Transforming downtown West Plains

Downtown West Plains is undergoing unmistakable changes to strengthen and revitalize the community. Since 2023, downtown has seen a noticeable increase in art, businesses, and events in efforts to create third spaces and facilitate connection. West Plains Downtown (WPD), a community driven nonprofit, takes a multigenerational approach, working to build a community for the next generation to stay for or come back to.

 

There is only one staff member at WPD, Downtown Coordinator Emily Edwards-Long, who is employed by the city of West Plains, so the renovations are all volunteer-driven. In 2025, WPD had over 2400 volunteer hours contributed, at a time value of $77,385, according to their 2025 annual report. 

 

WPD partners with Missouri Main Street Connection and Main Street America with a focus on preservation and supporting small businesses. Ozark Small Business Incubator (OzSBI), headquartered in West Plains, has been a great support to businesses and entrepreneurs at all levels, both in West Plains and across the Ozarks, according to Edwards-Long. “We want to help people grow from wherever they’re at,” says Autumn Shirley, a business developmental specialist at OzSBI. Members of the community have made the revitalization possible, such as Downtown Coordinator Emily Edwards-Long, OzSBI CEO Heather Fisher, Toney and Kathleen Aid, Jeff and Stacey Tune, Crockett Oaks III, Andy and Bethany Turner, along with many others.

 

Reinvigorating the Historical District

 

The historical district features almost 50 historic buildings, representing 150 years of architectural, economic, and community development. 

 

Until recently, the Back Lot was a vacant lot with remnants of buildings. It has been transformed into both a community gathering space and event venue. Through removing debris, leveling the site, planting grass, pouring a retaining wall, installing water and electrical infrastructure, and a planned perimeter fence, the Back Lot is unrecognizable from before. The space will serve as a food truck park during the day with open seating to the public, creating a space for people to gather and grab lunch. In the evenings, the lot will host both public and private events, such as Music By the Murals in partnership with the Lincoln School. This is only the most recent in a long-term revitalization.

 

In 2023, there were 32 vacant buildings, but today, there are only nine buildings still vacant, with some currently under contract. West Plains saw 22 businesses open in 2025, providing 30 new jobs, according to the WPD 2025 annual report. In addition, five more businesses opened this year already, with two more opening in June, said Edwards-Long.

 

In January 2027, Provalus, an IT company, will be starting operations downtown. The company is bringing a one million dollar corporate investment and providing up to 200 new technology jobs over a five year period to West Plains and Howell County. 

 

Creative District

 

Community art is valued by downtown businesses owners and volunteers, which you can see just walking down the street or visiting a local exhibit at the Frame Shop & Gallery. 

 

If you look down while crossing the street, you might see one of the two painted street crosswalks. Not only do the crosswalks bring some color to the ground, but they tell a story about West Plains history. One crosswalk depicts a plane crash that happened in 1926, where two men walked away unharmed after crashing into the Bond building with a Curtis biplane. The crosswalks provide history lessons, more space for pedestrians, and help slow down vehicles while entering the square.

 

Murals, such as those painted by Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo, a world-renowned artist from Nigeria, can be seen from almost every street corner. West Plains has over 15 murals, with more planned to come. The newest mural, a work-in-progress, is located on the side of the building of local bookstore the Book Nook. It will feature different paintings of windows, each “looking” into a different book.

 

Three alleyways have been activated for public use downtown by placing seating and lighting in alleys, improving walkability, and providing public art and seating, enhanced through floral beautification by the Civic Spruce. One alley features a bocce ball court, a lawn bowling game for all ages.

 

Downtown in Bloom is an ongoing project, during April through October, to place more plants and flowers around downtown. Third grade students from South Fork Elementary, the City of West Plains Transportation Department and Fire Department, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and WPD worked together last month to plant a pollinator garden next to the parking lot off Jefferson Street. 

 

Events

 

In 2025, there were a total of 22 events with over 10,000 in total event attendance. Monthly events are hosted by WPD, such as the Civic Spruce, a cleanup volunteer group that meets the first Saturdays, and the first Thursday’s Downtown Stroll, where businesses stay open late and live music is performed. WPD also hosts a quarterly commercial real estate tour, a guided tour of available commercial properties for lease and sale in the downtown district.

 

Sounds Downtown is a free outdoor concert series every third Thursday throughout June to September from 6-8 pm at the Back Lot. The series started off with Drifters Mile on June 18, and will continue with Kayla Ray on July 16. 

 

Coming up on October 2-3, will be the Dolly & Porter Festival, highlighting the corner of the square where Dolly Parton and Porter Wagnoner used to sing. Ending October will be free trick-or-treating at Scare on the Square on the 31st. During December, the month starts off on the first with a tree lighting and a window display contest that extends until the 18th.