Larry,

I had the opportunity to take photos of downtown from the new I-40 pavement on Thursday. They were taken from the driver seat of a 2007 chevy pickup (a fairly typical vehicle given the large number of trucks and SUV's in OKC). I'll try and post them tomorrow in the Crosstown updates thread in the transportation portion of this forum.

Bur not a typical ride of tourists Or drive through traffic we are trying to attract while passing through the country.

They serve a purpose to keep the street grid more intact, the panoramic effect was incidental. Elevated roads cost many times to build, decay faster, ice faster, and are harder to maintain/modify than when the freeway is below the overpasses.



It was stated at one point near 95% of the traffic would pass through the crosstown. Though a noticeable portion of that would be locals passing from one side of the city to the other.
What Larry was referring to and I was responding as "pass through" drivers were those who aren't from the OKC area and are merely passing through while traveling say from Tennessee to Arizona. There is a need to balance the advantages of the road as it was built for locals and for trying to attact tourists from those traveling through. I think it was done fairly well. It's not meant to be the Talimena Skyline Drive.

True, and isn't that what the interstate road system is all about anyway? Not local traffic (although locals will certainly use it), but those traveling from "Tennessee to Arizona"?

By the way, I hope I am wrong about the visibility of the Landrun Monument. Sadly it gets little attention (tucked away at the other end of the Bass Pro overflow parking lot). It is awesome and it is one item I go out of my way to make sure visitors don't miss. Not everyone takes a ride on the Canal and aren't even aware of its existence. Have wondered about relocating it to the MAPS 3 Park or even having it installed along the Oklahoma City Boulevard in some manner! If put back to its original 77 pieces, that could be even more impressive than it is!

True, and isn't that what the interstate road system is all about anyway? Not local traffic (although locals will certainly use it), but those traveling from "Tennessee to Arizona"?
Of course Interstate travel was the original motivation for the Interstate system. But, if wasn't for local traffic, a four lane road would suffice nicely for downtown.
Do you not consider someone traveling from Tennessee to Arizona to be interstate? I'm not quite sure what you mean.

Boathouse Row guys.......

Sorry Pete, but this needs to be moved to a new thread, all these posts about the new interstate. Way off base here.

i agree and sorry for my involvement in getting it off track (although my original comment was related). By all means move the post to an appropriate thread. Ljbab728, sending you a PM to answer your question...

For anyone interested in rowing (probably kayaking as well) they are making some new plans if you would like a more turnpike style payment plan, where you buy a set number of times to row and use them at your leisure, verses the current plans to pay for a day or month pass and row during any of the hours available. It sounded like they plan to start them at half the day rate and go lower as you buy a larger bundle of sessions.

Photos from about a week ago. Finish Line Tower to be dedicated next month:
great pix!

They started a Groupon deal; Discover Rowing and Dragon Boat Rental are half off. http://www.groupon.com/deals/oklahoma-city-riversport-1

It says time is limited but I could not figure out when the time is up.


Choose between the following options:

For $17, you get a Discover Rowing class (a $35 value).
For $60, you get a dragon-boat excursion for an 11-person boat (a $125 value).
The buoyant staff at Oklahoma City Riversport inspires land dwellers to pick up paddles and explore the local waterways in rowing barges and dragon boats. During the 90-minute Discover Rowing lesson, the instructor’s shoulder-mounted parrot imparts wisdom about rowing shells, oars, and propelling techniques before pupils practice on an indoor rowing machine. When paddlers are skilled enough to navigate the briny seas, they may unleash themselves on tranquil waters atop their flat-bottomed rowing barges. Coordinate class times with friends to take advantage of the nautical carpool lane.

Corral up to 10 compatriots for the one-hour dragon-boat excursion, which sends riders off to conquer waves on a dragon-themed vessel styled after Chinese fishing boats. An onboard drum allows a shipmate to beat out a rhythm to synchronize the boat’s team of paddlers. While paddling through the lake, crews may gaze upon the shoreline at leisure or challenge dolphins to feverish races.

They started a Groupon deal; Discover Rowing and Dragon Boat Rental are half off. http://www.groupon.com/deals/oklahoma-city-riversport-1

It says time is limited but I could not figure out when the time is up.

Usually that means there is a set number that can be sold instead of a time limit. Though often the deals employ both. Regardless my wife and I and some friends all bought the rowing deal. Looks like fun.

Any pics of the completed Finish Line Tower? I'm sure they've worked on the landscaping prior to the big rowing event this week...

sorry wrong thread...

