While this is great news "on the surface" for OKC, especially if you are in the Energy Business, I wonder if they took into other accounts such as long term diversification? I have always stressed that OKC is "highly" dependent on the Oil and Gas business, which as we know, had dire consequences in the 80"s. If CHK ends up on the chopping block or all their assets are acquired, then it will be hard, tough times for OKC. I really think OKC "truly did not learn" their lessons from the 80"s. OKC needs more diversification to soften the blow if or when this current oil boom goes bust.

It's great news under the surface as well...........lots of cities, Dallas included, that wish they had our current unemployment rate, and for the last few years. I know that Chesapeake is pulling back, but it's the field offices that are being cut first, just ask Ft. Worth....their ivory tower in Ft Worth is now for sale as well ... I know of several who have left CHK in the last few months and have had no trouble finding jobs at local companies.
There is a lot more diversity here than you give credit for.....don't you know we have been ranked at or near the top for small business start ups ?

Any coincidence that it could be that we went over 5-6 years of minimum wage increases from 5.15/hour to 7.25/hour and that the cost of living followed and now it seems like we're just bursting with earnings.... no we just raised our minimum wage. I'm not biting on this one.

Any coincidence that it could be that we went over 5-6 years of minimum wage increases from 5.15/hour to 7.25/hour and that the cost of living followed and now it seems like we're just bursting with earnings.... no we just raised our minimum wage. I'm not biting on this one.

But wouldn't that be true everywhere?

This is just confirmation of other studies that shows this areas wages are climbing. What's so suspicious about this?

Any coincidence that it could be that we went over 5-6 years of minimum wage increases from 5.15/hour to 7.25/hour and that the cost of living followed and now it seems like we're just bursting with earnings.... no we just raised our minimum wage. I'm not biting on this one.

It would only be a coincidence not a cause, the number of people making minimum wage is fairly low something under 10% of the workforce. Plus at 7.25/hour unless you are a kid in high school or college student using it for spending money, you realistically are are going to be struggling to cover basic essentials.

Here's the same article from the perspective of the Austin Business Journal.

Austin Business Journal - Austin No. 2 in Economic Index report (http://www.bizjournals.com/austin/news/2012/09/10/austin-no-2-in-economic-index-report.html)

It's interesting to me that the top two cities (OKC and Austin) are both capital cities, and therefore rife with government jobs. A few posts I have read (on the politics forum? can't remember) deride how Oklahomans get more from the federal gov't than they give ($1.35 in and $1.00 out? can't remember) but want smaller gov't. While I know I'm not quoting anybody accurately, the gist I took away from those posts is that OK economy would suck if not for the federal gov't installations, so shut up and get back to sucking on the gov't teat. Sure, my takeaway is slightly incendiary, but that's how I read some of those posts. This list rating the largest 102 metros in the U.S. doesn't seem to care about anything but private sector jobs and other private sector stastics in ranking OK number 1 two months in a row. How can that info be reconciled? Is it the cushion of gov't jobs that makes it possible for the top two cities to thrive so? or have we really solved the puzzle that others haven't?

It's interesting to me that the top two cities (OKC and Austin) are both capital cities, and therefore rife with government jobs. A few posts I have read (on the politics forum? can't remember) deride how Oklahomans get more from the federal gov't than they give ($1.35 in and $1.00 out? can't remember) but want smaller gov't. While I know I'm not quoting anybody accurately, the gist I took away from those posts is that OK economy would suck if not for the federal gov't installations, so shut up and get back to sucking on the gov't teat. Sure, my takeaway is slightly incendiary, but that's how I read some of those posts. This list rating the largest 102 metros in the U.S. doesn't seem to care about anything but private sector jobs and other private sector stastics in ranking OK number 1 two months in a row. How can that info be reconciled? Is it the cushion of gov't jobs that makes it possible for the top two cities to thrive so? or have we really solved the puzzle that others haven't?

We've actually probably lost public sector jobs, but they do provide a baseline cushion for our economy. And a lot of the "private sector" jobs, such as those at Tinker, come from government contracts to private employers. Think about FAA, Tinker, OUHSC, State Government jobs, Federal Government jobs, universities, City employees, etc. and you have a huge base of government employment.

