Downtown Ponca City Streetscape Completed

From Ponca City Mayor Wagner's Facebook Page - July 2, 2025

Yesterday, I hosted Heather Turner, Deputy CEO at the OK Department of Commerce and Executive Director of the CORE Division (Community Outreach and Revitalization Enterprise) in Ponca City.

We met in City Hall with City Manager Craig Stephenson, Deputy City Manager Don Bohon, and Development Services Director Chris Henderson. We discussed the wonderful things happening in our city, as well as what the future of Ponca City might look like. From our plans to invest in infrastructure, growing our retail and manufacturing sectors, to expanding access to housing at all levels, developing more city amenities for citizens, and harnessing the amazing potential for tourism development, Heather had great ideas and inspiration for our city.

After our meeting, we took Heather on a tour of Ponca City. Heather was so impressed by what we already have to offer here in Ponca City! From our $24 million RecPlex to our beautiful Lake Ponca recreation area and Wentz Camp and Pool, as well as our vibrant downtown, Heather was impressed and enthusiastic about what we have to offer.

After our tour, we met for lunch with our local Main Street staff, Maci Heppel and Emily Helling, as well as PCDA CEO Lori Henderson, for more brainstorming. We discussed the critical parts all these organizations play in the growth of our city, and what Heather was MOST impressed with was how well everyone in our city works together. Even if we don't always agree, we work together, support each other, and strive towards our common goals. Heather said it's rare to find that in cities today.

We capped off our day with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce to celebrate our new downtown Streetscape. It was a great day showing off our wonderful city! I would like to thank Heather Turner again for taking the time to visit, and I look forward to our continued partnership in growing Ponca City!