They really are doing quite a bit of damage out there. I hope it will all be restored without serious impact.

No they plan on making a serious impact.:numchucks

Myriad possibilities: Officials say transformation of gardens will be worth the wait
By Brian Brus
The Journal Record
Posted: 09:55 PM Thursday, June 17, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY – Janet Latham hates the scaffolding that keeps her from reaching the tropical rain forest, her orchids, gingers and cactilike euphorbias.

“It’s absolutely everywhere, just phenomenal to have to navigate,” said Latham, the horticulture supervisor of the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory at the Myriad Botanical Gardens. “It’s just as hard for us as it is the public to go through this transformation. We love that park a lot. … But I think everyone will definitely agree this will be worth it in the end.”

At first glance, it appears as though the 15-acre Myriad Gardens and its most easily identifiable element, the Crystal Bridge, are being consumed by the shadow of Devon Energy’s corporate tower construction north of Sheridan.

Fences have been put up around the property and traffic is often forced to detour around the park because of the work.

Pending weather delays or other complications, the area is scheduled to be closed to the public until April, in time for the next Festival of the Arts, Oklahoma City Parks Department spokeswoman Jennifer McClintock said.

“Sometimes you have to deconstruct a lot before you can build something really nice,” McClintock said. “Until then, it might look a little messy.”

California-based landscape architect James Burnett is scheduled to speak about the transformation of the Myriad Gardens at the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber’s luncheon Friday. Burnett has more than 25 years of experience in designing urban parks and his company is heading the redesign of the Myriad Gardens grounds with Murase Associates of Oregon.

Other players in the project are locally based Lippert Bros. Inc. for demolition work, Frankfurt Short Bruza Associates for architectural design, and Downey Construction for the Crystal Bridge reglazing.

“It’s an amazing opportunity to take a centrally located, downtown, urban garden and make it into a place for all people – expand it into a place where you can have lunch, somewhere to walk your dog, a place to meet someone after an event at the Cox Center or Ford Center,” Burnett said Thursday. “You can take your children there for active play, or office workers can go there for lunch. There will be concerts on the great lawn and a lot of flexibility for other events.”

The grounds will be transformed into what city officials refer to as a “multiuse outdoor recreation space” that includes a restaurant, cafe, children’s garden, grand event lawn and multiple water features. Additional improvements will also be made to the park’s water stage, and attractive entryways will entice visitors.

The budget for the project overall is $38 million, with funds for work on the Crystal Bridge provided through a 2007 general obligation (GO) bond and the rest of the parks paid for through City Hall’s Project 180 initiative, a tax increment finance (TIF) district established in conjunction with the Devon tower construction. McClintock said the Crystal Bridge work was scheduled earlier, but it made sense to reschedule so that it overlapped Project 180.

After nearly 25 years, the Crystal Bridge is less than crystal clear, McClintock said. More than 3,000 acrylic panels that comprise the giant tube have lost their translucence under the weather and need to be replaced with clear panels. The steel frame that holds the panels in place also must be micro-blasted to remove rust and old paint.

The elaborate scaffolding erected for the work creates a second shell around the original and a pain for Latham and her co-workers to navigate each day.

The construction project managers have been considerate of the conservatory’s resources and have not trampled anything, she said. Although the park is closed, Latham has to ensure the more than 1,000 species of plants remain healthy, as well as the resident critters such as tree frogs, butterflies and anoles.

Latham said most of the plants will be tended where they are, while a few of the most delicate specimens will be transferred to other greenhouses. Protective tarps also will be draped to prevent construction debris from falling onto plants and their caretakers.

The tarps will compound a problem already caused by the old panels, she said: lack of light. Most of the plants need plenty of sunlight and carefully regulated humidity. Latham said she and her staff will spend the next year trying to keep those balances.

But there likely will be a few losses, such as the coconut palm, she said. Another will be planted in its place when the project is complete.

“We’ve done a pretty dang good job of getting a wide diversity of species in there,” Latham said. “Different species of tropicals and cacti and succulents from all over the world except Antarctica. Some are little itty-bitty with tiny flowers and others are just giant like our palm trees. So it’s a pretty diverse collection for the public to enjoy … and they will again when this is done.”

