Okmulgee's OSUIT Project Puts Modern Touch On Established Architecture

A construction fence around the 'Grand Old Post Office' in Okmulgee has sparked new excitement about redevelopment in the city's downtown.

The project will provide housing for students at the OSU Institute of Technology. 

The flag atop the old post office building gives you a little hint as to what's happening at the corner of 5th street and Grand Avenue in Okmulgee.

The old post office and its adjacent building are getting new life. 

"Our intention is to create spaces that will be popular with the young adults that attend OSUIT here in Okmulgee," said Dr. Bill Path. 

The spaces they're creating will provide housing for 75 OSUIT students.

One look at the dusty old stairway, it's hard to imagine loft apartments, but the architect has big plans for the area around the stairway.  

They'll save as much of the old building's personality as they can while opening it up to something new.

Path is high on the students who will live in the lofts and on the contributions they will make.

"They bring youthful vitality to the community," Path said. "They bring an economic vitality to a community."

He said new businesses will open to provide services the new downtown residents will need.

It's already evident in some redevelopment on the square around the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Council House.

"I wanna see OSUIT students become part of the solution here in Okmulgee's revitalization," Path said. 

Flying the flag over downtown like a beacon.

The new building is scheduled to open in January of 2018, which would be the 100th anniversary of the old post office building.