Free Coffee this coming Monday! Cafe Evoke coffee bar...come have a sip and meet the Plaza community! 7:30-9:30 Mon Feb 6th, 1755 NW 16th
http://www.plazadistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/valentine-coffeebig.jpg

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Thanks metro!

That's some good progress and will really make a difference in the area. Hope they are successful and others follow suit.

Does anyone know the history of the plaza disctict? It's kind of all to itself if I'm thinking of the right area.

I know I'm quite behind here on chiming in, but I am new to the board and just recently visited the Plaza District. I am amazed at the transformation from what it was 25 years ago. Here's my recollection of what it looked like in the mid-80s.

The anchor to the whole area was the strip on the NE corner of 16th and Indiana. At the end nearest Indiana was a pawn shop, and a bar directly behind it (facing Indiana). Next door to the pawn shop was an Asian grocery store (16th Street Market?). Back then, they were the primary competitors to Cao Nguyen (now Super Cao Nguyen), but went out of business at some point in the late 80s/early 90s. Next door to that was a pool hall, which attracted a lot of thugs/gang members. Also in that strip closer toward Gatewood was a comic book store that I can't remember the name.

On the NW corner of Indiana and 16th was a grocery store called Country Boy, or something along those lines. I guess that might the same as what some of you remember as Humpty Dumpty or TG&Y; I'm not certain which one it was formerly.

On the SW Corner was a motorcycle repair shop, I believe.

Directly across from the pool hall was a coin laundry place, which I could have sworn was still there as of recently. Maybe not though.

That's the bulk of what I can remember from my childhood. I remember coming back as an adult, and seeing the place was pretty run down with a few Hispanic type businesses. Just thought I would chime in b/c it brought back a lot of nostalgia. Pretty happy to see the area thriving!

The history of the plaza district is that it was the last stop on the city's trolley system for quite some time. Thus it evolved into a shopping center of sorts as neighborhoods grew northward but the trolley tracks didn't. The trolley system was based off of Classen. Here is some more info:http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2007/09/okc-trolleys-part-1.html

Come out to LIVE on the Plaza tonight!

http://www.plazadistrict.org/category/live/

I went last night, it was hopping. I'd argue it's the most urban district in OKC. It has a dense, walkable area with tons of street life and the most diverse retail options of things to do. Clothing, home decor, tattoos, restaurants, bar, hair salon, Lyric Theatre, art studios, urban church with live music and coffee (Parish), wine bar, pub, and more, plus they had Waffle Champion and Big Truck Tacos out there. Even during the week, I see more street life here than any other district. Not to mention all the lively characters and diversity, as well as people on bicycles as a form of transportation.

The Plaza District is very underrated and should continue to grow.

The Plaza District is very underrated and should continue to grow.

Yeah, I was in town a couple of months back and went to the Plaza. Very surprised to see how it has evolved over the years. We went to Saints Pub, and it was packed. Definitely an eclectic crowd out there.

I've heard the wine bar is super cheap, so you all can find me there when I'm back in town..

good to hear, I'll have to check it out next time Im in the city!

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/plaza2.jpg

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This project has not moved on the outside in over a month.

Great new business coming to 1751 NW 16th, Innovative Spaces, doing kitchen & bath design work.

Must be affiliated with this location in suburban Denver as the web address is shown in the rendering:

http://innovativespaces.com/

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

It is great to see the Plaza District take off. Oklahoma City has found a niche in revitalizing the historic areas of the community. In addition we have the Midtown area taking hold and the Uptown area is starting to move along. All are local neighborhood communities and are a great part of OKC's renaissance. Hopefully these are just the beginning.

Pretty sure that place is already open. Saw it last Friday at the art walk.

This looks like the right website; not sure why the other one was shown on the rendering:

http://www.innovativespacesbykeri.com/Home.aspx

Keri White is the owner.

Some of the gallery photos are of residences in Deep Deuce aren't they?

Some of the gallery photos are of residences in Deep Deuce aren't they?

