The sign on the arch is now lit up at night. Haven't seen it myself - someone forwarded me a picture.

post picture please

There are numbers circulating that put that sign at $189,000. Frankly, I can't see it cost that much. Does anybody know where I might get official numbers?

I think that money spent that way is wasteful, if that sum is correct.

Also, I don't think that buildup of the area is really possible without cosiderable strain. All the stuff that we here at the station speaks to the issue that while stockyards would like to expand, they're meeting opposition concerning Grace Rescue Mission and the like. Really an area that would like to attract more public cannot have homeless/ and paint huffers literally strewn about its streets.

It is a shame, because inside the stockyards proper are some relatively cool flats for lease, (kinda warehouse shiek). Of course the areas surrounding are ramshackled houses that were built for stockyards employees back several decades ago, this would be quite an eyesore for visitors as well (though I happen to love the dirty history of it).

At anyrate, I love working in the stockyards. The City has recently and rightly renovated and reopened old station 8 as the offices for OCFD Special Operations. She is a pretty little building even without her old hay lofts and horse stalls. This is a very good move for the FD as it gives Station 8 a place to house its dive van, allowing room for more heavy rescue equipment in its rig room.

And pictures of the station.

And pictures of the station.


You know, I've got a new digital camera I've been itching to use. I guess now I've got my subject. Good Idea. Thank you..

Went to cattlemens last eve, you would not believe the sign at night. Did not get a pic, but look forward to someone posting one.

Sorry for the poor quality - didn't have my tri-pod last night, so it's too blurry, but hopefully you get the picture (no pun intended).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4233957320_20267951cc_b.jpg

The $180,000 is around the correct cost. This was an ODOT (Federal) grant project, so the City's total cost was only a small portion of that (which I don't know off the top of my head).

Sorry for the poor quality - didn't have my tri-pod last night, so it's too blurry, but hopefully you get the picture (no pun intended).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4051/4233957320_20267951cc_b.jpg

The $180,000 is around the correct cost. This was an ODOT (Federal) grant project, so the City's total cost was only a small portion of that (which I don't know off the top of my head).

Thankds for the picture, going to Cattleman's for dinner tonight, can't wait to see it.

IMO, the Stockyards area is a sleeping giant...so much potential, but there needs to be some serious investment and growth, and one heck of a PR job.

-Chris-

I've often wondered, after seeing so many semis sitting around down there throughout the week and especially on Mondays, if a small hotel with some great conference space would be viable? The conference space could be used for a lot of things and the hotel could take some tired drivers off their feet, start building up the area as a destination point (and it is right off the interstate for those weary travelers), and help keep people in the area more - CAN WE SAY SALES TAX REVENUE? I love the idea of what was pictured in one of these posts photos of shops and more. There area some great things there now. There is also a lot of unique history in the area. I wouldn't want to see that detracted from, but rather incorporated into the overall feel. The core of the district is no doubt Exchange and Agnew. There seems to be a bit of activity just south and there have been some new businesses open up this past year.

If someone with some serious money and the willingness to have patience while investing it were to come along - the potential for some serious money making would be had - not to mention that whole destination point aspect again.

I love the stockyards - well, except on those days when you can smell it more than see it. A friend once told me that the smell was the smell of money. LOL!

- Bradley Wynn
Oklahoma City Film Exchange District

I love the stockyards - well, except on those days when you can smell it more than see it. A friend once told me that the smell was the smell of money. LOL!

- Bradley Wynn
Oklahoma City Film Exchange District
Bradley, if you were around before the packing houses closed, you know that it was not money you were smelling! Ooh-eeh! The smell ranked in my top 3 worst city-smells when growing up. In order of worstness, they were:


Camden, Arkansas, when I worked in that area one summer while in college: Source of worst smell: Paper plant

Cyril, Oklahoma, when driving to Okc from Lawton as a kid: Source of smell: Oil refinery

Oklahoma City, ditto the above time: Source of smell: Wilson & Company and Morris & Company (later Armour).

The smell from the area today is nothing compared to what it was. Of course, the businesses are also gone, along with the smell. I did an article on Stockyards City a couple of years ago ... Doug Dawgz Blog: Stockyards City (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/06/stockyards-city.html) ... and am tinkering with another now, the rail and businesses in the vicinity.

Having spent an occasional night or four in Guymon, I canna see any appeal in the thought of living, overnighting or or parking relatives for an overnight, let alone a multi-day, stay near the stockyards. Well, one brother excluded.
I could park him there and forget where I left him.

Visit, shop, eat, sure. Stay? Haven't ever seen an air filter that great.

