OKC Central: Stretch of NW 23 has plenty to appeal to Route 66 tourists
Oklahoman business writer Steve Lackmeyer asks if a stretch of NW 23 could see a boost to its efforts at revitalization if it is rebranded as a part of historic Route 66.
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About a dozen years ago, Michael Smith stood virtually alone in promoting revitalization of NW 23 between Classen Boulevard and Broadway. He pushed hard for a streetscape of the corridor and helped promote creation of a design review ordinance.
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Smith also pushed an early-day effort at branding the stretch as “Uptown.” A couple of years ago, Smith moved his interior design store, but his legacy lives on with the streetscape and a stretch of trendy restaurants including Tuckers, Big Truck Tacos,' Cheever's and Mutt's.
The Uptown sign, once posted in front of the landmark Gold Dome, however, since has disappeared. In its place stands a new street sign installed last fall at the direction of state Sen. David Holt that tells travelers this street was once part of Route 66.
Holt has long sought ways to promote the city's urban core, and was instrumental in moving Shakespeare in the Park from Edmond to the Myriad Gardens and in renaming an obscure Bricktown alleyway “Flaming Lips Alley.”
Like many locals, Holt never thought of NW 23 — or any other stretch of Oklahoma City roadway — as being a part of old Route 66. Nor did he fully appreciate its appeal to tourists until rock legend Paul McCartney stopped at the Skirvin as part of his own Route 66 journey.
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