The Block 34 Project — Looking Back

By mid-2024 a "gem" of downtown Stillwater, Block 34, is expected to be operational. It will be a premier outdoor music venue and gathering place, capable of comfortably accommodating thousands, and also be inviting to individual guests.
Where did the name come from?  In the earliest days of the town of Stillwater the city planners quickly split up the area into "blocks" and gave each block a number.  The image below is from a 1895 Sanborn map showing both Block 34 and Block 35 where the Stillwater Community Center now stands.
Block 34, located between Duncan and Husband and between 8th and 9th, was always a location various businesses sold things like lumber and plumbing supplies.  But because this block is only a block away from Main Street and is nestled amongst the organizations that make the Stillwater Cultural District, the City of Stillwater had a vision to have a venue to promote economic development and quality of life in downtown Stillwater.
Over the past fifteen years the City of Stillwater purchased parcels of platted block number 34 and ultimately secured ownership of the entire city block. Making the vision a reality then was the challenge.

Creating Reality from a Vision

City planners with input from citizen groups, developed a concept that was presented to the City Council in 2015 which culminated in the Council forming a citizen task force in 2017.  The Task Force evolved into a Trust and held more than two dozen public meetings and townhalls.
Task force membership evolved over time, and included
  • Pat Zimmerman–Regional SVP Bancfirst
  • Russ Teubner–Owner/President of Hostbridge, Tuebner Assoc, Developer, Entrepreneur, Simmons Board of Directors
  • Ariel Ross–formerly Stillwater Planning Commission, OSU faculty
  • Kevin Fowler–President of Simmons Bank  
  • Victoria Berry–Director OSU Museum of Art, OSU Professor
  • James Beckstrom–Energy Consultant, retired OSU faculty and administration, retired int’l Energy Company
To see a timeline of Task force and City Council Activities, click the link below.

Big News for Stillwater Residents . . .
Kicker's Steve Irby Announces Huge Donation for Block 34

When it all got started . . . The Initial Big Announcement in December of 2021

On a chilly day in December 2021 a small gathering began to form on Block 34.  It was clear by who was there that an important announcement was about to be made.  Sure enough, Mr. Steve Irby cleared up all the rumors.  Kicker was indeed going to donate a total of $2.7 million dollars for the design and development of Block 34.  The edited video below captured the moment.
​The Stillwater Community Center Foundation's Chairperson, Mr. Jim Beckstrom, was part of the December 2, 2021 announcement that also revealed that Kicker will be donating an additional $800,000 to support programming and maintenance over the course of ten years.  These funds will be received by the Stillwater Community Center Foundation and used to present 14 music events each year along with other types of programming.  Wow.  We are beyond excited to be a part of making this a reality for the City of Stillwater. 

Agreements were Signed

It was not long before agreements were signed between all interested parties. Within those agreements roles were defined and an understanding of the general direction was realized.

Stillwater Community Center Foundation (SCCF)

  • The SCCF will receive and administer donations made for the development of the park.
  • The SCCF is to put together a committee to be called the Block 34 Architecture and Development Committee for the purpose of securing funding. This committee is also charged with guidance and oversight for changes/modifications upon completion of initial construction.
  • The SCCF will fund those architectural aspects of the park that are within the authority of the Block 34 Architecture and Development Committee.
  • For ten years, the SCCF will deliver at least 14 music programs per year on the Kicker Sound Stage and Saturday morning programs year round.

Stillwater Designs (Kicker) and Steve Irby

  • The major source of funding. For the donation, the stage will be named Kicker Sound Stage.
  • Steve Irby of Kicker will manage and oversee the overall design of the park and its branding. 
  • Steve Irby of Kicker maintains veto right for any design or branding decision.

City of Stillwater

  • The City will send out for bids the design specs and secure the necessary contractor(s).
  • The City will manage and oversee all aspects of construction.
  • The City owns and will manage and operate the block after completion.
  • As with other parks, the City of Stillwater will manage requests to reserve all or part of the block for functions.

Design Process Began and Strategies Began to Develop

By late spring of 2022, the Block 34 Architecture and Development Committee met for the first time. By the end of that year there was firm plan to obtain the additional funding needed to achieve this reality.