CBD Code Compliance Program

The Challenge

The Central Business District is unique — buildings are constructed to the property line, many are multi-story, and they share common walls. Originally built with minimal life safety provisions, a fire in one building can quickly spread to an entire block.

These historical deficiencies make it difficult to utilize available downtown floor space to its maximum, especially the upper floors. Improvement projects or changes in use often fail to get off the ground due to the cost of code compliance.

In many instances where a change of use is proposed — particularly for upper floors — the Fire Code mandates a fire suppression system. In the CBD, installing a fire line requires excavating the street or sidewalk, adding significant cost beyond the system itself.

The Program

The Ponca City Utility Authority (PCUA) approved a resolution establishing an annual fund of $240,000 specifically to assist downtown property owners who wish to improve their property in ways that trigger mandatory fire suppression installation.

The incentive is 50% of the cost to install a fire suppression system, up to $60,000 per project. PCUA pays the incentive after the improvement project is completed and a Certificate of Occupancy has been issued.