I didn't know the river has dolphins, LOL.

Any pics of the completed Finish Line Tower? I'm sure they've worked on the landscaping prior to the big rowing event this week...

Look at Pete's pictures in post 451. It is basically finished there.

Any pics of the completed Finish Line Tower? I'm sure they've worked on the landscaping prior to the big rowing event this week...

They have had grass down for at least the last week around the tower, they also put in some new sidewalks to the parking. I kept trying to remember to take pictures this week but usually by the end of a couple hours rowing the last thing I am thinking about getting photos. They started putting up tents and tables for the regatta today.

I didn't know the river has dolphins, LOL.
I am confused as well. Had to scroll up a bit to figure out what you were talking about but it really didn't help much. Sounds like they are describing something from Disney World and a mashup of Pirates of the Caribbean, EPCOT and Sea World dolphins thrown into the mix. Are "Dolphins" a type of boat? The only non-mammal definition I could find was a buoy ("a fixed man-made structure which is not connected to shore)" How does one have a race with a fixed object?

Here are some pics of the completed (and landscaped) Finish Line Tower that is hosting the Masters Nationals this weekend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usrowing/sets/72157627288016449/

Here are some of the better ones:

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6188/6033370179_b6549602f4_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/6033370365_d6153b4569_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6187/6033382601_7f051906af_z.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6189/6033383187_192eb0c201_z.jpg

Awesome pics. Too bad they didn't get Devon in any of them.

I like the dark low cloud base in the first pic! Looks nice. Gonna have to go down there and take shots for a panoramic view.

Awesome pics. Too bad they didn't get Devon in any of them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usrowing/6033370513/in/set-72157627288016449

Is the external lighting on the finish line tower complete? At night the only part that's going to be lit is that vertical white beam, or is more going to be lit up eventually? Figured the lighting would cover more of the building like the Devon boathouse.

Is the external lighting on the finish line tower complete? At night the only part that's going to be lit is that vertical white beam, or is more going to be lit up eventually? Figured the lighting would cover more of the building like the Devon boathouse.

I thought the slants facing Lincoln are lights, it's grand opening is Sunday at 5:00 PM but if they are turning on the finishing line light it seems strange to hold off on decorative side lights. Most of what has been discussed being done over the next year is control equipment being installed over the next year for the lights, new starting system, cameras, etc. Since they have finished landscaping then they probably will not be doing any more work on the exterior, they almost certainly do not have time to do anything significant before the Head of the Oklahoma race.

I went and took my bike onto river trails (south side) Saturday morning so I could watch the rowing competition while biking. I was pretty disappointed by other cyclists who seemed to have no problem stopping in groups of 5-10 to block the path while gabbing and watching the event. Myself and others asked them to move into the grass. Two group did, but a larger group with their bikes and biking outfits with their guts hanging over them, refused and told people they could go around. Wish there was a police bike patrol presence in that area during events in particular. Otherwise, the new structures were awesome and the morning temps great. The wife and I have signed up for a rowing class. Can't wait!

There usually is a bike cop patrolling the river. He works out at my gym.

I went and took my bike onto river trails (south side) Saturday morning so I could watch the rowing competition while biking. I was pretty disappointed by other cyclists who seemed to have no problem stopping in groups of 5-10 to block the path while gabbing and watching the event. Myself and others asked them to move into the grass. Two group did, but a larger group with their bikes and biking outfits with their guts hanging over them, refused and told people they could go around. Wish there was a police bike patrol presence in that area during events in particular. Otherwise, the new structures were awesome and the morning temps great. The wife and I have signed up for a rowing class. Can't wait!

You and the wife will no doubt enjoy the rowing classes. My son and I took up rowing about 2 1/2 years ago, excellent exercise, great for the upper body and cardio.

I thought the slants facing Lincoln are lights, it's grand opening is Sunday at 5:00 PM but if they are turning on the finishing line light it seems strange to hold off on decorative side lights. Most of what has been discussed being done over the next year is control equipment being installed over the next year for the lights, new starting system, cameras, etc. Since they have finished landscaping then they probably will not be doing any more work on the exterior, they almost certainly do not have time to do anything significant before the Head of the Oklahoma race.
I've only seen the tower at night from I-35 so I haven't seen the Lincoln side to see if there are other lights, but the only thing you see from the highway is that one long vertical white light.

Was out riding my bike Saturday morning along the river and took this quick clip of the view of the boathouses from the southside trails.

http://www.twitvid.com/VC0GP

Very nice!

