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A $25 million federal grant will modernize Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers Courts and surrounding neighborhoods, addressing long-standing issues in the nearly 100-year-old housing complex.
A $25 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will bring much-needed updates to Oklahoma City’s nearly 100-year-old Will Rogers Courts housing complex and surrounding neighborhoods.
The Oklahoma City Housing Authority said the primary issue with the units is their age, with residents highlighting the lack of air conditioning, deteriorating conditions and the absence of showers.
“It just needs to be updated, period,” said Sheila Payne, a resident of Will Rogers Courts.
Payne, who has lived in the complex for 38 years, described the buildings as “old army barracks.”
“They’re outdated; we don’t have showers, we don’t have air conditioning,” Payne said.
Mark Gillett, executive director of the Oklahoma City Housing Authority, provided historical context for the housing.
“This housing was built by the WPA in the 1930s, so it’s not very modern,” Gillett said.
The grant, part of the Choice Neighborhoods program, was highly competitive, with only four awarded across the United States.
“It’s incredibly competitive to get a Choice Neighborhood grant. There were only four awarded in the entire United States. Each of us got $25.1 million,” Gillett said.
The funds will be used to replace Will Rogers Courts with mixed-income housing and revitalize the Westwood Exchange neighborhood.
“The entire area from Douglas Avenue on the east all the way to Stockyard City to the west, the north, the river and South 25th Street, so that entire geographic area will be transformed by the grant,” Gillett said.
Residents expressed their excitement about the upcoming changes.
“I am so happy. We are all happy. We are blessed it finally came,” Payne said.
Gillett assured residents that they would not need to move immediately.
“It’s very important that the residents hear me say, ‘Do not move.’ This is not a notice to move. They will stay here, and then we’ll help them transition to new housing,” he said.
The project will include the construction of 350 new units over the next eight years, with the first tenants expected to move in by 2029.
“Most people will have to move at least once, some twice, and we’ll pay for all of that, so there will be a first build site. And that we’re looking at the Wheeler District to look at some housing there,” Gillett said.
Payne reflected on her time at Will Rogers Courts and her gratitude for the improvements.
“I figured I’m put out here for a reason and I enjoy it, too. I’m blessed,” she said.
