OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma City Housing Authority/Community Enhancement Corporation (OCHA/CEC) and a newly formed coalition of community organizations have announced a partnership introducing a new model for neighborhood redevelopment in Northeast Oklahoma City, centered on shared leadership between residents, public agencies, nonprofit organizations and national partners. The Creston Park Collaborative is composed of RestoreOKC with support from Purpose Built Communities, NEOKC Renaissance and Open Design Collective.
Over the past year, the partners have worked to establish a planning framework guiding the redevelopment of the historic Creston Park neighborhood, outlining a shared goal of a mixed-income neighborhood that expands housing opportunity while reflecting the history and character of Northeast Oklahoma City. Throughout the planning process, residents and community stakeholders have helped shape the vision through neighborhood workshops, listening sessions and conversations – and remain committed to authentic engagement through implementation and execution.
“We’re glad to be working with the Creston Park Collaborative to help engage the community for their input on the future of Creston Park,” said OCHA Executive Director Mark Gillett. “Our shared commitment to a thriving Northeast Oklahoma City means building a place where all our neighbors have access to affordable and high-quality housing.”
The multi-million-dollar development will utilize a mixture of private and public funding, including an investment of MAPS 4 Homelessness funds. Once complete, the development will bring over 170 new housing options to Northeast Oklahoma City. The collaboration is an innovative approach to building affordable housing, and represents the first of its kind in Oklahoma.
“Reimagining the Creston Park neighborhood is an incredible opportunity to impact people for generations to come,” said Caylee Dodson, Executive Director of RestoreOKC. “This unique collaboration will help to create the conditions where families can flourish. Trust, long-term commitment and shared leadership are key to our work with the community.”
As a nonprofit co-development partner within the Creston Park Collaborative, NEOKC Renaissance brings a focus on local development capacity and long-term neighborhood investment.
“One of our most important priorities is making sure this process supports mixed-income housing, long-term neighborhood benefit, local developer capacity-building, and pathways for residents and families to remain connected to the community as the project moves forward,” said Quintin Hughes Sr., Executive Director of NEOKC Renaissance.
Open Design Collective is leading the community design process, developing a site plan rooted in the history, culture, and priorities of Northeast Oklahoma City.
“Design has the power to strengthen the connection between people and place.” said Vanessa Morrison, CEO of Open Design Collective. “Creston Park is an opportunity to shape a neighborhood that honors the history and culture of Northeast Oklahoma City while reflecting the community’s vision for its future.”
The Creston Park Collaborative’s structure, pairing a public housing authority with community-based nonprofits and national place-based development expertise, reflects a model organizers say prioritizes shared leadership. Plans call for aligning investments in education, health, economic mobility and community life alongside housing as the project develops.
“We’re excited for this opportunity for community-led development at Creston Park that is focused on affordability and bringing more residents into Northeast OKC,” said Ward 7 Councilman Camal Pennington.
Originally constructed in the 1930s and later incorporated by the federal government into the public housing system in the 1970s, the 95 now-vacant units on 28th and 29th Streets have long served as an important part of Northeast Oklahoma City’s history. Today, that history serves as the foundation for a new chapter built through partnership, shared leadership and a long-term commitment to neighborhood vitality. Demolition of the units is expected to be completed prior to year end.
OCHA and the Creston Park Collaborative have issued a request for qualifications (RFQ) to identify a development partner for the project, with the process now advanced to the interview stage. Final roles, agreements, financing, ownership structure and site plans have not yet been determined and will be shaped through the ongoing process.
About the Oklahoma City Housing Authority
Oklahoma City Housing Authority and Community Enhancement Corporation provide housing and housing assistance to more than 14,000 people in Oklahoma City through public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program and Project Based Rental Assistance. Their mission is to provide our neighbors in Oklahoma City with affordable and safe housing.
About the Creston Park Collaborative
The Creston Park Collaborative is a partnership between RestoreOKC, NEOKC Renaissance and Open Design Collective working alongside the Oklahoma City Housing Authority to advance the long-term redevelopment of the historic Creston Park neighborhood in Northeast Oklahoma City. RestoreOKC is recognized and supported by national partner Purpose Built Communities.
