City of Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins and Vice Mayor Cherish Sammeli, center, surrounded by city councilmembers, county supervisors, business owners, volunteers and friends and family of the community, cut the ribbon to celebrate years of meetings, debates, more meetings, construction and the finished product of efforts from numerous angles of logistics, planning and community spirit. Photo by Aaron Ricca
KINGMAN – Beale Street has a new look after a year of construction and support from the community and hundreds, if not thousands, came out to enjoy the look, feel and fun.
Friday’s celebration could’ve quite been the biggest First Friday event since its inception. Beale Street was closed from 2 p.m. until about 10 p.m. from Second to Sixth Street along the revitalized road and sidewalks to allow the businesses, vendors and citizens to participate in the revelry.
The large crowd can probably be attributed to the completion of the Kingman Downtown Streetscape Project (also known as the Downtown Kingman Revitalization Project) that was completed this month after a year of construction that started in July 2023.
The intersection of Fourth and Beale Street was packed with hundreds of community members, spectators, Kingman City Council, city staff and community partners for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
There were bands, vendors, costumes, roller skaters, kids doing tricks on bikes, street games, motorcycles, prizes and an overall sense of community and people having fun into the night despite temperatures in the high 90s (probably 100 or more degrees on the asphalt and sidewalks). First Friday was also combined with Chillin’ on Beale, which added to the spectacle.
The project began in April 2017 as a proposal to the public by then city councilmember and now Mohave County Supervisor for District 1 Travis Lingenfelter and current Councilwoman Jamie Scott Stehly. Formal plans were initially approved by Kingman City Council in 2021 with $7 million of American Rescue Plan Act money appropriated. City Council greenlit the construction phase in May 2023. The construction phase started in July 2023.
The project was inspired by similar projects in other Arizona downtown areas in cities such as Bisbee, Cottonwood and Flagstaff.
Many Kingman natives have wanted to see Beale Street turn from a run-down, litter-infested de-facto homeless shelter into a few blocks of street that anyone and everyone can stroll, ride, walk or run to shop, snack and sip at one of the flourishing local businesses.
Sarah Ferry, co-owner of West of 3rd, Kingman Main Street Vice President and community organizer has helped lead the effort to revitalize downtown. Local small business owners depend on these improvements.
“Since the streets have opened up, our walk-in business has been increasing more and more,” she said. “It warms my heart to see our community out and about and enjoying our beautiful, walkable historic downtown.”
Stehly was in the front line leading the charge to make a change. Improved Americans with Disabilities access, additional parking and pedestrian-friendly spaces are some of the aspects that will become apparent the more often people get out and see it for themselves.
“For more than a century, downtown Kingman has been the heart of our community,” she said. “A thriving downtown strengthens our economy, preserves our rich history, builds a sense of community and attracts tourists.”
The crowd surrounding the Fourth and Beale intersection included politicians, business owners, artisans, locals, drunks, drivers, locals, tourists, adults, kids, pets and people who wanted/needed to get outside and see something new and special, were all there, and happy to see it.
“This is a big win for Kingman,” Stehly said.
Downtown Kingman has seen its periods of peaks and valleys.
Lingenfelter was at Friday’s ceremony to see the rewards of efforts to push Kingman into another century of prosperity. Within a decade ago, Kingman didn’t have much for economic development, tourism or much of an organized strategic plan to move forward, downtown or otherwise. Now that those pieces are in place, Beale Street could prove that the town can go in other directions in terms of progress.
“The ribbon cutting on Beale Street symbolized the hard work and determination of our community and so many dedicated individuals,” Lingenfelter said. “I’m proud of what has been achieved together. I’m proud I was a part of it, and I’m excited to see how downtown Kingman will continue to thrive to the benefit of our entire community.”
The Kingman Downtown Streetscape Project has provided wider sidewalks for foot traffic (and also a regular presence of skateboards, scooters and bicycles, which are still by law and city ordinances to stay on the street) that improves walkability and aesthetics for residents, merchants, and visitors while maintaining the downtown area’s classic, historic character.
These improvements weave into a safe, attractive, comfortable, and complete street that connects bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists to several destinations along Beale Street between First Street and Sixth Street with connections to Historic Route 66 and the recent White Cliffs Trailhead addition a few blocks north of downtown.
