Is Sandridge selling Christmas trees to supplement their income?

Landscaping is almost completely done. See some of Will and I's pics a few pages back from inside the compound.it is very weird, like an urban forest, and with the wrong type of trees. Wayyyyyyy too many evergreens.

Wrong, as in they won't grow right in this part of the country, or wrong, as in you just don't like this kind of tree? Are their landscape architects stupid and planted incompatible trees for the soil/climate?

If a person would read the architects notes on the project you would see that he felt the wind in downtown OKC was a challenge for the small plaza they are creating. The trees planted were his attempt to block some of the wind. Evergreens were what he felt would do the best job and I can't disagree with his thinking.

Who says we didn't read it? Just because fancy boy from NYC says it, doesn't mean it's the best use of space.

fwiw, pear trees and oaks and such are lousy for organic wind breaks. If that's their intent, evergreens make a lot of sense.

It should be noted the whole reason they are trying to create windbreaks in the first place is they pulled down a bunch of buildings specifically to create a large open plaza.

I'm over the building fight, it's just ironic.

I don't disagree Pete, and I'm not a plaza junkie in any form. Yet once a decision was made by the property owner to slap a plaza there, decent windbreaks are about the only way to make it useable instead of being an even greater waste of space.

It should be noted the whole reason they are trying to create windbreaks in the first place is they pulled down a bunch of buildings specifically to create a large open plaza.

I'm over the building fight, it's just ironic.
Great point. Also, as excited as I am to see the Braniff come together - along with the inevitable comments from people who "had no idea" it had that much potential under the painted brick and bad windows - I also feel a twinge of pain as I try to imagine its now-departed next door neighbor getting the same treatment, and how great Robinson COULD have been.

So is that contraption on the back of the Braniff building some sort of elevator to get supplies to the upper floors durning construction, or is it going to become something more permanate?

Great point. Also, as excited as I am to see the Braniff come together - along with the inevitable comments from people who "had no idea" it had that much potential under the painted brick and bad windows - I also feel a twinge of pain as I try to imagine its now-departed next door neighbor getting the same treatment, and how great Robinson COULD have been.

It's best if you try not to think about it.

Citywide amnesia regarding the blunders of Urban Renewal is one of the reasons that removal happened so easily. Better to keep it top-of-mind, I think.

Good point Urbanized.

So is that contraption on the back of the Braniff building some sort of elevator to get supplies to the upper floors durning construction, or is it going to become something more permanate?

Pretty sure it's just to get materials up to the various floors.

Great point. Also, as excited as I am to see the Braniff come together - along with the inevitable comments from people who "had no idea" it had that much potential under the painted brick and bad windows - I also feel a twinge of pain as I try to imagine its now-departed next door neighbor getting the same treatment, and how great Robinson COULD have been.

But I think it is fair to consider how much money and effort Sandridge is putting into the restoration of the Braniff building. It seems to me they have proven they are willing to go the extra mile for a building that is salvageable. Perhaps a little benefit of the doubt is in order regarding the buildings they say were not salvageable.

Citywide amnesia regarding the blunders of Urban Renewal is one of the reasons that removal happened so easily. Better to keep it top-of-mind, I think.

No! You are completely wrong! Its because MONEY TALKS! and the Design Board was paid off! We all know it! The one person that voted against it got the boot!

And it looks horrendous!

Personally I am liking the progress. Off course a bunch of young trees and dirt is going to look bad. Still a ton of landscaping work to go and imagine everything will fill in nicely.

I'm really excited to see that ugly building coming down in Kerr Park. The east end was a major eyesore looking west from Deep Duece and the new SandRidge amenities building is going to be a huge improvement. Being younger, I know that it is not as difficult for me to watch some of the old buildings come down in the SandRidge commons...but I feel like any growth or development is a good thing. Sure beats a bunch of empty buildings in my opinion.

But I think it is fair to consider how much money and effort Sandridge is putting into the restoration of the Braniff building. It seems to me they have proven they are willing to go the extra mile for a building that is salvageable. Perhaps a little benefit of the doubt is in order regarding the buildings they say were not salvageable.
It was pretty well established that the building on Robinson was equally as salvageable as the Braniff. It just took less fight to tear it down.

A group of partners including a respected architect had plans to convert it to housing until the K-M/Anadarko deal killed it. The main distinction between the two buildings was that one had slipped onto the National Register of Historic Places and the other had not. National Register status doesn't provide legal protection (unless a demo is federally funded), but it would have made for a major preservationist skirmish rather than the minor one we saw. SR chose their battle wisely on that one, sucked up the preservation of the Braniff, and is now doing an admirable job with it, by all indications.

The jury is out on whether the India Shrine (Broadway) was salvageable, and I will give you that the connecting buildings on Kerr were basically trash. Again, that was mostly agreed to by everyone.

