Frank Sims stepping down
‘Tireless advocate' of Bricktown Association resigns
By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer
Frank Sims, director of the Bricktown Association, surprised members Tuesday by quitting his post but retaining control over the district's office, visitor center and gift shop.
Sims led the association since 2001, and during the past year he oversaw the organization of merchants and owners through power outages, gang violence that threatened the entertainment district last summer and disagreements over property appearance and parking.
"I have been involved in the Bricktown Association for more than five years, and it literally has just gotten to a point that it is six to seven days a week, 10 hours a day,” Sims said. "I'm not complaining about the work, but it is overwhelming.”
Sims, who also publishes the tourist publication Key Magazine, was on a contract with the association, and he separately holds the lease for his office and the visitor center in the Oklahoma Hardware Building.
Sims denied any acrimony led up to his resignation. In December, Jim Cowan, owner of the Bricktown Brewery, stepped down after serving multiple terms as association chairman. During one of his final meetings as chairman, he complained about a disconnect between owners and merchants in regard to issues facing the district, including parking.
"For five years, we've all agreed to agree and disagree,” Sims said. "As Bricktown becomes a destination for travelers, there are more personalities involved, and everyone has the common goal of making Bricktown a bigger and better place.”
John Allgood, the current association chairman, said he was surprised by the resignation and didn't know about Sims' intention to continue operating a Bricktown Visitor Center and gift shop.
"We're going to meet as a board next week and look where we are at for 2007 and make some decisions on what direction we want to go with an executive director,” Allgood said. "I think it's more about what we want the Bricktown Association to be. What's the purpose? We need to promote Bricktown, draw more people and become a self-sufficient association.”
Allgood called Sims "a committed employee” and said he had hoped he would stay as director.
"It's going to be hard to replace Frank, but there are a lot of good people out there,” Allgood said.
Chad Huntington, who operates Bricktown's water taxis and is an association board member, said he's uncertain about the association's future direction.
"It's going to be incredibly difficult to fill his shoes and maybe impossible,” Huntington said. "Frank was a tireless advocate for Bricktown and saw us through some very difficult and challenging times. I give Frank much of the credit for much of the success the association has had in the past five years.”
Cowan said he learned about the resignation Tuesday only 45 minutes before the association's members meeting.
"I don't know all the details,” Cowan said. "I know it's a very difficult and demanding position, and you have to answer to a lot of people. There are so many mixes down here ... trying to make so many people happy I'm sure is a major, major challenge.”
Sims resignation will be effective March 1 — just one week before thousands of out-of-towners are expected downtown for the Big 12 Basketball Tournament. The director historically worked with police and merchants on parking and traffic controls, coordination of staffing at restaurants and clubs and special event festivals.
Brett Hamm, president of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., said his organization and other downtown "stakeholders” will work with the association so the resignation doesn't detract from the tournament.
"It's tough timing with the Big 12 and centennial celebrations coming up,” Hamm said. "But challenges can provide us with opportunities. I think we will all pull together to make sure downtown is covered overall.”
Hopefully this will be a chance to get some stronger, more forward thinking leadership in place.
Originally Posted by jbrown84
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