I drove by Gould Hall Friday. It’s a complete transformation from the old ugly eye sore that was the most embarrassing building on campus.
I would encourage all of you who care about OU to check it out.
I love the new arched entry way.
The only thing I saw on my drive by that I didn’t like was the silver panted hand rails.
A coat of black paint would make them look much better.
I saw a road maintainer spreading out large DIA gravel at the old O’Connell’s location.
I took an out of state visitor to the Switzer center. It was not very well air conditioned.
I was ok but my older guest was not very comfortable.

Gould Hall is a huge disappointment in my opinion. A very bland design for a school of architecture. I've been very disappointed since the first renderings...

So the new pool is fully funded? Any idea when it will be starting?

I think the whole design idea of Gould Hall was to draw people in, and have them move through the arches and into the ground-floor galleries and courtyard. They will be displaying a lot of the student projects (and other works) and those will be very cool to see.

I agree that the outside seems a bit bland but I'll reserve judgment until everything is finished and I can actually walk through it. I know it will feature some very forward thinking elements.


I've been incredibly impressed with virtually every other OU project of late from architecture to landscaping and gardens and especially the interiors. I love to spend time just walking through the campus and buildings... There are so many beautiful spots to take in. And the sheer volume of construction, change and improvement is staggering.

People generally acknowledge that Boren has done a great job down there but the improvement has been so steady over such a long period -- involving around 50 different projects rather than a few, huge ones -- that I doubt many really understand the scope. Over a billion dollars has been spent on that campus in the last 10-15 years! And it's be done on projects like Gould and Zarrow, about $10 to $50 million a throw.

Gould Hall is a huge disappointment in my opinion. A very bland design for a school of architecture. I've been very disappointed since the first renderings...

Agreed. But it is still a hell of a lot better than that abomination of a building I use to walk by everyday while at OU.

Are there any renderings of what the new aquatics center would looks like?

Are there any renderings of what the new aquatics center would looks like?

http://www.craftontull.com/index.php/portfolios/by-market/sports/34-university-of-oklahoma-student-aquatics

http://normantranscript.com/local/x9784999/OU-student-housing-project-expected-to-cost-45-5M

ARDMORE — The Sooner Center student housing project is expected to cost $45.5 million to build, according to a revised guaranteed maximum approved Wednesday by the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents.

The dormitory, which will house OU student athletes and non-athletes, will be built near the corner of Lindsey Street and Jenkins Avenue.

The center will house about 380 students in two- and four-bed units. It also will have a faculty-in-residence unit, a central dining area, computer labs and other features.

An updated “cumulative” guaranteed maximum price is scheduled to be presented to the board in its September meeting.

The OU regents also approved renovation projects for Cate Center, the Max Westheimer Airport, a lecture hall in the Physical Sciences building that’s among the largest on the Norman campus and at the University Club inside the Oklahoma Memorial Union.

Cate Center Building No. 1 at Lindsey Street and Asp Avenue is a former dormitory that will be converted into classrooms and conference rooms and faculty and staff offices for the economics department, Honors College and Advising Center. The project is budgeted at $4.4 million.

The airport’s south portion of the main apron and hangar area will be rebuilt and improved for $1.7 million, and construction for the Lecture Hall 201 in the Physical Sciences building is budgeted at nearly $4 million.

Plans to renovate the University Club are just beginning, starting with the hiring Wednesday of Merriman Associates/Architects from Dallas.

Piers and grade beams are currently being poured at the Sooner Center site with the slab to follow in the coming weeks. By the end of the year there could be 6 floors of steel rising at Lindsey & Jenkins. It will be exciting to watch during football season, and will be very visible to most OU fans going to games.

It will be interesting to see what takes up the retail spaces at street level. Hopefully something better than Subway..
http://media.247sports.com/Uploads/College/20/6_84423.JPG

I went inside the new Social work building to deliver some paper work (i am a SW major), and let me tell you, the building is amazing! Such an upgrade. And one of the faculty members told me that we are going to be getting a fountain in the entrance, because another building on campus is replacing theirs with a new one, so we are going to recieve the old fountain.

Also, anyone know what is going on with Dale hall tower? It looks like entire west wall is being renovated or something.

Regarding Dale Hall Tower, it's just a masonry repair project that will cost about $2 million and be complete in April 2012.

Saw bid today for $63M OU Biomedical & Translational Research Center, to be located at HSC, anybody know about this?

