OKC’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative shows revitalization happens with public and private investment
5/29/2025
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Oklahoma City’s Strong Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI) has been holistically improving OKC neighborhoods through physical, social and economic investments since 2012.
A report released in May explains the impact SNI has had from 2012 to 2022.
“Evaluating the last ten years of data has confirmed that the SNI has made significant positive impacts on the targeted neighborhoods,” Urban Revitalization Program Planner Shannon Entz said.
The program has a long track record of success, starting with the original SNI neighborhoods selected in 2012: Classen Ten Penn, Classen’s North Highland Park and Culbertson’s East Highland. Since then, the City has invested $18 million in SNI neighborhoods, and more than $56 million in private dollars has been invested.
Other SNI neighborhoods include Capitol Hill, Capitol View, Martin Luther King, and Metro Park. This summer, Ross Heights and Stockyards City will begin their revitalization efforts.
“Revitalization through SNI depends on participation from neighbors and community leaders,” Entz added. “We rely on them to share their stories, their needs and their dreams for their neighborhood. Together, we develop five-year strategies to catalyze investment and, more importantly, improve the lives of the people who call the neighborhoods home.”
Investments in new homes, sidewalks, neighborhood signage, trees, park improvements, and public art, signal to others that revitalization is taking place and perhaps sparks interest in living or opening a business there.
“Classen’s North Highland Parked neighborhood continues to thrive after the successful SNI,” Shirley Denson, long-time CNHP resident, said. “CNHP will forever be grateful to SNI for helping us move forward in such a spectacular way.”
“One of our key partners, Neighborhood Alliance, works with neighbors to build organizational capacity and connections that will sustain momentum after they sunset out of the SNI,” said Ben Davis, Housing and Community Development Principal Planner.
SNI projects completed between 2012 and 2022 include:
- 33 affordable homes built
- 49 homes rehabilitated
- 3 parks improved
- 69 blocks of new sidewalks installed
- 59 hazardous trees removed
- 271 trees planted
- 36 public art & beautification projects installed
- 1,000+ after school & summer students engaged
About SNI
The SNI is a City of Oklahoma City Planning Department urban revitalization program that works alongside neighborhood residents to improve their neighborhoods over a five-year period. It is funded by the City and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Examples of SNI projects include home repairs, new home construction, sidewalks, parks, tree plantings, public art, commercial district improvements, after-school programs and improved public spaces.
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Media Contact: Kristy Yager, (405) 297-2550, kristy.yager@okc.gov
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