metro
04-15-2008, 09:49 AM
Mayor fields more questions on downtown
By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer
Have no doubt about it, I was being a bit mischievous with last week's column by offering some questions to members of Urban Neighbors to ask Mayor Mick Cornett during their visit Thursday at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.
A couple of the questions did get asked: Cornett indicated he probably will be receptive to owners of the SuperSonics wanting the city to build a practice arena in suburban Oklahoma City instead of downtown. He also indicated a MAPS 3 probably won't be possible until 2010, and that he would like to see it include a convention center and a downtown light rail system.
But there were so many other questions I had listed that never got asked. Here they are — with his responses:
Q: If the Bricktown Canal is considered one of the most photographed areas of the city, why the delay replacing trees lost in the recent ice storms? Can't MAPS maintenance funds be used to bring back the greenery?
A: We're going to replace them. There were 15 to 20 trees lost. We'll start doing it next week.” Cornett added the city is looking to pursue a more ambitious planting program that would likely first address the most prominent corridors.
Q: Are you aware of the buildings in MidTown and Bricktown that have had broken windows for years, and if so, aren't these properties in violation of the city's code ordinances?
A: I can't say I'm much aware of that. I'm usually driving and not looking at windows. But I don't think they're a code violation as long as the buildings are secure.
(Cornett said even if such windows are not a code violation, he has at times called property owners asking them to make improvements. "Sometimes getting a call from the mayor can make a difference,” Cornett said. "It doesn't look good, and we don't need broken windows.”)
Q: What is the timetable for moving the city's detox center, which is surrounded by condominiums and apartments in Deep Deuce?
A: Soon. The 2007 bond issue is already sold for it (a new detox center). I would guess that if we haven't selected a site yet, it's a priority.
Q: Civic leaders often point to the Santa Fe Parking Garage as a good alternative to parking in Bricktown. But do you think the lighting and pedestrian access along E.K. Gaylord Boulevard is inviting to such use?
A: We have sidewalks there. It's lit. The downtown streetscape master plan will really address making it pedestrian friendly. I think the murals help a lot.
It's two blocks. But it's that mental barrier of the railroad tracks. So it gets down to experience. I know of people who park there, it's just part of what people do.
Q: If given a choice between the building designs in Lower Bricktown and those used in Edmond's Spring Creek shopping center, which do you think stands out as superior architecture?
A: I think Spring Creek is surprisingly urban. But I'm not disappointed with how Lower Bricktown looks. I like it. I think they're both nice.
Q: In light of Devon Energy's planning to build a corporate headquarters downtown, do you have a favorite skyscraper you would love to see mimicked in Oklahoma City?
A: What I would like is for it to be is iconic and distinctive. The ones in Dubai, the pictures I've seen, are pretty impressive. I don't know if that's even feasible or architecturally possible. But they are buildings that you would remember. I'm fully confident Devon will pick a design we will be proud of.
Q: How difficult is the task ahead for a full revival of fortunes at First National Center?
A: I think the improvements they have planned are a step in the right direction. What it's going to take is a full faith investment that shows the owners fully believe in the property. I think it's like the Skirvin. The Skirvin is working because we did it right and we didn't do it second rate. There were all those options to make it part condos, or different scenarios less than a full hotel.
It's working because we held nothing back. We spent what had to be spent. If First National is refurbished at the same level, the owners will be rewarded.”
Q: If you could live at one of the new downtown housing projects, which one would you choose?
A: Whichever my wife would live in. She makes all the housing decisions in my family.
Q: If parking isn't a big problem downtown, where do you park when going to Bricktown on a busy night?
A: "My experiences vary. If I'm going to Nonna's or the Mickey Mantle Steakhouse, I use the valet service. If it's the Brewery, I'll park behind the Brewery. Other than that, I usually park in the garage next to the ballpark. There are almost always spaces open in there. If I go to the theater, I'll park behind the theater. I do remember once, when it was busy, dropping my wife off at the theater and then parking by the Land Run sculptures.”