The Hill maybe. None of them resemble any of the Maywood Brownstones that I've been in.

Anyone know how the food is at the Urban Wine Works in the Plaza District

Not a lot of reviews yet on Urbanspoon.com but they are very positive:

http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/46/1598247/restaurant/Inner-City-Northside/Urban-WineWorks-at-the-Plaza-Oklahoma-City

http://i980.photobucket.com/albums/ae288/snewlon/plaza2.jpg

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Building permit today for a 2,124 square foot restaurant in this building called The Mule. The size is confusing though because the permit also says they are taking the entire first floor.


The Plaza District is really heating up!

Maybe that is why work stalled

http://foundrycollective.com/images/Branding/Brand1.jpg

Looks like a great addition.

My only concern (based off the logo above) is that it will be a duplicate of Saints. On the other hand, my wife spoke to a local business owner in the Plaza at length the other day. His understanding is that it will be more of a cafe/sandwich shop.

I like Saints. It's a cool place, but it tends to give off a "hipsters only" vibe. What the Plaza really needs a bistro/cafe with broad appeal. A type of place where I can sit on the patio and drink coffee at 7am on a Saturday morning while reading my ipad. A type of place where I can walk in a grab a delicious sandwhich to go at lunch. A type of place where I can catch a local band playing on weekend evenings and drink a beverage of my choice. A place to meet people and talk. A neighborhood hub and crossroads for folks of all persuasions. Most importantly, a place where where my two little girls feel as welcome as I do.

I dont think Saints has a "hipsters only Vibe", I've been there a couple time recently and, being a non-hipster, was definitely in the minority but I was made to feel right at home. That being said, if your afraid of hipsters (which is understandable) then Plaza is probably just the wrong neighborhood.

I think you might have misunderstood a couples of points I stated in my previous post.

I think Saints is a great asset to the neighborhood and a cool place but it is clearly geared towards a certain cultural subset.

Also, hipsters are far more amusing than scary. People watching in the Plaza is the best. http://www.latfh.com/

At any rate, the main point of my post is not to disparage Saints (like I said, cool place), but to speculate/dream about what this new restaurant could be.

Maybe the Plaza District doesn't need to be a "family friendly" place like everywhere else in OKC. Maybe it's niche is to be a place for people to go where there are not going to be a bunch of kids around. Maybe it's going for the hip/hipster vibe. Just throwing that out there...

amen

Maybe the Plaza District doesn't need to be a "family friendly" place like everywhere else in OKC. Maybe it's niche is to be a place for people to go where there are not going to be a bunch of kids around. Maybe it's going for the hip/hipster vibe. Just throwing that out there...

I agree.. I am not a Family hater by any means. but not every destination in the world has to be family friendly. I like the way the plaza district is progressing.. I am not a hipster but enjoy the atmosphere of the district and am happy to see new businesses open. The mule does sound a lot like Saints, however I think the area can support a similar business but hope they do carve out thier own niche.

This photo is from their website... It seems they are working hard to specifically cultivate the hipster vibe; the photo is even titled "cool kids":

http://www.plazadistrict.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/cool-kids.jpg

Yet another Plaza project; this a renovation/expansion of an existing restaurant:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16d.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16e.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16f.jpg

Pete, that is probably a tongue-in-cheek inside joke to a certain extent. The photo shows the director of the Main Street Program along with a couple of the retailers. It may be a little bit hipster down there, but they are all good peeps.

Pete, that is probably a tongue-in-cheek inside joke to a certain extent. The photo shows the director of the Main Street Program along with a couple of the retailers. It may be a little bit hipster down there, but they are all good peeps.

Why the continual implications that hipsters are not good people?

Before we start down a long road here, I think we can agree that the district can continue to cultivate it's eclectic / artsy image while also being a friendly and welcoming place.

They are clearly doing a lot of things right because they have some great momentum going.

Why the continual implications that hipsters are not good people?
Well I certainly wasn't implying it. Several people in that photo are personal friends of mine.

Lol. Those folks are hardly "hipsters".

