The Legacy of Page Woodson and the Future of Affordable Housing in OKC
In 2016, Ronald Bradshaw, Principal at Colony Partners LLC, embarked on a groundbreaking initiative: the renovation of the historic Page Woodson High School. Departing from conventional methods, Bradshaw envisioned a transformation aimed at providing affordable housing options for low-income residents. This innovative project offered an alternative to the Maywood Park developments, repurposing the building into multifamily dwellings tailored to meet the needs of the community's underserved population.
Photo Credit: Page Woodson
Today, with the completion of the apartments, Page Woodson enters a new phase of development with the enhancement of its plaza. This endeavor aims to commemorate its rich history and serve as a gathering hub for Oklahoma City residents. The revitalized plaza seeks to spread awareness of Page Woodson's significance while fostering a sense of community.
The History of Page Woodson
Since the early 1900s as Lowell School, the building now known as Page Woodson has been a cornerstone of Oklahoma City’s African American community. Originally serving as an all-white institution, it underwent a significant transformation in 1934 to become the home of Douglass High School.
However, as demographics shifted and the population declined, Page Woodson closed its doors in 1993. Despite this setback, the community rallied to preserve the legacy of the J. F. Kennedy neighborhood and the school itself.
Photo Credit: The Oklahoma Historical Society
Gina Sofola, hired as a construction site representative and neighborhood liaison, played a pivotal role in these efforts, harnessing her experience to engage with the Oklahoma City community.
Marjorie Young, director of Oklahoma City Northeast, embarked on initiatives to reconnect the community with Page Woodson's historic auditorium, which hosted esteemed figures such as Duke Ellington, Marian Anderson, and Thurgood Marshall.
Photo Credit: Abandoned OK
The African American Commemorative Plaza at Page Woodson
Photo Credit: Butzer Architects and Urbanism
Central to the rejuvenation of Page Woodson is the African American Commemorative Plaza, a testament to the school's history and the resilience of its community. Situated in the presence of historic Douglass High School, the plaza serves as a gathering place to honor past educators and leaders, celebrate cultural identity, and envision a bright future.
Designed with input from the community, the plaza features terraced landscapes, lush vegetation, and symbolic elements such as book sculptures and woven art installations, paying homage to the legacy of education.
Photo Credit: Butzer Architects and Urbanism
Affordable Housing Resources for Oklahoma’s
In May of 2023, lawmakers created a bill meant to incentivize homebuilders to create affordable housing. This bill, titled the "Oklahoma Housing Stability Program," establishes two main initiatives: the Oklahoma Homebuilder Program and the Oklahoma Increased Housing Program.
These programs, administered by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), aim to enhance the availability of affordable housing units, both single-family and multi-family, across urban and rural regions of Oklahoma.
"As the economy expands, it's important to have places where people want to live, whether it be for work, social, or educational purposes. Everyone should have a place where they feel comfortable,” said DeAndre Martin, Peacekeeper at the Northeast OKC Renaissance (NEOKCR).
The Oklahoma Homebuilder Program offers low-interest loans to homebuilders for constructing single-family homes, with a focus on areas recently affected by federally declared disasters.
Other resources include:
Neighborhood Housing Services Oklahoma offers free Homebuyer Education Workshops designed to empower individuals with essential knowledge for navigating the home-buying process. These workshops are available both in-person at NHSOKLA offices and virtually via Zoom, with options for sessions in English and Spanish.
The NE OKC Now Homebuyers Program, in collaboration with Neighborhood Housing Services, offers comprehensive homebuyer education for residents of Northeast Oklahoma City. This program not only equips participants with essential knowledge about the home-buying process but also provides access to up to $18,000 in down payment assistance.
From down payment assistance programs to homebuyer education workshops, these initiatives aim to empower individuals and families, helping them navigate the complexities of homeownership with confidence.