By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer
Have no doubt about it, I was being a bit mischievous with last week's column by offering some questions to members of Urban Neighbors to ask Mayor Mick Cornett during their visit Thursday at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.
A couple of the questions did get asked: Cornett indicated he probably will be receptive to owners of the SuperSonics wanting the city to build a practice arena in suburban Oklahoma City instead of downtown. He also indicated a MAPS 3 probably won't be possible until 2010, and that he would like to see it include a convention center and a downtown light rail system.
But there were so many other questions I had listed that never got asked. Here they are — with his responses:
Q: If the Bricktown Canal is considered one of the most photographed areas of the city, why the delay replacing trees lost in the recent ice storms? Can't MAPS maintenance funds be used to bring back the greenery?
A: We're going to replace them. There were 15 to 20 trees lost. We'll start doing it next week.” Cornett added the city is looking to pursue a more ambitious planting program that would likely first address the most prominent corridors.
Q: Are you aware of the buildings in MidTown and Bricktown that have had broken windows for years, and if so, aren't these properties in violation of the city's code ordinances?
A: I can't say I'm much aware of that. I'm usually driving and not looking at windows. But I don't think they're a code violation as long as the buildings are secure.
(Cornett said even if such windows are not a code violation, he has at times called property owners asking them to make improvements. "Sometimes getting a call from the mayor can make a difference,” Cornett said. "It doesn't look good, and we don't need broken windows.”)
Q: What is the timetable for moving the city's detox center, which is surrounded by condominiums and apartments in Deep Deuce?
A: Soon. The 2007 bond issue is already sold for it (a new detox center). I would guess that if we haven't selected a site yet, it's a priority.
Q: Civic leaders often point to the Santa Fe Parking Garage as a good alternative to parking in Bricktown. But do you think the lighting and pedestrian access along E.K. Gaylord Boulevard is inviting to such use?
A: We have sidewalks there. It's lit. The downtown streetscape master plan will really address making it pedestrian friendly. I think the murals help a lot.
It's two blocks. But it's that mental barrier of the railroad tracks. So it gets down to experience. I know of people who park there, it's just part of what people do.
Q: If given a choice between the building designs in Lower Bricktown and those used in Edmond's Spring Creek shopping center, which do you think stands out as superior architecture?
A: I think Spring Creek is surprisingly urban. But I'm not disappointed with how Lower Bricktown looks. I like it. I think they're both nice.
Q: In light of Devon Energy's planning to build a corporate headquarters downtown, do you have a favorite skyscraper you would love to see mimicked in Oklahoma City?
A: What I would like is for it to be is iconic and distinctive. The ones in Dubai, the pictures I've seen, are pretty impressive. I don't know if that's even feasible or architecturally possible. But they are buildings that you would remember. I'm fully confident Devon will pick a design we will be proud of.
Q: How difficult is the task ahead for a full revival of fortunes at First National Center?
A: I think the improvements they have planned are a step in the right direction. What it's going to take is a full faith investment that shows the owners fully believe in the property. I think it's like the Skirvin. The Skirvin is working because we did it right and we didn't do it second rate. There were all those options to make it part condos, or different scenarios less than a full hotel.
It's working because we held nothing back. We spent what had to be spent. If First National is refurbished at the same level, the owners will be rewarded.”
Q: If you could live at one of the new downtown housing projects, which one would you choose?
A: Whichever my wife would live in. She makes all the housing decisions in my family.
Q: If parking isn't a big problem downtown, where do you park when going to Bricktown on a busy night?
A: "My experiences vary. If I'm going to Nonna's or the Mickey Mantle Steakhouse, I use the valet service. If it's the Brewery, I'll park behind the Brewery. Other than that, I usually park in the garage next to the ballpark. There are almost always spaces open in there. If I go to the theater, I'll park behind the theater. I do remember once, when it was busy, dropping my wife off at the theater and then parking by the Land Run sculptures.”