Didn't realize they were so close to starting that. I need to post this in the HSC thread as well, because it's a big project:


This project involves the construction of approximately 150,000 gross square feet for the third phase of the Stanton L. Young Biomedical Research Center. The building will be dedicated to biomedical research, cancer, and genetics research. The facility will house research laboratories, and research and building support spaces. The estimated total project cost is $63,000,000

A few days ago noticed the foundation for Sam Bradford’s Heisman statue has been build but I also noticed something new being built on the SE side of the football stadium. Driving by it looked like it had a foundation of about 8’x8’ with rebar showing. This was just a few feet west of Jenkins Street.

Is there anyone who has a clue about what this might be?
Thanks.

A few days ago noticed the foundation for Sam Bradford’s Heisman statue has been build but I also noticed something new being built on the SE side of the football stadium. Driving by it looked like it had a foundation of about 8’x8’ with rebar showing. This was just a few feet west of Jenkins Street.

Is there anyone who has a clue about what this might be?
Thanks.

don't know but i do know the long term plan is for several more statues to be built in that area along with an amatheater ..

one of the statues will be of the selmon brothers ..

A few days ago noticed the foundation for Sam Bradford’s Heisman statue has been build but I also noticed something new being built on the SE side of the football stadium. Driving by it looked like it had a foundation of about 8’x8’ with rebar showing. This was just a few feet west of Jenkins Street.

Is there anyone who has a clue about what this might be?
Thanks.They're putting up statues of our 100-win coaches (Owen, Wilkinson, Switzer, Stoops) on the corner of Lindsay/Jenkins. I haven't seen it in person, but that may be what you're referring to.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150274655062005.325886.99307042004&type=1


There are a few pictures on this link that show the progress on OU’s new student housing project.

They're putting up statues of our 100-win coaches (Owen, Wilkinson, Switzer, Stoops) on the corner of Lindsay/Jenkins. I haven't seen it in person, but that may be what you're referring to.

No it wasn’t. They had torn out some concrete to access utilities. It’s all patched up now.

Live webcam of Headington Hall construction.

http://129.15.200.44/home/homeJ.html

1341

I recently noticed that OU has torn down an old building on the SE corner of Jenkins and Page Street. This was Rhyne Hall, it had a red tile roof.

Are there any plans for this plot of ground?

Several years ago I heard that if OU could come up with the money they would consider building a new basketball arena on this part of campus?

I recently noticed that OU has torn down an old building on the SE corner of Jenkins and Page Street. This was Rhyne Hall, it had a red tile roof.

Are there any plans for this plot of ground?

Several years ago I heard that if OU could come up with the money they would consider building a new basketball arena on this part of campus?

Its going to be a parking lot for now. They start the work on the lot Monday, also they are getting rid of the parallel parking on the west side of the stadium along asp for a "Scholars Walk", also starting Monday.

Its going to be a parking lot for now. They start the work on the lot Monday, also they are getting rid of the parallel parking on the west side of the stadium along asp for a "Scholars Walk", also starting Monday.

I've seen little regarding the Scholars Walk. Where did you see that it is starting Monday?

I wish they hadn't torn down Rhyne.

I wish they hadn't torn down Rhyne.

Spartan, as you seem to regularly be in the know, have you seen any conceptual designs for the Scholars Walk at OU? Everything I've found indicates that it's still fairly in the design phase, but I'm curious.

http://newsok.com/university-of-oklahoma-to-expand-renovate-hester-hall/article/3674432?custom_click=pod_headline_education

Surely, just as soon as I ask about it... This is in today's Transcript:

http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x271312323/Regents-approve-renovations

I love the idea of reclaiming all of the South Oval for pedestrians.

They did this with Brooks between Elm & Jenkins and that really made a big difference and I bet this will be nicer still.

That campus just keeps getting nicer and nicer.

Maybe OU should line the south oval with statues of its Rhodes scholars?

Spartan, as you seem to regularly be in the know, have you seen any conceptual designs for the Scholars Walk at OU? Everything I've found indicates that it's still fairly in the design phase, but I'm curious.

Well I appreciate the compliment, but I'm actually pretty ignorant about a Scholars Walk. I do know that they had some interesting plans for the Lindsey crossing, potentially coinciding with redevelopment on the Cate Center site, and perhaps this could be bookending that end of the South Oval. Just an idea.

