By Kirk McCracken
SAPULPA — Sapulpa’s Dewey Street Project is set to open Jan. 16, and it could bring more shoppers to the downtown area.
Despite several setbacks, Dewey Street, which is technically the town’s main street, will be open for foot traffic and vehicles soon. Store owners are ready for the opening since the street has been closed since early 2025.
Sapulpa photographer Gary Box, owner of Box Portrait Gallery, has seen the downtown area change a lot in 36 years, but the new Dewey Street Project has been the biggest change. His portrait gallery has been right in the middle of Dewey Street and he often uses the background of Dewey in his photographs. He has been on Dewey Street for nearly four decades and he welcomes the new look of downtown Sapulpa because it combines the old buildings with new aesthetics and amenities.
“It definitely puts us on par with other towns like Broken Arrow’s Rose district and things like that. In fact, it probably elevates us above those areas,” Box said.
The project started as a beautification project, but some infrastructure needed attention since it was over 100 years old. Former Main Street President, and downtown advocate, Tami Fleak said that had to be done first. Dewey Street will now be safer, dropping from four lanes to two and there won’t be any parking on the street.
The city has widened sidewalks and created designated parking areas on side streets and in parking lots. They also improved lighting and enhanced Route 66 branding as well as an infrastructure and drainage overhaul.
“There’s been a lot of infrastructure work done in addition to it looks nice and pretty,” Box said.
Dewey Street was set to be completed on Oct. 31, but that date was pushed back to the end of November. Several years ago, the city started the annual Christmas Chute which has exploded in popularity. They weren’t able to have it this year, but it should be bigger and better next year.