After nearly 25 years, the Crystal Bridge is less than crystal clear,

Huh? I remember Good Morning America doing a live remote from the Gardens/Bridge area waaaay before 1985...back when they were touring several cities across the US...heck, I think David Hartman was still hosting GMA at the time! Had to be before 1985...

Huh? I remember Good Morning America doing a live remote from the Gardens/Bridge area waaaay before 1985...back when they were touring several cities across the US...heck, I think David Hartman was still hosting GMA at the time! Had to be before 1985...

The Crystal Bridge structure was completed in 1985. It did not open to the public until March 25, 1988. Work on the outdoor grounds began in 1977.

Are there any new pictures of the gardens? Im really curious how the outside of the Bridge looks now with the new panes!

Are there any new pictures of the gardens? Im really curious how the outside of the Bridge looks now with the new panes!

Was there yesterday. No new panes up yet. I will post my pics to the City's flickr account and come back here to post a link.

I apologize if a topic has been created for this already.

I was interested in Bryan Dean's story today suggesting some possibly misguided priorities regarding the Myriad Gardens restaurant.

Dean talked to several OKC restauranteurs who believe the restaurant's 'upscale, white tablecloth' approach is doomed to failure.

I was also surprised/amused to read about the Devon Implementation Committee discussing restroom decor for this restaurant during last week's meeting. The committee seems to be intent on designing the restaurant itself and then trying to find someone to manage it.

It sounds to me like this is actually the Devon executive dining room.

Well if it's the Devon executive dining room, probably not destined to fail then.

As for this restaurant, there will also be a 2nd alternative joint that will be more casual. This is just the upscale park restaurant.

I didn't mention it in the orig. post, but Dean's story says the 2nd restaurant has been cancelled for budgetary reasons. The restaurant owners also called that a mistake. They say two restaurants together will perform better than one.

It wasn't even a restaurant, it was a small little cafe'. In fact, according to Frittergirl who is well-knowledged on the subject matter, the design for the Cafe' isn't being changed, it will instead just become a pavilion.

I don't think it's a bad choice. The Myriad Gardens are very romantic, I see it catering to that crowd, as well as business execs, and the times when people actually would like something fancier than say Chelino's. I don't see how it's "destined to failure."

For what it's worth, that was my story, not Bryan Dean's.

Ooops. Sorry.

It's alright. No biggie.

Well, 'fine dining' is kind of a vague term, anyway. I think of it as a place requiring a coat and tie. Others might classify La Baguette and the Museum Café as 'fine dining', even though you don't have to dress up to get in the door.

Is there some generally accepted definition I don't know about?

Tuck might be helpful on this question

Perhaps we should not forget that the property just south of Reno (where Bob Howard downtown is located) is targeted for mixed-use development in the near future...which would open up lots more possibilities for dining near Myriad Gardens.

I still think that something like The Terrace View restaurant, which sits alongside CityGarden in downtown St. Louis, is exactly what the Myriad Gardens folks should be aiming for.

Www.fialafood.com

Yes, it's upscale. But it's bright and airy and has a great patio. You can enjoy it in shorts and a polo, with the kids, as you look out over the park with a glass of wine. You can spend a lot of money or you can get a chicken sandwich or a salad. Not every nice restaurant has to be "white tablecloth." There is a happy medium between a hot dog stand and the Coach House.

It's not like down the road when density fills in and the economy rebounds they can't tear down the pavillion and add a restaurant folks.

I like the idea. It could become "the place" for those special occasion dinners and wedding proposals. I had difficulty following the reasoning of those who were against the idea, claiming it should be yet another casual dining spot. As if we don't have enough of that already. It seems there are people who want OKC to stay quaint, provincial, ordinary. The Devon folks are doing their best to raise the standard and I applaud that. :congrats:

I totally agree with earlywinegareth. We want something better than fast food or a roach coach on the property. Think bigger and better. There is day wear as well as evening wear. I think you can mix both and still be successful.

Well, 'fine dining' is kind of a vague term, anyway. I think of it as a place requiring a coat and tie. Others might classify La Baguette and the Museum Café as 'fine dining', even though you don't have to dress up to get in the door.

Is there some generally accepted definition I don't know about?

Welcome to Oklahoma City.

