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The Pawhuska City Council decided to move forward on several items to protect and redefine the Historic Downtown District at their Monthly meeting Tuesday evening. The first item was a resolution titled Resolution 2017-6 which will be submitted to the Osage County Commissioners regarding requested guidelines on the sale and usage of the Kennedy Building.

The building was sold at auction in August, however due to issues with the abstract and title the sale of the building was voided. The City of Pawhuska would like to request that the Commissioners implement several requirements before the sale can move forward a second time including stipulation that the building conform to the Historic Downtown District aesthetic and provided a function which continues to drive economic development. While the City cannot force the Commissioners to make their resolution a requirement of the sale, it would suit the City of Pawhuska as well as Osage County to bring in additional tax revenue from the iconic Kennedy Building.

The next item discussed regarding the preservation of the Historic District was the proposition of a new City Ordinance to effectively revive the long dissolved Historic District Commission. The Commission has not been active in Pawhuska for many years, most members of the Council cannot remember the last time it was active, however the Council agreed that the time for revitalization is now and a new ordinance will be drafted and implemented and member nominated at the November meeting of the Pawhuska City Council.

Lastly the Council agreed to draft a new ordinance which will effectively change where Itinerant Merchants can sell wares. Currently Itinerant Merchants can request temporary business permits for within city limits but cannot set up within the Historic District, which includes downtown and East on Main St to Revard Ave. The New ordinance will adjust the length of the district from Revard to two blocks West to Leahy Ave, giving Merchants an opportunity to set up along Main. The ordinance will also be reviewed and voted on at the November meeting of the Pawhuska City Council.