We have also seen big gains in jobs from companies like Devon, Chesapeake, Sandridge, and Continental. These are definitely not government jobs. But one wonders if this sector will continue to grow -- or even hold its current position -- with the situation brewing at Chesapeake.

another OKC in the press item:
El Paso officials visit Oklahoma City: Unity is key to success, Oklahoma leaders stress - El Paso Times (http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_21609854/el-paso-officials-visit-oklahoma-city-unity-is)

From the recent visit of El Paso folks to our fine city.

Cindy Ramirez posted a number of nice photos of the visit to her twitter page:
Cindy Ramirez twitter pics (http://twitter.com/EPTCINDYRAMIREZ/media/grid)

That's an interesting article but it's not surprising there were a few inaccuracies.
I hope they enjoyed visiting our "hospital" district. LOL
OKC has had periods of population stagnation but never "decades of population decline". Also the renovations to the "Ford Center" were not part of the MAPS 3 projects.

I also think they should have considered the entire Metropolitan OKC 1.3M population and not just the 600K central city. That extra 700K+ helps add to OKC's coffers (whether they like it or not, or even realize it) and that is why OKC can build cash so relatively quickly.

I'm also surprised the city didn't comment about the downtown Trolley (most popular of the MAPS 3 projects) and the new Convention Center (least popular and most expensive of the MAPS 3 projects; but also most politically 'supported' and controversial) since they laid out all of the original maps projects.

One other point of inaccuracy in the report, OKC had AAA-baseball way before Bricktown Ballpark was built in the OKC 89ers who played at AllSports Stadium. AAA baseball didn't start OKC's renaissance. If anything AAA baseball benefitted the most BECAUSE of MAPS, not the other way around. ....

But nice article from ELP nonetheless and I wish them the best - maybe soon ELP and OKC can play each other in AAA. .

I also think they should have considered the entire Metropolitan OKC 1.3M population and not just the 600K central city. That extra 700K+ helps add to OKC's coffers (whether they like it or not, or even realize it) and that is why OKC can build cash so relatively quickly.

I'm also surprised the city didn't comment about the downtown Trolley (most popular of the MAPS 3 projects) and the new Convention Center (least popular and most expensive of the MAPS 3 projects; but also most politically 'supported' and controversial) since they laid out all of the original maps projects.

One other point of inaccuracy in the report, OKC had AAA-baseball way before Bricktown Ballpark was built in the OKC 89ers who played at AllSports Stadium. AAA baseball didn't start OKC's renaissance. If anything AAA baseball benefitted the most BECAUSE of MAPS, not the other way around. ....

But nice article from ELP nonetheless and I wish them the best - maybe soon ELP and OKC can play each other in AAA. .

Without rereading it, are you sure they didn't comment on the streetcar (definitely not a "trolley")? Oh well, the insiders seem only interested in the convention center, because they think that'll make us "big league."

Found this blog entry for the ACCE (American Chamber of Commerce Executives) from a guy scouting out their convention next year.

Wait till you see OKC (http://www.acce.org/index.php?src=permalinks/Wait_till_you_see_OKC)

Nothing new here, but it's just fun to read an outsider gushing enthusiastically over our city. I know, I know... he's not likely to say bad things since he's plugging for their upcoming convention. Still.

sorry, we say Trolley/Streetcar equally out here

It's interesting that one of the things that article praises OKC for is it's "active lifestyle". I know we have made great strides in that area and maybe it's starting to pay off imagewise.

I know every time I am at Lake Hefner its always very crowded with cyclists, joggers, walkers, etc. I rollerblade and have actually found another place because the Hefner trail is usually so crowded its less enjoyable.

Metro Jacksonville has just posted a great article:

Downtown Revitalization: Oklahoma City | Metro Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-downtown-revitalization-oklahoma-city)

Some reporters from Jacksonville, Florida have come to our fair city to have a look. And boy, did they take a nice long look! This is a suprisingly lengthy and comprehensive article. There are a few interesting comparisons made of the two cities at the beginning, but it's mostly an examination of what OKC has done and is still doing.

This thing is absolutely jam-packed with great photos. They really did the tour. And quite complimentary of OKC as well (e.g. arguing that downtown OKC is actually more walkable despite Jacksonville having a higher walk score). Reading through this thing, I get the feeling that the reporters (Ennis Davis and Robert Mann) have become outright OKC fans.

