I think that was the plan all along for her, though..

metro you can take Mrs L.S. position she is changing departments.

I wish, put in a good word for me at the city HR office

I didnt know where to post this!Here is testing of the LED lights on the Myriad Gardens Crystal bridge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkGFzMX9miY

That was so awesome dmoor82. thx

There's a whole thread dedicated to the Myriad Gardens (http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=23724) renovation.

I hope all the huge carp are all okay. I would take my daughter over there once a week and feed them.. Can't wait to see the interactive dog park woohoo. Sherwood construction said i would have my driveway on Walker by friday. keep your finger crossed

When is the big 180 shindig going to take place, Invitation only I just got mine

Your invitation didn't say when it was?

When is the big 180 shindig going to take place, Invitation only I just got mine

Well they have regular meetings, but I believe the next one is on the 21st, one at noon, and another at 6pm.

yes your right!! It is a public meeting at city hall council chambers 200 N walker 3rd floor...They did send me a nice card though, made me feel special lol... 180 is migrating east, Hey is there going to be any food

Did anyone go to the lunch meeting about Project 180 today at City Hall?

I think I'm going to try to go to the meeting at 6:00 in City Hall.

Good opportunity to remind them where the streetcar is going. lol ;)

New website-

http://www.okc180.com/

Why'd they end up going with such boring street signs? In the completed areas they're just plain white with black san-serif font. No unique aspects to distinguish the area whatsoever. Intentional, or cost-cutting measure?

I think they're intended to be simple tonkind of fit the minimalist modern design... I personally like it a lot.

I like the signs, but the black plastic backing on the streetlights and crosswalk lights is humongous and looks amateur.

I agree. Personally I wish there were no back plastic shields or at least smaller ones. They look clunky compared to the other minimalist hardware.

Reminds me of the traffic signals in DT Fort Worth. But I don't mind them that much, although I've heard from many who don't like the black shields.

Hey UP, did you figure out whether those art element strips in the Broadway and Robinson medians actually made the cut?

I've been trying to find a map of a completed project 180 (couldn't find it on the website). Specifically I'm trying to determine if all streets will be two-way or just some. Also, will the North-South streets be two or four lane? I appreciate any info and links anyone can provide.

Duke, all the streets will be two-way; no more one-way streets at all.

And apart from EK Gaylord Blvd, I believe all the N/S streets (and E/W too, apart from Reno) will be two lanes with on-street parking and most with bike lanes.

Thanks for the response. Is anyone else concerned that a single lane of traffic heading South on Hudson at the end of the day, for example, will struggle to move traffic to I-40? It seems that this plan benefits pedestrians and alternative transportation at the expense of the commuters who make up an overwhelming majority of the downtown workforce. Don't get me wrong, I think the aesthetics are outstanding and we definitely need a more pedestrian friendly downtown, however, we also need to be able to move the workforce in and out of downtown. It seems someone may have gone too far away from vehicular traffic.

Please straighten me out and enlighten me if I'm way off.

Hudson may be 4 lanes but I'm not sure about that.

Please straighten me out and enlighten me if I'm way off.

I've read, and OKC has been told by traffic experts, that the previous configuration of 4 lanes in one direction was akin to the traffic volumes of much larger cities; think Chicago, Dallas, etc. We did not need that many lanes heading in ONE direction as was determined by the actual volume of traffic those streets handled. While we may be losing 3 lanes, you must also keep in mind Duke that the new configuration of streets allows commuters to enter and exit the downtown area using ANY of the streets; something that was not possible due to our weird arrangements of one-way arterials.

Also, Hudson seems fairly wide, much like Walker; which has been reported to be able to expand to four lanes for future volumes. I bet Hudson can also be upgraded from a two-lane to four if the need arises. And as Pete said, Hudson could very well be planned initially as a four-lane. Hope that helps alleviate some of those concerns for you Duke.

Duke, all the streets will be two-way; no more one-way streets at all.

And apart from EK Gaylord Blvd, I believe all the N/S streets (and E/W too, apart from Reno) will be two lanes with on-street parking and most with bike lanes.