It could become "the place" for those special occasion dinners and wedding proposals.

About a month ago, I went to a wedding and reception at a restaurant in downtown L.A. that is adjacent to a small park (much smaller than the Myriad Gardens). It was a gorgeous setting and one of the nicest, funnest weddings I've been to.

The wedding was set in the garden, then we all walked over to an outside area where there were appetizers and wine served. Shortly thereafter, we were seated for dinner and all the typical toasts, then another area hosted a DJ and dancing. It was fantastic, with the skyscrapers as a backdrop.

This is what a fine restaurant in TMG could easily become. The setting would be stunning and would be different than anything else in town. Tents or some other covered structure could easily be used to guard against weather concerns and to bridge the restaurant to the gardens.

Think Tavern on the Green for OKC.

http://www.evokephotography.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/e0001_princetta28.jpg

http://www.herecomestheguide.com/images/location/CafePinot/CafePinot1.jpg

The following are from the actual wedding I attended:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs409.snc4/47251_434952248165_537928165_4980767_7021837_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs641.snc4/60177_439899553165_537928165_5083370_6307615_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs644.snc4/60479_441048623165_537928165_5109555_1732962_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs215.ash2/47853_434952323165_537928165_4980771_4679580_n.jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs204.ash2/46696_434954348165_537928165_4980815_44621_n.jpg


I know the Skirvin went more casual with their restaurant and the Colcord downshifted with theirs as well. But this is a completely unique setting and it should be treated as such.

^^ my sentiments exactly, as was expressed in the other thread!

OKC needs a signature, upscale, downtown restaurant - for those special occasions, special guests, and top business. A restaurant where you get dressed to the nines to be downtown, no matter if you are family or kids - make them conform to a higher class standard. Remember the days when getting dressed to the nines was associated with going downtown?

That is what I hope Devon has in mind - not to create barriers, but instead to raise the standard of OKC dining, and perhaps give a nice injection of competition to the other 'upscale' family restaurants that are most common in OKC today.

For those of you that aren't familiar with Tavern on the Green in NYC's Central Park...

Why the heck couldn't OKC have something like this?? Think of all the weddings, Christmas Parties, anniversaries and other special occasions. There are lots of nice restaurants in town but nothing truly special like this:

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/09/11/alg_tavern-on-the-green.jpg

http://www.meetnowlive.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/tavern-on-green.jpg

http://www.nycvp.com/NYCVP/tavernentrance500px.jpg

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/.a/6a00d8341c630a53ef0115709ee0b6970b-800wi

Pete, are those the as it is images after reopening as a visitor's center, or are those the pre-closure images?

http://topnews360.tmcnet.com/topics/associated-press/articles/110004-tavern-the-green-reopens-as-visitors-center.htm

If NYC can't keep Tavern on the Green open and profitable, I really wonder about OKC's ability to support a white tablecloth restaurant in the Myriad Gardens. I would really hate to see something put in and set up to fail. Something unique but not so formal would be much more down OKC's tastes at this point

How about the possibility of something like we see at many airports. Some of the restaurants have a separate walk-up section for those wanting to buy food to take on a plane. The upscale restaurant could do that with some less expensive choices for those who don't want to go in to a white table cloth setting.

i think that is what the plan is, have the pavillian area for the walk-ups, have the restaurant for the formal dining area/courtyard.

mug, OK has enough of the places you're talking about. We need a signature restaurant.

I CAN see why tavern in NYC failed, because NYC has a TON!!! of white table cloth restaurants and the focus of central park is NOT the same as will be the focus of MG. travern in NO way was NYC's signature restaurant but this will be OKC's in MG. Different markets, this restaurant will likely be OKC's top restaurant, it WILL get business and having it in MG will ONLY help downtown in general.

If NYC can't keep Tavern on the Green open and profitable, I really wonder about OKC's ability to support a white tablecloth restaurant in the Myriad Gardens. I would really hate to see something put in and set up to fail. Something unique but not so formal would be much more down OKC's tastes at this point

Local politics killed Tavern on the Green. The city wanted to switch operators and the one they picked declared bankruptcy just after being awarded the contract.

I vote for a Ruth's Chris.

I recently visited both Red Prime and Mahogany for the first time each.

