange attendees discuss development details with Pivot Partner and VP of Acquisitions and Development, Candace Baitz. (Middle) NEOKCR Board member DeAndre Martin tours Pivot's 301 site. (Bottom) PlaceKeepers Cultural Exchange attendees tour Gardner.Studio office space.

The Cultural Exchange event allowed local enthusiasts to tour ethical real estate developments and explore important land use decisions across Oklahoma City. By incorporating developments in minority communities, the exchange allowed attendees to discuss certain challenges faced by minority developers, specifically.

The first tours took place in midtown, with attendees gathering at the newly opened Harvey Bakery.

The bakery is a part of a larger development site at 301 NW 13^th Street by Chamber member Pivot Project Development. Pivot recently made headlines for their collaboration with the eastside community in EastPoint. The redevelopment project was awarded the 2021 Global Award of Excellence by Urban Land Institute Americas. Consisting of 2.7 acres and 41,202 square feet, EastPoint allows tenants to earn ownership stakes in the building that they are helping to establish.

Guided by Pivot Partner and Vice President of Acquisitions and Development, Candace Baitz, the tour went through the building’s different spaces, like Chamber member Gardner.Studio’s office space and fabrication shop, allowing attendees to explore the possibilities of redevelopment. The 301 site once served as a Plymouth dealership. Now the site houses a bakery and café, offices, and a fabrication shop.

Tours continued through the rest of the day, and the next, with stops in the Wheeler District, Asian District, Capitol Hill, and other areas in south, central, and northeast Oklahoma City.

PlaceKeepers Minority Developer’s Conference

The second annual PlaceKeepers Minority Developer's Conference will be held this summer. Speakers from across the region will gather to share their expertise in projects, programs, and activities that connect to minority community development.

“We want attendees to benefit from a national network of PlaceKeepers to help close the knowledge, idea, and innovation gaps on every MLK Boulevard or Avenue,” DeAndre Martin told the Chamber.

Last year’s conference featured five sessions in which speakers engaged the audience on topics surrounding public spaces, women in development, and the relationships between living, working, and being entertained on the eastside.

Visit the PlaceKeepers website for more information on this year’s conference.