OKC to celebrate completion of Britton District streetscape project

Oklahoma City will celebrate the completion of a $6.6 million streetscape, sidewalk and bike lane improvement project in the historic Britton District with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 27 at 11 a.m. on the east corner of Francis Avenue and Britton Road, led by Mayor David Holt. 

Following the ribbon-cutting, a District Day Fest will be held on March 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will include live music, a vendor market, street entertainment and a one-mile Food and Fun Run with food and drink stations every quarter mile. For more details or to register for the run, visit brittondistrictokc.org. 

The Britton District, located in northwest Oklahoma City between Waverly Avenue and the Broadway Extension, was founded in 1889 as the first railway station north of the city. Once a thriving town, it was a popular stop for travelers on Route 66 between 1936 and 1953. Before being annexed by OKC in 1950, Britton’s main street was a hub for shopping and local business. 

The streetscape project, which spans Britton Road from Western Avenue to Classen Boulevard, was developed with input from local property owners. It aims to create a more walkable and attractive environment while enhancing safety and accessibility. The upgrades are expected to benefit the 16,000 daily drivers passing through the area. 

“The revitalization of the historic Britton District is something I’ve been excited about since taking office,” Holt said. “The champions for this area came to me seven years ago hoping the city would invest in infrastructure to complement their work in the district. The project was not in our plans at that moment, so I give a lot of credit to our City Manager and Public Works for finding a way. The Britton District’s time is now, and we needed to be a partner right now. This ribbon cutting is a celebration of that collaboration, and it represents the full arrival of another unique destination in our city.” 

The improvements reflect OKC’s commitment to fostering vibrant, pedestrian-friendly districts that support local businesses and enhance quality of life. The improvements include corner bump-outs to shorten pedestrian crossings, new pedestrian signs, upgraded lighting, shade trees, benches, bike racks and trash cans. The project also added more parking, improved ADA access, new striping, street resurfacing and new sidewalks. 

“Being a business owner in a fledgling district is a delicate dance,” Founder and Managing Partner of Woodworks Distilling Co. David Wood said. “Seeking exposure for your brand is always at the forefront of your mind. The city’s efforts in supporting us with this long-awaited streetscape project are already creating the kind of gravity we need to grow and succeed. We are so thankful for the efforts toward our district from the citizens of Oklahoma City and hope to continue to see the impact of growth to our little slice of this great city.” 

The streetscape was funded through the 2017 Better Streets, Safer City bond election, part of a $967 million initiative that supports infrastructure projects across the city. The sidewalks and bike lanes were funded through MAPS 4.