Hipsters aren't bad people, it's just a particularly annoying fad (to me). I guess I'm just getting to be an old man.

Yet another Plaza project; this a renovation/expansion of an existing restaurant:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16d.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16e.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1800nw16f.jpg

On a roll. This will be a very successful project, I think. Not only can it draw from the Guatemalans in that area, but it also contributes to what could potentially be a quality restaurant mix fairly soon--the maturation of the Plaza District.

And I think Plaza should stick with its hipster roots.

Lol. Those folks are hardly "hipsters".

Hipsters aren't bad people, it's just a particularly annoying fad (to me). I guess I'm just getting to be an old man.

You shall be our Anthony Bourdain! No, hipsters have to live, eat, work somewhere too. The problem with hipsters is by definition they squash the "hipness". It is really an oxymoronic term imhop. But then again, I'm a dirty land-locked surfer skating to transit meetings.

Really should be boxed in a crate and shipped to SF or Portland to help keep OKC a fam friendly zone.

Looks like they are getting rid of the full market that they currently have in the front and going with just a restaurant.

Really should be boxed in a crate and shipped to SF or Portland to help keep OKC a fam friendly zone.
Then if I could find a way to rid myself of the teenagers that infest our local malls and Rok Bar patrons my happiness would be complete.

Lol

Question: for those people up on city building codes and neighborhoods, in the mostly single family area of the plaza, namely south of 16th, between say blackwelder and penn on the west, would the city of OKC allow for a vacant lot to pour a slab and build one of those architectural designed kit homes on the slab, even tho it would stick out in the character of the housing stock of the neighborhood?

I was trying to find some info from the city's webpages but i knew there was a guy on here that could give some insight. basically can u build what ever design on one of those lots or does it have to conform to certain neighborhood character, like be a newly built shot gun shack bungalow style. any city zoning links would be helpful. i'm talking a single family not mulitfamily. thanks in advance.

I think that would be allowed in Classen-Ten-Penn. That area is definitely pre-comeback (by which I mean, it IS coming back, and it's still under the radar, but real progress is happening). The city doesn't yet have HP zoning overlays for CTP but they may decide that's the right strategy. I honestly think we may be HP-zoned out and some historic neighborhoods may be better if they could accommodate a mixture of historic and modern.

Question: for those people up on city building codes and neighborhoods, in the mostly single family area of the plaza, namely south of 16th, between say blackwelder and penn on the west, would the city of OKC allow for a vacant lot to pour a slab and build one of those architectural designed kit homes on the slab, even tho it would stick out in the character of the housing stock of the neighborhood?

I was trying to find some info from the city's webpages but i knew there was a guy on here that could give some insight. basically can u build what ever design on one of those lots or does it have to conform to certain neighborhood character, like be a newly built shot gun shack bungalow style. any city zoning links would be helpful. i'm talking a single family not mulitfamily. thanks in advance.

From my planning days (years ago and in a different state) - you can build whatever type of home you want on any plot of land you can buy. I have seen people move mobile homes into subdivisions.

From my planning days (years ago and in a different state) - you can build whatever type of home you want on any plot of land you can buy. I have seen people move mobile homes into subdivisions.

Mobile homes can only be installed on lots over 5 acres or in a Mobile Home Overlay zoning area. And to answer the general question, yes, at this point in time anyone can build the home of their choice in these neighborhoods.

If you have an opinion, please stay tuned to the happenings of planokc. These types of issues will be very important as planokc moves from Goal development into Policy development. http://www.planokc.org. If you have time, read the following PDF, especially pages 35-42, which are specifically about building and apperance issues. http://www.planokc.org/docs/health/FINAL_ISSUES_2011-07-01.pdf

Mobile homes can only be installed on lots over 5 acres or in a Mobile Home Overlay zoning area. And to answer the general question, yes, at this point in time anyone can build the home of their choice in these neighborhoods.