This helps. It gets the attention of others particularly in this economy.
http://www.news9.com/story/18884130/...onations-gifts

Posted: Jun 26, 2012 12:50 PM CDT Updated: Jun 26, 2012 12:50 PM CDT

By Associated Press
ARDMORE, Oklahoma -
University of Oklahoma President David Boren says the university expects to receive more than $140 million in private donations and gifts by the end of the fiscal year.

Boren told the OU Board of Regents meeting in Ardmore Tuesday that projections are for $141.2 million -- including gifts to OU's scholarship program and funding for Headington Hall. The residential hall is a housing project for students and athletes at OU.

The regents are also scheduled to discuss the proposed Radar Innovations Laboratory on the school's main campus in Norman. The planned center would provide space for radar researchers to design, assemble and test radar system components. It would house up to 20 researchers and 60 graduate students.

Fence is going up around 100 block of Krattlii apartments, asbestes crew are removing tiles. Wont be long before the wrecking ball makes them dissapear. New electric boxes are being installed thuout the rest of Krattlii. They busted a non potable water line today, even though it was marked and flagged. Kinda hard to keep plants alive without water....DOH!

Fence is going up around 100 block of Krattlii apartments, asbestes crew are removing tiles. Wont be long before the wrecking ball makes them dissapear. New electric boxes are being installed thuout the rest of Krattlii. They busted a non potable water line today, even though it was marked and flagged. Kinda hard to keep plants alive without water....DOH!

These are the apartments south of campus, correct? Are they all being demolished, and why? Are there plans for that area?

The Karettli apartment are on the northeast side of the LNC.
They were dumps. Its good to hear they are being torn down.
And yes, what are the plans for this land?

Okay. I couldn't figure out whether these were the ones you could see from Lloyd a noble, or the ones a little further north. They definitely were nice. This would be a great location for OU to bring in a private developer for some nice condos or apartments...

The Karettli apartment are on the northeast side of the LNC.
They were dumps. Its good to hear they are being torn down.
And yes, what are the plans for this land?

i believe that those at one time were married student housing ... and i think the plan is to build new married student housing

i believe that those at one time were married student housing ... and i think the plan is to build new married student housing

They were married student housing at one time.
I have relatives that lived there back when the LNC first opened up.
At the time they seemed fairly nice.

But I like the idea of high end condos $ 350,000 + someplace around OU’s campus.
Now if I could just talk the wife into the idea.

The only students I ever saw get on or off the bus at the Krattli Apartments when I went to OU in 08-10 were international students.

Mostly for married international students with children. The electrical and heat & air were in need of replacement, along with roof work. Would cost more to repair than they were worth.
Ive heard they will make a bigger parking lot for the Gymnatics. Also been hearing for years the city and OU would ike to connect Imhoff to Constitution, thus doing away with the signal lights at Jenkins and Imhoff. But thats just a rumor.

Anybody has updates on the Kraettli apartments? I'm curious to know. I lived there when I was a student at OU, it's not as nice as the new ones, but the rent was a lot of cheaper with all billed paid.

Timing, the brick apartments are being renovated while the south 2 biulding ( north of Lloyd Noble) are coming down piece by piece as we speak.

Timing, the brick apartments are being renovated while the south 2 biulding ( north of Lloyd Noble) are coming down piece by piece as we speak.

Thank you for your reply.
Do you know what the university will do with that space? (the south 2 buildings)? It's too small to build another apartment complex.
The rest of Kraettli needs major renovation too. I miss the days when I lived there, a lot of trees, OU marching band, tennis court, sweet memories.

Ive heard they will biuld a much needed parking area for the Gymnatics. Ive also heard for about 6 years now, they are wanting to merge Imhoff with Constitution. I guess we'll wait and see.
Jimi

This link explains and shows what OU’s new on campus rowing facility will look like

OU Rowing Training Center Approved - SoonerSports.com - Official Athletics Site of the Oklahoma Sooners (http://www.soonersports.com/sports/w-rowing/spec-rel/012913aab.html)

The apartments are now gone, down to dirt at this point. Call me naive since i've never been to the gymnastics facility except just in passing, but why build a separate lot just for that building? Why not just use the LNC parking lot and have people walk across the street? Baseball seems to have no problem doing that. I'd much rather see them merge Imhoff and Constitution.