Both were exceptional in all respects. Red Prime was first and during the week but I made a reservation through Open Table. I was glad I did because the place was not full but surprisingly busy I thought. There were a few men with jackets but most were just in slacks and shirts. The tab was over $100 per person. Parking was no problem at all and I was not approached by any people on the street.

Someone told me I probably didn't need a reservation for Mahogany but I checked with the restaurant before leaving and was advised I might have a long wait. I opted for a next day reservation. The place was pretty full and people were waiting in line. Another great experience but much farther drive for me. A negative was being accosted in the parking lot by an apparently down-and-out couple asking for money. Surprised me when the man tapped on my window. Again over $100 per person and more coats on men but certainly not everyone.

The Petroleum Club used to have a pretty strict dress code but tempered by having a few jackets and ties handy for visitors who were inappropriately dressed. And I remember years ago seeing something similar in New Orleans at finer places.

My guess is that if whatever restaurant ends up in the Myriad Gardens that it will be successful if the food and service is sufficiently good regardless of the dress code.

It seems to me though that people just simply do not dress up as much as we did before. I know the last time I attended a symphony performance I was surprised at how casual the dress was. And that's not a really inexpensive endeavor either.

Another thing that occurs to me is that the level of restaurant quality is so much better now than years ago. When I was younger the really good places just stood out because there were so many mediocre places. Now it seems to me that there are quite a few really good restaurants competing at pretty high levels.

I'm surprised so many on this forum are ignoring the expertise of our best local operators. On paper, the upscale park restaurant seems like a good idea. But the Oklahoman article was eye opening to me. Chris Lower, Ryan Parrot, and Keith Paul, among others, are pleading with the Power that Be (ahem) to reconsider the concept. These people know what they're doing more than anyone on this thread when it comes to OKC dining at every price point. Please listen to them.

Isn't there supposed to be 2 restaurants goin in already at Devon Tower?

I'm surprised so many on this forum are ignoring the expertise of our best local operators. On paper, the upscale park restaurant seems like a good idea. But the Oklahoman article was eye opening to me. Chris Lower, Ryan Parrot, and Keith Paul, among others, are pleading with the Power that Be (ahem) to reconsider the concept. These people know what they're doing more than anyone on this thread when it comes to OKC dining at every price point. Please listen to them.An adviser friend once told me that he could have earned his clients millions of dollars if they would have just followed one simple piece of advice, namely, to refrain from going into the restaurant business.

He said he was surprised at how many people who were otherwise very successful in so many endeavors wanted to try the restaurant business with a near 100% failure rate.

I've advised many people who considered going into the restaurant business. One woman was convinced that she would be successful opening a restaurant because her little granddaughter told her she makes the best PB&J "in the world." Another couple had received a financial settlement after the husband was permanently & seriously disabled following an industrial accident. A Bricktown building owner convinced them to masterlease the entire multi-story building and rent out what they didn't need. Lacking business experience of any kind, the eventually paid the entire settlement amount to the building owner - one month at a time - before ultimately defaulting on the lease.

I'm surprised so many on this forum are ignoring the expertise of our best local operators. On paper, the upscale park restaurant seems like a good idea. But the Oklahoman article was eye opening to me. Chris Lower, Ryan Parrot, and Keith Paul, among others, are pleading with the Power that Be (ahem) to reconsider the concept. These people know what they're doing more than anyone on this thread when it comes to OKC dining at every price point. Please listen to them.

Are these the same people running successful high-end dinning all the while saying it can’t be done.

If NYC can't keep Tavern on the Green open and profitable, I really wonder about OKC's ability to support a white tablecloth restaurant in the Myriad Gardens.

It was wildly successful for over 75 years!

And when it closed, it was the second-highest grossing restaurant in the country.



Anyway, the place doesn't have to be ultra high-end, just nice and not yet another casual place.

Are these the same people running successful high-end dinning all the while saying it can’t be done.I think you're alluding to the possibility that they might be giving bad advice in order to prevent competition.

But from what I've been told several successful restaurants in an area help other successful restaurants be even more successful. On the other hand a poorly performing restaurant is detrimental to everyone. So my guess is that the people giving the advice have more to lose if the concept is not successful.

I think you're alluding to the possibility that they might be giving bad advice in order to prevent competition.

