Cover Stories

Edmond’s oldest park is getting an upgrade. Stephenson Park has undergone construction as part of the city’s $6.5-million investment in the public space and surrounding areas. Stretching from Litter to Boulevard between 4th and 5th Streets, the park has a rich history and a bright future serving Edmond.

The University of Central Oklahoma College of Business is an AACSB-accredited school, which is given to the top business schools in the world, with only 5% of schools achieving the recognition. These schools must pass rigorous quality standards evaluating their programs, faculty, student GPAs, post-graduation recruitment, and more. UCO achieved this status in 2017 and was reaccredited in 2022 with the help of Jeremy Oller.

The Lazy E Arena has brought spectators from around the world and has served the Edmond community since 1984. Edmond City Council recently passed a one-time budget allocation to attract future events and secure the arena’s spot as the number one destination for national youth rodeos, bringing even more significant financial boosts and support for the local economy.  

Edmond’s first Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District was approved by City Council in October 2020 to support public improvements, encouraging more private investment in downtown Edmond and its surrounding areas. Since then, two major housing projects have been a shining example of the type of development city officials hoped to attract and support with TIF funding. TIF districts are economic drivers that promote new development and have been used by cities around the country for more than 40 years. Within a TIF district, municipalities can use a portion of property taxes generated in the district to invest in the new projects or infrastructure created there. 

After more than 50 years of serving students, the Oklahoma Christian School of Business continues to be a top program at the college, boasting hundreds of graduates every year. Jeff Simmons, professor and chair of the School of Business, shares the mission of the program and his plans to expand opportunities for its students. 

As Edmond continues to expand east beyond I-35, the neighborhoods are booming, but there has been a lack of commercial real estate interest and development. Ward 2 City Councilman Josh Moore and Randy Entz, director of planning and zoning at the City of Edmond, are working together to educate the community on the challenges and efforts involved in increasing business in east Edmond. 

Local Edmond restaurants—especially family-owned and operated restaurants—need our compassion, support, and dollars now more than ever. Yes, even now, over two years since the pandemic came to the United States. In the interest of full disclosure, my perspective on this issue is from someone who runs a marketing company that helps restaurants with the daily tasks of promoting their businesses. Happy hours, specials, dine-in, curbside, delivery apps, holiday catering, you name it, my team and I have helped our clients advertise it online. 

The City of Edmond’s investment in Arcadia Lake is progressing as officials recently hired LandPlan Consultants and secured funding for the project. More than $2 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act has been designated to support the infrastructure investment. 

As Edmond’s VIBES returned in April for a second season, 43 businesses, 44 visual artists and 10 performing artists entertained guests along 15 downtown blocks. These continually growing numbers are a demonstration of the community partnerships and participation that make VIBES special. 

At the beginning of the food truck boom in 2014, Citizens Bank of Edmond launched a new local food truck event hoping to bring around 300 residents to the downtown Edmond area. Eight years later, Heard on Hurd has hosted more than one million attendees to celebrate great food and music, becoming a staple event in the Edmond community.