raining in OKC? new camera looked horrid a moment ago

I think somebody knocked it out of focus. You can see the window clearly!

Looks like the window got dirty and the camera adjusted itself to focus on that rather than the construction.

It's all good now ;-)

Maybe whoever tries the ever present white van shot some water up on the window. I catch myself just enjoying the view from time to time, so I'm happy it's back on track.

As I walked passed the notorious white van on Friday, I noticed it belongs to the Journal Record. The new camera is awesome! 100x better than the last camera.

#1 sign you're not quite accustomed to a major bldg. going up in DT -

you check out the devoncam (right side of image) and instead of a red crane your first thought is how da hades did someone tag the whole side of that bldg.

Note to self - get a nap in this afternoon

LOL, I've caught myself being briefly fooled by that as well.

Oooh, Christmas lights in the park already.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/webcam/DevonConstructionCam.jpg

We now have a camera set up in the Oklahoma Tower.

The image is updated every minute. You may need to refresh your browser to see the most recent version. This will be a fatantastic vantage point once the structure starts rising from the ground.

Hopefully people will continue to post detailed images on the other Devon Tower thread and perhaps we can get more cameras up in the future.

Is the sitework shown the hole for the podium, rotunda, or tower?

wow. all this brouhaha over a new office building. apparently skyscrapers are supposed to be some sort of symbolically phallic structure used for the sole bragging rights to other cities that "ours is bigger than yours".

Is the sitework shown the hole for the podium, rotunda, or tower?

The tower will be located south of the east parking garage -- the one on the left of the photo. It will be close to the street (Sheridan).

The rotunda will be centered between the two garages and set back from Sheridan. The podium will be built in front (south) of the west parking garage once it is expanded to 10 levels, then the park will be between the rotunda, podium and Sheridan.

wow. all this brouhaha over a new office building. apparently skyscrapers are supposed to be some sort of symbolically phallic structure used for the sole bragging rights to other cities that "ours is bigger than yours".

This is not going to be a measly skyscraper. Its going to be the World Headquarters for Devon!! This is the first skyscraper in more than 30 years that is being built downtown and yes, it just so happens to be a VERY "symbolically phallic structure."

Not to mention about 50 some odd stories tall. ~75% taller than the tallest building in our skyline.

wow. all this brouhaha over a new office building. apparently skyscrapers are supposed to be some sort of symbolically phallic structure used for the sole bragging rights to other cities that "ours is bigger than yours".

Doesn't even dignify a response.

Not to mention about 50 some odd stories tall. ~75% taller than the tallest building in our skyline.

id be happier if Devon instead decided to build 2 or 3 structures of equivalent size and height that still surpasses the currently tallest skyscraper downtown.

I mean, look at what they have planned, its mammoth! So large that it looks displaced existing alongside all the other much smaller buildings.

The only remaining question is how much longer will OKC have to wait before yet another structure of similiar size is built to accompany the Devon Tower so that our downtown skyline looks more visually sound to the eyes.

id be happier if Devon instead decided to build 2 or 3 structures of equivalent size and height that still surpasses the currently tallest skyscraper downtown.

I mean, look at what they have planned, its mammoth! So large that it looks displaced existing alongside all the other much smaller buildings.

The only remaining question is how much longer will OKC have to wait before yet another structure of similiar size is built to accompany the Devon Tower so that our downtown skyline looks more visually sound to the eyes.

Hush, don't talk bad about Devon or you shalt be silenced.

id be happier if Devon instead decided to build 2 or 3 structures of equivalent size and height that still surpasses the currently tallest skyscraper downtown.


While it might make you happier, my understanding is Devon purposely designed the property so that there would be plenty of public space included inviting the public to enjoy the grounds as well as Devon employees. Mr. Nichols could have just put up 2 or 3 structures like you say and built them right up to the curb and blocked out the public just like most other office buildings downtown but instead wanted the public to be able to use part of the property as well. So the way I see it, the design was to invite the public to enjoy part of the grounds and be able to still accomodate all their future growth of employees. To me that's a win-win solution.

While it might make you happier, my understanding is Devon purposely designed the property so that there would be plenty of public space included inviting the public to enjoy the grounds as well as Devon employees. Mr. Nichols could have just put up 2 or 3 structures like you say and built them right up to the curb and blocked out the public just like most other office buildings downtown but instead wanted the public to be able to use part of the property as well. So the way I see it, the design was to invite the public to enjoy part of the grounds and be able to still accomodate all their future growth of employees. To me that's a win-win solution.

I hope we have a holiday in his honor.

The only remaining question is how much longer will OKC have to wait before yet another structure of similiar size is built to accompany the Devon Tower so that our downtown skyline looks more visually sound to the eyes.

Well, the PD wants to add 300 bodies or thereabouts, and the rest of city services apparently are short on peeps, and the county says a new jail is needed, and with all this extra activity, the city might need to revamp its own court system into more space, so who knows?

Maybe a 38 story special Oklahoma City/County Government Services Tower can spring up and up and up.

Maybe a 38 story special Oklahoma City/County Government Services Tower can spring up and up and up.

