In a meeting that reflected both the promise of progress and the weight of preservation, the Okmulgee City Council gathered Tuesday evening inside City Hall to tackle a wide-ranging agenda that touched nearly every corner of community life – from downtown revitalization and infrastructure planning to the sobering realities facing one of the city’s most historic and sacred places.
At the heart of the March 17 session were two deeply contrasting, yet equally important, presentations: one highlighting the continued resurgence of Okmulgee’s downtown district, and another issuing an urgent call to protect the city’s cemetery – a place that holds more than a century of history and the resting places of thousands of loved ones.
Together, the discussions painted a vivid picture of a community moving forward while striving not to leave its past behind.
— Main Street’s vision takes shape
When Okmulgee Main Street Director Johnna Yoder stepped to the podium, her message was one of optimism, progress and gratitude – a reflection of the growing momentum in the city’s historic core.
“My name is Johnna Yoder, and I’ve been with Okmulgee Main Street since July of last year… and I just wanted to let the City Council know how grateful we are for the support we’ve received from the city,” she began. “That support is helping us continue to grow and develop the historic preservation district as an economic opportunity.”
Yoder, now entering her ninth month in the role, has quickly become a central figure in the city’s revitalization efforts. Her presentation provided not just updates, but a broader understanding of how Main Street operates – and why its role is critical to Okmulgee’s future.
Unlike the Chamber of Commerce, she explained, Main Street is not membership- based. Instead, its mission is focused squarely on historic preservation through economic development, specifically within the downtown corridor stretching along 6th Street.
“Our district is much smaller,” Yoder said. “Essentially railroad track to railroad track along 6th Street … but within that space, we are focused on preserving and growing what makes downtown special.”
Perhaps the most compelling part of Yoder’s presentation came in the form of numbers – figures that demonstrate not just activity, but confidence.
Over the past year alone, downtown Okmulgee saw $1.7 million in private reinvestment, part of a broader $60 million total reinvested over the past four decades.
“That reinvestment doesn’t just happen,” Yoder noted. “It happens because people believe in what’s happening here.”
The numbers tell a deeper story – one of small businesses reopening, buildings being restored and investors taking a second look at a downtown that, for many years, struggled to maintain its footing.
Just as important as the financial investment is the human one. Yoder reported that 3,000 volunteer hours were logged in the past year alone – a testament to the community’s commitment to its own success.
“You have some really tenacious volunteers,” she said. “People who truly love their city, and that’s what makes all of this possible.”
— Okmulgee Main Street Impact • $1.7M Private Investment in 2025
• $60M+ Total Reinvestment Since 1986
• 3,000 Hours of Volunteer Time in 2025
• 40-Year Anniversary in 2026
• 15% Budget Funded by the City of Okmulgee
• 44% Funding from Events & Fundraisers • 20% Support from Sponsors & Partners
• 10% Revenue from Community Center Rentals — Community Center gains new life A key component of Main Street’s operations is the management of the city’s community center – a large but often underutilized facility that is now seeing renewed attention.
“In the first quarter last year, we had rented it six times,” Yoder said. “This year, we’ve already rented it 11 times.”
The increase, she explained, is largely due to improved outreach and awareness.
The facility, capable of hosting up to 375 people, is now being positioned as a go-to venue for events, gatherings and community functions.
“We’re trying to let people know it’s there, and that it’s available,” she said.
Despite its size – and the associated costs of heating and cooling – the center has begun to generate a modest surplus.
“We came out about $4,000 ahead last year,” Yoder added, noting that future upgrades like programmable thermostats could further improve efficiency.
— Projects signal progress
Beyond operations, Yoder highlighted several high-profile projects that are poised to leave a lasting mark on the city.
— The Archway: A Gateway to Identity
Perhaps the most visible of these is the planned downtown archway – a structure that will span Sixth Street and welcome visitors into the historic district.
Funded through a $150,000 state grant matched by the city, the project represents a $300,000 investment in both infrastructure and identity.
“We now have the structural drawings and are moving into the surveying phase,” Yoder said.
Once completed, the archway will serve as a symbolic and literal gateway into downtown – a visual reminder of the city’s pride and progress.
— Honoring a Legacy: The Will Sampson Statue
Equally meaningful is the effort to honor one of Okmulgee’s most notable figures – actor and artist Will Sampson.
Main Street has successfully funded a two-foot bronze maquette, which will serve as a model for the full-scale statue.
“It was a $30,000 piece,” Yoder explained. “$25,000 came from the Muscogee Nation, $1,000 from the city, and the rest from community partners.”
The maquette will now be used to drive fundraising efforts for the fullsized installation – a project that promises to celebrate both local heritage and cultural impact.
— Small Spaces, Big Impact
Not all projects are large in scale – but many are just as impactful.
Yoder pointed to the transformation of an alleyway near Sixth Street, once filled with trash and debris, now reimagined as a welcoming public space.
“It’s now a place where families can gather, sit and spend time together,” she said.
The project, funded in part through an AARP grant, reflects Main Street’s broader philosophy: that even small improvements can help reshape how a community experiences its downtown.
— A Different Kind of Presentation: A Call to Preserve the Past If Yoder’s presentation focused on the future, the next speaker brought the council’s attention squarely back to the past – and the responsibility to protect it.
Representing the Okmulgee Cemetery Association, Bruce Mabrey delivered a heartfelt and, at times, emotional appeal for support during the Communications from the Public portion of the meeting.
“I represent the Okmulgee Cemetery Association today,” Mabrey said. “And I want to tell you a little bit about its history – it began in 1909… over 116 years ago.”