I did notice a few minor errors -- right off the bat, Devon Tower is listed as 900 feet (I wish!). But later on in the article, it's correctly documented as 844 feet. But on the whole, it's clear that they really studied up on OKC and have scrutinized the city very thoroughly.

Really good article. Great photos.

Metro Jacksonville has just posted a great article:

Downtown Revitalization: Oklahoma City | Metro Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-downtown-revitalization-oklahoma-city)

Some reporters from Jacksonville, Florida have come to our fair city to have a look. And boy, did they take a nice long look! This is a suprisingly lengthy and comprehensive article. There are a few interesting comparisons made of the two cities at the beginning, but it's mostly an examination of what OKC has done and is still doing.

This thing is absolutely jam-packed with great photos. They really did the tour. And quite complimentary of OKC as well (e.g. arguing that downtown OKC is actually more walkable despite Jacksonville having a higher walk score). Reading through this thing, I get the feeling that the reporters (Ennis Davis and Robert Mann) have become outright OKC fans.

I did notice a few minor errors -- right off the bat, Devon Tower is listed as 900 feet (I wish!). But later on in the article, it's correctly documented as 844 feet. But on the whole, it's clear that they really studied up on OKC and have scrutinized the city very thoroughly.

Really good article. Great photos.

Yes, my son who lives in a close-in neighborhood in Jacksonville undergoing gentrification sent this to me a few hours ago. He was bemoaning leadership in Jacksonville, and I told him to get involved. I wonder if there is a message board equivalent there in JAX. He was pleased to see both the streetcar map and our house in the article, as was I.

Metro Jacksonville has just posted a great article:

Downtown Revitalization: Oklahoma City | Metro Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-downtown-revitalization-oklahoma-city)

Some reporters from Jacksonville, Florida have come to our fair city to have a look. And boy, did they take a nice long look! This is a suprisingly lengthy and comprehensive article. There are a few interesting comparisons made of the two cities at the beginning, but it's mostly an examination of what OKC has done and is still doing.

This thing is absolutely jam-packed with great photos. They really did the tour. And quite complimentary of OKC as well (e.g. arguing that downtown OKC is actually more walkable despite Jacksonville having a higher walk score). Reading through this thing, I get the feeling that the reporters (Ennis Davis and Robert Mann) have become outright OKC fans.

I did notice a few minor errors -- right off the bat, Devon Tower is listed as 900 feet (I wish!). But later on in the article, it's correctly documented as 844 feet. But on the whole, it's clear that they really studied up on OKC and have scrutinized the city very thoroughly.

Really good article. Great photos.

Weird coincidence. I was just looking up pictures of Horton Plaza in San Diego a couple of hours ago for another thread and ended up linking to a picture from this very same publication. Odds? Great article! I don't know how I missed it and it's a great series http://www.metrojacksonville.com/learning-from/ .

Well, there is a lively thread going on in the article's comment section. I learned one new thing -- that Jacksonville folks refer to their city as Jax (didn't know that).

Incidentally, there is a complementary gallery to that article that contains 410 (!) photos. Obviously, many many more than fit into the article itself:

Oklahoma City - Metro Jacksonville Photos | Jacksonville Fl (http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/24729325_d5ZcwZ)

Here's a couple of samples:

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/OKC-2012/i-Qwfjjnz/0/XL/Auto-Alley-2-XL.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/OKC-2012/i-HBjM5CK/0/L/Auto-Alley-3-L.jpg

http://photos.metrojacksonville.com/Learning-From/OKC-2012/i-NNHggdd/0/L/Myriad-Gardens-40-L.jpg

Metro Jacksonville has just posted a great article:

Downtown Revitalization: Oklahoma City | Metro Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-downtown-revitalization-oklahoma-city)

Some reporters from Jacksonville, Florida have come to our fair city to have a look. And boy, did they take a nice long look! This is a suprisingly lengthy and comprehensive article. There are a few interesting comparisons made of the two cities at the beginning, but it's mostly an examination of what OKC has done and is still doing.

This thing is absolutely jam-packed with great photos. They really did the tour. And quite complimentary of OKC as well (e.g. arguing that downtown OKC is actually more walkable despite Jacksonville having a higher walk score). Reading through this thing, I get the feeling that the reporters (Ennis Davis and Robert Mann) have become outright OKC fans.

