Downtown group should be wise with hire

As Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. begins its search for its fourth president in eight years, could the organization learn something from the Bricktown Association?

The Bricktown Association was on shaky ground one year ago. A split decision by its board to withhold money to pay its then director Frank Sims ended in his resignation and protests by some group members that the move was heavy-handed and timed to coincide with a poor turn-out by his supporters.

But then the association, which had frequently seen battles for control and direction the previous dozen years, took the unprecedented turn of advertising the director's job and assembling a panel of property owners and merchants to interview the finalists.

While the applicants' names were never made public, the ones I saw included some individuals who were and are respected and involved in the community. Ultimately, the association chose Jim Cowan, who was selling his interest in the Bricktown Brewery.

Relations remained tense for the first few weeks between property owners, who were seen as seizing control of the association, and merchants who liked Sims. But a year later, that rift has all but disappeared as Cowan has attempted to improve communication between the two sides while also drawing closer ties to the city.

In the past year alone, the association has attempted to broker an agreement with all parking operators to create a price cap and is also trying to improve signage and education on where to find parking and to end "event night surprises” for visitors simply looking to enjoy a nice meal without paying $10 to park.

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