Thank you for the clarification Pete. This development has always been kind of a black hole for me as far as understanding how it worked.

That said, KD likes them twice as much so there is obviously a market for them. Funny how the considerably more stylish #0 lives in a different development, while The Hill is sort of the big roomy Chevy Astro van of Downtown Living.

Actually, KD was in talks to buy multiple brownstones for a long time, but he was trying to by them from Bradshaw and, well... we'll just leave it at that.

Actually, KD was in talks to buy multiple brownstones for a long time, but he was trying to by them from Bradshaw and, well... we'll just leave it at that.

Not to mention he apparently dislikes balconies and wanted to open 2 brownstones up into one. I watched a builder open two single windows into doors one day and it took all day to remove 2 3x3 feet chunks of wall. When you have a 14 inch thick wall, partially comprised of 8" of concrete and rebar, opening 2 townhouses into one without damaging the remainder is a daunting task. Whereas removing a wall at the Hill probably takes a saw and an hour or two.

Lol

I bet Russell buys the top floor penthouse in one of the new high rises though. Totally fits his style and brand.

The Hill needs to do a better job of having online info showing exactly what is sold, reserved, built, under construction, etc. You can go in to the open house and look at the map and Matt is very helpful to tell you but I think its nice to have an online resource especially on this kind of project. Some of the changes they made to the newest units are good in use of space compared to the original units that were built.

I took this last night after the Meet-Up:

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^

Very cool!

Is that far south row (building 1) completed now? Have they started the last buildings (6 and 11?) of phase II?

From Saturday.

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From yesterday. I actually think the next phase has been like that for a while. It doesn't seem like they've been moving forward, but maybe I'm wrong.

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Here is a recent doc submitted to OCURA:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hill082715.jpg

Have they totally scrapped the pool? Talk about bait and switch.

Have they totally scrapped the pool? Talk about bait and switch.
The post by Pete still shows a pool next to the planned town hall.

They've always been very sketchy about when this "planned" town hall will be constructed. It's very fishy.

They haven't been "sketchy" and they have kept the residents informed the entire time.

So when will it be built ?

They haven't been "sketchy" and they have kept the residents informed the entire time.

OK. Then when is it happening?

OK. Then when is it happening?

What reason do you have to think that it won't get built and was a bait and switch tactic? If you want more details maybe you should ask someone who lives there what they are being told.

This is what OCURA just approved:

"dates for completion of construction of Block 5, Block 7, and the Town Hall/Clubhouse to be on or before December 31, 2016, June 30, 2017 and August 31, 2017, respectively."

Why in the world would you want to build a clubhouse, and ESPECIALLY a pool, when EVERYTHING surrounding it is dirt lots and there is major construction on lots southwest of it - from the direction of the prevailing summer wind - guaranteed to feed the clubhouse and pool a constant diet of dirt/dust/debris? Seems like it isn't a bait-and-switch but rather smart planning of construction phases.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hill092415.jpg

The STREETS are in, but the DRIVEWAYS are not. I think what we are talking about could be more of a driveway fronting that building. I'm just saying it would be bizarre to step out of your "front" door onto a patch of grass. And how would you receive visitors? Through the garage? There will have to be paving of some sort, and I suspect it will be more than just a sidewalk.

The drive way / street south of building one is now complete as well as the fence on the south edge of this property. And closings for building 1 start this week

Haha that argument goes back to January 2014. You have a memory like an elephant.

Just took this tonight... Dressed sharp for the holidays.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hill111315.jpg

The construction along Russell M. Perry is almost wrapped up and the rest of the construction will now be largely tucked away behind the development.

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Just took this tonight... Dressed sharp for the holidays.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hill111315.jpg

That's sharp? :P

They put up some sort of fence to screen off the Steelyard below.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hill022116.jpg

Are those little trees or shrubs?

From Saturday.

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I'm sure it was always planned, but I hate how this wall closes off and suburbanizes this neighborhood and prevents even a sidewalk from connecting the back streets to the Steelyard development.
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Do keep in mind that the wall is also there to separate the development from the Union Pacific rail corridor, as well. Although it is functionally abandoned, I don't believe UP has legally discontinued service over the line - so that still requires development to take measures to separate pedestrian access from the rails except where absolutely necessary. Additionally, this line has a very high likelihood of being reactivated to enable easier access to Santa Fe Station for the Eastern Flyer and other potential trains.

The Hill has always been targeted towards empty nesters moving from Edmond rather than the younger urbanistas.

I remember Bill Canfield (the primary developer and active in the Health Sciences Center) pitching the appeal to doctors as part of his presentation to win OCURA's approval.

From Saturday.

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I'm sure it was always planned, but I hate how this wall closes off and suburbanizes this neighborhood and prevents even a sidewalk from connecting the back streets to the Steelyard development.
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Going to have such a wonderful view of the backside of Steelyard too...

That's urban living. Can't always guarantee views or yards.