Just what we need...more bureaucrats.

I'm sure in a few years we might get another announcement for a building, probably not as tall as the Devon tower, maybe 30-45 stories or something. Never know. The future I think is bright for Oklahoma City, lets just keep taxes and unemployment low and I think we will continue to grow.

Remember, this is a World HQ - In order to get another building this size, we need another Fortune 500 to move their World HQ or at least USA HQ to OKC (assuming the company is much larger than Devon).

With that said, let's put the wishful thinking aside and get one building done before we start arguing over the next one, which is nothing more than electrostatic charges inside our armchair brains.

The only remaining question is how much longer will OKC have to wait before yet another structure of similiar size is built to accompany the Devon Tower so that our downtown skyline looks more visually sound to the eyes.

What so magical about 2 tall buildings instead of one that suddenly make it acceptable for you???

I hope we have a holiday in his honor.

I'd just be happy with cheap public parking for those of us who have to pay out of our own pockets. They could call it Larryville Car Tower.

Sorry to dredge up the past but what's up with that white van again? It's just chillin, in the middle of the night!

Sorry to dredge up the past but what's up with that white van again? It's just chillin, in the middle of the night!

Isn't that the space they use when they tie up the mayor and reprogram him to make sure he stays on script?

:ohno:

Sorry to dredge up the past but what's up with that white van again? It's just chillin, in the middle of the night!

hmm.. thats odd.. how long has it been parked there?

I'd just be happy with cheap public parking for those of us who have to pay out of our own pockets. They could call it Larryville Car Tower.

Don't bring up parking on here either Lauri - you're just being petty and frivolous - the skyscraper for one company is much more important than parking for all the other companies as well as the public services downtown - didn't you learn that before?
:dizzy:

Sorry to dredge up the past but what's up with that white van again? It's just chillin, in the middle of the night!

The white van is a delivery van for the Journal Record.

You guys do know that when the Devon employees move into their newly-built building and parking garage, they will be vacating an equal number of parking spaces elsewhere in downtown, right? You do know that they are already officing downtown, and it's not like a new business is moving down here and taking up a bunch of new spaces, right? You do know that they are actually building many, many new spaces, and although they are consolidating their parking into one building they are actually creating a NET ADDITION to downtown's parking availability, right? RIGHT?

You guys do know that when the Devon employees move into their newly-built building and parking garage, they will be vacating an equal number of parking spaces elsewhere in downtown, right? You do know that they are already officing downtown, and it's not like a new business is moving down here and taking up a bunch of new spaces, right? You do know that they are actually building many, many new spaces, and although they are consolidating their parking into one building they are actually creating a NET ADDITION to downtown's parking availability, right? RIGHT?


oooh whoopee - Devon is vacating space on the other side of town - hallelujah! Thanks Devon, we should thank you for that - taking away the spaces most near public services such as a Library, County Court, City Hall, and vacating spaces on the other side of town - you are the best company ever!

I will say the City takes a lot of blame on this too. They essentially built a garage for Devon. Anyway, forget about it - I don't want to take away from the construction cam - it is very interesting to watch. I know that 99% of the people on here seem to want "progress" at any cost - so I know it does no good to suggest people take a step back and look at things from another angle.

AAAAAnyway....what are the trucks that look like drill heads all over the place? Are they drilling out old columns it he dirt or what? There seem to be more of them every day and they're spaced out in column order. I didn't think that garage really had any. It seems premature to be doing and column work for the new tower at this point.

Nevermind...I just saw an image on the other thread that answered that one.

must ... resist ... urge ... to tag ... white van's roof ... with HI OKCTALK

must ... resist ... urge ... to tag ... white van's roof ... with HI OKCTALK


Yeah I've thought that there is potential for advertising down there while this cam exists :bright_id

must ... resist ... urge ... to tag ... white van's roof ... with HI OKCTALK That's funny!!

must ... resist ... urge ... to tag ... white van's roof ... with HI OKCTALK

Hilarious, but a little difficult to pull off, with the van being parked under that light, which is why it was so noticeable to begin with.

Hilarious, but a little difficult to pull off, with the van being parked under that light, which is why it was so noticeable to begin with.

Hmm why? I don't ever see anyone touching the van, so it is rarely used. I know for a fact that those garages have no cameras in them....it wouldn't be hard to pull off at all - just make sure you aren't recognizable from this distance.

Good job, Man. I appreciate this everchanging oversight on this project. I especially like seeing the area at night...

It's 9:30 a.m., Sunday morning, and it is still dark in downtown OKC. At my house on SW 137th, it is bright and sunny. OKC is much bigger than I realized.

The webcam is stuck at 2329 (11:29pm for those who can't read 24hr time).

The camera is up, but the fog is a bit thick this morning.

The camera is up, but the fog is a bit thick this morning.

Well I can tell you there is a new crane in between the East and West Garage. They were also lifting something with the original crane - looked like a large concrete slab. Didn't see what they did with it though.

Looks like the garage addition should start soon. If there isn't much going on at the main site for awhile I wonder if the camera could be turned to watch the garage construction?