The ceremony was a who’s who of Kingman that included an appearance by former Mayor Jen Miles, former city councilman, now county supervisor Lingenfelter and Mohave County Supervisor District 4 Jean Bishop, who strolled up and down Beale Street before and after the ribbon cutting with her Standard Poodle Prince Barkley Bishop.
Mayor Watkins, who had had his trepidations and skepticism about the project during his mayorship, was one of the most jubilant speakers during the ceremony and had a far more optimistic perspective upon seeing it all come together.
“I know downtown business went through growing pains because of the construction,” he said. “But I know they’re going to come out even stronger and better because our downtown is more beautiful, and this will bring more people downtown.”
Numerous awards – made from Route 66 emblems covered over authentic slabs of the original Beale Street asphalt that was stripped away during the initial construction phases – to city council members, community activists and engineers.
Nick Bowers, City of Kingman Department of Engineering-Public Works was one of those awardees. During the last year, he could be seen at any given time overseeing the streetscape progress.
Kingman’s Beale Street has been revitalized, marking a new chapter for our community, and I am incredibly proud to have worked on this transformative project,” he said. “The biggest challenge was retrofitting our century-old downtown to accommodate modern amenities while preserving its historical character. This task required countless long days of collaboration and innovative problem-solving.”
The businesses downtown had to deal with delays, confusion and uncertainty. Bowers understood and is grateful.
“I’m very appreciative of the patience of the downtown businesses during this project,” he said. “They were great to work with.”
Jubilant and hearty speeches were made by city staff, chamber of commerce members, Kingman Downtown Merchants Association and Kingman Main Street.
Laurie Barthlow, a lifelong resident and President of Kingman Main Street, has been involved in First Friday activities for at least a year.
KMS is one of the pivotal components of First Friday and this month involved hosting members of Local First Arizona and Arizona Preservation Foundation.
She had been in communication with them and took them through a tour of downtown Kingman.
“We thought it would be a good idea to have them show up,” she said.
“Kingman is an example for the entire state of Arizona,” said Jim McPherson, President of the board of the Arizona Preservation Foundation.
Referring to the completed streetscape…
“I wanted to celebrate studies that had been involved in downtown revitalization in small towns from the 1990s,” Barthlow said. It had been a while
Nearly every spot in the blocks around Beale Street between First and Seventh Streets was taken. Spots between Locomotive and Metcalfe Parks were also nearly full as people from all directions flowed into First Friday Festivities by
Overall, there was a sense of enlightenment, amazement and fun.
“We are taking Kingman into the future today. This is absolutely amazing, and it’s been a long time coming,” said Becky Fawson, CEO of the Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce. “It’s just going to grow from here.
The prospect of Interstate 11 bypass construction starting this year was brought up a few times, mostly by Mayor Watkins, and his concerns have been noted.
“I’m concerned about the (I-40/U.S. 93 Interchange). I’m hoping people still get off and come down here,” he said. “I think what’s going to be the charm is that we are the heart of Route 66 and that’s what’s going to keep those people stopping in and continue to keep people coming into Kingman and coming downtown, and we have an amazing downtown.”
This project was the fruition on efforts from numerous angles.
“I’m proud of my current councils and former councils who have been supportive of this project. This has been in the works for many years,” Watkins said. “Of course, the City of Kingman residents. I gotta be thankful for them. That’s what makes all this happen.”
It takes a village to make a better village.
Paul Gaines, owner of Alpha Zulu Composites, came here from Marietta, Georgia 15 years ago. He’s been involved in seeing this town become a better town.
This is a community for him – just as much as those who’ve lived here their whole lives – or are just settling in. He’s been a Kingman Main Street volunteer and been on both the field and the sidelines on this project, pushing it forward to make what became his community more of a community.
“Things like this are fragile,” he said. “Without the very few people who are dedicated and willing to move forward through thick and thin, it would be impossible.”
Ferry, part-business owner, all community activist/volunteer, had the same observation that many First Friday attendees, participants and spectators had.
“First Friday was bustling and bigger than ever,” she said. “It was a great opportunity to come together as a community and see the streetscape improvements for the first time.”
Those improvements started somewhere. They can keep going.
For more information on Local First Arizona and Arizona Preservation Foundation and how to turn a community into a bigger and better community, visit https://localfirstaz.com and https://www.azpreservation.org.
