Why does it matter where it comes from?

hmmm.... the kfor video said that film row was OKC's fastest growing district!did not know that.

Its very rare for something to be posted on here that originates from KFOR and KOCO. Its always "The OKlahoman" on here. So, thank you.I think you'll see more of this sort of posting, as other media persist in their death spirals...

That's interesting! A bit of history being revived.

It can flourish with the city rescue mission transients hanging outside doing business..hate to rain on you alls parade, but I live and work down here. come by and let me give you the tour..

That will improve when the Greyhound bus station moves and some of the social services move further west. I remember when Larimer Square in Denver was Skid Row. They started fixing it up and the transients moved elsewhere over time. But, anyone who thinks transients aren't at least somewhat a part of urban living hasn't spent much time in urban areas.

There are some great buildings there and I'm excited to see work being done there.

But, anyone who thinks transients aren't at least somewhat a part of urban living hasn't spent much time in urban areas.

You're absolutely right Betts. Take it from someone who has had to walk around transients sleeping on the street in New York while walking to the theater.

The issue here or in other urban areas is not that there are transients/homeless, but whether they interfere with the normal other activity. Though there are transients in NYC, I rarely get confronted by them. When I give them money, I don't usually get confronted by multiple others. If everyone in the area, transients and non-transients treat everyone else with respect, there is rarely a problem. And when they don't, then enforcement is required. Transients certainly won't be the reason this area fails or succeeds.

The same concern existed for the Automobile Alley district 10 years ago. More development in Film Row will displace the transients currently in the area and send them somewhere else.

Building permit issued today to remodel the building on the NE corner of Sheridan & Shartel into office space:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2731/R013685895001vA.jpg

I thought it was already home to an architect's office. Perhaps it's for another part of the building and I incorrectly assumed that the architect's office took up the whole building, or they have moved out.

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/223143_10150175790443211_184232698210_6666198_4074 368_n.jpg

Didn't realize the outside had already been renovated. Looks very sharp!

I guess the permit today is just for tenant build-out. Not sure who is going in but they may just be taking part of the space.

[QUOTE=Rover;468212]The issue here or in other urban areas is not that there are transients/homeless, but whether they interfere with the normal other activity. Though there are transients in NYC, I rarely get confronted by them. When I give them money, I don't usually get confronted by multiple others. If everyone in the area, transients and non-transients treat everyone else with respect, there is rarely a problem. And when they don't, then enforcement is required. Transients certainly won't be the reason this area fails or succeeds.[/

What?? What Jungle Juice have you been drinking..

[QUOTE=Rover;468212]The issue here or in other urban areas is not that there are transients/homeless, but whether they interfere with the normal other activity. Though there are transients in NYC, I rarely get confronted by them. When I give them money, I don't usually get confronted by multiple others. If everyone in the area, transients and non-transients treat everyone else with respect, there is rarely a problem. And when they don't, then enforcement is required. Transients certainly won't be the reason this area fails or succeeds.[/

What?? What Jungle Juice have you been drinking..

It sounds like Rover had a very reasonable post to me.

What?? What Jungle Juice have you been drinking..

What kind of racist remark is that? That is disgusting.

Not a racist remark there is people of all races and creeds that live in Jungles lol, Anyway as a merchant for over 30 years in Film Row district the transients are the top problem in the area.. It has gotten a little better, but after getting broken into at least 6 times by the missionites I had to bar all of our windows.. They went for the cigarettes and Gum lol.. I am very sensitive to this since I have to encounter it everyday of the week. In my Opinion the Rescue Mission has to be moved in order for this area to flourish, but its a million dollar operation for alot of influencial and wealthy people i will not name here..

Heck,,move it to Linwood or Virginia where it is becoming missionville..

In my Opinion the Rescue Mission has to be moved in order for this area to flourish, but its a million dollar operation for alot of influencial and wealthy people i will not name here.

What is the point about being a million dollar operation? I know who some of the wealthy people are who are involved but what difference does that make?

Not a racist remark there is people of all races and creeds that live in Jungles lol, Anyway as a merchant for over 30 years in Film Row district the transients are the top problem in the area.. It has gotten a little better, but after getting broken into at least 6 times by the missionites I had to bar all of our windows.. They went for the cigarettes and Gum lol.. I am very sensitive to this since I have to encounter it everyday of the week. In my Opinion the Rescue Mission has to be moved in order for this area to flourish, but its a million dollar operation for alot of influencial and wealthy people i will not name here..

