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Ox Forward highlights wayfinding kiosks and master-plan updates for downtown Oxford
Summary
Pierre Jang, president of the Downtown Economic Development Corporation (rebranded Ox Forward), told the board the nonprofit is financially healthy, operates on a low MSD tax rate and is pursuing a $20,000 Granville County TDA grant for two touchscreen wayfinding kiosks and a master-plan refresh to improve pedestrian access and business recruitment.
Pierre Jang, president of the Downtown Economic Development Corporation (now rebranded as Ox Forward), told the Oxford City Board of Commissioners that the organization is focused on revitalizing the city’s historic downtown through a combination of preservation, business recruitment and pedestrian improvements. "Ox Forward is a Main Street America program," Jang said, noting the organization’s affiliation with North Carolina Main Street and the Rural Planning Center.
Jang said Ox Forward operates using the downtown municipal service district (MSD) tax and that Oxford’s MSD rate is 10 cents per thousand — "the lowest rate that's used statewide," he said — while other communities levy as much as 27 cents per thousand. He described the nonprofit as "financially healthy" with voting members, ex officio members and dozens of volunteers supporting promotions, design and commerce committees.
Jang highlighted near-term priorities that include updating the 2016 downtown master plan to address pedestrian access, parking and gateway signage, and to better connect new housing developments to the downtown core. He said Ox Forward is exploring medium-scale redevelopment opportunities and working to coordinate property owners and potential investors.
On specific projects, Jang said Ox Forward applied for a $20,000 Granville County TDA grant to install two touchscreen wayfinding kiosks in downtown. "These are stand-up touchscreen kiosks — think mall or airport kiosk — with information about the city, events, shops," he said, adding that kiosks would be partly funded by the TDA and managed in coordination with city public-works staff. He said kiosks would pair with an app and QR codes so content can be maintained centrally and delivered across platforms.
Jang asked the board to expect a follow-up in the coming weeks with proposed kiosk locations and public-works approvals; if approved by Ox Forward’s board, he said installations could occur by late summer. He also described broader outreach plans — including contact with HOAs and the DMV — to help visitors and new residents identify the downtown area.
The presentation concluded with a request to continue coordination between Ox Forward and city staff on signage, wayfinding and master-plan updates. The board did not take formal action on the presentation.