^Nor should anyone try to. If they don't want to see the side of an apartment building, move back to Edmond.

Someone remind me next week when I get back to Buenos Aires to share the "views" from the apartment I'm in right now.

Someone remind me next week when I get back to Buenos Aires to share the "views" from the apartment I'm in right now.

Humble brag :p

hardy har har :)

From Friday.

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From Friday.

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Which section is this?

Which section is this?

According to the map at the top of the page, I think this will be buildings 5 & 6.

According to the map at the top of the page, I think this will be buildings 5 & 6.

Couldn't tell from your pictures. I knew we were in Phase II but not sure which buildings. Thanks for clarifying.

They just filed a $1.3 million building permit application for their clubhouse.

Not sure if they'll be construction the pool as well but you would think so.

They just filed a $1.3 million building permit application for their clubhouse.

Not sure if they'll be construction the pool as well but you would think so.

From what I hear, the pool should be done this summer :). As a resident here, I think it will be a great addition to the community.

Seems like this section is moving quick...

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Clubhouse area:

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While The Hill has always had a suburban layout, the new sidewalk now has a fence with a code. Not a fan of disconnecting sidewalks in urban areas...

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It isn't a public sidewalk, is it? It doesn't lead anywhere but into the housing area does it? Why would it be a problem for you?

What makes the Hill "suburban"? Just because it has attached garages for the owners to park in? Or is that just intended as a general insult for new urbanists for anything not a gazillion floors high with inside hallways?

What makes the Hill "suburban"? Just because it has attached garages for the owners to park in? Or is that just intended as a general insult for new urbanists for anything not a gazillion floors high with inside hallways?

"New Urbanists" generally don't preach tall structures. Wrong insult there.

Are all the new homes 2 stories instead of 3?

It isn't a public sidewalk, is it? It doesn't lead anywhere but into the housing area does it? Why would it be a problem for you?

In urban areas, grids/sidewalks should be connected. This isn't a private neighborhood, right? There was also a public bidding for the land and OKC should support projects that contribute to the urban environment, IMHO. If you want a gated community then that does belong in the suburbs. I'd like to hear what others think...

What makes the Hill "suburban"? Just because it has attached garages for the owners to park in? Or is that just intended as a general insult for new urbanists for anything not a gazillion floors high with inside hallways?

Nope. Height is not that critical to good urbanism. And I am not sure where I insulted anyone by critiquing the development and it's appropriateness for its context.

The layout of the streets is suburban. Instead of streets forming some kind of accessible and efficient grid, they use cul-de-sacs and winding roads so that you can be 10 feet from your destination and have to walk two blocks to get there. That's the subruban, sprawl model. They promote disconnection instead of connection. It's inappropriate for an urban landscape.

So, definition of urbanism is square blocks only? Good to know. Where in the Hill are you required to walk 2 blocks to get to something 10 feet away. That is like saying NYC is not urban because if I am on one block and I want to get to somewhere on the next parallel street I have to walk 2 blocks.... 1/2 block to next perpendicular street + 1 block over to the next parallel street + 1/2 block to my destination...even though it is directly behind me. So, by your definition, NYC isn't very urban. LOL. Quit trying so hard to discredit what you just don't happen to like.

I don't have some big agenda. I actually am fine with The Hill in general, which is probably why I always make a point to provide the site with picture updates when I'm back in the state. I just don't like how the new wall separates the development from the emerging area to the south (e.g., Steelyard) and locked fences require anyone without the password (even a child's friend or visiting guest) to walk potentially walk extra blocks to get to certain locations. Maybe it's not possible and I'm happy for someone to explain why, but I don't see any reason Hill residents shouldn't have stairs and sidewalks that lead right over to the Steelyard, Criterion, and such. My only agenda is that I think urban projects should fit their context. But I'm also not an urban planner or expert. I'm happy to learn from others on the site, but there's no need to dismiss my posts by questioning my motives. Just counter them with a good argument.

And if you want to explain your NYC example in further detail then maybe that would help because I don't get your point. NYC is generally has a very well connected grid, not subdivisions with disconnected sidewalks and streets. Are you arguing that the layout of The Hill is designed in an urban way? If so, please explain why... Thanks in advance.

I don't see any reason Hill residents shouldn't have stairs and sidewalks that lead right over to the Steelyard, Criterion, and such.

i think that there's still a rail right of way between the hill and steelyard... assuming it's in place, that would probably prevent the stairs and sidewalks that you advocate. -M

Right, that makes sense. Where are the boundaries of the rail right of way? The entire property until the sidewalk? And aside from that I still think there are just some slight modifications The Hill could have made.... But I know, for the most part, that ship sailed long ago.

this should help visualize the boundaries...
http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=12638&stc=1

New construction moving along...

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I wonder if KD will sell his house now or will he keep it?

He may not care about OKC, but part of me still hopes he keeps it just to remain a player/part of OKC's renaissance. ....

Meh. GTFO.

^^^ concur