Cuatro-
I just sent you a rather long description of a great day in St. Louis. At least I think I did. Please let me know if you got it. Thanks!

I did get it. I owe you a heap of thanks for that. Very informative. I'll PM you back.

http://newsok.com/core-to-shore-proposals-taking-a-step-forward/article/3368715?custom_click=lead_story_title

Main Street: Core to shore proposals taking a step forward
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: May 12, 2009

Last week, some of Oklahoma City’s most recognized architects pitched their best visions for a new "central park” that city leaders hope will anchor the area known as "Core to Shore.”

They didn’t have much time to prepare. A request for proposals to qualify for the project was distributed just a few weeks ago. And there isn’t any real funding for the park to be built, especially if it’s to match up to Mayor Mick Cornett’s dream of having our own version of Chicago’s Millennium Park.


Fast-tracking
For those not familiar with Chicago’s park, it’s a stunning 24-acre public space that includes a huge amphitheater, gardens, public art, fountains and a restaurant.
Oklahoma City, armed with bond funds and tax increment financing, has spent just under $6 million buying up properties for such a park — which would be centered on the site of the former U.S. Postal Service distribution center.

If it seems like the selection of an architect for a Core to Shore park is on the fast track, consider this: before the city can go to voters to fund such a project, it must first have a pretty water color sketch to present and a cost estimate.

Add into this equation the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s report on needed funding for a new convention center ($250 million to $450 million) and an ongoing wish list for river improvements and a clear picture emerges — MAPS 3: Core to Shore.

Cornett insists that some form of public transit, the one wish-list item mentioned most by residents when they were surveyed about a potential MAPS 3 two years ago, will also be a part of any ballot.

And don’t be too surprised if city leaders take a chance at rolling out such a vote later this year, even with the ongoing economic recession.


Will the plan sell?
What remains to be seen is whether city leaders can sell their vision to a public that, to date, hasn’t shown as much excitement or interest in Core to Shore. And even more uncertain is the timing of all this if such a ballot is passed.
Before Core to Shore can really take off, the new alignment of the Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway must be finished and the state must also find the funding necessary to build an ambitious boulevard planned to take its place.

Mayor Cornett believes the boulevard will be built, but it has yet to even make the state’s eight-year construction plan and in recent weeks Oklahoma Department of Transportation Secretary Gary Ridley has been quoted using the word "if” when discussing when it might get built.

City leaders predict Core to Shore success will translate into new retail, housing and offices for the urban core. What’s at stake is a redefinition of downtown, the Oklahoma River, and the impression the city makes on thousands of travelers who make their way through this currently blighted area daily.

http://photos.newsok.com/2/showimage/567424/gallery_photo

So, is Core to Shore "Pie in Sky?"

I think the boulevard is the least interesting part of the plan, so it's absence wouldn't bother me a bit.

It is kind of like the frame on a work of art. The art can stand alone, but certainly can be enhanced by a well thought out frame.

I think it's very pie in the sky, but honestly you almost have to work that way so that you are prepared if the economic and political climate come together to make it a reality. I think Oklahoma City has to keep thinking of the big picture and what it can do to really advance its competitive position. I have no idea how we could pull this off now. It's a huge undertaking, but I see no problem in trying to work towards it and have a master plan in place, so that any developments that do happen, even if they are small, will work together. This way we don't end up with a random cluster of developments that neither create nor take advantage of any synergies.

The only thing I am concerned about now is the boulevard and how it's possibility has affected the Ford Center renovations. I am not sure if the boulevard will happen or even if it's the right thing to do. But, either way, we are sticking the main concourse and show piece of the Ford Center on the south side of the arena in anticipation of a street that may or may not happen to cater to a large development that will take even longer to come to fruition if it ever does. I kind of think doing so ignores the assets we have, that is the core, bricktown, and convention/hospitality districts, in favor of trying to make it a part of a development that will take 20 years, if it happens at all. If the Ford Center is still home to the NBA in 20 years, it will see at least one more renovation before then, at which time the southern core 2 shore district, if it actually looks like it will be a reality, could then be incorporated into the area's layout.

Obviously, it's probably too late and a redesign would take way too much money, but it's clear that we may be sticking the entrance in what will feel like the back of the arena for at least another 10-15 years. I'd kind of rather see it on the north side, where it would be visible to the source of most foot traffic. Even if C2S happens, and nothing is done to the Ford Center, it's not like having it on the north side would ever feel like the "back" of the arena as the south side does now...

It should also be noted that 8 to 10, or even 30 story buildings don't always equate to an urban neighborhood, in terms of lifestyle.