I did notice a few minor errors -- right off the bat, Devon Tower is listed as 900 feet (I wish!). But later on in the article, it's correctly documented as 844 feet. But on the whole, it's clear that they really studied up on OKC and have scrutinized the city very thoroughly.

Really good article. Great photos.

Hot Damn I'm glad I call this place home. :)

Metro Jacksonville has just posted a great article:

Downtown Revitalization: Oklahoma City | Metro Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-downtown-revitalization-oklahoma-city)

Some reporters from Jacksonville, Florida have come to our fair city to have a look. And boy, did they take a nice long look! This is a suprisingly lengthy and comprehensive article. There are a few interesting comparisons made of the two cities at the beginning, but it's mostly an examination of what OKC has done and is still doing.

This thing is absolutely jam-packed with great photos. They really did the tour. And quite complimentary of OKC as well (e.g. arguing that downtown OKC is actually more walkable despite Jacksonville having a higher walk score). Reading through this thing, I get the feeling that the reporters (Ennis Davis and Robert Mann) have become outright OKC fans.

I did notice a few minor errors -- right off the bat, Devon Tower is listed as 900 feet (I wish!). But later on in the article, it's correctly documented as 844 feet. But on the whole, it's clear that they really studied up on OKC and have scrutinized the city very thoroughly.

Really good article. Great photos.And if you haven't already, go read the veiwer commentary. It's funny :)

And if you haven't already, go read the veiwer commentary. It's funny :)

I was surprised, nay almost shocked, at how pro-OKC the commentary veered. Every time that I read a user forum or comment section from some other part of the country about OKC, I sort of cringe and prepare myself for the inevitable barrage of negative slurs (hicksville, toothless bumpkins, trailer trash, ...) Definitely not so for this article.

Maybe... just maybe... there's an inkling of realization in other parts of the country that OKC is not some bland, anonymous dump in the middle of nowheresville.

It's interesting to me that the top two cities (OKC and Austin) are both capital cities, and therefore rife with government jobs. A few posts I have read (on the politics forum? can't remember) deride how Oklahomans get more from the federal gov't than they give ($1.35 in and $1.00 out? can't remember) but want smaller gov't. While I know I'm not quoting anybody accurately, the gist I took away from those posts is that OK economy would suck if not for the federal gov't installations, so shut up and get back to sucking on the gov't teat. Sure, my takeaway is slightly incendiary, but that's how I read some of those posts. This list rating the largest 102 metros in the U.S. doesn't seem to care about anything but private sector jobs and other private sector stastics in ranking OK number 1 two months in a row. How can that info be reconciled? Is it the cushion of gov't jobs that makes it possible for the top two cities to thrive so? or have we really solved the puzzle that others haven't?

I applaud your insight on OKC and America. Our conservative friends are so myopic, they can't see the forest for the trees!

I can't believe that some state legislators and our governor want to decrease taxes on the very wealthy before fixing our state Capitol building!

Our nation and the world would be better off if we taxed the rich a lot more (since the top 2% of the wealthy NOW own half of America's wealth), and spent more money investing in the American people like we did in the 1950's when we built America's Interstate Highways, built Tinker AFB, started the space program, paid for humongous World War II debts, the Korean War, the MacArthur Plan to rebuild Europe, the GI bill to pay for college and homes for returning Veterans and BALANCED the federal budget. The inequality of our current tax system (where the rich are paying proportionally less than ever) is really screwing up America's goal of a strong middle class. The wealthy's opulence is not trickling down. We need to bring back the economy and truly graduated taxation of the 1950's and 1960's. If we reversed our idiotic tax structure, America could start reinvesting in itself and our middle class.

Sorry I got political in a forum about OKC in the press. In spite of my taxation opinions, I'm a big supporter of all the MAPS programs that are dedicated to making OKC's infrastructure so much more aesthetic & useful and is our gift to future generations. I am really proud that my city of birth is setting an example to be emulated by many other of our nation's cities.

John Hite, retired, Oklahoma City

Metro Jacksonville has just posted a great article:

Downtown Revitalization: Oklahoma City | Metro Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2012-oct-downtown-revitalization-oklahoma-city)

Some reporters from Jacksonville, Florida have come to our fair city to have a look. And boy, did they take a nice long look! This is a suprisingly lengthy and comprehensive article. There are a few interesting comparisons made of the two cities at the beginning, but it's mostly an examination of what OKC has done and is still doing.

