Uptown 23rd Partners with OKC Zoo and Rudy Construction Co. to Give Trees New Life as NW 23rd Streetscape Project Begins
Giving Our Trees New Life
As part of the NW 23rd Streetscape Project, the trees being removed from the center median will be donated to the OKC Zoo for animal enrichment. We’re excited to partner with the Zoo and Rudy Construction, who went above and beyond to help coordinate this effort, ensuring the trees are reused instead of sent to the landfill.
As the long-anticipated NW 23rd Streetscape Project moves into its construction phase, Uptown 23rd District Association is proud to announce a unique partnership that gives new purpose to the trees being removed from the center median. Rather than sending the trees to a landfill, Uptown 23rd is working with Rudy Construction Co. and the Oklahoma City Zoo to donate the trees for animal enrichment, extending their life in a meaningful and sustainable way.
Construction on the NW 23rd Streetscape Project will begin with the removal of existing median trees on January 12. While this step marks a visible change along the corridor, project partners emphasize that it is part of a larger, community-driven effort to improve safety, accessibility, and walkability from Western Avenue to Broadway Avenue in the Uptown 23rd District.
“This project has been years in the making, and we’re excited to see it finally moving forward,” said Juliana Lopez, Uptown 23rd District Manager. “The tree donation is a great example of how collaboration can turn a necessary step into something positive. With Rudy Construction going above and beyond their contract agreements to make sure this happens, it reflects the care and intention behind this project and the future we’re building together.”
The NW 23rd Streetscape Project is a partnership between the City of Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), with construction led by Rudy Construction Co., and is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete. The project is funded through an Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG) grant and the City’s 2017 General Obligation Bond Program. Once complete, the corridor will feature wider ADA-compliant sidewalks, improved lighting, new bus stops, a traffic signal at Hudson Avenue, drought-resistant landscaping, and more than 140 street trees along the project area, resulting in a significant net increase in trees throughout the district.
Uptown 23rd staff and leadership, City of OKC project managers, ODOT, and Rudy Construction are working closely to ensure clear communication and coordination throughout construction. A dedicated Streetscape Committee has been formed to help support information sharing and manage expectations within the community.
As construction progresses, project partners emphasize that timelines and details will be shared as they are finalized. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, including construction schedules, impacts, and official updates, community members are encouraged to visit Vision OKC, the City’s central hub for project information, at:
https://vision.okc.gov/nw-23rd-street-western-broadway-streetscape
“This is a moment of transition for Uptown,” said Uptown 23rd District Association board president, Casi Poor. “While change can be challenging, it also brings opportunity. We’re excited about what’s ahead and committed to keeping the community informed every step of the way.”