The cemetery, he explained, is home to more than 20,000 individuals, representing generations of families, veterans and community members.
“It’s a place where people from all walks of life are laid to rest,” he said.
Despite its historical importance, the cemetery faces a difficult financial reality.
“This past year, we had $126,000 in expenses and $96,000 in income,” Mabrey said. “So you can see … that’s upside down.”
The gap, he explained, continues to widen – driven in part by changing burial practices.
“We have more cremations now than we’ve ever had before,” he said. “And that takes away quite a bit of revenue.”
Unlike many municipal services, the cemetery relies heavily on fees associated with traditional burials – a revenue stream that is steadily declining.
— Okmulgee Cemetery Association Needs
• 20,000+ Graves to Maintain
• 2 Staff Members Managing Entire Property
• $30,000 Annual Deficit (Approx.)
• $126,000 Expenses vs. $96,000 Income (2025)
• Declining Burial Revenue Due to Cremation Trends
• Major Need: Tree Removal, Moving & Upkeep
• Requested City Support: $20,000 $30,000 Annually Beyond finances, Mabrey described the sheer physical challenge of maintaining the cemetery.
“We have one superintendent and one groundskeeper taking care of 20,000 headstones,” he said.
The property spans dozens of acres and includes aging trees, many of which pose safety and aesthetic concerns.
“The biggest problem we have is all the dead trees,” Mabrey said. “They’re 75 feet tall … and they’re expensive to remove.”
Despite the challenges, the community has stepped forward in remarkable ways.
Since late 2025, the association has raised nearly $50,000 in donations, including a $14,000 zero-turn mower, multiple commercial-grade weed eaters and funding for tree removal.
“People have stepped up,” Mabrey said. “But you can only go back to the same people so many times.”
For Mabrey, the issue is not just financial – it’s deeply personal.
“My mom and dad are buried out there … my grandparents,” he said. “And I just thought … what have I done for the cemetery lately?”
That reflection led him to dedicate himself to the cause.
“I’m going to do whatever I can to help keep the cemetery alive,” he said.
— A Direct Ask – And a Broader Message
Mabrey ultimately asked the council to consider annual financial support in the range of $20,000 to $30,000.
“We need help in any way,” he said. “If you do the right thing … people will see that you care about this community.”
He also reminded council members of the cemetery’s symbolic role: “It’s the first thing you see when you come into Okmulgee from the south … and the last thing you see when you leave.”
While no immediate action was taken on the cemetery request, council members indicated the issue would be revisited in future meetings.
Meanwhile, the council continued its regular business, approving property sales, infrastructure planning items and proclamations aimed at improving the city’s quality of life.
By the end of the evening, one thing was clear: Okmulgee is a community balancing two equally important missions – building for the future and preserving the past.
On one side, downtown is seeing renewed energy, investment and vision. On the other, historic institutions like the cemetery are fighting to remain sustainable in a changing world.
Both efforts rely on the same foundation: people who care deeply about their community.
As Yoder noted, “You’re very fortunate to have people who love their city so much.”
And as Mabrey reminded those in attendance, that love must extend to every part of Okmulgee – including the places where its stories are laid to rest.
— Council awards multiple bids for city-owned properties As part of ongoing efforts to return vacant and underutilized properties to productive use, the Okmulgee City Council approved a series of property bids during Tuesday’s meeting. The properties, grouped into “units,” were sold through a structured bid process aimed at encouraging redevelopment, improving neighborhoods and reducing blight across the community.
City officials noted the program continues to generate interest from local buyers and investors, with multiple properties transitioning back into private ownership.
Below is a breakdown of the approved bids:
Unit 1
• Awarded to Heather Holleman
• Bid Amount: $2,700
• 406 N. Alabama Ave. — Unit 3
• Awarded to Jill Holleman
• Bid Amount: $5,512
• 317 N. Okmulgee Ave.
• 421 N. Seminole Ave.
• 713 S. Okmulgee Ave.
• 415 S. Okmulgee Ave.
• 210 W. 8th St. — Unit 6
• Awarded to Rebecca Arnold
• Bid Amount: $500
• 510 W. 12th St. — Unit 10
• Awarded to Rose Lynch
• Bid Amount: $4,001
• 1300 N. Okmulgee Ave.
• 1302 N. Okmulgee Ave. Two other properties were inadvertently left off the agenda listing. — Unit 11
• Awarded to Michael Riley
• Bid Amount: $1,500
• 1020 E. Randolph St.
• 1021 E. Smith St.
• 1118 E. Martin Luther King Dr.
• 1116 E. Martin Luther King Dr. — Unit 15
• Awarded to Derrick Watkins
• Bid Amount: $1,500
• 1217 1/2 E. Smith St.
• 1226 E. Lafayette St.
• 1315 E. Kennedy St.
• 1016 N. Miami Ave. — Unit 16
• Awarded to Jasper Whisenhunt
• Bid Amount: $2,750
• 410 E. 24th St.
• 1002 S. Osage Ave.
• 1016 S. Chickasaw Ave.
• 800 E. 12th St.
• 711 E. 13th St. — Unit 19
• Awarded to Michael Riley
• Bid Amount: $1,500
• 708 E. Buffalo St.
• 706 E. Buffalo St.
• 704 E. Buffalo St. — Unit 23
• Awarded to Val Johnson Jr.
• Bid Amount: $7,500
• Northwest Corner of Miami & Hayes
• Area West of Southwest Corner of Miami & Wallace