This thing is absolutely jam-packed with great photos. They really did the tour. And quite complimentary of OKC as well (e.g. arguing that downtown OKC is actually more walkable despite Jacksonville having a higher walk score). Reading through this thing, I get the feeling that the reporters (Ennis Davis and Robert Mann) have become outright OKC fans.

I did notice a few minor errors -- right off the bat, Devon Tower is listed as 900 feet (I wish!). But later on in the article, it's correctly documented as 844 feet. But on the whole, it's clear that they really studied up on OKC and have scrutinized the city very thoroughly.

Really good article. Great photos.

Great article and I love the take on our city, but they obviously got a few things wrong: "OKC, has a short cold winter, and a short extreme summer, everything in-between is some of America's best crystal clear, shirt sleeve weather..."

Great article and I love the take on our city, but they obviously got a few things wrong: "OKC, has a short cold winter, and a short extreme summer, everything in-between is some of America's best crystal clear, shirt sleeve weather..."

I thought that was particularly funny :-P.

Generally, Nov. through Feb is pretty harsh (relatively speaking) and mid-June through mid-Sept. is pretty dang hot. No more than half the year is the weather shirt-sleeve compatible.

There's a comment that got me thinking in there...I would think it would be difficult, but it would be awesome to have a great Jazz venue in Deep Deuce to tie to the history of the district. It would need to be popular with the locals and be a draw for outsiders...but I really can't think of any super solid Jazz venues in OKC.

I thought that was particularly funny :-P.

Generally, Nov. through Feb is pretty harsh (relatively speaking) and mid-June through mid-Sept. is pretty dang hot. No more than half the year is the weather shirt-sleeve compatible.

I think that is highly dependent on what your perspective is. Someone from FL or TX would think its freezing here in the winter, but we are generally warmer than probably 75% of the country in the winter. Of course the wind can make it seem colder than it would be otherwise.

Maybe its because of a string of warm winters, but in my 7 years in OK, I remember far more instances of 65 degree, sunny weather in January than I remember snow or ice.


There's a comment that got me thinking in there...I would think it would be difficult, but it would be awesome to have a great Jazz venue in Deep Deuce to tie to the history of the district. It would need to be popular with the locals and be a draw for outsiders...but I really can't think of any super solid Jazz venues in OKC.

I agree. Urban Roots is probably the closest. Its very popular with the "buppie" set and they do have a mix of jazz artists, poetry readings, etc. It would be nice to have strictly jazz only type place.

Great article and I love the take on our city, but they obviously got a few things wrong: "OKC, has a short cold winter, and a short extreme summer, everything in-between is some of America's best crystal clear, shirt sleeve weather..."

I actually agree with that. I don't consider November a bad month for weather at all. December is variable. You can count on crappy weather January 1 through February 15 and July1 to September 15. The rest of the year I consider the weather generally better than a lot of other places in the US. But July and August I consider impressively awful.

I actually agree with that. I don't consider November a bad month for weather at all. December is variable. You can count on crappy weather January 1 through February 15 and July1 to September 15. The rest of the year I consider the weather generally better than a lot of other places in the US. But July and August I consider impressively awful.

As someone who used to live in coastal SoCal, I guess I was spoiled with 55-80 degree weather almost the entire year. I love OKC, but weather here is one of the few things I consider inferior to my past experience - by a huge margin.

The biggest complaint I have with Oklahoma weather when it is "nice outside" is the wind. I just went for a short ride to the gardens to sit and work and man, it just wasn't pleasant. We need more buildings and trees. :)

Much as the wind can be annoying, if there is no wind/breeze, I feel naked.

I applaud your insight on OKC and America. Our conservative friends are so myopic, they can't see the forest for the trees!

I can't believe that some state legislators and our governor want to decrease taxes on the very wealthy before fixing our state Capitol building!

