Mayor Kelsey Wagner announced the formation of the Mayor’s Task Force on Downtown Revitalization, a working group charged with developing policy recommendations in regard to downtown revitalization. The Task Force will begin meeting in mid-March with a goal to have policy recommendations by early summer.
The Task Force is a direct result of the Downtown Revitalization Town Hall held in May 2025, where more than 100 community members gathered to discuss the future of Ponca City’s downtown. That event, co-hosted by Mayor Wagner and Commissioner Rob Bodick, focused on two of Ponca City Main Street’s four pillars—Design and Economic Vitality—and generated wide-ranging community input on challenges and opportunities facing the downtown district.
“Over 100 people showed up last May because they care deeply about the future of our downtown,” said Mayor Wagner. “This Task Force is designed to take the feedback we received at our town hall, and to turn that into action. I think any action we take with something as cherished as downtown needs to come from a group of stakeholders. My goal for this Task Force is to create and present a list of policy recommendations for the City Commission to take up that will have generational implications on the vibrancy and economic vitality of downtown Ponca City.”
The task force will focus on developing recommendations in several key areas:
• Standards for building maintenance and reasonable vacancy timelines
• Incentive programs and grant structures to support building renovation
• Programs to promote upper-story vacancy issues
• Accountability measures for absentee and out-of-state property owners
• Zoning code revisions to encourage downtown investment and development
The May 2025 town hall featured presentations and speakers from downtown investors including Sam Lionelli of Combat Syndicate, Belen Caballero and Timias Woods of TriVest Investments, Richard Winterrowd of the Eastin Building and Winterrowd Talley Architects, and Luke Garrison from Speak Now Film Co. Participants also heard from Main Street Director Maci Graves, Ponca City Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Shelley Arrott, Development Services Director Chris Henderson, and Ponca City Development Authority Executive Director Lori Henderson.
Community breakout sessions identified key strengths such as historic charm, improved infrastructure, and passionate building owners, alongside challenges including renovation costs, absentee ownership, and limited return on investment for historic properties.
The City of Ponca City has invested over $2 million in downtown infrastructure over the past five years, including fire suppression grants, sidewalk improvements, decorative streetlights, and facade programs. The Main Street Program recorded more than $1.78 million in private reinvestment in 2024, with 20 buildings renovated and 14 new or expanded businesses.
The Task Force’s recommendations will be presented to the Planning Commission and City Commission for consideration and possible action once the Task Force has concluded its work.