But from what I've been told several successful restaurants in an area help other successful restaurants be even more successful. On the other hand a poorly performing restaurant is detrimental to everyone. So my guess is that the people giving the advice have more to lose if the concept is not successful.

It does seem like contradictory input if you ask me. They claim upscale dinning won't work, but yet they do it. Then they claim that grouping restraunts is the best model, but they discourage the city from doing it.

Kerry - Not contradictory at all. They claim that upscale dining won't work in THIS LOCATION. Any retail business - restaurants included - live or die by their location. Pick the wrong corner on the right intersection - death. Pick the wrong side of the right street - death. And they're not discouraging grouping in MG, they're saying that upscale dining shouldn't be part of that group.

By the way, these aren't exclusively white tablecloth guys. Chris Lower is behind Big Truck Tacos and The Metro, which are at opposite ends of the price and experience spectra.

I'd like to see the location be used as a restaurant incubator. Not sure how feasible that'd be or how the business model would work from the city's end, but to play host to a certain chef for a limited period of time, maybe 6 weeks, after which he may not renew his lease for x amount of years might be cool. Have 'em submit proposed menus for a panel who could advise as to whether they could make a business work that way. Let them do their own marketing, let them compete for time in the space. I think that'd be pretty neat. It'd also definitely keep the place fresh and new, and occupied.

I'd like to see the location be used as a restaurant incubator. Not sure how feasible that'd be or how the business model would work from the city's end, but to play host to a certain chef for a limited period of time, maybe 6 weeks, after which he may not renew his lease for x amount of years might be cool. Have 'em submit proposed menus for a panel who could advise as to whether they could make a business work that way. Let them do their own marketing, let them compete for time in the space. I think that'd be pretty neat. It'd also definitely keep the place fresh and new, and occupied.

So I go in, have a great experience and two months later wanna go back to celebrate, or entertain visitors, clients, whomever, only to find it's now something else entirely? I vote nah, but different strokes and all that.

So I go in, have a great experience and two months later wanna go back to celebrate, or entertain visitors, clients, whomever, only to find it's now something else entirely? I vote nah, but different strokes and all that.

And if the concept took off, it'd be somewhere else. If not, it'd be nowhere else.

But whatever. I don't have a dog in this hunt. Whatever it is, I'm sure I'll patronize it.

Just curious as to their intentions for this area and since I am not a subscriber to the Journal Record I can't read the article in it's entirety.
http://journalrecord.com/2010/10/25/myriad-gardens-acquires-three-downtown-buildings-for-69m/

MBG staff offices and parking, for the most part.

Parking? Elaborate please. Is there already a parking structure or lot in place, or will one of the buildings come down for that purpose?

Here you go:

More for Myriad Gardens: $6.9M parcel of land purchased for expansion
By Brianna Bailey
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 05:56 PM Monday, October 25, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY – Myriad Gardens has purchased a $6.9 million chunk of downtown real estate on the corner of Reno and Hudson avenues that includes the historic Vitagraph film exchange building and an adjacent brick structure that houses La Luna Mexican Cafe.

The acquisition also includes a 7,000-square-foot parking structure. The three buildings are all located just west of Myriad Gardens across S. Hudson Avenue.

The purchase will help Myriad Gardens relocate some of its operations that have been displaced as part of a $38 million makeover it is undergoing, said Brent Bryant, business manager for Oklahoma City’s finance department. The massive overhaul, slated for completion in spring 2011, is mostly funded by Project 180.

For now, there are no plans to tear down any of the buildings or relocate La Luna, Bryant said.

“At this point and time, the plan is to utilize some of the existing vacant space and put employees there to help support Myriad Gardens,” Bryant said.

As part of the renovations, Myriad Gardens will have a new southern entry point that will dislocate some of the botanical gardens’ behind-the-scenes operations, Bryant said.

The old Vitagraph building, 123 S. Hudson Ave., will be used to house Myriad Garden offices, Bryant said.

The structure was renovated in 1990, according to property records, and its original masonry exterior has been covered with stucco.

Built in 1922, the two-story, 12,600-square-foot Vitagraph building once housed one of the city’s film exchanges.

