OKC 5th in the nation for downtown foot-traffic recovery
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Oklahoma City continues to set itself apart from other U.S. cities when it comes to recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a recent study by the University of Toronto’s School of Cities, a unique multi-disciplinary hub for urban research, education and engagement, downtown OKC is among just a few downtowns in a U.S. major city to make almost a full recovery since the pandemic.
After accumulating location-based mobility data from cell phone usage, researchers were able to compare foot traffic from 2023 to 2019 (pre-COVID). The study determined that downtown OKC experienced a 93% recovery, making it the fifth best downtown in the U.S. for foot-traffic recovery.
At 103%, Las Vegas topped the list for best foot-traffic recovery since the pandemic, followed by El Paso at 97%, San Jose, California, at 96%, Bakersfield, California, at 95% and then OKC. Rounding out the Top 10 were Miami, Tucson, Wichita, Phoenix and Omaha.
The study showed that downtown OKC has continued to see more people physically back in the office, more conventions and events taking place, and a variety of activities that are continuing to bring people downtown.
According to the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, downtown OKC has grown to more than 80,000 employees and 11,000 residents. Hundreds of thousands of people, including residents and nonresidents alike, visit downtown annually, thanks in large part to the array of new attractions, sports and entertainment choices, parks, restaurants, retail shops and transportation options.
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