Heck,,move it to Linwood or Virginia where it is becoming missionville..

Yes, it is a racist remark even if you didn't realize it. Historically it has connotations.

Second, by all means, please name the people. I happen to know some of them and if you have evidence they are making money off the "operation" then expose them. If you don't, then it is an irresponsible post. I know lots of people with lots of money who are involved in all sorts of charitable "operations" for all the RIGHT reasons and at their own expense. I know others who love to snipe at them without knowing anything about them. But, if you know some things for a fact then have the courage to say so and not hide behind innuendos. To abuse a charity is flat wrong and they need to be exposed if you indeed have information other than merely the names of people involved whom you apparently don't care for.

Yes, it is a racist remark even if you didn't realize it. Historically it has connotations.


Race, is by all means, scientifically IRRELEVANT. There is no evidence of racial separation/differences in the human species on a biological level. It is merely a hate-coined term that holds no true meaning other than to discriminate and divide. By bringing up the term, you are in fact, the one that permeates its existence and said historical connotations.

Amen to that.. iTS SO FUN TO GET YOU GOING ROVER AND JBAB? WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS.. later

Race, is by all means, scientifically IRRELEVANT. There is no evidence of racial separation/differences in the human species on a biological level. It is merely a hate-coined term that holds no true meaning other than to discriminate and divide. By bringing up the term, you are in fact, the one that permeates its existence and said historical connotations.

Racism is a human contruct that has meaning because people use racial differences to stereotype and discriminate. Racism is biologically irrelevant and socially RELEVANT. Your point is pretty ignorant. Blaming Rover is even more ridiculous. It's like saying that he is proliferating the use of language by listening to you. In fact, you said something that has historical and contemporary racist connotations and you've somehow convinced yourself that it's other peoples fault for recognizing it. Wake up.

Amen to that.. iTS SO FUN TO GET YOU GOING ROVER AND JBAB? WHATEVER YOUR NAME IS.. later

So you make irrelevant posts just to get someone going? I'll certainly keep that in mind in the future for posts by whatever your name is. LOL

Racism is a human contruct that has meaning because people use racial differences to stereotype and discriminate. Racism is biologically irrelevant and socially RELEVANT. Your point is pretty ignorant. Blaming Rover is even more ridiculous. It's like saying that he is proliferating the use of language by listening to you. In fact, you said something that has historical and contemporary racist connotations and you've somehow convinced yourself that it's other peoples fault for recognizing it. Wake up.

Permeating... Lol.

So you make irrelevant posts just to get someone going? I'll certainly keep that in mind in the future for posts by whatever your name is. LOL

Great!!!! Thank You..

I actually live behind film row at a place called the Refuge(across the street from the Rescue), so daily we interact with the "transients/homeless" or who we call our neighbors. over the years we have seen film row turn around and the streets calm down ALOT, unfortunately, we do continue to have issues with a select FEW individuals. We have quite a few people @ the refuge who work and volunteer @ the Rescue (including myself) for years, And I can say though many wealthy individuals are involved in the operations, I can recommend many more lucrative and fruitful ways to invest ones life.

The irony in all this is I used to own the refuge....I sold it to a California investor about 8 years ago. lol.. Saw a couple new mercedes getting free food in the car pool line today..lol.. it has gotten a bit better, but has a long way to go..

I actually live behind film row at a place called the Refuge(across the street from the Rescue), so daily we interact with the "transients/homeless" or who we call our neighbors. over the years we have seen film row turn around and the streets calm down ALOT, unfortunately, we do continue to have issues with a select FEW individuals. We have quite a few people @ the refuge who work and volunteer @ the Rescue (including myself) for years, And I can say though many wealthy individuals are involved in the operations, I can recommend many more lucrative and fruitful ways to invest ones life.

I used to carry 15 cases of soda up those steep stairs about 3 times a week.. Does it still have 24 rooms... There is also a hidden underground room in the west side underneath garage.. I held a kick-butt rave there in 1992.. let me know if you have any questions about that building i know every inch of it.

