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Planning Study Proposes Medians, Streetscape and Events to Revive Meridian Corridor
Summary
A city planning study and placemaking assessment for the Meridian Corridor recommends incremental streetscape projects, expanded medians, event activation and a potential business improvement district to support economic revitalization and future transit‑oriented redevelopment.
City planning staff and consultants presented a Meridian Corridor placemaking assessment that lays out short‑, medium‑ and long‑term steps to improve aesthetics, safety and economic activity along South Meridian from the airport area toward downtown.
Mark Zitzow of Johnson & Associates told the council the corridor is one of Oklahoma City’s early suburban commercial strips that has lost many of its historic restaurants and local businesses and now faces aesthetic decline, overhead utilities and investment pressure from competing corridors. “One of the the biggest challenges to improving the aesthetic quality of the corridor are the overhead electric lines,” Zitzow said, adding that medians and targeted landscaping could both improve safety and provide locations for public art and planting.
The study recommends a mix of short‑term “low‑risk” interventions — expanded medians, strategic landscaping, improved sidewalks and wayfinding elements — and longer‑term actions that anticipate potential fixed‑route transit investments. Consultants suggested property owners could activate underused parking areas with popup plaza spaces for food trucks and events as an interim step while longer‑term redevelopment occurs.
Councilwoman Barbara Peck, who led the request for the assessment, framed the effort as an attempt to bring back the corridor’s former vibrancy and urged business participation. “It’s my hope that the stakeholders and the business owners in the area will participate,” Peck said. Consultants noted the corridor sits between a string of riverfront improvements and redevelopment areas, which could create an opportunity to link the corridor to broader river and trail plans.
Staff said the report culminates in an implementation matrix with priorities for the city and for property owners. The planning department characterized the study as a foundation for future public‑private coordination, possible business improvement district formation and use as a toolkit as MAPS investments and other capital projects move forward.
Ending: The council received the Meridian Corridor placemaking assessment; staff and consultants will continue stakeholder engagement and pursue funding and partnership options to implement short‑term streetscape changes while working toward longer‑term transit and redevelopment scenarios.