Was out riding my bike Saturday morning along the river and took this quick clip of the view of the boathouses from the southside trails.

http://www.twitvid.com/VC0GP
Well done, Brian! You have a remarkable ability to ride a bike and take a relatively stable video at the same time. I tried to embed the video here, but was unable to do so.

Well done, Brian! You have a remarkable ability to ride a bike and take a relatively stable video at the same time. I tried to embed the video here, but was unable to do so.

Thanks, I was using my cell phone, so I'm shocked it turned out at all.

Now that the Finish Line Tower is pretty much completed, what's next? I thought that the OU boathouse would have started by now. It's been fully funded for a while. The UCO Boathouse was mostly funded last I heard. Anyone have any idea when the next project starts?

Now that the Finish Line Tower is pretty much completed, what's next? I thought that the OU boathouse would have started by now. It's been fully funded for a while. The UCO Boathouse was mostly funded last I heard. Anyone have any idea when the next project starts?

They will probably wait till at least after the Head of the Oklahoma regatta to start on OU's since that space and the space for UCO's boathouse was used for the staging areas in the Masters National Championships, but some of the holdup on OU's boathouse has been going through the administrative approval process on the design. Other items of note that are to be starting construction in the next year are the river/canal connector, course lighting(first 1000m from finish line), course windscreen (first 1000m from finish line).

They will probably wait till at least after the Head of the Oklahoma regatta to start on OU's since that space and the space for UCO's boathouse was used for the staging areas in the Masters National Championships, but some of the holdup on OU's boathouse has been going through the administrative approval process on the design. Other items of note that are to be starting construction in the next year are the river/canal connector, course lighting(first 1000m from finish line), course windscreen (first 1000m from finish line).
I was recalling it was still several years off but found this:
http://newsok.com/economic-opportunities-bubble-up-along-the-oklahoma-river/article/3496367
Economic opportunities bubble up along the Oklahoma River (Oklahoman, Lackmeyer, 9/19/2010)

City officials recently revised their construction schedule for a canal extension and trails that will link Regatta Park to the Bricktown Canal and Bricktown. That job, earlier scheduled for 2018, is now set to begin next year.
So construction IS set to begin soon. This goes along with what I saw in a recent Riverfront Trust (or whatever its called) where they had a short presentation of the designs (top view only). More accurately it is a River extension rather than a Canal extension as they said it will be wide enough for the River Boats to cruise up it and turn around at the base of the Canal. Then the riders can either walk up a "switchback" walkway/waterfall feature up to the Canal level (or if built take the elevator). The description of it sounded cool, wish they had a rendering of it. The board members were questioning the need for the "switchback" and the water feature at all, instead use just an elevator. The presenter said that an elevator wasn't required under ADA as the switchback wasn't technically a ramp. Didn't hear any mention of time frame or the cost. Only that certain things weren't currently included due to the budget (but space was planned and could be added later). Does anyone know the current budget for it? The 2007 bond issue had it at $3MM (but that was 4 years ago).

I was recalling it was still several years off but found this:
http://newsok.com/economic-opportunities-bubble-up-along-the-oklahoma-river/article/3496367
Economic opportunities bubble up along the Oklahoma River (Oklahoman, Lackmeyer, 9/19/2010)

So construction IS set to begin soon. This goes along with what I saw in a recent Riverfront Trust (or whatever its called) where they had a short presentation of the designs (top view only). More accurately it is a River extension rather than a Canal extension as they said it will be wide enough for the River Boats to cruise up it and turn around at the base of the Canal. Then the riders can either walk up a "switchback" walkway/waterfall feature up to the Canal level (or if built take the elevator). The description of it sounded cool, wish they had a rendering of it. The board members were questioning the need for the "switchback" and the water feature at all, instead use just an elevator. The presenter said that an elevator wasn't required under ADA as the switchback wasn't technically a ramp. Didn't hear any mention of time frame or the cost. Only that certain things weren't currently included due to the budget (but space was planned and could be added later). Does anyone know the current budget for it? The 2007 bond issue had it at $3MM (but that was 4 years ago).

In a prior meetings it was stated that the bonds for the extension would be sold next April and construction should conclude by the major regattas starting in 2012, the budget in the report was 2.5 million. The paths connecting the turn to the canal do not seem well planned though, it is one thing to make to be aesthetically pleasing however these seem to neither be that pleasing and route people well out of their way, probably a recipe for getting people to make their own path. Though I am sure the reasons for all the switch backs is ADA compliance, it looks like their are several ways it could have been done with less turns and at the same time make it more like a contuse vista instead of a cheap turnabout that reminds you how long it is the entire way.

