Downtown Durant parking lot conversion under consideration as business owners raise opposition
By Mia Medellin
Published on March 18, 2026.
Business owners of a downtown Durant, Oklahoma, are opposing a city plan to convert a downtown parking lot into a green space, arguing that the loss of parking could threaten local businesses. Julie Parker and Lisa Jernigin have operated Bliss Boutique in downtown Durant for 17 years and have launched an online petition opposing the plan. The petition has over 1,500 signatures and asks the city to consider other locations for a park that would not significantly reduce downtown parking. The city manager had not responded to a request for comment as of Wednesday.
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