The new Stockyards City Arch is nearly complete... this comes just in time for the 100 year anniversary of the district. The span was erected over the last few days. The area is also being showcased in the National Trust's the 2010 National Main Street Conference in Oklahoma City, May 2-5.

I'm happy to see this being done... and hopefully showcasing one of OKC most unique and authentic districts. I've always thought a new arch was a great idea (with the the historic arch sort of tucked away)... I always pictured it at Exchange and Penn... this is on Agnew directly on the south bank of the Oklahoma River. I still say a second (matching?) one at Exchange and Penn would be a wonderful added bookend to the district. Picture it...

Although, I didn't snap a shot... the arch is quite substantial compared to the historic arch... or the stockyards arches of Fort Worth or Chicago.... it is easily visable from the heart of the Stockyards at Exchange and Agnew.

Go Southside!

Now if we can only get funding for the triumphant arch originally planned on Lincoln near the Capitol!!!

Some pics taken tonight:

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/OKCArch1.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/OKCArch2.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/OKCArch3.jpg

Our historic arch on Exchange... embrace the REAL culture of OKC some of you! :poke:

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

Fort Worth's historic arch:

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

and Chicago's... basically the arch only remains here... the stockyards are long gone:

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

There needs to be a serious doc. on the OKC stockyards in my "O".

Nice. I wonder if they are going to put signage on the arch. Surely they will. Glad to see our City and private investors finally putting the emphasis into our districts they deserve.

Thanks, and very nicely done, Platemaker. I've not been in the Stockyards area lately and what you're documenting is very nice, indeed.

To bad the MAPS 3 couldn't do some more improvements in this area.

The Ft. Worth stockyards is very nice and makes the Okc stockyards look average.

Well, the stockyards ain't what they used to be. There are quite a few rural sale barns out there now stealing from its market share and since the slaughterhouse closed, I think business isn't what it used to be.

The Stockyards is just so small. If you drive through it and blink, then you've missed it. IMO, development should take place from the existing built up area to the river to make it more cohesive to the waterfront. As it is now, it literally could be mistaken as a town in the middle of nowhere with all of the large lots around it.

Disagree, Architect. If one drives past Agnew on Exchange and they drive around the crappy roads that circumvent the place, and then consider the Armour and Wilson plants that gave OKC an early-day shot in the arm (as well as smell in the nose), it ain't so shabby:

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/stockyards/stockyardsmap1s.jpg (http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/stockyards/stockyardsmap1.jpg)

For more, see Doug Dawgz Blog: Stockyards City (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/06/stockyards-city.html)

Either way, it would be nice to see this area come up a bit. I think Bass Pro and Toby Keith should have been located in the Stockyards. More of natural fit in my opinion.

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-

Doug. Your map just solidifies my point. Look at all the empty space inside that black bordered square of yours. While the actual stockyards and those two plants or whatever are cool, they aren't exactly what will make or break a historic district. Actually, they aren't very worthwile to me at all when it comes to entertainment and viability. They're just very large cool places to look at. Which isn't bad, but the Stockyards need some urban growth.

The Stockyards is just so small. If you drive through it and blink, then you've missed it.

The 'urban' parts of Stockyards City (historic buildings, etc on Agnew and Exchange... not the actual stock exchange or plants) measure 56 acres. The original parts of Bricktown (not including Lower Bricktown) cover about 57 acres (but that includes the large area covered by the ballpark).

You said 'if you drive through it and blink, then you've missed it'... I think that tells me you might want to get out and walk around.


IMO, development should take place from the existing built up area to the river to make it more cohesive to the waterfront. As it is now, it literally could be mistaken as a town in the middle of nowhere with all of the large lots around it.

Next time you go you might notice it really already is built to the river. The only thing between is a park... River Park.

The key that would give the urban feel is Exchange Ave. between Penn and Western linking it to downtown (specifically Film Row). It's already built up... an attractive streetscape alone along the full length of Exchange would do wonders to gentrify the area. Incidentally, that streetscape would probably kickstart the Farmer's Market as well.