All photos from http://boathousedistrictdevelopment.blogspot.com/:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_F3agtdumEo/Tk8lsNt6WiI/AAAAAAAADS0/rgSf512SRk8/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EQBNipCF67U/Tk8lscJHsCI/AAAAAAAADS8/OFG9g8aCbWQ/s1600/IMG_0041.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-K-ERI1Of8Ko/Tk8lsqgfkoI/AAAAAAAADTE/4xYjukS4_3U/s1600/IMG_0379.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SJrjFSGi3m4/Tk8ltOilM2I/AAAAAAAADTU/U2Vzv-gfhZQ/s1600/IMG_0467.JPG

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Byx_gA6VCTU/Tk8vWA3RpeI/AAAAAAAADTs/rsJe14tuUU0/s1600/IMG_0356.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7zklk8ON1x4/Tk8vWU2VoOI/AAAAAAAADT0/OQ6U_1jZDRk/s1600/IMG_0430.JPG

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wM84YjT9L10/Tk8yo6WvevI/AAAAAAAADUE/aJ5EbNsqq3Y/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG

Great pics, Pete. Thanks for sharing!

Finish Line Tower to be christened Sept. 14th.

In a prior meetings it was stated that the bonds for the extension would be sold next April and construction should conclude by the major regattas starting in 2012, the budget in the report was 2.5 million. The paths connecting the turn to the canal do not seem well planned though, it is one thing to make to be aesthetically pleasing however these seem to neither be that pleasing and route people well out of their way, probably a recipe for getting people to make their own path. Though I am sure the reasons for all the switch backs is ADA compliance, it looks like their are several ways it could have been done with less turns and at the same time make it more like a contuse vista instead of a cheap turnabout that reminds you how long it is the entire way.
Excellent news if they stick to that. Typically bond issue projects go 8% over budget.

By the way, what the heck is a "contuse vista"? I had to look it up and couldn't find a definition for that exact phrase. taken separately would mean bruised or broken (skin) + view???

The length of the switchbacks was one of the comments made by Councilwoman Salyer. She said people like her are often running late and need a faster way to get where they are going (stairs or elevator). Found the comment amusing since the Canal boats aren't known for their speedy travel and from what I gather, the River Cruises are on the leisurely side as well. LOL

Excellent news if they stick to that. Typically bond issue projects go 8% over budget.

By the way, what the heck is a "contuse vista"? I had to look it up and couldn't find a definition for that exact phrase. taken separately would mean bruised or broken (skin) + view???

The length of the switchbacks was one of the comments made by Councilwoman Salyer. She said people like her are often running late and need a faster way to get where they are going (stairs or elevator). Found the comment amusing since the Canal boats aren't known for their speedy travel and from what I gather, the River Cruises are on the leisurely side as well. LOL

Sorry for the random word usage I used on spell check on that, I meant continuous vista.

As far as the comment people will use it that are not using the canal boats or river cruisers; it will get use for jogging, biking and during larger river events walking from Bricktown or it's south parking lots to the boathouse district.

Where can I find the above-mentioned plans?

Love these fantastic photos of this very dynamic and exciting development on the Oklahoma River. I did notice that at least in the third image that everyone was hanging out under the shade provided by the Finish line tower. I realize that it is the finish line so that is where everyone is going to want to be but it seems to mee that the area being completely devoid of trees makes for a fairly harsh environment to want to spend a great deal of time in. I get the aesthetic of the landform accentuating the built form and the modern clean lines of the architecture being uninterrupted, however these are first and foremost venues for competition and the spectators that hopefully come with it. Just my two cents for what it is worth...I would be interested to hear some experiences of those who went out and stayed for an entire event and see what they thought in relation to the lack of trees. They would need to be carefully planed and sited so as not to obstruct the views of the course, though.

Where can I find the above-mentioned plans?
I just saw the poster sized ones used in the presenttion I saw on TV. Would like to see more myself but I usually dont have much luck finding that kind of stuff on the City's site, so thers may be able to assist.

http://okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet.aspx

on the Aug 16 River redevelopment Authority item .. click "view" the canal ext. are the 7th and 8th links

Here are a couple of key diagrams from that PDF:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/canalext.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/canalext2.jpg

Thanks Pete & all ... this is an exciting development, glad to see it.