“At that time, films were very explosive and there is a vault in the building where these film reels were stored,” said Oklahoma City attorney Armand Paliotta, who represents the buildings’ previous owners, Hudson Reno LLC.
Paliotta could not immediately comment on the details of the sale.

Hudson Reno LLC is managed by Oklahoma City businessman Richard R. Dunning, according to property records. The Oklahoma limited liability corporation purchased the three buildings in 2001 for $1.4 million from Fred Jones Properties, according to property records.

Dunning could not immediately be reached for comment on Monday.

The Oklahoma City Economic Development Trust gave the Myriad Gardens Foundation a $5.5 million loan to help finance the real estate purchase.

why can't MGB employees and patrons utilize existing parking facilities and office space in the CBD?

This is what I absolutely don't understand about OKC. We have trouble filling our existing skyscrapers - yet as soon as a civic operation gets money for 'renovation', they have to have their own parking lot and office space right next to it. Why can't the city utilize existing space? the actual park maintenance building could be built on the park (or already exists) im sure, so I dont understand the need for office space that couldn't be fulfilled in the cbd or city owned buildings in Civic Centre.

At first I was under the impression that the park itself was expanding - but after learning the park will have employee parking and offices there - ---- (????).

Again, I also have to ask why the restaurant was downscaled. Could it be this is where the found the funds for this "expansion"?

Something funny is going on. ...

Sweet...buy them for $1.4M and a few years later sell them for $6.9M.

How is the $5.5M loan going to be paid back? Through more borrowed money (eventually thru the Devon TIF)?

Thanks Warreng88 for posting the article.

This really pisses me off. There are plenty of City offices a block away on Main street, yet they can pay $5.5MM more for a property than was paid a few short years ago, just to house a very limited staff of park workers so they can walk across the street instead of one block yet meanwhile the City is scaling back our signature Skydance Bridge because they can't find $5 million something for the increased construction costs? Three steps back..........

LOL,

Okie see, Okie do.

Must have curbside parking for all Okie citizens. Also, will the skydance bridge have parking lot nearby? If not we need it.

I'm worried for La Luna.

OKC Government can't do these things - it will severely impact not only people image of OKC but also future initiatives (ie MAPS IV+)!!!!

OKC needs to back away from this purchase and use whatever monies they need to build that darn bridge and the MG to what was promised. This could REALLY get out of hand very quickly and I don't want to see OKC's government fail - particularly due to abuse and misuse of funds, which is EXACTLY what this MG, SkyDance, and C2S is all starting to smell like.

Metro is absolutely right, why do we need to purchase a MG front building (particularly at the markup in price) when we have so much space existing not to mention an actual CBD that could see more office types only 2 blocks away from MG. ....

This could be a disaster!

Oh, for cryin' out loud.

No..... Not La Luna!!!!!

I thought that the Myriad Gardens that is referred to here is the foundation that is set up to maintain the park. I don't think that they are part of the city budget but are privately funded. As for the price, the current activities in the neighborhood have caused a rise in property values. Progress has a price.

Hmmmm. Don't mess with my La Luna!!

La Luna will be fine.

FritterGirl, is this aquisition really necessary, I mean really? Is it going to help with density around downtown? If anything we need a private investor to buy that parcel and create more dense development. How many employees at MBG will be displaced to this parcel? Could they not just walk a block from City offices on Main Street? What happened to the underground maintenance parking they were going to build at MBG?

The underground maintenance parking, while considered as part of the original charette, was never part of the actual plan, due to budget and other considerations.

I can't answer your questions as to why staff aren't taking up space in other nearby city buildings, as I was not in on the decision-making process there. A lot of the needs, however, have to do, not just with administrative staff, which will office in the new buildings, but in the horticulture staff, which will need storage and equipment space (mowers, other heavy equipment) adjacent to the gardens grounds, and quick access to the gardens/grounds throughout the day.

As was noted in the article, the new south entry portal will effectively be used as conference, meeting and education space, as well as a welcome entrance for visitors. As such, the staff who were placed in the MBG (some administrative, mostly hort), will have their offices moved to the newly-aquired space.

This was an opportunity that came to the Myriad Gardens Foundation, and they, as a separate entity, chose to approach the City with the proposition. The City, to my knowledge, did not go seeking this out.

I really don't have any other concrete answers other than that.