Our nation and the world would be better off if we taxed the rich a lot more (since the top 2% of the wealthy NOW own half of America's wealth), and spent more money investing in the American people like we did in the 1950's when we built America's Interstate Highways, built Tinker AFB, started the space program, paid for humongous World War II debts, the Korean War, the MacArthur Plan to rebuild Europe, the GI bill to pay for college and homes for returning Veterans and BALANCED the federal budget. The inequality of our current tax system (where the rich are paying proportionally less than ever) is really screwing up America's goal of a strong middle class. The wealthy's opulence is not trickling down. We need to bring back the economy and truly graduated taxation of the 1950's and 1960's. If we reversed our idiotic tax structure, America could start reinvesting in itself and our middle class.

Sorry I got political in a forum about OKC in the press. In spite of my taxation opinions, I'm a big supporter of all the MAPS programs that are dedicated to making OKC's infrastructure so much more aesthetic & useful and is our gift to future generations. I am really proud that my city of birth is setting an example to be emulated by many other of our nation's cities.

John Hite, retired, Oklahoma City

Note: After posting this comment here, I started a similar post in the POLITICS OKC Forum. Here's a link if you want to reply: http://www.okctalk.com/politics/32173-venting-myopic-conservatives.html

Funny what you run across in the New York Times. You guys will love this article, I certainly enjoyed it.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-fairy-tale-rise.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

It is way more than just basketball.

A good article here, not specifically about Okc but it does mention many things that people at Okc talk discuss daily.

Do Millennials Want to Call Your City Home? (http://www.governing.com/columns/eco-engines/col-are-cities-ready-for-millennials.html)
Here is an excerpt.

Here are the facts most people know: For the foreseeable future, the so-called millennials (currently ages 18-30) will drive both the housing market and the fast-growing innovation economy. It’s a huge cohort of about 70 million people. And as I mentioned above, they are gravitating toward a select group of metros and small cities........

........So if you’re not one of the hip places today, you have only a few years -- the length of one real estate cycle and the time horizon for planning an infrastructure project -- to become hip enough to keep your kids and attract others.

This might seem like a daunting, if not insurmountable, challenge, but frankly I’m encouraged by what I see. Over the last six months I’ve been to many second-tier cities -- Omaha, Neb.; Oklahoma City; Richmond, Va.; Syracuse, Buffalo and Rochester, N.Y.; and Manchester, N.H., among them -- that would not to be good candidates for a hip urban core. Yet they’re all developing one.

Nebraska’s conservative Republican governor, Dave Heineman, took the opportunity of hosting a National Governors Association event in Omaha to show off downtown lofts and restaurants. In Oklahoma City, Republican Mayor Mick Cornett, who lives a block from City Hall, has championed urban reinvestment -- one of his latest projects is a streetcar line. In Manchester, the old mills bordering downtown are being refurbished. In Syracuse, where the urban core is adjacent to a prominent research university, several hundred housing units have been created in historic buildings, attracting many new downtown residents, including my onetime roommate, who moved back downtown after 20 years of living in a ritzy, cutesy suburb.
Click the link for the full article.
Do Millennials Want to Call Your City Home? (http://www.governing.com/columns/eco-engines/col-are-cities-ready-for-millennials.html)

Funny what you run across in the New York Times. You guys will love this article, I certainly enjoyed it.

The Oklahoma City Thunder?s Fairy-Tale Rise - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-fairy-tale-rise.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0)

It is way more than just basketball.

Wow! Front page of the NY Times magazine and an 11 page write up touching on everything that Okc has experienced in the last 25 years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Fairy-Tale Rise - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-fairy-tale-rise.html?ref=magazine)
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/11/11/magazine/11cover/11cover-sfSpan-v2.jpg

^^^ That is huge. Yay for OKC.

Just read the NYT article. One of the best things I've read in a while. Thank you for posting - I shall be sure to procure a printed copy on Sunday.

Love this:


Durant, in other words, seems to have been invented in a laboratory beneath the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce to serve as the international face of Oklahoma — a state known for its citizens’ kindness, levelheadedness, work ethic, community spirit and, above all, humility. (The mayor of Oklahoma City told me that he thinks Oklahomans are humble because of their proximity to Texans, who will never stop bragging about anything.)

Wow! Front page of the NY Times magazine and an 11 page write up touching on everything that Okc has experienced in the last 25 years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Fairy-Tale Rise - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-fairy-tale-rise.html?ref=magazine)
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/11/11/magazine/11cover/11cover-sfSpan-v2.jpg

Six years ago who would have believed this kind of positive press was possible for OKC?