LOL - Here is the difference between the Stockyards in OKC and Ft Worth. The OKC stockyard is still a working stockyard. And that is one huge difference.

I'm not an expert at construction costs, but how the hell does that sign cost $180,000?

That was my original impression.


LOL - Here is the difference between the Stockyards in OKC and Ft Worth. The OKC stockyard is still a working stockyard. And that is one huge difference.

Also it seems like you can develop pretty much anything in Ft Worth..fastest growing city over 500,000. Perhaps we could get someone named Bob in OKC to develop "Billy Bob's Oklahoma" and get Stockyards City rolling..Bob Funk maybe?

I'm not an expert at construction costs, but how the hell does that sign cost $180,000?You must have not bought any signs lately.

I'm not an expert at construction costs, but how the hell does that sign cost $180,000?

Foundations for the piers. Brick for the piers. Steel for the archway (roadway is approximately 60' long). Acrylic, internally illuminated letters. It all ads up pretty fast.

Foundations for the piers. Brick for the piers. Steel for the archway (roadway is approximately 60' long). Acrylic, internally illuminated letters. It all ads up pretty fast.

Not to mention the design and engineering that goes into it.

Say "custom" sign.

This is an old thread and some elements of Stockyard City have been discussed in the 1312 S. Agnew thread, but...

The OKC Riverfront Development Authority has this in their 5-year capital improvements plan estimated at $6.2 million:


Description
Access, parking, boat access, trail improvements, lighting, landscaping, public plazas and art visual/physical linkages to Stockyards City "Main Street" redevelopment and related infrastructure. Portions may be eligible for matching grant funding, potential TIF district expansion and private sector participation. Public Equine Facility is currently in the conceptual planning phase.

Project Justification
Will allow the Trust/City to accelerate development of real estate assets along the waterfront corridor and provide a connection to Stockyards City. Project will enhance prospects of a private sector waterfront development in the Stockyards district. There is a potential for partial private and foundation funding.

Stockyards city is interviewing for the position of Executive Director. Great opportunity some some new blood to lead this area in the right direction.

Stockyards city is interviewing for the position of Executive Director. Great opportunity some some new blood to lead this area in the right direction.

Hey do you know where to find this if it is online?

It was on Cattlemens instagram

Office@stockyardscity.org says to send resumes

New project for the Stockyards:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1320agnewa.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1320agnewb.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1320agnewc.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1320agnewd.jpg

Western revival: Two-story building planned for site of Stockyards City fire
By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record May 11, 2016 0

OKLAHOMA CITY – On Agnew Avenue in Stockyards City, a vacant lot sits across from Cattlemen’s Steakhouse. But the site at SW 13th Street could see construction activity later this year.

The Stockyards City Urban Design Committee approved Jo Wiens’ application to build a two-story, 20,000-square-foot brick structure at 1320 S. Agnew Ave. The new building replaces two existing structures that Wiens lost in a March 2015 fire.

The first floor will have retail, with offices or more retail on the second floor. There will be back entrances to the individual retail spaces and a shared courtyard space.

Wiens said she did not want to leave the site vacant like other owners did.

“(My husband and I) are business owners down there,” she said. “We’re merchants down there. It’s just too important to the area to leave it empty. That’s not what the front of the street should look like. There’s no way we would have just let it be blank.”

Wiens and her husband, Terry Wiens, own National Saddlery and Stockyards Sarsaparilla, which is in the original location of the saddlery store. Jo Wiens’ company, Wiens Properties LLC, is developing the new building.

HSE Architects, led by principal Todd Edmonds, designed the new facility. He said he drew inspiration from the neighborhood and the stockyards in Kansas City, Missouri, and Fort Worth, Texas. The dark gray, rounded front came from designs seen out of state.

City planner Michael Philbrick said Stockyards City does not have specific material guidelines, but the building has to complement the existing buildings.

Edmonds said one of the original plans for the building was seen as not fitting with the district, so he and his team had to redesign it. The scrapped plan incorporated a walkway straight to the second floor.

“That was nixed by the city (in an earlier advising meeting),” Edmonds said. “They didn’t feel like it was in keeping with the history. We thought it would be exciting. It would show activity and draw the public to the second floor. But as far as the research proved, they could not show any photos that ever had a second-floor balcony.”

The approval is one step in the long process before construction starts, Wiens said. The committee gave its stamp based on the condition it is also approved by the traffic commission and public works, which have to review the site plan in regard to traffic. The plan calls for adding more angled street parking spots.