Aaron Ricca
Read the full statements from some of the architects of the Kingman Downtown Streetscape Project here:
Sarah Ferry, Co-owner of West of 3rd, Kingman Main Street Vice President and community organizer and Kingman native.
Since the streets have opened up our walk-in business has been increasing more and more. We are so grateful more than anything, it warms my heart to see our community out and about, enjoying our beautiful walkable historic downtown. First Friday was bustling and bigger than ever! It was a great opportunity to come together as a community & see the streetscape improvements for the first time.
Jamie Scott Stehly, Kingman City Councilwoman
For more than a century, downtown Kingman has been the heart of our community. This project, with its improved ADA access, additional parking, and pedestrian friendly spaces guarantees that our historic, fun, and vibrant downtown will be an attractive gathering place for many generations to come. A thriving downtown strengthens our economy, preserves our rich history, builds a sense of community, and attracts tourists. This is a big win for Kingman!
Travis Lingenfelter, Mohave County Board of Supervisors District 1.
“Eight years ago, the City of Kingman didn’t have an Economic Development & Tourism Department, an Economic Development Strategic Plan, or a unified approach to revitalize our downtown. It was in 2017 that the Kingman City Council driven effort began to seriously invest in economic development and downtown public infrastructure as a part of that, creating a foundation for future private sector growth. The Economic Development Strategic Plan made downtown revitalization an official programmatic effort of the city. The ribbon cutting on Beale Street symbolized the hard work and determination of our community and so many dedicated individuals. I am proud of what has been achieved together, I’m proud I was a part of it, and I’m excited to see how downtown Kingman will continue to thrive to the benefit of our entire community.”
Kingman Mayor Ken Watkins
I’m concerned about the (I-40/U.S. 93 Interchange). I’m hoping people still get off and come down here. I think what’s going to be the charm is that we are the heart of Route 66 and that’s what’s going to keep those people stopping in and continue to keep people coming into Kingman and coming downtown, and we have an amazing downtown.
I know downtown business went through growing pains because of the construction, but I know they’re going to come out even stronger and better because our downtown is more beautiful, and this will bring more people downtown.
It’s still as amazing when you run into certain people in Kingman and some of those residents don’t realize we have such an amazing downtown. We do, and it’s just getting better and this project helps with bringing people downtown.
I appreciate past and present councils.
I’m thankful for all the dignitaries who were here. Supervisors Travis Lingenfelter and Jean Bishop.
Jen Miles was here. When I saw her, I told her I’m just trying to fill her shoes.
I’m proud of my current councils and former councils who have been supportive of this project. This has been in the works for many years.
Of course, the City of Kingman residents. I gotta be thankful for them. That’s what makes all this happen.
Nick Bowers, City of Kingman Department of Engineering-Public Works
Kingman’s Beale Street has been revitalized, marking a new chapter for our community, and I am incredibly proud to have worked on this transformative project. While the journey was rewarding, it was not without its challenges.
At the project’s outset, we were hopeful about discovering the infamous Kingman tunnels beneath Beale Street. Unfortunately, we didn’t uncover these tunnels. However, we did encounter numerous unknown basement entrances, horseshoes, and mysterious building foundations that sparked our curiosity and added to the project’s historical intrigue.
The biggest challenge was retrofitting our century-old downtown to accommodate modern amenities while preserving its historical character. This task required countless long days of collaboration and innovative problem-solving. We were very fortunate to have a construction team that embraced every obstacle with dedication and creativity. Their unwavering commitment ensured that Beale Street could seamlessly blend its rich past with the demands of today, setting the stage for a vibrant future for both locals and visitors alike..
I’m very appreciative of the patience of the downtown businesses during this project. They were great to work with.
Paul Gaines, Kingman Main Street volunteer and Owner, Alpha Zulu Composites
Things like this are fragile and without the very few people who are dedicated and willing to move forward through thick and thin, it would be impossible.
Becky Fawson, CEO, Kingman Area Chamber of Commerce
We are taking Kingman into the future today. This is absolutely amazing. It’s been a long time coming. We’re opening up our beautiful downtown. We’re giving new businesses and businesspeople a place to go and enjoy and it’s just going to grow from here.