After that, the NEW development should be mainly urban residental in the northeast and southeast areas of the district. That would require razing several blocks of run down houses (being carefull to save a few of them that are worth it obviously). Now the area is LARGER than Bricktown including Lower Bricktown.

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

Maybe develop a small entertainment district similar to this:

http://www.stewartb.com/misc-pics/norwich-riverside-1.jpg

-Chris-

Platemaker. No need to be a smart ass. I have walked around it. I said you can drive through it and miss it because about the only part that you can tell that you're actually in the Stockyards and is actually interesting and makes you want to get out is from about 13th to 10th. That area, the shops, arch, the actual stockyards is what I am talking about. The rest of it is just kinda ehh. It needs to be built up. Infill, more shops, maybe a residential, and a mixed use project like the one above but western themed. You can take my opinion as just hatin' on the Stockyards, or you can realize that not everyone in this city is a OKC-promoter, and that they won't know every little cool tidbit about the Stockyards like you. That is what I see and that's what they see.

I will have to say that the photos of the Fort Worth Stockyards vs the OKC Stockyards did give me a bit of a laugh...in the Fort Worth photo there is actually a district in the background vs one small building and a bunch of telephone poles in ours.

-Chris-

Not my cup of murky liquid, but is there a mass of people, anywhere, who are truly clamoring to:
live next to,
dine outdoors nearby to,
shop and cart purchases around and through open air lifestyle centers near

functional and active stockyards?

Story in Sunday Oklahoman.

I will have to say that the photos of the Fort Worth Stockyards vs the OKC Stockyards did give me a bit of a laugh...in the Fort Worth photo there is actually a district in the background vs one small building and a bunch of telephone poles in ours.

I noticed that too. In our defense, that photo faces into the actual stockyards. Taken from behind the arch, you'd see we have historic buildings like what you seen in that Ft. Worth pic.

I've never been to the Ft. Worth stockyards, so I don't know how they compare. Is it really a residential district like Plate is proposing? I think I'm with Kevin on this one, especially given how many other areas we still need to bring to full potential (that are closer to downtown, no less).

You can only have so many western-themed restaurants and shops.

The Fort Worth Stockyards is a tourist district.

Well this much I know. I know the Cowgirl Hall of Fame is there. What else? What makes it more lively than OKC's Stockyards City? Nearer to downtown? More western-themed restaurants? What?

A western themed hotel that rises up next to the street, Club Rodeo, and maybe a place where local country western singers could play at could be located in Stockyard City. It would be awesome to have some of these places in that district.

I think the thing that would make Stockyard's City into a "destination" is very simple:

move the National Cowboy/Western Heritage Museum into the district AND create a Western themed urban strip. ...

To me, I often wonder why OKC doesn't concentrate it's Western Heritage/Tradition into a nice area and then feed it/off of it. Why are things here and there, and most of the Western things aren't western themed at all - or western themed things are in "modern areas" of the city?

wouldn't it be great, if we had one part of town that was 'stuck' in the 1950's - (or) the highpoint of the Stockyards? Wouldn't it be great if OKC's ONLY world class museum was truly Western Themed and LOCATED in a truly Western Themed entertainment district? Wouldn't it be great if OKC had ONE part of town that offered modern urban living with truly Western Theme?

And yes, wouldn't it be great if there was a part of town that offered a 'bricktown' sized portion of dance clubs, bars, and restaurants that were all Western Themed and very close to each other? And since it is near the Fairgrounds, the two districts could/should feed off each other (and would with the NCWHM located at SC) .....

This is my vision for Stockyard's City and although it would mean a loss for the Adventure District, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum should be located in Stockyard's City, and we could try to get another world class attraction for the current Adventure District location. ....

That's just my two cents.

I think the thing that would make Stockyard's City into a "destination" is very simple:

move the National Cowboy/Western Heritage Museum into the district AND create a Western themed urban strip. ...