But allowing the Braniff to survive while demolishing its next door neighbor was not based on "salvageability" or adaptability. Make no mistake; if the Braniff had no register status, it would be rubble today.

The mistake on the Kerr McGee block was made 40 years ago when the tower was built right in the middle of the block instead of at the sidewalk. Everything done since then was to 'correct' that mistake.

Will finds a new perspective to show the emerging SandRidge Forrest:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6947946317_09796438d3_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/6801827884_37801beabf_b.jpg

Look at the huge pile of debris piling up in Kerr Park... Also looks like Dowell is going to put a large sign on the east side of his building:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7042/6947938291_611f9deed4_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7064/6801822804_a7c345a5ce_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6801829332_19e0e26088_b.jpg

The trees are kind of nice. That's one thing we definitely don't have too much of in Oklahoma City.

Everything looks great !!

Really? Are we looking at the same thing? The planted three rows of trees that look like a wind barrier. It does not have a good relationship to the street and blocks views from the street.

It is poor landscape architecture and horrible urban design!

What a waste of a few million dollars!

Really? Are we looking at the same thing? The planted three rows of trees that look like a wind barrier. It does not have a good relationship to the street and blocks views from the street.

It is poor landscape architecture and horrible urban design!

What a waste of a few million dollars!

This.

You would think they could walk a few blocks over to the Myriad Gardens to find out what good landscape design looks like.

Yep. It's pretty turrribblle.

I would agree this does look pretty but I'll wait until its completely finished to pass full judgement.

Wanted to post this a long time ago but...

March 3 2012

http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157629139899882/

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6803821752_92d057e946_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6803824924_8fe319246b_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7193/6949934999_8aedac8ecd_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6803825374_98473e9981_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6949937215_74e5c0a56f_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7206/6949937493_85e561b3d0_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6803827734_0c00286338_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6949938097_d75a8e0814_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7053/6803828422_4f7444998a_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6949939297_82ac50a66e_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6803835826_a545cbac25_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6949953145_80b1e3e26b_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7192/6949937215_74e5c0a56f_b.jpg


I'm sorry but that is just AWFUL. I hate the diagonal sidewalk and their attempt to move the "front" of the tower to the east side instead of the south side. It's just terrible, terrible work by this architect.

BUT, major kudos on the Braniff. It's looking fabulous and I'll echo others on my supreme disappointment that they couldn't do the same for the building on the SW corner.

I'm sorry but that is just AWFUL. I hate the diagonal sidewalk and their attempt to move the "front" of the tower to the east side instead of the south side. It's just terrible, terrible work by this architect.

BUT, major kudos on the Braniff. It's looking fabulous and I'll echo others on my supreme disappointment that they couldn't do the same for the building on the SW corner.

I don't mind the sidewalk so much but those rows of trees look like something you would find as a buffer along a freeway instead of an urban landscape design.

Yeah. That too.

The trees are laid out exactly like the renderings.
Not sure why there are so many negative comments about this now

The trees are laid out exactly like the renderings.
Not sure why there are so many negative comments about this now

Just because they were rendered that way has nothing to do with whether they are good urban landscape design. I didn't study their landscape designs before it was built but that doesn't mean I can't criticize them later. They didn't ask my opinion and wouldn't have changed their plans anyway.

The trees are laid out exactly like the renderings.
Not sure why there are so many negative comments about this now

Welcome to the board. These comments are nothing new.

The trees are laid out exactly like the renderings.
Not sure why there are so many negative comments about this now

I know your new, but there were concerned comments when the renderings came out too. I imagine visualizing the actual build out of this is now making it stand out even more. It's not like public opinion sways a company who doesn't get what urban means.

It's not like public opinion sways a company who doesn't get what urban means.

Seriously? I must assume you are unaware of the numerous awards the architect Rogers Marvel have received for their urban designs, particularly in NYC and Boston, and for urban streetscapes. Including the AIA urban design award. You can have a different opinion as to this project, but to try to discredit their expertise is just a denial trying to justify an opinion.

There is still a lot of work to be done in that area, including a huge metal canopy between the tower and Braniff.

And everything is designed to tie into the amenities building and a renovated Kerr Park; and ultimately a new tower to the east

Far too early to judge in my opinion.

Get ready for lots of trees planted in rows with diagonal sidewalks. And we might just like it when it's all said and done.

http://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/files/2012/01/883-03_141_sc_v2com.jpg

^

That's a new rendering because it shows the proposed new tower (looks like 15 floors here).

Although it can't be too recent because the canopy design between the tower and Braniff is completely different now and that was changed over a year ago.

Is Couch drive being closed?

Welcome to the board. These comments are nothing new.

Thanks for that. Didn't realize

Is Couch drive being closed?

I don't think so... I think it will stay as it is now, with one narrow lane of traffic and the remainder plaza/park:

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

Get ready for lots of trees planted in rows with diagonal sidewalks. And we might just like it when it's all said and done.

http://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/files/2012/01/883-03_141_sc_v2com.jpg

Still looks horrible as far as the landscape goes. They tore down historic buildings that could have been reused to plant rows of trees that you can't walk under.