I loved this quote from the article:


"This, then, is part of the city’s love affair with the Thunder. It’s more than just a basketball team: it’s the culmination of 20 years of civic reinvention, and the promise of more to come. Over the last five years, the city and its team have undergone a perfect mind meld, so at this point it’s impossible to talk about one without talking about the other. After all of that sacrifice — the grind of municipal meetings and penny taxes and planning boards, the dust and noise and uncertainty of construction, the horror of 1995 — the little city in the middle of No Man’s Land has finally arrived on the world stage. While it’s there, it fully intends to put on a good performance."

I have never cried because of a sports event (well, maybe when I was a kid cause I though the other team was cheating Wayne Gretzky during the playoffs). I teared up during the WCF, and I'm convinced that the day the Thunder win a title, I will shed several tears. It will be the only time (hopefully) that a sports moment causes me to cry...but it will be because of the city's mythos the Thunder embody.

So I just purchased my printed NYT, which itself will be a rare treat of hours of reading tonight, and I slowly re-read every word of that article, and it was better the second time around. It's absolutely dripping with delicious quotes, not just about the Thunder, but the city. I particularly loved how it made references to things like "smoky clubs" and "hipster pockets" and the gourmet grilled cheese restaurant and it did it in a non-condescending way. No talk of far-right crazies or gunfights or rednecks. It validates to the world's intellectual audience that OKC belongs in big- league modern America. The Thunder parts are a bonus. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. You couldn't buy this press for 10 million dollars.

Excellent piece. Pretty timely too, as millions of New Yorkers probably had different thoughts about the city on Wednesday. Thanks for sharing the link!

I am relishing my printed copy of this paper. The rainstorm soaked all of the ones delivered to Starbucks. Had to go get one at the Shell station downtown on Broadway. Glad I did.

Wow! Front page of the NY Times magazine and an 11 page write up touching on everything that Okc has experienced in the last 25 years.
The Oklahoma City Thunder's Fairy-Tale Rise - NYTimes.com (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/11/magazine/the-oklahoma-city-thunders-fairy-tale-rise.html?ref=magazine)
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/11/11/magazine/11cover/11cover-sfSpan-v2.jpg

This article clearly articulates the proper response for when someone says "it's just a game."

Since the day I have a memory, I have been and Okie and I have been a Sooner and I will be for the rest of my life. The Thunder are now on that list for me. When I go through the dramatic ups and downs of OU football, I often hear people say "it's just a game." But, when I watch OU football it represents my FAMILY to me. My grandmother died in 1991, but when OU loses I can still hear her in my mind's eye cursing Switzer and all those damn fumbles. My Mom and Dad and I still share the OU football experience every game, every year... but, someday they too will be gone. And, when that happens, I will still see my Mom smiling and clapping when a football player wearing the Crimson and Cream cross the goal line... and it'll still feel like my Dad is there to high-five me at the same time.

So, it'll never just be an 18 year-old scoring a meaningless touchdown for me. And, the Thunder will never be just some over-paid millionaires making baskets. They represent MY CITY to me and to the world in a way that some people will never understand. This article clearly encapsulates this feeling in a very good way. The writer should be applauded for not only his brilliant crafting of words, but also his ability to use those words to paint an exquisite creation.

An interview with Sam Anderson, the writer who penned the NY Times article, is also a good read:

Behind the Cover Story: Sam Anderson on the Civic Magic of the OKC Thunder - NYTimes.com (http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/behind-the-cover-story-sam-anderson-on-the-civic-magic-of-the-okc-thunder)

An interview with Sam Anderson, the writer who penned the NY Times article, is also a good read:

Behind the Cover Story: Sam Anderson on the Civic Magic of the OKC Thunder - NYTimes.com (http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/12/behind-the-cover-story-sam-anderson-on-the-civic-magic-of-the-okc-thunder)

Thanks for posting this, excellent read.

USA Today. OKC is referenced twice and Devon's green space is used for the cover photo:

American cities fighting to keep Millennials from moving to suburbs. (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/03/american-cities-to-millennials-dont-leave-us/1744357/)

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/12/04/okla-4_3_r560.jpg?f061b7ce9937c38b702e6f308816ac2a14e2a 4ec

USA Today. OKC is referenced twice and Devon's green space is used for the cover photo:

American cities fighting to keep Millennials from moving to suburbs. (http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2012/12/03/american-cities-to-millennials-dont-leave-us/1744357/)

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2012/12/04/okla-4_3_r560.jpg?f061b7ce9937c38b702e6f308816ac2a14e2a 4ec

Awesome... Great pub.