Just saw it briefly, but this weekend on the City cable channel Ms. Story(?) stated that 1,000 parking spaces are being added.

Just saw it briefly, but this weekend on the City cable channel Ms. Story(?) stated that 1,000 parking spaces are being added.

That should be a great income stream for the city...not the meters, but the fines. LOL

Last week I was thinking of moving our company's banking downtown. I parked outside the building and had the meeting. Time limit on the meter was 1 hr. I went out at 1 hr. & 5 minutes to reload the meter as I needed 15 more minutes. Guess what....I already had a ticket. It was given literally at 1 hr and 1 minute. Wow. Way to be business friendly. Now I remember why the suburbs are easier (and cheaper). Why do you put one hour limits outside a business building? Kind of defeats the purpose of being able to park there if you can't stay long enough to get a little business done.

That should be a great income stream for the city...not the meters, but the fines. LOL

Last week I was thinking of moving our company's banking downtown. I parked outside the building and had the meeting. Time limit on the meter was 1 hr. I went out at 1 hr. & 5 minutes to reload the meter as I needed 15 more minutes. Guess what....I already had a ticket. It was given literally at 1 hr and 1 minute. Wow. Way to be business friendly. Now I remember why the suburbs are easier (and cheaper). Why do you put one hour limits outside a business building? Kind of defeats the purpose of being able to park there if you can't stay long enough to get a little business done.

1 hour time limits are to keep employees from parking at meters, leaving NO parking for customers.

1 hour time limits are to keep employees from parking at meters, leaving NO parking for customers.

Two hour time limits would do the same thing. 1 hr. seems arbitrary. If there was a CVS at the corner and I had to park to run in and pick something up, I would think a short limit would be appropriate. But parking around major businesses should allow for enough time to actually do some business. When I came out, it was mid afternoon and I was one of 2 cars parked in a 2 block span. Not only are we chasing off employees, we are chasing of people who want to do business. Sometimes it is the little things that make a place friendly or not. Hawking meters to give tickets 1 min after expiration is over the top. Oh, and this isn't the first time it has happened to me recently, so I don't think it was coincidental timing. Sometimes we just need a little common sense. Adding 1000 spots....for who? Add them and then chase parkers off? Let's get practical.

Rover: I agree, 1 minute past seems over the top (just as 1 mile over the speed limit etc), but as you said "sometimes we just need a little common sense". Be aware of the time (or the speedometer) and take appropriate preemptive action. It has happened to you recently, so are you a habitual abuser? Recall reading a while back that the City was cracking down on those types (re: unpaid parking tickets amounting in the $100s or $1,000s, booting them etc). Maybe the same person that gave you the previous ticket? Parking fines generate a decent amount of money for the City.

Rover: I agree, 1 minute past seems over the top (just as 1 mile over the speed limit etc), but as you said "sometimes we just need a little common sense". Be aware of the time (or the speedometer) and take appropriate preemptive action. It has happened to you recently, so are you a habitual abuser? Recall reading a while back that the City was cracking down on those types (re: unpaid parking tickets amounting in the $100s or $1,000s, booting them etc). Maybe the same person that gave you the previous ticket? Parking fines generate a decent amount of money for the City.

Yes, I know it does. Only once have I missed getting a ticket when attending the city council meetings.

Rover: I agree, 1 minute past seems over the top (just as 1 mile over the speed limit etc), but as you said "sometimes we just need a little common sense". Be aware of the time (or the speedometer) and take appropriate preemptive action. It has happened to you recently, so are you a habitual abuser? Recall reading a while back that the City was cracking down on those types (re: unpaid parking tickets amounting in the $100s or $1,000s, booting them etc). Maybe the same person that gave you the previous ticket? Parking fines generate a decent amount of money for the City.

So I am a repeat parking offender. LOLROF. I can live with that. It's just spooky knowing some traffic cop is stalking me.

