Developer deal: Hammer Williams to buy city lots for $1.3M, build Jiffy Trip and city amphitheater

The Enid City Commission voted unanimously on May 20 to approve a purchase-and-sale agreement with Hammer Williams Company for seven city-owned lots north of Garriott Road and south of Park Avenue between Independence and Grand avenues for $1.3 million. The agreement calls for the property to be divided into two lots: one to be developed as a convenience store and fuel site and the other to be developed into a city park and amphitheater that the developer will construct then deed back to the city.

City staff said the agreement includes a 120-day due-diligence period. Under the proposal, the city will remove existing structures — including the Family Dollar building and recently acquired garages — and the developer will proceed with construction. City leaders and the developer said the construction schedule targets a start in September or October and that demolition will occur later this year.

“We want to revitalize it. We believe that investment spurs more investment,” said a representative of Hammer Williams Company, who explained the company’s plan to scale down the convenience-store footprint and alter signage and architecture to better fit a downtown gateway. The developer said it will provide design options to integrate the new buildings with surrounding downtown elements.

Officials said the project aims to pair a modest convenience store and fuel canopy on the street-facing lot with a larger public amenity behind it. The amphitheater would host local music and events and be supported by concessions and restroom facilities the developer would build and operate; the city would receive sales tax revenue on concessions. City staff estimated the developer’s in-kind construction work could add the equivalent of roughly 38–40% in additional value to the $1.3 million purchase price, which was described at the meeting as approximately $450,000 of added value.

Traffic access and safety will require coordination with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation because Garriott is a state-controlled corridor. City staff and the developer said they already have a meeting scheduled to begin traffic and site planning during the due-diligence period.

Commissioners praised the proposal as a long-discussed gateway improvement for downtown. Mayor David M. Mason and other commissioners highlighted local ties to the developer and said they expect the project to spur further downtown investment. The motion to approve passed 6–0.

City officials said they will solicit public feedback during the planning phase on park features and programming. The next formal steps are the 120-day due-diligence review, completion of demolition, site planning with ODOT and subsequent development permitting.