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Historic Preservation Commission approves Guthrie downtown streetscape and wayfinding signs
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Summary
The Historic Preservation Commission voted 5–0 to approve HPC application 26-005, backing a City of Guthrie streetscape project that adds replacement street trees, eight planters, benches and wayfinding signage along Oklahoma and Harrison avenues; staff will present final species and installation details to the parks board.
The Historic Preservation Commission on April 6 approved a City of Guthrie streetscape and wayfinding project aimed at adding replacement trees, benches, planters and directional signage downtown.
Shonda, a city staff member who presented the application, said the project is slightly smaller than last year’s pocket park award but will similarly add new trees, planters, benches and wayfinding signs along Oklahoma and Harrison avenues to help visitors locate dining, shopping and the depot. “It is the addition of new trees, new planters, and benches, and way finding signage throughout downtown,” Shonda said during the presentation.
The commission discussed placement, materials and maintenance before taking formal action. Commissioners and staff agreed the planters should be concentrated where sidewalks and seating are scarce—especially Harrison and South 1st Street—while Oklahoma Avenue storefronts, where many businesses already place planters, would receive fewer. Shonda said the project was originally budgeted for eight planters and that savings in one line could be redirected to add benches or planters so long as grant match requirements are met.
Commissioners debated planter material. Shonda summarized the trade-offs, saying Terracast (resin) is lighter and UV resistant but can appear plastic, while concrete is heavier and more visually consistent with existing downtown fixtures. The commission favored concrete planters for aesthetic uniformity.
Commissioners and the staff also discussed maintenance and drainage. Shonda said she has taken primary care of the pocket park and intends to work with Public Works on long-term maintenance and on drainage issues if planters’ drain holes prove insufficient. One commissioner urged the commission to ensure a municipal maintenance plan exists as a contingency if volunteer stewards become unavailable.
On dimensions and style, commissioners converged on rectangular planters and Charleston-style benches. Shonda recommended planter dimensions of roughly 48 inches long, 24 inches wide and no more than 22 inches tall to avoid encroaching on pedestrian paths. The commission also approved a mid-range wayfinding sign design from Shonda’s packet and discussed matching the signs to existing downtown banners.
Commissioner Steven Harrison moved to approve the certificate of appropriateness for HPC application 26-005; Commissioner Nathan Turner seconded. The motion passed 5–0. The commissioners who registered affirmative votes were Commissioner Daryl Covington, Commissioner Lisa Kennedy, Commissioner Steven Harrison, Commissioner Nathan Turner and Commissioner Valerie Duncan; one commissioner (Carol) had been absent earlier in the meeting.
Staff also announced a vacancy on the commission after Jason Wells chose not to seek another term and encouraged interested residents to submit applications.
The commission’s approval sets the aesthetic direction and material choices for the project; Shonda will present final species and the parks-board-level planting plan at an upcoming parks board meeting before installations proceed.