I would love to incorporate my property when-ever Film Row has an event... Maybe i can be a bridge between Film Row and the Art district... Chip Fudge please call me..

Thats amazing. Lol, now there are 23.5 rooms (2 rooms got combined and a closet got converted) and about 52 residence including kids ( lots of kids!). That same investor still lives here. The warehouse is being used as storage/meetings/a killer aquaponics system. Living here is awesome, but it will be interesting seeing what happens in the next few years as development pushes west.

Thats amazing. Lol, now there are 23.5 rooms (2 rooms got combined and a closet got converted) and about 52 residence including kids ( lots of kids!). That same investor still lives here. The warehouse is being used as storage/meetings/a killer aquaponics system. Living here is awesome, but it will be interesting seeing what happens in the next few years as development pushes west.

Gals name is Shannon.. I doubt she lives there.. lol

Gals name is Shannon.. I doubt she lives there.. lol

Cool deal. That's my oldest sisters name. LOL

Gals name is Shannon.. I doubt she lives there.. lol
Well, who I was talking about may have bought it from her. The current owner has been there for 5 years.

$2.8 million (!!) building permit to renovate this 39,719 square foot building (720-726 W. Sheridan), formerly known as Hart Industrial Supply on the SE corner of Sheridan & Shartel:

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2731/R013685280001tA.jpg

That's astounding. I wonder if they plan an addition. THe building was already gutted and remodeled to my knowledge. This must be one heck of a makeover for $2.8MM.

I believe they have only done the outside and this permit is for the interior. It's a big space.

Hope they have some tenants lined up.

I believe they have only done the outside and this permit is for the interior. It's a big space.

Hope they have some tenants lined up.

That's an insane amount for an interior renovation on that building. Could they be planning to add on top of it?

The next Retro Metro OKC meeting is set for this Monday, January 9, 6:30 p.m. at the IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan Avenue, along Film Row. Our speakers will be Bradley Wynn, author of the recently released “Film Row” book printed by Arcadia Publishing, and Chip Fudge, who has led in the area’s restoration and redevelopment.
Film Row has a great history – it’s our own slice of Hollywood that somehow was forgotten for decades but is now being brought back to life. Bradley will have books available for sale and signing after the presentation. Retro Metro OKC hosts these presentations monthly and they are free and open to the public.

Film Row needs an old-timey theater, with an old neon sign.
Too bad this isn't around...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Warner%20Theater/WarnerTheater215WGrandcearly1930s.jpg

Film Row needs an old-timey theater, with an old neon sign.
Too bad this isn't around...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Warner%20Theater/WarnerTheater215WGrandcearly1930s.jpg

I was in that theater quite a few times but it was a few years after that picture was taken. LOL

I was in that theater quite a few times but it was a few years after that picture was taken. LOL

Yes, I did too. I saw 'Seven Days in May' there. I remember not understanding it and having a hard time following it at the time. Now, it's one of my favorite movies.

I think an old movie palace look would make a neat Film History museum on Film Row. It could also be a place to show old classic films. But the museum would be the focus. Acquiring and curating movie items is not all that difficult - there's been so many. Plus, many of the largest private collectors of film memorabilia are getting way up in years and will be dumping tons of items on the market. Much of it belongs in a public museum. Film Row is a natural. It was a central hub of canister delivery.

Yes, I did too. I saw 'Seven Days in May' there. I remember not understanding it and having a hard time following it at the time. Now, it's one of my favorite movies.

I think an old movie palace look would make a neat Film History museum on Film Row. It could also be a place to show old classic films. But the museum would be the focus. Acquiring and curating movie items is not all that difficult - there's been so many. Plus, many of the largest private collectors of film memorabilia are getting way up in years and will be dumping tons of items on the market. Much of it belongs in a public museum. Film Row is a natural. It was a central hub of canister delivery.

I don't want to change the direction of this thread but I went there mainly for some of the great 50's science fiction classics. I remember seeing "It Came From Beneath the Sea" and "Tarantula" there. I also saw "Cleopatra" there.