Not to argue the point with you but while sitting in a Community Development meeting I was told by our planning director that if anyone comes into the office and asks me if they can move a mobile home into a subdivision I am to tell them no. About 4 hours later I was asked that very question by a developer. I told him no. The next day I was given a letter from the Federal Government Housing and Urban Development telling me it was illegal to descriminate based on housing type and material so long as all other requirments were met. 2 weeks later 2 mobile homes were moved on to vacant lots in a non-deed restricted subdidivion. That is when I found out there is difference between what City Hall tells you can do vs what you can actually do.

Wait....in the threads for DD and Midtown, when some neighboring residents were concerned about a class of construction wanting to come into the area everyone was aghast at their elitism. So why is it any less elitist to try to restrict mobile homes or kit homes? Affordable housing is affordable housing, right?

I'm liking this:

http://www.plazadistrict.org/2012/04/the-mule-cold-beer-and-hot-melts/


Coming mid summer 2012 to a Plaza District near you, OKC’s tastiest hang out. Serving a full menu from lunch til’ late and specializing in the art of the grilled cheese. Hours: lunch til late!

We are very excited to announce the Plaza District newest restaurant and bar, The Mule, another addition to the growing “dine and drink” experience in the Plaza District. The Mule’s menu will focus on grilled cheese and hot melt sandwiches, and a full bar will compliment good eats and conversation. The Blackwelder Studios (http://www.plazadistrict.org/2012/01/latest-renovation-project-blackwelder-apartments/) ground level, currently under renovation, will be home to The Mule with indoor as well as outdoor dining. “The Mule is an exciting addition to our growing district” says Executive Director of the Plaza District Association, Kristen Vails, “we are looking forward to their presence making the district an even better destination for a local experience in art, dining and shopping!”

To keep up with The Mule’s progress follow them on twitter (https://twitter.com/#!/themuleokc) and like them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mule/350917204954927)!

I'm liking this:

http://www.plazadistrict.org/2012/04/the-mule-cold-beer-and-hot-melts/

I agree CM. These types of specialty food restaurants are becoming very popular around the country and this adds to the district's eclectic atmosphere.

I'll be waiting for an article from a restaurant reviewer who despises jam bands and grilled cheeses.

Really good overview of the Plaza District in this week's Gazette:

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-14831-plaza-sweet.html

Does anyone know who owns the building behind Velvet Monkey? You can see the really cool brick structure around the roof in this picture. This would be awesome as a rooftop area for Plaza District much as Steve Mason's rooftop in Automobile Alley.

http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&sa=X&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1680&bih=880&tbm=isch&tbnid=p_ebtNG3GvL2BM:&imgrefurl=http://plazadistrict.wordpress.com/2011/04/22/velvet-monkey-shines-2nd-anniversary/&docid=b5PbIPFF5iGi1M&imgurl=http://plazadistrict.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/dsc_0319.jpg&w=2481&h=1695&ei=JwB-T8ChJMiF2AXu9YX3DQ&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=364&sig=101267314042638392329&page=1&tbnh=156&tbnw=208&start=0&ndsp=28&ved=1t:429,r:26,s:0,i:123&tx=52&ty=88

The building behind Velvet Monkey IS Velvet Monkey. All of it is Estrella's. That's all one building, a former ice house if I'm not mistaken.

The Mule OKC is a new restaurant/bar coming to the Plaza District.

The Mule OKC is a new restaurant/bar coming to the Plaza District.


http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=20113&page=5&p=525261#post525261

Can I get bonus points for pulling a metro on...metro?

Sure

Really good overview of the Plaza District in this week's Gazette:

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-14831-plaza-sweet.html

I love this quote. I am going to add it to my repertoire.


“If you catch fire with enthusiasm, they’ll come from miles away to watch it burn,” he said [Dylan Bradway].

... Can I get bonus points for pulling a metro on...metro?


You don't do it a lot. I suppose you could ask Pete to change your screen name to met-Lite <VBG>

Looks like they are getting rid of the full market that they currently have in the front and going with just a restaurant.

Actually, they are moving their convenience store/market into the old gas station building (they have owned it for years) across the street.