The Stockyards Urban Design Committee asked about future parking needs, but Wiens said those will be addressed based on the tenants.

“Hopefully, we’ll get a tenant that needs a lot of parking spaces,” she said.

Committee Chairman Michael Barber added, “And can fill those parking spaces.”

Seems to fit the character of the district nicely. Jo's good people. If you haven't checked out her stores, you should. They really help make the district.

Yep, looks like a great addition. I really have never explored the Stockyards much. What all is there to do/eat/see/hear? ;) Of course, I know about Cattleman's, but beyond that I've only heard bits and pieces...

Had lunch down at cattlemen's saturday and walked down to a couple of shops down by the rodeo opry and noticed that the old mclintock boot building and the adjacent were being gutted, I asked a few people if they new what was going on and they told me that a new restaurant was going in and it was the same group that does the la Baguette, not sure how well that will go over in the area, but more options are really needed in that area. There wasn't any construction signs, so not sure who to call to find out more about it.

http://m.news9.com/story.aspx?story=33283881&catId=112032

Had lunch down at cattlemen's saturday and walked down to a couple of shops down by the rodeo opry and noticed that the old mclintock boot building and the adjacent were being gutted, I asked a few people if they new what was going on and they told me that a new restaurant was going in and it was the same group that does the la Baguette, not sure how well that will go over in the area, but more options are really needed in that area. There wasn't any construction signs, so not sure who to call to find out more about it.

I would love to see this area developed more as a tourist destination ala Fort Worth's. A hotel of some sort would be great. There are certainly buildings that could perhaps hold a boutique hotel.

I've just visited the Fort Worth Stockyards last week, and I was impressed, the place attracts thousands of people, nice restaurants, shops, and hotels, a little something for everyone. I wonder if Stockyards City can be developed into something similar? What should be done to make that happens, in your opinions?

real question as well, do the people in the stockyards actually desire redevolopment?

Urbanized or Pete is about to chime in here. I can feel it.

I gotta admit I did not know until last week that a large part of The Stockyards area is not in OKC. Rather, it is part of Oklahoma County, and considered unincorporated. I'm guessing it was done that way over 100 years ago in order to give the livestock industry some freedom from government regulation.

I've just visited the Fort Worth Stockyards last week, and I was impressed, the place attracts thousands of people, nice restaurants, shops, and hotels, a little something for everyone. I wonder if Stockyards City can be developed into something similar? What should be done to make that happens, in your opinions?

I just was in the Fort Worth Stockyards today and probably 1,000 people came out to watch 10 longhorns walk a block through the area. I guess they do it twice a day. I thought it was pretty cool because the animals are impressive, but most people thought it was anti-climatic. Regardless, the Fort Worth Stockyards is killing it. It was absolutely packed.

I would imagine a significant reason for the lack of development in the OKC Stockyards is the fact that it is still a very active stockyard. The Fort Worth Stockyards have not been active for decades, whereas the OKC one has thousands of heads coming through each week. With the number of big rigs coming through each day, I would say it probably deters tourism and development.

real question as well, do the people in the stockyards actually desire redevolopment?

Homerule.

I would imagine a significant reason for the lack of development in the OKC Stockyards is the fact that it is still a very active stockyard. The Fort Worth Stockyards have not been active for decades, whereas the OKC one has thousands of heads coming through each week. With the number of big rigs coming through each day, I would say it probably deters tourism and development.

Not to mention the odors.

Homerule.

What? No home rule here.

Not to mention the odors.

I think the odors have been dramatically reduced over the last 20-30 years due to the reduction of slaughter operations in the Stockyards area. My location of the last 40 years being the NW 10th & May area, the South breeze from the Stockyards a couple miles away could be brutal in the spring and summer when the processing operations were in high gear in the 1980s-90s. Rarely notice it nowadays.

I think the Stockyards is almost exclusively a sale hub now.

I think the odors have been dramatically reduced over the last 20-30 years due to the reduction of slaughter operations in the Stockyards area. My location of the last 40 years being the NW 10th & May area, the South breeze from the Stockyards a couple miles away could be brutal in the spring and summer when the processing operations were in high gear in the 1980s-90s. Rarely notice it nowadays.

I think the Stockyards is almost exclusively a sale hub now.On the river if you're just north of there with a south breeze it can be pretty stout.

On the river if you're just north of there with a south breeze it can be pretty stout.

Ibet that is true, with the low lying area of the water collecting the heavy air off the holding pens when it is humid and has a low breeze.

