The Enid News and Eagle, Enid, OK

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August 25, 2010

After vote fails, some businesses will be staying put

By Robert Barron, Staff Writer Enid News & Eagle

ENID — Business owners along Grand and Independence are breathing a little easier following Tuesday’s failure of a $20 million city bond issue for downtown redevelopment.

Part of the plan, Gateway Enid, would have created a green space, the “gateway” from Garriott to downtown. A number of buildings on Grand and Independence would have been purchased and businesses forced to move. The vote by Enid residents on the $20 million bond issue was 4,023 against and 3,892 in favor.

The plan also called for the city to pitch in $20 million, for a total of $40 million. Other projects would have included renovation of Convention Hall/Mark Price Arena, renovation of Cherokee Strip Conference Center and construction of a new events center. Eventually, city officials hoped private money would have been used to attract a hotel downtown. The goal was to increase sales tax revenue by bringing more visitors to town.

The city had set aside about $3.5 million for relocation of businesses.

Randy Unruh, of Carter Paint Co., 414 S. Grand, said earlier he was concerned about the project and whether he and his partner would get enough money for their transition, even though he supported the idea. Wednesday, Unruh said he was happy he doesn’t have to worry about it.

“I’m real happy with the way the vote went,” he said. “I don’t want to be critical, but there are other ways to be approaching new business.”

The businessman said Enid needs new business, but he wishes city officials would have spent the effort trying to attract businesses that they spent on the election.

“I’m real happy with the vote and to stay where I am,” he said.

Steve Bradford, Bradford Automotive, 410 S. Grand, agreed.

“At this moment I feel relieved because I don’t have to move,” he said. “I did not particularly want to move and I was not looking forward to it. I’ve been here 18 years, that’s a long time.”

He said he was not concerned about losing his customer base. He said his customers would have come looking for him.

“I don’t have to worry about it, I’m just trying to survive,” he said.

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