ARE YOU KIDDING? :omg: Do you have any idea how much money that would cost to MOVE that entire museum? It would be millions and millions of dollars. You have no idea how much time and money they spent on the collections care of one portrait being toted to Europe.

The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum is in a world class facility, and has one of the largest collections of Western art in the U.S. If people want to see it they can drive 15 minutes on the interstate.

Seriously, moving the entire museum is the most absurd thing I've ever heard on this forum.

I remember when the Fort Worth Stockyards was nothing more than the Coliseum and Billy Bob's, they have done quite a bit to it over the years to make a tourist destination, basically the Fort Worth West End. We went there earlier this year when my cousins band played at Billy Bob's, we stayed at the Hyatt Place hotel in the The Stockyards and walked over to Billy Bob's. Much nicer than my old 45 minute drive over from Northeast Dallas where i used to live. The OKC Stockyards could be developed into something similar, I do think the idea of Toby Keith's being down there is a good one.

Hot Rod, I have a better idea. How about the new owners of Remington take IT to Stockyard City and we leave the Cowboy Hall of Fame right where it be.

Yeah, I know it's now under a new name. But liking the former name is one of my vices, and as it ain't an illegal vice, I'm not inclined to let it go anytime soon.

And it absotively, posilutely does not need to be moved from its present location.

Not my cup of murky liquid, but is there a mass of people, anywhere, who are truly clamoring to:
live next to,
dine outdoors nearby to,
shop and cart purchases around and through open air lifestyle centers near

functional and active stockyards?

The Fort Worth one comes to mind. Haven't been down there in a couple of years (since gas went over $2, $3 and approached $4), but there are several restaurants, shops (don't know about residential). There is the unmistakable aroma from the stockyards as well. Depending on which way the wind is blowing... It is a compact area but packed with people.

I had lunch at Cattleman's today, and there were a lot of people there. An astounding number considering the fact that OSU was playing at the time and OU was going to kick off in less than an hour and a half. I saw people out shopping, and the game was being played over a loudspeaker. I would like to see some of the buildings spruced up a bit, but I was actually fairly impressed. I would think there would be some sort of stockyard activity taking place there, because when I ride my bike along the river on the south side, there is a definite aroma as we approach Villa that I assumed was related.

The arch is looking good, by the way. Will there be signage on it?

Ah, just noticed a very timely and interesting article by Steve. Apparently the aroma I'm smelling while on my bike is indeed "the smell of money" (per my mother, who grew up on a cattle farm).

NewsOK (http://www.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-stockyards-has-authenticity/article/3411742?custom_click=lead_story_title)

Ya'll shoulda been by that area in the 60's.

Yeah, although a nice though, I don't think moving the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is doable. They've invested millions into their current facility. That being said, that doesn't mean a museum in the stockyards area is a bad idea. Could always put the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel down there and create a small amusement park called "Stockyards City." I'm not advocating for moving Frontier City, because that would be also costly, but a smaller amusement area with a western theme might add a tourist flair to Stockyards City. Something similar in size to Pacific Park, where the ferris sheel used to be, but not necessarily the size of a large amusement park.

.oO(wonder if HBO might surplus off the props from Carnivale)Oo.

The Stockyards does not need the Western Heritage Museum. I like the quaintness of the Stockyards, it just needs a few western art galleries. Just imagine two or three local artists that paint western themed art located down there. That would be better for tourists because they can buy the art and take it home with them.

I think more commercial things that tie to the boot and hat stores will add to the area as a shopping area. It is a cool area that could attract a lot of people during rodeo or horse events at the fair.

That being said what do those people like? Just imagine a Horse themed hotel between the fairgrounds and the stockyards. Then a BBQ place, a few country western bars that have local music. I think that the wormy dog could relocate to there or open a wormy hog location in stockyards. The stockyards does sell hogs too.

Just a few ideas.

