For four days, Oakley is the center of the rodeo universe, with parades and cowboys and fireworks. But for the rest of the year town is quiet; for some, too quiet. That’s about to change as a wealthy landowner has decided to remake the town, with gas stations and stores and restaurants (“Oakley Diner expected to serve as a catalyst for change,” Aug. 9). And the city is fully onboard without even looking around for other ideas or other developers.
Steve Smith, originally from the town of Marion and a multi-millionaire, has managed to purchase much of the center of town, including a number of homes, the gas station, post office and the vintage diner. The Oakley Diner, as it now called, has seen major renovations with added space and a drive-through. With a little help from Mayor Zane Woolstenhulme and the city council, Smith was able to lease two pieces of town property to let him expand the diner.
Smith’s vision for the land he already owns is now being refined from concept to an application for development which will be submitted to the town. Besides a Maverik-style gas station and store, preliminary plans show a brew pub restaurant down the road as well.
Meanwhile, however, the town-owned property in the center of town is unbuilt. That could change soon too, as Smith has submitted concept plans to the Oakley Planning Commission showing a grocery store, new post office and other commercial properties. That is, if the city will sell him the town-owned land. So far no other parties have expressed an interest, but probably because they don’t even know it’s available.
While it’s exciting to see finally see some movement toward a town center, a number of Oakley residents want the mayor and council to release a Request for Proposal for the town land, which could elicit some different concepts from established developers. Some residents have expressed an interest in more of a heritage-based town center, instead of the more modern Maverik-type stations, cafes and stores. But for now, the city is more than happy to let Smith be the sole source.
The public will eventually get to comment on the planning document, and a spring citizen’s survey has been delayed until fall, which might help determine the futue. But Oakley has one chance to create a town that reflects its heritage and history, and hopefully not just another strip mall. For this small town, character matters.
Patrick Cone
Oakley