Love these fantastic photos of this very dynamic and exciting development on the Oklahoma River. I did notice that at least in the third image that everyone was hanging out under the shade provided by the Finish line tower. I realize that it is the finish line so that is where everyone is going to want to be but it seems to mee that the area being completely devoid of trees makes for a fairly harsh environment to want to spend a great deal of time in. I get the aesthetic of the landform accentuating the built form and the modern clean lines of the architecture being uninterrupted, however these are first and foremost venues for competition and the spectators that hopefully come with it. Just my two cents for what it is worth...I would be interested to hear some experiences of those who went out and stayed for an entire event and see what they thought in relation to the lack of trees. They would need to be carefully planed and sited so as not to obstruct the views of the course, though.

The trees would have to be set back far enough in the area around the tower that they would be useless for shade at least on the east side, since they can not block the view of the officials in the tower per course standards. I expect the reason their is not much around the Devon boathouse and the finishline tower is they did not want anything on the newly sodded ground, because east and north of that their was hardly any free space between the tents for vendors, food court, athlete staging area, boat storage racks and team tents (most people hang out in their clubs tents anyway when they are not racing or preparing, which will be set up if their are trees or not). In the future they will not be able to use all the grass areas like they did at this event due to building 2 or 3 more boathouses on that land and the parking lot extension.

Someone had asked a while ago about where the video screen that was mentioned in the finish line design would be, they did some tests recently.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYH8pbrQ5Wk/Tl8XZZvpIPI/AAAAAAAADVo/aAQOS7_ylZc/s320/IMG_0079.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yd5XQ4AeHPE/Tl8XX9CtwUI/AAAAAAAADVQ/nafXa1omK90/s320/IMG_0061.jpg

I like it. Didn't know it was going there. Is that permanent?

It is part of the ramp support so I hope it is permanent.

Looks like this is just a screen and projector, not a video board... Correct?

correct

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0HUydSpB8hQ/Tl8XYf-RaOI/AAAAAAAADVg/u0JzmCjtFaQ/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg

Okay. That makes more sense. That would be a great place to watch a movie at night.

I'm kinda thinking they wouldn't leave a projector out like that. Surely, it's just a test for a future video board.

I'm kinda thinking they wouldn't leave a projector out like that. Surely, it's just a test for a future video board.

No need to leave it out. These units are very portable. I have one that we setup outside and project to a 12' outdoor screen for movie nights.

Chesapeake Finish Line Tower dedicated today. I was wondering what was going on, when I was straight across on the other side of the river. There were people milling around, and two speakers were setup. A man was mic testing on the ground level, and on the upper floors.

I'm kinda thinking they wouldn't leave a projector out like that. Surely, it's just a test for a future video board.

No. I think it's for a mobile projector to be used to show movies there, but they only have the projector out when it is being used. There's a power outlet that was just put in the ground right where the projector goes.

I think the video board(s) will go in a different place. I think the rendering show a video board on the Lincoln bridge.

Chesapeake Finish Line Tower dedicated today. I was wondering what was going on, when I was straight across on the other side of the river. There were people milling around, and two speakers were setup. A man was mic testing on the ground level, and on the upper floors.

http://newsok.com/article/3604178

The mayor's tour ended up going through the tour I was on, the details Rand Elliott was going into for the mayor was much more interesting than the general tour we were getting. The man at the mic was likely Aubrey McClendon, Mike Knopp (the boathouse foundation director) or Mayor Cornett as they did about 90% of the speaking.

No. I think it's for a mobile projector to be used to show movies there, but they only have the projector out when it is being used. There's a power outlet that was just put in the ground right where the projector goes.

I think the video board(s) will go in a different place. I think the rendering show a video board on the Lincoln bridge.

That seems short sighted to me then. You limit yourself a lot when you tie yourself down with the projector like that rather than a board. Not only it out there in the open waiting for something to happen to it (during the event), but it means you can't do anything with it at other times. So it's out for an event...ok. What about the other 99% of the time? And then you have to set up and break down the thing every time you have an event. Which means you have to pay someone to do that...either on site staff, or someone else. With a board, you can always sell advertisement space as well, put up announcements, etc all the time rather than just events. They just seem to have missed a lot of opportunities by doing it the way we did things in the 80's. And with LED systems being as cheap as they are now, that small size wall is sooo cheap. Many high school football stadiums have bigger screens on their scoreboards lol.

Pay someone to set it up?!? It takes about 30 seconds and almost no effort. No one is going to mess with the projector during an event. There are permanent boards going up in the near future. I think it's smart that they're using an area on the building for movie nights or events, especially until the permanent ones are done. To be honest, I'm not sure I understand your argument at all...