The apartments are now gone, down to dirt at this point. Call me naive since i've never been to the gymnastics facility except just in passing, but why build a separate lot just for that building? Why not just use the LNC parking lot and have people walk across the street? Baseball seems to have no problem doing that. I'd much rather see them merge Imhoff and Constitution.

Because in Oklahoma, people are unwilling to walk any distance at all.

I have seen people sit in their car for 5 minutes on someone to pull out of a front row parking spot, when 60 feet away (6 spots down) there were several empty spots. I see it often.

The apartments are now gone, down to dirt at this point. Call me naive since i've never been to the gymnastics facility except just in passing, but why build a separate lot just for that building? Why not just use the LNC parking lot and have people walk across the street? Baseball seems to have no problem doing that. I'd much rather see them merge Imhoff and Constitution.

baseball players don't do that they park at the LNC ...

the gymnastics facility is not for events it is for practice ... and when you are recruiting you want to make things as nice as possible

Because in Oklahoma, people are unwilling to walk any distance at all.

I have seen people sit in their car for 5 minutes on someone to pull out of a front row parking spot, when 60 feet away (6 spots down) there were several empty spots. I see it often.The other day here at OCCC I went to my car and this other car followed me to see where I parked and I had one of the closest parking spaces you could get, I had get some things sorted before I drove off, and after 15-20 mins, this guy was still still waiting for (I KID YOU NOT!). When pulled out he flipped me the bird and said something and floored the gas and flew into the parking space in a very displeased manner. There was an open spot four, I repeat FOUR, parking spaces down from me.

The other day here at OCCC I went to my car and this other car followed me to see where I parked and I had one of the closest parking spaces you could get, I had get some things sorted before I drove off, and after 15-20 mins, this guy was still still waiting for (I KID YOU NOT!). When pulled out he flipped me the bird and said something and floored the gas and flew into the parking space in a very displeased manner. There was an open spot four, I repeat FOUR, parking spaces down from me.


But, but, but, he patiently stalked his prey, waited for the right moment, and killed it. Therefore, in his overjoyed mind, he had won his quest. Had he taken the hole just four spots down, he might of had to, horror of horrors, endure the smirk of another over stressed hunter, ever so pleased with himself that he had bagged the better prey, and with fewer steps afterwards on is way to braggartville.

Yeah, it's silly, but whatcha gonna do..

But, but, but, he patiently stalked his prey, waited for the right moment, and killed it. Therefore, in his overjoyed mind, he had won his quest. Had he taken the hole just four spots down, he might of had to, horror of horrors, endure the smirk of another over stressed hunter, ever so pleased with himself that he had bagged the better prey, and with fewer steps afterwards on is way to braggartville.

Yeah, it's silly, but whatcha gonna do..

You're exactly right. It's best to just laugh it off and go on.

But, but, but, he patiently stalked his prey, waited for the right moment, and killed it. Therefore, in his overjoyed mind, he had won his quest. Had he taken the hole just four spots down, he might of had to, horror of horrors, endure the smirk of another over stressed hunter, ever so pleased with himself that he had bagged the better prey, and with fewer steps afterwards on is way to braggartville.

Yeah, it's silly, but whatcha gonna do..I hear ya lol :p . . . I wasn't angry at all, I was just kind of in shock. I mean 20mins!?!?!?! lol. . . I think it just became an issue of prinicple for this guy or something, maybe he thought I was just trying to piss him off (which I wasn't) and just wanted to prove a point O_o

Because in Oklahoma, people are unwilling to walk any distance at all.

I have seen people sit in their car for 5 minutes on someone to pull out of a front row parking spot, when 60 feet away (6 spots down) there were several empty spots. I see it often.

This is so true. It drives me crazy. I notice this during the holiday season, particularly at Penn Square Mall. Half the reason the parking lot is so busy is people are so unwilling to simply park in the lot by the bank/Cheesecake Factory and other areas far out, so they drive around over and over until they find that close spot (god forbid anyone actually walks a little bit).

But, but, but, he patiently stalked his prey, waited for the right moment, and killed it. Therefore, in his overjoyed mind, he had won his quest. Had he taken the hole just four spots down, he might of had to, horror of horrors, endure the smirk of another over stressed hunter, ever so pleased with himself that he had bagged the better prey, and with fewer steps afterwards on is way to braggartville.

Yeah, it's silly, but whatcha gonna do..

