Route 66 in the News

Town May Find Its Future in Its Past

2007-10-22 18:11:01

CHELSEA, Okla. - When talking about the future of Chelsea, residents say it is bright.

“I think it’s promising,” Chelsea business owner and town Treasurer George Fraley said at a public meeting last week to discuss ways to make Chelsea a tourist destination.

State commerce officials agree.

“You already have Route 66 going for you, but there needs to be something more to attract visitors to your town,” Linda Barnett, Oklahoma Department of Commerce, told more than 20 interested Chelseans. “Think about who Chelsea is and go from there.

“Chelsea is pretty awesome as far as historical buildings go,” Barnett told the crowd of students, town officials, chamber officials and business owners. “Design Works can make the town more unique.”

Malynn Johnson, with the Oklahoma Arts Council, suggested those interested in or who will be part of the group to implement the plan should find out the stories of Chelsea.

“Whether you’ve been here two years or all of your life, there’s a story,” Johnson said. “Find out what it is and use it.”

Some of the stories mentioned that describe Chelsea included site of the first oil well, a railroad town and an agritourism area.

Wanda Snyder, with Shady Grove Farms just outside of town, said students currently tour the farm to learn about agriculture. That’s what Elder says attracts visitors.

“People want to see real America,” Elder said. “People want a hands-on experience, not just somewhere they can read about what happens.”

Those in attendance, including Town Administrator Kenny Weast, Trustee Howard Drake, Chamber members Darrell Parks and Nanette Holloway, and several business owners welcomed the ideas given by the state agency representatives.

To start the process of sprucing up the town to catch the eye of tourists, Kathy Gain with the ODOC’s Office of Community Development, said a group must be formed and a strategic or development plan must be in place.

“In that plan, you can talk about what you want, prioritize what can be done, set goals, set a budget, and appoint different groups to assist with the plan,” Gain said. “Once the plan is done, then comes the implementation of projects that are outlined in the plan.”

Gain said the group needs to be a diverse group made up of various people in the community such as farm wives, youth, stay-at-home mothers and volunteers, as well as town leaders.

The plan to be made is called the Capital Improvement Plan which Gain said could be rewritten once the initial projects are complete.

In conjunction with the plan are several grants to assist in funding for several projects. For instance, Barbara Elder from the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department said there are grants available for things such as a skatepark that the town could take advantage of.

There is also a Community Development Block Grant through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for communities that are part of the Oklahoma Century Community Program. Chelsea is part of that program, according to Gain.

“Chelsea took a positive step over the summer in becoming part of that program,” Gain said.

But in order to apply for and potentially receive that grant, a plan must be made and a project within the plan identified. That grant has a maximum of $75,000 in funding available.

In addition to obtaining grants for the town’s improvement plan, Barnett said a community design assistance program is available at a cost of $1,200. That program, called Design Works, uses architects to show the public conceptual drawings of parks and downtown facades, sidewalks and lighting that expresses what town’s people want in their community.

According to Barnett, the Design team visits the town and works with community residents to identify local needs and to set goals for improvement.

Barnett said it would be beneficial for Chelsea to take part in Design Works, once an improvement plan is in place, because of the historical aspect in the town.

Krystal J. Carman, McAlesterNews.com

 

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