I like your ideas for galleries selling western art. That would be cool, especially if there was a range of affordability. It would be interesting to know how many people do business in that area, and if it would indeed support a hotel. The concept may be similar to what has worked with MAPS. Improve one thing, or change a few things and it pulls other businesses in. It may be that if there were a hotel there, then that would increase the number of restaurants, perhaps clubs or bars and increase the diversity of the retail already there. It is a unique place, and a draw for tourists that should not be discounted. It would be very nice (and probably not possible with phase one) to have streetcar access from downtown, and that too would stimulate some development, both in Stockyards City and probably along the route.

move the National Cowboy/Western Heritage Museum into the district

:omg:

I think we should move downtown. I know it's been there forever and cost billions to build all that, and its history and character is irreplaceable, but I just think it would be better if it were over by Lake Hefner. It would just really turn that area into a bigger destination. We could always find something else to go where downtown is. Maybe move Frontier City there...?

:omg:

I think we should move downtown. I know it's been there forever and cost billions to build all that, and its history and character is irreplaceable, but I just think it would be better if it were over by Lake Hefner. It would just really turn that area into a bigger destination. We could always find something else to go where downtown is. Maybe move Frontier City there...?

Hey, we can move OU there as well! :ohno:

Oh yeah! Excellent idea.

Platemaker. No need to be a smart ass.

WOW... :whiteflag

I didn't mean any part of that to sound smart assish... I had to read my 'you should walk around' line out loud (using inflection) to notice the unintentional offensiveness.

guys, it was just a suggestion. jeez

Sorry. I just hear a lot of ridiculously impractical suggestions on here involving moving major attractions across town.

I see no reason why our western heritage needs to be confined to one small area, especially by forcing it into that area. Kind of like a ghetto...

I guess some on here would like to do just that.

Something like this would possibly be a good tourist draw for that area...

Wild West City - (http://www.wildwestcity.com/)

-Chris

I think that carefully placed performance venue taken from historically significant country mecas like Gruene Texas Performance hall would be fantastic there and would serve to support the idea of the western heritage site, then bring in some western antique shops as well as some more restaurants and a good ice house, and a well crafted horse themed hotel (thinking auto porte Cochere as well as a horse drawn one with tie stall and you have the makings of something that will create its own momentum. The entire area needs some branding and marketing work that would play through the details of the district such as district unique lighting and signage planting and public art installations etc... to create a cohesive feel to the strong start that we have there. Just my thoughts though...Go OKC!!!

The Rodeo Opry already has a performance venue there. I like the idea of a western themed hotel but I'm not sure a replica would have the same appeal of an actual historic hotel, which doesn't exist that I'm aware of. I agree better branding and signage will help.

I took this pic on Friday. I have to say I'm shocked this has gone all weekend without being reported.

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

A right fine lookin' sign. Thanks for sharing!

Yeah, very nice!

I wonder if the other side will have a 'Ya'll come back' or something.

Nah, the other side oughta say
Welcome to MAPsVille

The other side says "ytiC sdraykcotS"

;)

I took this pic on Friday. I have to say I'm shocked this has gone all weekend without being reported.



don't worry, the local news will probably have a story on it tomorrow or sometime later this week....after they've read this thread..

Um, had the story two weeks ago guys.

yeah, but two weeks ago, the sign was just the framework, now it's purdy.

FWIW, it was a truly good article you put out there.

Hmmm.....ya know, I'm not sure they did their math. I don't think a semi-trailer will fit under that sucker. Hmmmm?!!!

Hmmm.....ya know, I'm not sure they did their math. I don't think a semi-trailer will fit under that sucker. Hmmmm?!!!

nah, room to spare, room to spare. (on edit: I hope)

Obviously it's tall enough... jeez.

I agree. It looks like a larger semi in the outer lane might not clear. Sorry Plate.

the other side says "ytic sdraykcots"

;)

roflmao

Hmmm.....ya know, I'm not sure they did their math. I don't think a semi-trailer will fit under that sucker. Hmmmm?!!!

it looks like there is plenty of room but then again in the outside lanes, not as much...anyone have a semi and want to test it out?

I was driving down Agnew today and watched a semi go under the arch. It came nowhere near it so there is no problem at all.

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

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.