The Block 34 Project - Looking Back
By mid-2025 a "gem" of downtown Stillwater, Block 34, is expected to be operational. It will be a premier outdoor music venue and gathering place, capable of comfortably accommodating thousands, and also be inviting to individual guests.
Where did the name come from? In the earliest days of the town of Stillwater the city planners quickly split up the area into "blocks" and gave each block a number. The image below is from a 1895 Sanborn map showing both Block 34 and Block 35 where the Stillwater Community Center now stands.
Block 34, located between Duncan and Husband and between 8th and 9th avenues, has been home to pre-development flora and fauna, native American occupants and transient visitors, wood frame homes, liveries, automobile dealerships, lumber yard and plumbing supplies, a church or two, a county jail and most recently an open public green space with parking lot. The block is near Main Street and is nestled amongst the organizations that make the Stillwater Cultural District. For decades, planners and developers have had thoughts and ambitions about what to do with this centrally located block, to add value to the community and make money. In the past decade, the City of Stillwater has evolved its thinking to leverage the block to both promote economic development and enhance quality of life for Stillwater and the region.
Over the past fifteen years the City of Stillwater purchased parcels of platted block number 34 and ultimately secured ownership of the entire city block, creating the opportunity to turn their vision into a reality.
To see a timeline of Task force and City Council Activities, click the link below.
Block 34 Timeline
Creating Reality from a Vision
City planners with input from citizen groups, developed a concept that was presented to the City Council in 2015 which culminated in the Council forming a citizen task force in 2017. The Task Force evolved into a Trust and held more than two dozen public meetings and townhalls.
Task force membership evolved over time, and ultimately included
Pat Zimmerman–Regional SVP Bancfirst
Russ Teubner–Owner/President of Hostbridge, Tuebner Assoc, Developer, Entrepreneur, Simmons Board of Directors
Ariel Ross–formerly Stillwater Planning Commission, OSU faculty
Kevin Fowler–President of Simmons Bank
Victoria Berry–Director OSU Museum of Art, OSU Professor
James Beckstrom–Energy Consultant, retired OSU faculty and administration, retired int’l Energy Company
To see a timeline of Task force and City Council Activities, click the link below.
Big News for Stillwater Residents . . .
Kicker's Steve Irby Announces Huge Donation for Block 34
When it all got started . . . The Initial Big Announcement in December of 2021
On a chilly day in December 2021 a small gathering began to form on Block 34. It was clear by who was there that an important announcement was about to be made. Sure enough, Mr. Steve Irby cleared up all the rumors. Kicker was indeed going to donate a total of $2.7 million dollars for the design and development of Block 34. The edited video below captured the moment.
The Stillwater Community Center Foundation's Chairperson, Mr. Jim Beckstrom, was part of the December 2, 2021 announcement that also revealed that Kicker will be donating an additional $800,000 to support programming and maintenance over the course of ten years. These funds will be received by the Stillwater Community Center Foundation and used to present 14 music events each year along with other types of programming. Wow! We are beyond excited to be a part of making this a reality for the City of Stillwater.
Agreements were Signed
It was not long before agreements were signed between all interested parties. Within those agreements roles were defined and an understanding of the general direction was realized.
Stillwater Community Center Foundation (SCCF)
The SCCF will receive and administer donations made for the development of the park.
The SCCF is to put together a committee to be called the Block 34 Architecture and Development Committee for the purpose of securing funding. This committee is also charged with guidance and oversight for changes/modifications upon completion of initial construction.
The SCCF will fund those architectural aspects of the park that are within the authority of the Block 34 Architecture and Development Committee.
For ten years, the SCCF will deliver at least 14 music programs per year on the Kicker Sound Stage and Saturday morning programs year round.
Stillwater Designs (Kicker) and Steve Irby
The major source of funding. For the donation, the stage will be named Kicker Sound Stage.
Steve Irby of Kicker will manage and oversee the overall design of the park and its branding.
Steve Irby of Kicker maintains veto right for any design or branding decision.
City of Stillwater
The City will send out for bids the design specs and secure the necessary contractor(s).
The City will manage and oversee all aspects of construction.
The City owns and will manage and operate the block after completion.
As with other parks, the City of Stillwater will manage requests to reserve all or part of the block for functions.
Design Process Began and Strategies Began to Develop
By late spring of 2022, the Block 34 Architecture and Development Committee met for the first time. By the end of that year there was firm plan to obtain the additional funding needed to achieve this reality.
Naming of Block and Stage
In summer 2022 a presentation was made to the City Council, and it was acknowledged that the development would be named “Block 34” and the stage, the “Kicker Sound Stage”.
Simmons Bank Joins the Development
In January 2023, Simmons Bank announced a pledge of $1.5 million dollars to the project. Final agreements are yet to be executed. Upon execution the pavilion will be named the “Simmons Bank Pavilion”.
It should be noted and understood that the Stillwater Community Center Foundation, SCCF, is designated by the IRS as a charitable 501(c)(3) corporation operating in the State of Oklahoma. Our mission extends beyond the Stillwater Community Center to include facilities and programs that affect and benefit the Stillwater Community Center including our neighbor to the East, Block 34. Please know that each donor will receive a receipt indicating donor name, date of donation, amount of donation, application of donation (if for specific element), and details of donor recognition. This receipt can be used for the purpose of income tax return preparation. Please consult with an accountant for further details. We highly value the funds that you will be investing in this effort and we strive to earn your trust. We simply cannot thank you enough.
