Some visitors see beauty when they come to downtown Muskogee, others see cracked sidewalks.

Mark Bettencourt, who recently moved here from Tulsa, said the brick sidewalks on Broadway are nicer than the ones in downtown Tulsa, though he has noticed uneven pavement.”

“I think they could be repaired,” Jake Escolas said as he passed the Muskogee County Services Building on West Broadway. “The city should have to take care of them.”

The condition of downtown Muskogee sidewalks could play a key part in the city’s desire to beautify downtown, particularly on Broadway, Okmulgee Avenue and south Main Street.

Mayor John Tyler Hammons is to propose a task force of city officials, utility companies and downtown business owners to discuss the best way to improve downtown’s appearance. The task force would focus on what would best improve downtown’s image and bring more business in.

“Are improving sidewalks the best thing to do? Is urban forestry,” Hammons said, adding that because the task force is still in the idea phase, no project costs have been estimated.

Hammons said federal and state grants could help fund the projects.

Downtown Muskogee Inc., Executive Director Jonita Mullins said the city installed brick and stone sidewalks on five blocks of Broadway and Okmulgee Avenue in the 1980s.

“But we want to go further than just two streets,” Mullins said. South Main Street is really developing, but there are pockets of that area that are really in poor shape.”

The city is responsible for repairing and maintaining the brick and stone sidewalks it had installed, said Jim Wixom, assistant public works director for operations. He said businesses are responsible for maintaining concrete sidewalks in front of their facades.

Mullins also could not estimate a cost, but said improvements will take time.

“I know it will have to be done in phases. Getting all the players is the first step, the city, property owners, utility companies,” Mullins said.

“We’ve got to do something more,” said Daniel Carbone, manager of Daniel’s Jewelry, 401 W. Broadway. “Downtown needs to look more attractive.”

Carbone suggested more places for benches.

“We need to look at big cities, people need a place to relax,” he said.

“It could look better,” said David Santos, who came downtown to check on his bank account. “It’s just kind of messy.”

Reach Cathy Spaulding at (918) 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.

If you go

WHAT: Muskogee Public Works and Finance Committees regular meetings

WHEN: 4 p.m. today.

WHERE: City Council Chambers, Muskogee Municipal Building, 229 W. Okmulgee Ave.

ON TV: Broadcast live on Suddenlink Channel 14.