But Devon's green space is a waste! MUST.HAVE.NEW.TOWER.THERE.

But Devon's green space is a waste! MUST.HAVE.NEW.TOWER.THERE.

Nope, they need a spot for that oversized ornament, they can go accross the street to the West.

Nope, they need a spot for that oversized ornament, they can go accross the street to the West.

I think Only was making fun of others who have seriously expressed that sentiment.

Here is another article about that tout the success OKC has experienced with developing a strong private and public partnership to improve the QOL.


Downtown Oklahoma City office market thriving - Milwaukee - The Business Journal (http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2012/12/04/downtown-oklahoma-city-office-market.html?page=all)

This is local, from The Edmond Sun, but I thought it was worth sharing.

In the shadow of the skyline » Opinion » The Edmond Sun (http://www.edmondsun.com/opinion/x2056609738/In-the-shadow-of-the-skyline)

Hmm another article I came across. It's a bit old though. Rebuilding America's Infrastructure (http://www.rebuildingamericasinfrastructure.com/magazine-article-rai-12-2012-repurposing_bridge_beams-9124.html)

http://www.naisullivangroup.com/OKNews/High-endhopesinOKC-Economyboostscommercialrealestatemarket.pdf

Another one, this time from Fort Wayne, Indiana:

Emulating other cities | The Journal Gazette (http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20130310/BIZ/303109971)

Mike Packnett, formerly a health system executive in Oklahoma City and member of the OKC Chamber of Commerce, now lives in Fort Wayne and is trying to boost development there based on his experiences here.



Packnett, who is leading local streamlining, wasn’t always gung-ho about grand plans.

“I was part of that public that had to be convinced,” he said about Oklahoma City’s dams.

Before moving to Fort Wayne to become president and CEO of Parkview Health in mid-2006, Packnett served on the board of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s unbelievable to me,” he said of Oklahoma City’s success with river development. “It turned around, really, the whole psyche of the community.”

Oklahoma City is among the least hipster cities. Is there at least one vinyl store in OKC? Discover the 10 Least Hipster Cities in the Country (http://www.movoto.com/blog/top-ten/least-hipster-cities/)

Oklahoma City is among the least hipster cities. Is there at least one vinyl store in OKC? Discover the 10 Least Hipster Cities in the Country (http://www.movoto.com/blog/top-ten/least-hipster-cities/)

Size Records south of Britton on Western and Guest Room records next to Cock O' The Walk on western. It's interesting what they use to measure it: young people, walkability, bikeability, vintage stores, dive bars, vegetarian restaurants, artsy jobs and vinyl stores. The Plaza District is becoming hipster central due to many of these things.

Size Records south of Britton on Western and Guest Room records next to Cock O' The Walk on western.

Guestroom has another branch in Norman and I'd heard they'd opened a third location in Bricktown.

Oklahoma City is among the least hipster cities. Is there at least one vinyl store in OKC? Discover the 10 Least Hipster Cities in the Country (http://www.movoto.com/blog/top-ten/least-hipster-cities/)

This is not good press for OKC. The hipster fad is all the rage right now for young people and hipster cities are the cities young, educated professionals are gravitating to. It's not surprising though OKC has such a low rating in that category as conservative as it is and the fact there isn't one district that has critical mass which is friendly to the creative class.

This is not good press for OKC. The hipster fad is all the rage right now for young people and hipster cities are the cities young, educated professionals are gravitating to. It's not surprising though OKC has such a low rating in that category as conservative as it is and the fact there isn't one district that has critical mass which is friendly to the creative class.

Seriously? Who cares...

There is a difference between a vibrant, creative community, which are a definite asset to any community, and a bunch of hipsters sitting around drinking PBR. DFW and Houston have lots of creative types yet they also scored low on this so-called survey. And you are exactly right, this stuff is a fad. This is about as significant as a magazine in 1977 saying OKC is the 4th worst place to do the Hustle.

Most true hipsters wouldn't be caught dead in the SE or SW US, save for Austin. Much ado about nothing.