I agree that it's crazy and that people should walk. On the other hand, if I see someone waiting for my space, and I know I'm not going to be leaving for 15 minutes, I would politely signal to them to keep looking. And, you never know, they may have difficulty walking even if they aren't handicapped.

The apartments are now gone, down to dirt at this point. Call me naive since i've never been to the gymnastics facility except just in passing, but why build a separate lot just for that building? Why not just use the LNC parking lot and have people walk across the street? Baseball seems to have no problem doing that.

I attend most home OU baseball games… The OU baseball players, coaches, and staff have their own on-site parking.
They do not park at the LNC, but fans do.

The problem for the Gymnastics people is that when the LNC parking lot is full there isn’t enough parking for everyone who uses the gymnastic training facility.They also need a secure area for parking while they are on the road.

I agree that it's crazy and that people should walk. On the other hand, if I see someone waiting for my space, and I know I'm not going to be leaving for 15 minutes, I would politely signal to them to keep looking. And, you never know, they may have difficulty walking even if they aren't handicapped.Well, I didn't know the guy was still waiting for me until I backed out. :p

Noticed today demolition of 3 house on Jenkins and Farmer. 1 brick house left still looks occupied, but im sure its gonna go too. Also OU purchased 2 houses on Page street and Trout, nw and sw corners.

Noticed today demolition of 3 house on Jenkins and Farmer. 1 brick house left still looks occupied, but im sure its gonna go too. Also OU purchased 2 houses on Page street and Trout, nw and sw corners.

I saw that Monday.

Over the past several years it has become apparent that OU is gradually buying up as many of these old properties as they can and as they naturally become available, which is much smarter than going through the eminent domain process.

I would guess that anything west of the Railroad tracks, North of E. Constitution, West of Jenkins, and south of Boyd would be strong candidates for eventual OU purchase.

An area north of Boyd just north of the Energy Center could also be on the list? With an elevated walk way across Boyd this would be a good location for a large parking garage.

This is a very cool program that OU has (http://newsok.com/university-of-oklahomas-center-for-creation-of-economic-wealth-opens-new-research-campus-location/article/3771232) that appears to be doing well. I wouldn't mind seeing our state universities team up and open a combined office somewhere in downtown OKC. OSU has a very similar program that appears to be even more successful than OU's center, and together, they'd be an awesome resource for downtown OKC.

OU is turning the Bud Wilkinson house into the new home of the Athletic Academic servies and the old dining hall into a banquet space/study hall room

31 Bud Wilkinson House/Wagner Dining Hall Renovation: A study has been
undertaken to assess the viability of repurposing these two buildings for other
functions upon the relocation of student housing and dining to Headington Hall.
The Athletic Academic Services program is proposed to be relocated from the
second floor of the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium into Bud
Wilkinson House. The existing 29,650 square foot building would be expanded to
approximately 42,000 square feet to accommodate the program’s current and future
academic needs. The facility would also feature a central stairway and elevator,
new façade, and upgrades to restrooms and mechanical and electrical systems.
Wagner Dining Hall is proposed to be renovated into a banquet facility for use by
the University O-Club and would also serve as a central study hall for student
athletes. The remodel would include new interior finishes in the dining area, new
equipment designed for catered events in the kitchen, new restrooms, and new
mechanical and electrical systems. The estimated total project cost is $14,000,000.
Funding for preliminary planning has been identified from Athletics Department
sources.


i would guess jones will be torn down

plus agenda item 18 a new master plan for the LNC

ISSUE: LLOYD NOBLE CENTER MASTER PLAN – NC
ACTION PROPOSED:
President Boren recommends the Board of Regents:
I. Rank in the order presented below architectural firms under consideration to
provide professional services required for a master plan for the Lloyd Noble
Center and for improvements at the facility;
II. Authorize the University administration to negotiate the terms of an agreement
and a fee for these professional services, starting with the highest-ranked firm;
and
III. Authorize the President or his designee to execute the consultant contract.
BACKGROUND AND/OR RATIONALE:
The Lloyd Noble Center was constructed in 1975 with a major building addition
constructed in 2002. Current building area totals approximately 264,000 gross square feet. The
need has been identified for a comprehensive master plan for facility-wide improvements. The
master planning effort will require the services of an architectural consultant to provide
programming and to assist in the development of a comprehensive program. As funding is
available and improvements projects are approved and implemented, the selected consultant will
be requested to provide professional services for project design, construction documents and
construction administration