subURBAN Revival
No one has studied the revitalization of Edmond’s downtown like J. David Chapman, PhD. Chapman has authored a newly published book that chronicles the history and recent transformation of Edmond, from a quiet downtown into a lively, walkable cityscape.
As a professor of urban planning and real estate development, a weekly columnist for the Journal Record, and the owner of Realty1, Chapman has the academic credentials to accurately describe Edmond’s redevelopment. What makes this book special, however, is that subURBAN! Reimagining the Suburban Downtown is written as a personal narrative. Chapman not only witnessed the last decade of change firsthand, but his family also served as both catalyst and collaborators in the process.
The Chapman Story
Chapman began his career as an engineer with the Air Force. During his travels, he observed cities around the world and pondered the ways they thrived or struggled. He and his wife, Julie, eventually bought an acreage in east Edmond, which he described as the “quintessential suburban dream.”
While teaching at the University of Central Oklahoma, he felt compelled to reduce his urban-sprawl lifestyle, which relied heavily on driving. So, the Chapmans toured revitalized hotspots in Oklahoma City, looking for a neighborhood with character, walkability and social engagement. None felt quite like home.
“That’s when it hit me,” Chapman wrote. “Could we have the urban fabric we were looking for with the advantages of a suburb right here in Edmond?”
David and Julie knew that downtown Edmond wasn’t perfect, but it had good bones. In 2015, they bought a lot at Ayers and Broadway to build their three-story house. According to Chapman, the downtown area “had the makings of a Hallmark movie set,” but there wasn’t much vibrancy. He believed that for a renaissance to happen, city council would have to embrace the principles of growth.
In 2019, Chapman was elected to city council and encouraged decisions that strengthened the city’s urban planning. He spoke in favor of restoring historic properties, he voted for more public art, and he fought to silence the deafening train whistle that caused business to come to a halt.
The KatiBugs Impact
A turning point in downtown’s vibrancy happened when Chapman was approached by a mother-daughter team with a 1950s travel trailer, from which they sold shaved ice and hot chocolate. Chapman saw the KatiBugs business as a chance to create a mini-park environment on one of his vacant properties.
Various zoning regulations and public criticisms had to be overcome, but Chapman was encouraged by the results. “I would walk over nightly to watch KatiBugs’ impact,” Chapman said. “It was incredible to see a line of customers waiting for service, grandparents and parents playing games on the turf under the glow of string lights. It felt like a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting.”
Chapman was witnessing the very thing he had taught about: the creation of an informal gathering place. Places like coffee shops, bookshops, cafes, breweries, and parks brought “regulars” and newcomers together. Events like Heard on Hurd and VIBES bolstered pedestrian traffic, and pandemic “streateries” became downtown staples.
“Neighborhoods where people know their neighbors—because they pass them on porches, gather in shared parks, or meet at corner cafes—are more likely to check in on each other, share resources, and organize quickly in emergencies,” Chapman said.
Throughout subURBAN, Chapman names familiar events, businesses, and individuals who propelled life into Edmond’s once-sleepy downtown. Anyone involved in Edmond’s recent evolution will feel a personal connection to the story Chapman shares through his own personal lens.
“What makes a city resilient is a series of small, determined decisions,” Chapman said. “Edmond is proof that cities are living organisms.”
Chapman’s book can be purchased at Amazon.com.