Reminds me. I recall Pete made a comment last year about how the river has a concentration of Stockyards wash off from the animal storage areas that makes the water unsuitable for people to go into. and that is why some canoeing and kayaking events aren't held on the river?

Ibet that is true, with the low lying area of the water collecting the heavy air off the holding pens when it is humid and has a low breeze.

Reminds me. I recall Pete made a comment last year about how the river has a concentration of Stockyards wash off from the animal storage areas that makes the water unsuitable for people to go into. and that is why some canoeing and kayaking events aren't held on the river?

Yes, true. There have been stories written about rowers (I believe) getting sick after ingesting some of the water somehow, googling it should bring the actual stories up.

^^^^^^^
Triathletes. Meaning people who swam in the river. There is no issue with rowing, as far as water quality concerned. Rowing limitations mostly revolve around bridge piers that intrude into rowing lanes.

When I worked downtown in the hospitality industry I had people all the time asking if they could go see a cattle sale. If they put a little effort into it, I believe they would make it into a pretty strong tourist draw.

When I worked downtown in the hospitality industry I had people all the time asking if they could go see a cattle sale. If they put a little effort into it, I believe they would make it into a pretty strong tourist draw.
I don’t know how the sales there operate, but if they are traditional like what I attended when I grew up, having tourists in the bidding arena a would be immensely disruptive. There would have to be a viewing area where actions couldn’t be interpreted as bids.

Most people would be immensely bored imho.

I don’t know how the sales there operate, but if they are traditional like what I attended when I grew up, having tourists in the bidding arena a would be immensely disruptive. There would have to be a viewing area where actions couldn’t be interpreted as bids.

Most people would be immensely bored imho.

People here who understand how it works might be bored for sure but it might be really interesting for people who have never been around that industry before. I agree that the viewing area would need to be separate and I don’t think it could be a stand alone tourist draw but if you had that as part of a bigger cattle/cowboy museum and interactive experience in the stockyards area, I think it could be really cool. Could even tie in that horse riding deal someone was working on down there (maybe they finished it, I haven’t kept up).

It does just feel like we’re missing out on a massive tourism opportunity down there, especially with the big time resurgence in popularity of cowboy/western/country culture over the last few years.

People here who understand how it works might be bored for sure but it might be really interesting for people who have never been around that industry before. I agree that the viewing area would need to be separate and I don’t think it could be a stand alone tourist draw but if you had that as part of a bigger cattle/cowboy museum and interactive experience in the stockyards area, I think it could be really cool. Could even tie in that horse riding deal someone was working on down there (maybe they finished it, I haven’t kept up).

It does just feel like we’re missing out on a massive tourism opportunity down there, especially with the big time resurgence in popularity of cowboy/western/country culture over the last few years.
Maybe a regular rodeo or Wild West show, but watching most cattle operations wouldn’t be that interesting. Like watching other people do their regular job.

Rodeo shows are the most exciting parts of cowboy work/skills and adds to it. Maybe Maps 5 includes a full time high experience rodeo/wild West show arena. Build the area up with western style architecture and more cowboy products geared to non cowboys.

Maybe a regular rodeo or Wild West show, but watching most cattle operations wouldn’t be that interesting. Like watching other people do their regular job.

Rodeo shows are the most exciting parts of cowboy work/skills and adds to it. Maybe Maps 5 includes a full time high experience rodeo/wild West show arena. Build the area up with western style architecture and more cowboy products geared to non cowboys.

This is an idea I’ve had myself many times when daydreaming about what to do with that area. Between the NHRA, IPRA, Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, First Americans Museum, regular livestock shows at the Fairgrounds, etc. further creating a western identity for Stockyard City would be great to further solidify Oklahoma City in both western/cowboy and American Indian culture.

On the river if you're just north of there with a south breeze it can be pretty stout.

I think that smell is more from Murphys Soil Yard, which might have cattle droppings mixed in. I actually kinda like the smell near there, smells like life!

This is sort of a side comment, but I was watching the NYE broadcast on CBS, where it was based in Nashville, and it made me start to wonder why OKC has never tried to bring in some of these country music bars. We have such a large number of country music greats from Oklahoma that already have bars either in Nashville or other towns. Imagine a mini Nashville-type area with bars from Blake Shelton, Reba, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Garth Brooks. I know we have a Toby Keith concept, but it is restaurant-based. I feel like this could be a huge draw for country music fans who don't want to spend Nashville prices. Blake has his bar in Ada and Reba has here's in Atoka. Just disappointing that we can't get their concepts in OKC as well.