Looks like they are trying to create hide instead of being a welcoming environment.

WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY!

Seriously? I must assume you are unaware of the numerous awards the architect Rogers Marvel have received for their urban designs, particularly in NYC and Boston, and for urban streetscapes. Including the AIA urban design award. You can have a different opinion as to this project, but to try to discredit their expertise is just a denial trying to justify an opinion.

AIA awards for buildings not landscape architecture. They have neve won an ASLA award and definitely won't for this. It is ugly and I hate looking out my window at it!

The trees are laid out exactly like the renderings.
Not sure why there are so many negative comments about this now

So, you like the horrible design? Do the cedar trees make you want to go sit under them?

AIA awards for buildings not landscape architecture. They have neve won an ASLA award and definitely won't for this. It is ugly and I hate looking out my window at it!

Awards for streetscaping. This is a prestigious firm and not stupid. You may not like this project, but their peers recognize their expertise. People need to wait to condemn.

Awards for streetscaping. This is a prestigious firm and not stupid. You may not like this project, but their peers recognize their expertise. People need to wait to condemn.

I doubt any of their peers will give them any kudos for tearing down historic buildings to plant rows of threes that obstruct views to the street.

WASTE OF MONEY!

Get ready for lots of trees planted in rows with diagonal sidewalks. And we might just like it when it's all said and done.

http://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-showcase/files/2012/01/883-03_141_sc_v2com.jpg

Perfectly strait lines of equally spaced trees, guess they were not going for a natural look for the park.

The trees are laid out exactly like the renderings.
Not sure why there are so many negative comments about this now

You can say a lot of things, but you can't really say people have just now started complaining. The complaint has always been that Sand Ridge was demolishing a bunch of historic buildings and replacing them with an artificial looking corporate plaza. This thread started in July of 2008 and went silent for over a year until the official plans were announced. It pretty much remained active with complaints and the occasional update ever since.

^

That's a new rendering because it shows the proposed new tower (looks like 15 floors here).

Although it can't be too recent because the canopy design between the tower and Braniff is completely different now and that was changed over a year ago.

Pete can you point out the new 15 story tower? I'm not seeing it in the rendering.

It's immediately to the right of SandRidge Tower.

Presently, that site is occupied by a 3-story parking garage / multi-purpose building.

Not too crazy about the look of the new buildings in the rendering. See-through looking glass with a mini golf course thing on the new "tower"? Will just have to wait until a final design is presented of course.

Not too crazy about the look of the new buildings in the rendering. See-through looking glass with a mini golf course thing on the new "tower"? Will just have to wait until a final design is presented of course.

I'm sure their just placeholders. Not really the final design or anything.

You can say a lot of things, but you can't really say people have just now started complaining. The complaint has always been that Sand Ridge was demolishing a bunch of historic buildings and replacing them with an artificial looking corporate plaza. This thread started in July of 2008 and went silent for over a year until the official plans were announced. It pretty much remained active with complaints and the occasional update ever since.

I already stood corrected earlier.

I have only skimmed though this thread and didn't notice many complaints specific to the layout of the trees. I just thought it was a new concern and was questioning why it's just coming up now. Regardless if I think it is good or bad, it is just not a surprise to me and remains accurate to the renderings. Since this has been discussed already in this thread, my point is mute.

Seriously? I must assume you are unaware of the numerous awards the architect Rogers Marvel have received for their urban designs, particularly in NYC and Boston, and for urban streetscapes. Including the AIA urban design award. You can have a different opinion as to this project, but to try to discredit their expertise is just a denial trying to justify an opinion.

Sandridge NOT Rogers Marvel, and OKC is no NYC or Boston.

It's immediately to the right of SandRidge Tower.

Presently, that site is occupied by a 3-story parking garage / multi-purpose building.

If I counted correctly, it appears 11-12 stories, and would go to the 8th or 9th floor of the current tower. Surely, they would build something bigger than this.

I like the renderings, I worked down there for years and this looks like a nice upgrade from the way it was.

I don't like the look of the current landscaping. I guess I'll reserve judgement for the final product. I may be no landscape architect, but the current landscaping and drawings remind me of a tree farm.

Sandridge NOT Rogers Marvel, and OKC is no NYC or Boston.

Wow. Sorry they don't meet your high standards as an expert. Lol. I am sure their work in Boston and NYC proves they don't know as much about urban issues.

Wow. Sorry they don't meet your high standards as an expert. Lol. I am sure their work in Boston and NYC proves they don't know as much about urban issues.

All the stuff I looked at on their web site indicates they create open space in high density urban areas. In downtown OKC we need LESS open space. Sandridge and Rogers Marvel solved a problem that didn't exist in OKC.