The Paseo: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Summary

A bustling artists' colony before neglect and blight nearly destroyed it, The Paseo is today one of Oklahoma City's more coveted addresses. Its colorful bungalows attract residents seeking homes with character, its art galleries, restaurants, and shops draw residents and visitors alike, and its commercial area — historic Spanish Village with Spanish Mission Revival-styled buildings, stucco exteriors and red-tile roofs — brings professionals and businesses desiring a place close to downtown yet with a different vibe.

Designated Area

The Paseo, about two and one-half miles north of Oklahoma City's downtown, is bordered by NW 30th Street to the north, NW 24th Street to the south, North Walker Avenue to the east and North Western Avenue to the west.

Red-tile roofs, arched entrances and colorful stucco exteriors define The Paseo's vibrant Spanish Village which features art galleries, restaurants and shops. Photo courtesy of Paul Ryckbost.

Planning Excellence

A bustling artists' colony before neglect and blight nearly destroyed it, The Paseo is today one of Oklahoma City's more coveted addresses. Its colorful bungalows attract residents seeking homes with character, its art galleries, restaurants, and shops draw residents and visitors alike, and its commercial area — historic Spanish Village with Spanish Mission Revival-styled buildings, stucco exteriors and red-tile roofs — brings professionals and businesses desiring a place close to downtown yet with a different vibe.

The neighborhood's bohemian roots are evident. As it was in the 1920s, The Elms is the place to view art. Today it is surrounded by 16 other galleries along a curving, two-block section of Paseo Drive. Neighborhood residents are heavily invested in the art community, serving on the Paseo Arts Association board and volunteering at First Friday night art walks and a Memorial Day art festival that attracts thousands.

To the south of The Paseo is the Dove Science Academy, a charter school for grades 6-12. The Harding Fine Arts Academy, a public high school, and the Wilson School for Arts Integration, a public elementary school, are located just over the neighborhood's northern and southern boundaries.

Fairlawn Cemetery is home to some of Oklahoma City's earliest mausoleums and the burial site of many of the city's original leaders. Many headstones are sculpted, ornmented, or engraved. Large, mature trees dot the cemetery, which residents use for exercise and as a community living room.

After falling into disrepair in the 1980s when gang activity, drug use, and prostitution were prevalent, the neighborhood has thrived because of the work of local attorney John Belt, the community housing development organization Positively Paseo, and support of the city.

Positively Paseo, a nonprofit housing advocacy group, has rehabilitated or built some 20 new homes for low- and middle-income families, including the one above. Photo courtesy of Paul Ryckbost.

Defining Characteristics, Features

Unique Sense of Place

• Spanish Village Historic District, today called The Paseo Arts District, added to National Register of Historic Places in 1983; Spanish Revival architecture features tile roofs, stucco exteriors and parapets, arched openings, scroll and crest reliefs
• Combination of galleries, restaurants and retail provide artistic ambiance, liveliness
• Colorful bungalow homes comprise more than 60 percent of houses in The Paseo Neighborhood Historic District, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004; other styles include Prairie School, Colonial, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival

Engaged Citizens, Organizations

1. In 1976 attorney John Belt began buying and renovating Spanish Village Historic District commercial properties; ultimately he rehabbed 16 structures
2. Intent on increasing opportunities for affordable home ownership, Positively Paseo was established in 1991 as a community development corporation, later becoming a community housing development organization; it renovated or built 20 homes for low- and moderate-income households
3. Paseo Neighborhood Association engages residents in neighborhood improvement; it partnered with city planners in 1988 to develop revitalization strategy
4. Nonprofit Paseo Arts Association (1982) manages gallery, juried exhibitions, Paseo Arts Festival, First Friday Gallery Walks, Gallery Guide, education and awards programs

Planning, Revitalization

• Oklahoma City Council designated the Paseo neighborhood as a pilot redevelopment program (1987), initiating neighborhood planning process; in 1990, after 18 months of neighborhood meetings, The Paseo Plan was incorporated into the Oklahoma City Plan
• Historic overlay adopted for the entire neighborhood (1991); Historic Preservation Commission oversees historic commercial area (1991) and residential areas (1998)
• Streetscape improvements (2004) stimulate NW 23rd Street revitalization along Paseo border
• Local businesses and nonprofits tap state and federal funds and programs for housing rehabilitation. The Breighton — 12 vintage brownstone buildings with eight units each — uses State of Oklahoma Affordable Housing Tax Credits for $4.4-million renovation of historic apartments (1993); Positively Paseo rehabilitates or builds new 20 houses, using public and private funding sources
• City adopts preservation guidelines and standards for historic districts (2003)

Brightly colored bungalows attract residents seeking homes with character and reflecting The Paseo's artistic roots. Photo courtesy of Paul Ryckbost.

Artistic Bent

• During 1930s and 1940s, Paseo is the heart of Oklahoma City's arts community
• Many galleries restored to former glory; paintings, drawings, sculpture, ceramics, glass, crafts, fiber art, and photographs from emerging and established artists on display
• Paseo Art Festival (1977) held annually on Memorial Day weekend, features 70 juried artists and attracts more than 40,000 attendees; monthly First Friday gallery walk features work from 60 artists, 17 galleries