So I am a repeat parking offender. LOLROF. I can live with that. It's just spooky knowing some traffic cop is stalking me.
If being ticketed for 1 minute over and being "stalked" isn't bad enough, this just in by Steve:
Read more: http://newsok.com/vendor-chosen-to-supply-parking-meters-for-oklahoma-city-is-under-federal-investigation-for-alleged-kickbacks-in-oregon-according-to-newspaper-reports/article/3594887#ixzz1VB0w9gUN

During the winter of 2010, the Chicago meters' buttons froze due to extreme cold. More recently, the meters were discovered earlier this year to have synchronization problems that shaved up to two minutes off time purchased by motorists.

Meters installed this summer in Minneapolis, meanwhile, are being criticized for taking up to three minutes for a transaction to be completed.

Pics from Robinson demolition. They have accomplished this in two days with major excavations occurring today.

I was talking to one of the contractors who said that the basement of First National is extending out under the sidewalk almost to the curb. There is more to that story apparently as well factoring other comments made about the ownership limbo, etc. Based on the original marker imbedded in the sidewalk, my guess is that the excavation is going to reveal some interesting aspects of FNC.

963

Facing North up Robinson towards Park

964

Facing South

Two hour time limits would do the same thing. 1 hr. seems arbitrary. If there was a CVS at the corner and I had to park to run in and pick something up, I would think a short limit would be appropriate. But parking around major businesses should allow for enough time to actually do some business. When I came out, it was mid afternoon and I was one of 2 cars parked in a 2 block span. Not only are we chasing off employees, we are chasing of people who want to do business. Sometimes it is the little things that make a place friendly or not. Hawking meters to give tickets 1 min after expiration is over the top. Oh, and this isn't the first time it has happened to me recently, so I don't think it was coincidental timing. Sometimes we just need a little common sense. Adding 1000 spots....for who? Add them and then chase parkers off? Let's get practical.

How funny, most learn after the first time.

Vendor chosen to supply parking meters for Oklahoma City is under federal investigation for alleged kickbacks in Oregon, according to newspaper reports

BY STEVE LACKMEYER
August 16, 2011

A company selected to provide hundreds of new parking meters for downtown Oklahoma City is under federal investigation for paying kickbacks related to the sale of similar machines to Portland, Ore.

Read more: http://newsok.com/vendor-chosen-to-supply-parking-meters-for-oklahoma-city-is-under-federal-investigation-for-alleged-kickbacks-in-oregon-according-to-newspaper-reports/article/3594887#ixzz1VEK5vMyR

Yes, I know it does. Only once have I missed getting a ticket when attending the city council meetings.

Parking meters are intended for short term parking, if going to a Council meeting that can last 3 plus hours, your better off parking in a parking lot/garage and not at a meter.

Parking meters are intended for short term parking, if going to a Council meeting that can last 3 plus hours, your better off parking in a parking lot/garage and not at a meter.

While I generally agree, OKC's seem to be shorter term than most cities I go to. It would seem you should be able to go to an hour meeting or go grab a lunch without getting a ticket if it goes over 5 minutes. 2 hr. limits seem to be common elsewhere...why not here? I hope when they add the 1000 spots that some thought will go into what the appropriate time limits are.

2 hours seems to be the standard time limit I've seen everywhere else.

I suppose with a very limited number of street spots they've wanted the high turnover. But hopefully that will change with tons more street parking as a part of Project 180.

Could be totally off base on this (rarely go downtown) but didn't our parking meters used to be the 2 hour variety? If so, when did they change to 1 hour?

ON EDIT: Seems to have been changed sometime after this story ran in the Oklahoman: "City Hall Parking Meter Time Limit Up to 2 Hours," (4/12/99)

ON EDIT EDIT: I can't seem to find that particular article, if someone can post a link...or if someone knows when the limit changed to 1 hour....

Lots of new photos of work from City of OKC: http://www.flickr.com/photos/50408515@N06/

Interesting note this morning at council. It is a high probability that they will run out of funds before touching EK Gaylord. So there is a strong possibility that EK Gaylord will remain as it is. Not a great thing for pedestrians I would say.

So are they changing the name to Project 170? I know where they can get $30 million.

So are they changing the name to Project 170? I know where they can get $30 million.