I agree that some kind of small museum would be a natural. I don't think they'll ever build or move an old movie palace there though. LOL

Last night's Retro Metro Okc's meeting at the IAO Gallery was great (with pizza supplied by Joey's Pizza, basically next door). Bradley Winn presented a excellent and intriguing graphics and verbal presentation at the well attended meeting. Joey's pizza provided pizza for eats. After the meeting, about a dozen of us went to Joey's and chowed down on some more good pizza and more conversation.

We'll be meeting there for our next meeting, too ... February 13 at 6:30 to hear Chip Fudge, who has led in the area’s restoration and redevelopment and I'd suppose some more Pizza from Joeys. These meetings are open to anyone who wants to attend and are always choc full of Oklahoma City history. History lovers should really not miss these meetings.

On Edit: See Steve's comment, following ... the date of the next Retro Metro meeting is February 20 at 6:00 pm, not February 13, as stated above.

Doug, right after you left outside the meeting date had to be tweaked - it's now set for Feb. 20 at 6 p.m. instead of our usual time of 6:30 so that we can do some building exploring!

Photos...
http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3331.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3311.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3320.jpg

Panoramas...
http://www.dermandar.com/p/abeXRO/film-row

Video...... some day.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3248.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3275.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3338.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3337.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3335.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3299.jpg

This one has nothing to do with Film Row...but has Doug in it.
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3341.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3288.jpg

Great photos Will! The new street signs really cap off the great streetscape on Film Row, surely the streetlights aren't far behind.

Not widely known historic fact about Film Row: Richard P. May, who as VP of Turner's Movie operation was responsible for saving many of the classic films, got his start right here in this area. A 1950 graduate of Classen High School, Dick started at the bottom with one of the distributors, and worked his way up to being in charge of the Turner Film Library before his semi-retirement. I did an article on him a few years ago for the Classen alumni association's magazine; he started at Classen the year I graduated and we became friends at that time but lost contact for many years after I went on to OU. If I can make it to the next Retro Metro meeting, I'll bring along a copy of the article...

Please join us Jim! I'd love to get the chance to meet you.

I've been planning to, but my aging eyes don't take well to driving after dark any more. That, and the weather outlook, are the reasons for my "if" in my previous message. Looking forward to meeting you, also! Incidentally, you can look Dick May up in the Opubco library; he came home for a visit back in 1989 or thereabouts and there was a half-page feature about his work...

Great photos Will! The new street signs really cap off the great streetscape on Film Row, surely the streetlights aren't far behind.
Does anyone know when the street lights are planned to be installed?

The application for the Hart building is on the upcoming DDRC agenda. It is for office space, but if you read deeply it mentions retail on the first floor. The major points are that there will be an atrium space, the south facade will be totally redone, and the architect is AHMM (LEVEL).

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7173/6691458343_5184b6a873_b.jpg

Also, the Ice House building across the street already has been redone as the offices of JHBR Architects, as we know, but there is another application on the DDRC agenda to finish out additional space in the building for Slice Magazine, the new conglomeration of 9 metro area magazines including Nichols Hills News, Edmond Monthly, Norman Living, Downtown Monthly, etc...

Aerial cutaway:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7018/6691519095_007c5fb101_b.jpg

Still waiting on a definite answer to this.

Steve's update on happenings here.

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-film-row-will-get-influx-of-175-employees-with-renovation-of-hart-building/article/3645682

I really hope they can land the International Photography Hall of Fame:

http://www.iphf.org/

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/5/57/Omniplex_Science_Museum_-_International_Photography_Hall_of_Fame_and_Museum .jpg/800px-Omniplex_Science_Museum_-_International_Photography_Hall_of_Fame_and_Museum .jpg

This is awesome news for Dilm Row and may just be the catalyst it needs.

Love this photo:
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/RetroMetroOKC/January%202012/IMG_3275.jpg

Steve's update on happenings here.

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-film-row-will-get-influx-of-175-employees-with-renovation-of-hart-building/article/3645682

It sounds like "Collection Agency Row" might be a more appropriate moniker.

It sounds like "Collection Agency Row" might be a more appropriate moniker.

Maybe a sarcastic comment? But whatever you think I guess.

It sounds like "Collection Agency Row" might be a more appropriate moniker.

To you maybe. But the dozen design firms, the art gallery, pizza restaurant, crystal manufacturing company and energy company might take issue with that.

Perhaps I should have included a smiley. No need to be so uptight, y'all.