Posted (2/23/09) 4:30pm

It's one of the most lively parts of the city, but it's not as walker-friendly as it could be.  A national walkability expert has been brought in to evaluate Downtown Oklahoma City, and make the area even more accessible for those who want to get around by foot.  The feet are pounding the pavement in bustling Downtown Oklahoma City.  Thousands stroll through the area everyday.

Autumn Radle, an OKC Urban Redevelopment Specialist said, "It makes your downtown alive.  If you don't see people on the streets of downtown, it doesn't matter as much what's going on inside the buildings if there aren't people on the street."

But the city understands the need for more sidewalks, lighting, and landscaping.  So the Mayor brought in Jeff Speck, an expert on getting the most for the mile.  Speck identified the places with best potential to improve walkability.  Broadway is on the top of the list not only to improve sidewalks, but parking as well.

"Parking's really important to walkability because when you have parking on the street walkers feel more safe, it also slows traffic down," Radle explained. "How do we connect downtown better to Bricktown? How do we connect downtown better to midtown?"

Downtown revelers have mixed reactions as to getting around town on foot.

Mark Cramer, an OKC Resident said, "I don't have any problems with it. I think they could have a few more crosswalks in some of these areas right around the courthouse, but primarily they're not too bad."

"I think there could be more sidewalks, it'd be a little safer," said Sonja Holley, who was taking a walk in downtown.

"Downtown is better than anywhere else in the city.  We've got sidewalks every where and every time they work on the streets they put in new walkways for handicap access and things like that," said OKC Resident Dick Mahoney.

The Oklahoma City "Movin' Around Committee" will dovetail their ideas with Specks recommendations.

"It's from a livelihood, safety, comfort when you see downtown and you see people on the streets, you know it's a safe place to be, there's things going on, there's events, restaurants.  So to us it's the heart of downtown, it's really the heartbeat of what makes the city alive," Radle concluded.

Speck will be back in March to present his ideas to the city.  They hope to act on his recommendations as soon as possible.