This is completely dead on. A recent visit to Austin was very instructive in this regard. They've built many high rise residential buildings downtown. My wife and I went walking around this area, on a weekend night, during SXSW, and it was totally dead. Strange.

I can only surmise that people who spend a quarter mil or more on an apartment/condo don't necessarily walk very much. There was absolutely zero street life.

So, is Core to Shore "Pie in Sky?"


I'm thinking more and more that it is. The urban assets we have are really just starting to be developed, imo. Bricktown still has a long way to go, A-Alley has just barely started to come into its own and the first seeds have been planted in Midtown. Deep Deuce is going well but half the land remains and it's beyond a stretch to say that condo demand is strong. The second-tier urban neighborhoods(Jefferson Park, Paseo, etc) have barely turned the corner and we don't have any transit. Plus, economic growth in this country will probably be flat for many years, possibly stifling retail expansion, among other things.

Refocusing the bulk of our resources on this grandiose plan to drive growth on this huge other swath of land scares me a bit. I don't think it will derail what we have going, but maybe we should be focusing on making some of these other areas great first.

I am excited to see this massive park, though, and wish the whole endeavor well. The path to success for core-to-shore, imo, is to focus the initial development around the park. Get some people on the ground first.

Now give us a streetcar.

Remember the convention center (and hotel) is a very significant factor in Core 2 Shore. Retail will certainly follow into this area to a degree, allowing Automobile Alley to develop into more of a true neighborhood district, and Bricktown to continue to develop as an entertainment district.

This is completely dead on. A recent visit to Austin was very instructive in this regard. They've built many high rise residential buildings downtown. My wife and I went walking around this area, on a weekend night, during SXSW, and it was totally dead. Strange.

I can only surmise that people who spend a quarter mil or more on an apartment/condo don't necessarily walk very much. There was absolutely zero street life.

Where were you at, downtown was packed during SXSW.

I was over in the "warehouse district," but more under the fancy highrise buildings near Design Within Reach. Very quiet there, exciting everywhere else.

Have you guys seen this site?

Welcome to Oklahoma City (http://www.okcchamber.com/coretoshore/default.html)

My house is on that website! That's pretty exciting......to me, at least.

Refocusing the bulk of our resources on this grandiose plan to drive growth on this huge other swath of land scares me a bit. I don't think it will derail what we have going, but maybe we should be focusing on making some of these other areas great first.

This is why I think the park should be reassessed. The park is tiny compared to other cities' flagship parks. Why not use more of this land for the park and that way there is less land sitting and waiting for commercial and residential growth to catch up. It also would help what does get built to be more dense.

well said jbrown, well said...

I couldn't agree more. The city could have attractions in the park for restaurants and other venues. Kind of like the boathouse in Central Park in NYC or the ice skating area or the outdoor amphitheater at Millenium Park in Chicago.

Have you guys seen this site?

Welcome to Oklahoma City (http://www.okcchamber.com/coretoshore/default.html)

Pretty sweet site.

Pretty sweet site.

Darn why did it stop working.....

I'd go so far as to vote everything south of the new I-40 between Penn and Shields parkland. Then do the same on the south side of the river between Western and Shields.

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/centralpark.jpg

That airpark is a huge eyesore...

Not once it looks like this:

The Humphreys Company (http://hrei.com/#/projects/the-waterfront/)

I think it would be nice to keep the existing Wheeler Park and have a swath of residential from Shartel to Walker and then the Central Park from Walker to Robinson and then mixed use midrises from Robinson to the Railroad tracks. That would be an awesome area to live. Tons of green space and lots of stuff to do. I think they should make Union Station the destination of the Central park. They could have a pond in the front for row boating and then ice skating in the winter.

Darn why did it stop working.....

We launched a new version and the URL changed slightly. You can always go here and access the Core to Shore interactive piece from the Community Redevelopment landing page:
Greater Oklahoma City Chamber - Economic - Community Redevelopment (http://www.okcchamber.com/page.asp?atomid=1784)

Or for a direct link to version 2: Welcome to Oklahoma City (http://www.okcchamber.com/coretoshore/index.html)

City officials meet with firm to design downtown park
by Brian Brus
The Journal Record
June 3, 2009
OKLAHOMA CITY – City officials held their first meeting Tuesday with the consulting firm chosen to help design a nearly 40-acre park near downtown Oklahoma City.

City Council members gave their approval earlier in the day to negotiate a contract with San Francisco-based Hargreaves Associates to develop a concept plan and cost estimates for planning and construction of what is expected to become the centerpiece of the Core-to-Shore project. The land that lies between the Oklahoma River and the downtown district will be redeveloped as Interstate 40 is relocated in 2012, offering a huge opportunity for creating a new image for the city.

