Claremore Nonprofit Looking To Fix Up Downtown Alleyways

A nonprofit is working on a plan to draw more people to Claremore's downtown district over the next few years.

There are several alleys in downtown Claremore, and the people at Claremore Main Street said they want to make the areas more attractive.

The organization said it's sending out a survey to get an idea of what people in Claremore would like to see in the alleys, and, so far, a few hundred people have filled it out.

Art and gardening spaces are just a couple of ideas being proposed.

Executive Director Jessica Jackson said they've seen similar projects in some other Oklahoma cities.

"We're just kind of following in those footsteps and trying to make our alleys another place for people to be downtown," Jackson said.

It's the start of a six-year plan to create more areas where neighbors can spend time in the downtown district.

Jackson said she hopes there's a way to eliminate the sea of power lines and dumpsters and create something special in each alley.

"Right now, these utilitarian, vehicular-focused areas, and we really want to make them into public spaces - spaces where our community can gather," she said.

Claremore Main Street said it plans to have the first piece of public art in the alley by late this summer.