Looks like the garage addition should start soon. If there isn't much going on at the main site for awhile I wonder if the camera could be turned to watch the garage construction?

The last date I heard for the garage was December 1st, but it may have changed - someone who is still in there may know when they are getting booted.

The last date I heard for the garage was December 1st, but it may have changed - someone who is still in there may know when they are getting booted.

Monday, November 30th is our last day to park there.

They just put some porta potties on top of the garage, they must be getting serious...

They just put some porta potties on top of the garage, they must be getting serious...

Or the guy in the white van won't leave the roof!

wasn't expecting them to be working today, but they are there, pluggin' along.

it looks like crews are putting up the new support columns for the garage today

I was doubtful when they said they would start to reopen it in February of 2010 but they aren't messin' around! There's a flat bed semi between the two garages with two wall panels also. Things are really getting moving on the garage considering today is the first day they kicked everyone out.

I love seeing how quickly the precast goes up! I wonder if our view of the site will fairly quickly be obscured by the garage?

That's an excellent point. The construction of the western half of the site, which includes the conference center and park if I'm not mistaken, will be pretty obscured from the webcam's location once the garage is built up.

Which begs another uncomfortable question that I have meant to ask since the very beginning: has anyone considered the fact that the current camera angle is only going to cover the first 15 floors or so of the tower, and has there been any effort made to get a camera installed where it can capture the entire construction from ground level to the top of the building in one continuous shot? We're fast approaching a time when steel will start coming out of the ground for the tower itself, and at that point it will be too late to document the entire construction of the tower from one vantage point.

I know that the idea behind this particular camera is to give US -- that is, OKCTalk members -- a day-to-day peek into the construction as it unfolds. But personally I think something that might be more IMPORTANT would be to capture the entire construction of the tower -- from flat lot to iconic building -- for the benefit of posterity. MadMonk's great YouTubes created from assembled OKCTalk webcam images illustrate already how powerful the time-lapse video of the construction can be. After completion, will we have a time-lapse of the construction of this building, or will that experience be lost for posterity?

I have pretty carefully considered locations for capturing 100% of the building in the frame during construction, and I'm pretty convinced that the best location would be from Stage Center. Is there any chance? Steve? Anybody?

Which begs another uncomfortable question that I have meant to ask since the very beginning: has anyone considered the fact that the current camera angle is only going to cover the first 15 floors or so of the tower, and has there been any effort made to get a camera installed where it can capture the entire construction from ground level to the top of the building in one continuous shot?
Good point. Although we can capture the beginnings of the construction and can elevate the camera as needed (within certain limits), eventually, even the tallest of our current buildings will be inadequate. Even from Stage Center, there will come a time when a camera will be no better than standing at street level and looking up. It will simply be impossible to capture it all from a single vantage point. Perhaps in later stages we can obtain a location with a little more distance from the site that can focus on the upper-level construction activities. Perhaps someone in the Chase building would be able to assist at that point?

I'm sure we'll move the camera around and/or have more than one at some point.

There are already two partial new floors on the parking garage!

Wow, they aren't messing around here... Think about all that's been done in less than two months.

Good point. Although we can capture the beginnings of the construction and can elevate the camera as needed (within certain limits), eventually, even the tallest of our current buildings will be inadequate. Even from Stage Center, there will come a time when a camera will be no better than standing at street level and looking up. It will simply be impossible to capture it all from a single vantage point. Perhaps in later stages we can obtain a location with a little more distance from the site that can focus on the upper-level construction activities. Perhaps someone in the Chase building would be able to assist at that point?
Actually, the I'm pretty sure the view from Stage Center would allow you to get the entire building from base to top floor in one frame without moving the camera at all during construction. It DEFINITELY would with a wide-angle lens. Get it pointed, and leave it in the same orientation for the entire construction. During the early discussion here regarding the location of the camera, I rode all over downtown trying to find the best vantage point, factoring the height of the building the best I could judge. I even took another well-respected poster from here over there, who agreed with me that it was the best location, but suspected it would be politically difficult to pull off.

I'm sure we'll move the camera around and/or have more than one at some point.
Moving the camera around or adding one doesn't address my point regarding getting one shot that shows the entire construction from coming out of the ground all of the way to completion. That doesn't even NECESSARILY have to be a webcam.

I think there are two needs here, one of which is already adequately being addressed; satisfying our own curiosity and viewing pleasure. The other need, however, is not. That is, a complete, unitnerrupted time-lapse documentation of perhaps the most important construction project in Oklahoma's history, for the benefit of future generations.

Urbanized, if you know of an available vantage point for your latter point, I'd be happy to provide a new webcam and possibly even a PC, along with providing help in setting it up.

And likewise, if anyone knows of a good spot, please contact me.

I would like to wish a continued "good luck" on the cameras, whatever the location. I have enjoyed the coverage so far. "Thanks" to all involved.

Woohoo! The camera has been moved to watch more of the garage construction! Thanks!

Could someone tell me the name of the bldg. next to the former Black Hotel?