This is sort of a side comment, but I was watching the NYE broadcast on CBS, where it was based in Nashville, and it made me start to wonder why OKC has never tried to bring in some of these country music bars. We have such a large number of country music greats from Oklahoma that already have bars either in Nashville or other towns. Imagine a mini Nashville-type area with bars from Blake Shelton, Reba, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Garth Brooks. I know we have a Toby Keith concept, but it is restaurant-based. I feel like this could be a huge draw for country music fans who don't want to spend Nashville prices. Blake has his bar in Ada and Reba has here's in Atoka. Just disappointing that we can't get their concepts in OKC as well.

Blake is from Ada but his bar is in Tishomingo, not Ada.

Blake is from Ada but his bar is in Tishomingo, not Ada.

My bad. Details....Details

This is sort of a side comment, but I was watching the NYE broadcast on CBS, where it was based in Nashville, and it made me start to wonder why OKC has never tried to bring in some of these country music bars. We have such a large number of country music greats from Oklahoma that already have bars either in Nashville or other towns. Imagine a mini Nashville-type area with bars from Blake Shelton, Reba, Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, and Garth Brooks. I know we have a Toby Keith concept, but it is restaurant-based. I feel like this could be a huge draw for country music fans who don't want to spend Nashville prices. Blake has his bar in Ada and Reba has here's in Atoka. Just disappointing that we can't get their concepts in OKC as well.I used to have relatives in Nashville that I used to go visit once in a while. Mainly because they were in Nashville. The draw of Nashville country music bars isn't the name\concept. The draw is that they're in the country music capital of the world. "Unknown" bands gigging there have worked their asses off to get to play a Nashville bar in hopes of someone in the business seeing them. So they're already pretty good. OKC can't begin to reproduce that. A bunch of bars in some area with stars names on the signs wouldn't be even close to the Nashville vibe.
If OKC needs a concept bar area it needs to be something unique to OKC.

I used to have relatives in Nashville that I used to go visit once in a while. Mainly because they were in Nashville. The draw of Nashville country music bars isn't the name\concept. The draw is that they're in the country music capital of the world. "Unknown" bands gigging there have worked their asses off to get to play a Nashville bar in hopes of someone in the business seeing them. So they're already pretty good. OKC can't begin to reproduce that. A bunch of bars in some area with stars names on the signs wouldn't be even close to the Nashville vibe.
If OKC needs a concept bar area it needs to be something unique to OKC.

True and bars like that just tend to work better in the middle of an entertainment district. It would be cool in theory to put them in the stockyards but Bricktown would be the ideal spot for something like that based on Nashville, Scottsdale and other cities with similar bars.

True and bars like that just tend to work better in the middle of an entertainment district. It would be cool in theory to put them in the stockyards but Bricktown would be the ideal spot for something like that based on Nashville, Scottsdale and other cities with similar bars.
Nowhere in OKC could have the draw of "I could be seeing the next huge star" that Music City has . OKC needs to find OKC's unique thing and not try to imitate things that can't be imitated. If we can't find uniqueness then we just don't cut it.

Surprised to learn that Stockyards City is separate from OKC. Would have been nice to renovate the area thru MAPS Capital improvements.

Always had a feel for the area as deeply country & western which makes it unique among the various districts throughout our city.

Surprised to learn that Stockyards City is separate from OKC. Would have been nice to renovate the area thru MAPS Capital improvements.

Always had a feel for the area as deeply country & western which makes it unique among the various districts throughout our city.

its not ..

the only part that is NOT in OKC is the actual national stockyards (where the auctions happen and related things)

all of the area considered "stockyards city" is part of OKC (all of Agnew ave and Exchange ave and businesses ..

its not ..

the only part that is NOT in OKC is the actual national stockyards (where the auctions happen and related things)

all of the area considered "stockyards city" is part of OKC (all of Agnew ave and Exchange ave and businesses ..

Just feel we have an opportunity to continue to beautify and strengthen districts like the Asian, Bricktown, Adventure, Boathouse, Automobile Alley, Deep Deuce, Midtown, Paseo Arts and Stockyards City.

I wish it was called The Stockyards. Drop the city.

Check out this article from The Oklahoman:

The company that owns the Oklahoma National Stockyards, largest in the US, is up for sale

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/real-estate/2024/10/17/oklahoma-national-stockyards-okc-for-sale/75695994007/

Check out this article from The Oklahoman:

The company that owns the Oklahoma National Stockyards, largest in the US, is up for sale

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/business/real-estate/2024/10/17/oklahoma-national-stockyards-okc-for-sale/75695994007/

Weird since they wouldn’t sell part of the property for the jail.