In March, the city’s public works, planning and parks departments invited consulting services to submit concept plans and estimates for the park, including a proposed below-ground parking facility with room for 1,500-2,000 spaces. Of the 15 submissions, six firms were selected for personal presentations in May. The committee gave Hargreaves the highest marks by far, City Engineer Laura Story said.

Jacob Petersen, a principal with Hargreaves, said it’s still too early to discuss a specific plan. The firm was chosen not on its recommendations, but rather on overall approach and experience with similar projects.

Petersen cited examples including Discovery Green in downtown Houston, Texas, and South Pointe Park in Miami Beach, Fla.

“We try not to design spaces without getting more familiar with the issues that are involved,” he said. “We definitely want this to be the focal point of the entire Core-to-Shore redevelopment district. … In our experience, these urban parks, if properly designed, do have a catalyst effect.”

Within two years of Discovery Green’s completion, more than $1 billion of redevelopment is projected within two blocks of the park, he said.

“But to have that, you have to have a very successful, activated program park that draws people and creates a destination and buzz,” he said. “It becomes part of the overall urban fabric and character component of the city.”

Hargreaves is already familiar with the area, he said. The firm has been working on the development of the American Indian Cultural Center in Oklahoma City and the nearby Downtown Airpark Waterfront project under the guidance of the Humphreys Co.

When asked about the city’s personality and possible direction for development, Petersen said, “The sense of civic pride, particularly with the MAPS projects, and the city’s desire to develop a stronger civic character is really unique and fascinating and enlightening as to the character of the people who live there.”

http://journalrecord.com/article.cfm?recid=99266

Within two years of Discovery Green’s completion, more than $1 billion of redevelopment is projected within two blocks of the park, he said.

This is just one (billion) of many reasons we need the City to get the job done right this time.

New downtown park could shape Oklahoma City image
Mayor hopes to seek MAPS 3 funds to build project
BY BRYAN DEAN
Published: June 8, 2009

Mayor Mick Cornett knows where the party will be if the Oklahoma City Thunder wins an NBA championship a decade from now.

The city has hired a consultant to come up with a conceptual plan and cost estimate for building the park, which would run from the Oklahoma River north to a downtown boulevard, which will replace the Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway when it is relocated to the south.

"I could picture a day where the arts festival is held there and if a sports team wins a championship, an event could be held there,” Cornett said. "Think Discovery Park in Houston, Millennium Park in Chicago or Centennial Park in Atlanta.”

The idea is already gaining momentum as the city has begun buying property. The park is part of a long-term plan for improving south downtown as I-40 is moved and development continues along the river.

Cornett said the park will encourage residential development in the area.

"It fundamentally changes the southern edge of downtown all the way to the river,” he said. "It will be a pedestrian-friendly, livable neighborhood.”

Unlike most city parks, which are mostly open green spaces, Cornett said the downtown park would have many special features, such as a pond, skate park, dog park, restaurants, public art and water features. Parking for at least 1,000 cars would be needed, and will be one of the most expensive parts of the project, Cornett said.

The city’s plan is to include funding for the park in the next MAPS initiative. Cornett said the price tag is likely to be high enough that the city would have no other way of funding it.

"We don’t have a plan B,” Cornett said. "MAPS 3 is where the bulk of the funding would come from.”

Much like the previous MAPS projects, the plans for south downtown could transform the city and its image, Cornett said.

"The next 10 years could very well exceed the last 10, and that’s saying a lot,” he said.

Dallas resident Mary Anne Vallejo on Thursday visited the Myriad Botanical Gardens with friends who drove from their home in north Texas for a short vacation.

She said such a park would change perceptions of Oklahoma City as a drive-through town.

"We were telling our friends that we were coming here for vacation and they were like ‘Why?’” Vallejo said. "We came here because it’s something we can do that’s close.

"I think a downtown park would probably be pretty cool. If I lived here or lived closer, I would come downtown for that. We don’t have anything like that in Dallas.”

http://newsok.com/new-downtown-park-could-shape-oklahoma-city-image/article/3376007?custom_click=headlines_widget

I guess I left myself go and forget again that the park is, to be kind, not so very large a size.

What I would like to see is Core to Shore happen, and maybe get some retail, restaurants, and even a movie theatre perhaps, with an IMAX like Tulsa and other cities have.

I hate the fact I am about to drive to Tulsa to see Transformers 2 because the IMAX version has more scenes in it, but this city doesn't get one.

I did make another post stating how I heard an area around Quail was supposed to get one, and was supposed to be open this year, but it doesn't look like it's going as fast as planned, so maybe we can win over Dickinson Theatres and get that nice theatre/IMAX here in the metro.