If it's the 30 I'm thinking of, then nope. 180 may be divisible by 3, but it isn't M3

(well, not just yet, but yeah, come to think of it .... loosey goosey can pretty much waddle where she pleases)

If it's the 30 I'm thinking of, then nope. 180 may be divisible by 3, but it isn't M3

(well, not just yet, but yeah, come to think of it .... loosey goosey can pretty much waddle where she pleases)

That is what I am talking about.

it sometimes scares me when we agree, but this isn't one of those times. Then again, if I were king of a day, that 30 would take care of stage center and they could just restripe EKG.

Interesting note this morning at council. It is a high probability that they will run out of funds before touching EK Gaylord. So there is a strong possibility that EK Gaylord will remain as it is. Not a great thing for pedestrians I would say.

P180 is a shorter term project that is being done when construction costs are down, is already running out of funds so those projects at the end of the time line may not get completed. Where have we heard this before? Does anyone wonder why the C.C. crowd did everything they could to get moved up in the timeline? Those projects that got their completion phases moved to the back should be concerned. When has the money not run out and things had to be cut or find another way to get the money? We certainly don't want a slate of unfinished projects like the soon to be dormant one that is on the banks of the river.

Maybe if another large project was started in the Devon TIF district some more money would become available to finish Project 180. Is the Stage Center site in the Devon TIF district? If so, +$50 million mixed use project would probably provide the necessary funds.

Well I hope that they at least consider doing the two block area between Sheridan and the new boulevard and shave monies off somewhere else. Rick Dowell's protest already saved them some monies by not having to do significant work as planned in his area.

It would be interesting to know exactly what sort of conflicts are causing them to run out of money.

Is Gaylord the only one that will be left out?

Maybe if another large project was started in the Devon TIF district some more money would become available to finish Project 180. Is the Stage Center site in the Devon TIF district? If so, +$50 million mixed use project would probably provide the necessary funds.

IIRC only the Devon site itself is included for the P180 and it was carved out of an existing TIF

If the same ratio applied, if a $750 million project created $100 Million of taxes over 10 years, I would assume a $50 Million project would produce $6.67 Million. Would this cover a shortfall?

Interesting note this morning at council. It is a high probability that they will run out of funds before touching EK Gaylord. So there is a strong possibility that EK Gaylord will remain as it is. Not a great thing for pedestrians I would say.

Of course, the street that I wished to see redeveloped more than any other, could be the one left out. EKG should have been the first on the list with P180. How can the council not see that?

Of course, the street that I wished to see redeveloped more than any other, could be the one left out. EKG should have been the first on the list with P180. How can the council not see that?

Taking care of all the other streets first seems more important, so that when they got to the busiest street the others would already be available to divert the traffic count.

Yes, except for when they get to the busiest street there is no money to do the work.

I understand your point but I'm thinking that that's the route they were going. The one I mentioned. EKG is on a parameter of the CBD. Their focus is on the streets that patchwork downtown. Not the street that skirts it, IMO.

Plus it was part of the deal with Devon, that the streets surrounding their property would be guaranteed to be finished by the time their tower opened.

Of course, the street that I wished to see redeveloped more than any other, could be the one left out. EKG should have been the first on the list with P180. How can the council not see that?

Since they are narrowing EKG, it makes sense to have other streets more capable of distributing the traffic load in the area before EKG will have a reduced capacity. From the last council meeting it sounds like EKG will not be redeveloped till they do the work for the street car & hub.

From the last council meeting it sounds like EKG will not be redeveloped till they do the work for the street car & hub.

That would make a lot sense and it was the first thing I thought of when the original comment was made. EKG will change drastically with or without P180.

An update on the parking meter controversy from Steve:

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-to-re-evaluate-bids-for-downtown-parking-meters/article/3606339?custom_click=lead_story_title

My vote is to do a switchover to Parkeon.

Robinson between Sheridan and Park Ave. = much bigger mess (physically) than any of the streets done so far. Must be way more in the way of buried utilities and such. Also might be the oldest street torn up to date, now that I think about it. Pretty interesting to walk around over there and check it out. It's one giant, muddy hole.

Hopefully the "muddy hole" is due to the nice rain we got today and not a water main break.