Next thing you know they will be petitioning St. Anthonies to stop using sirens on their Ambulances...

Well they are loud!

The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority approved a new redevelopment agreement Thursday that bans the Edge from leasing space to a variety of businesses, including adult video stores, tattoo parlors, commercial blood banks, pawnshops and storefront churches.

ROFLMAO!!!

On the plus side, clearly there are people in HH so out of touch with development in and around downtown that this project should go a long ways towards 'educating' them if they are concerned about a multi-million dollar new development renting out space to those types of businesses. No doubt though that at some point in the future they will go into cupcake and dessert cafe at The Edge and tell their friends, "If it wasn't for us this would have been a porn shop."

Any word on when they expect to start moving dirt on this?

The fall.

Has anyone seen the exterior drawings yet? If so, can you post them here? We're anxious to see them, as the Edge may be our only option for a 3-bed unit downtown.

Click on the article tab and you'll see the latest rendering.

They had applied for a preliminary building permit back in December, I believe to expedite the final approvals needed from the design committee.

Today, an updated permit was filed. I believe this means they are ready to bread ground.

September is the likely start for construction

What I don't understand with these urban renewal sites is ... why can't they at least just put up a sign? It's amazing how few people who eat and shop in that area don't know about the major development set to happen. OCURA/Alliance should have boiler plate signs like, "Urban Renewal Public-Private Partnership At Work Here" or something like that with a space for rendering, a la the signs in front of all M4K projects.

What I don't understand with these urban renewal sites is ... why can't they at least just put up a sign? It's amazing how few people who eat and shop in that area don't know about the major development set to happen. OCURA/Alliance should have boiler plate signs like, "Urban Renewal Public-Private Partnership At Work Here" or something like that with a space for rendering, a la the signs in front of all M4K projects.

Not that it matters, but I've never liked those types of signs. Spend the money elsewhere on some other amenity. A park bench. A tree. Whatever.

It reminds me too much of the millions OERB spends on their self-congratulatory TV ads. Look at us! Look at us! We're cleaning up the messes that we made. Aren't we great?

What I don't understand with these urban renewal sites is ... why can't they at least just put up a sign? It's amazing how few people who eat and shop in that area don't know about the major development set to happen. OCURA/Alliance should have boiler plate signs like, "Urban Renewal Public-Private Partnership At Work Here" or something like that with a space for rendering, a la the signs in front of all M4K projects.

that is a great idea ... and thanks steve .. looks like they are pretty much on schedule (i think original ground breaking was in august)

Buffalo Bill: while I can see what you are saying, people want to know what is going on. The signs don't have to be elaborate/expensive to communicate effectively, at least tell folks what is going there. If it can be a positive PR move for an entity that is seen as being sometimes useless, and get what they do accomplish noticed, why not? I have mixed feelings about "your taxpayer dollars at work" signs as they can sometimes come across as candidate/office holder taxpayer funded campaign material.

Not that it matters, but I've never liked those types of signs. Spend the money elsewhere on some other amenity. A park bench. A tree. Whatever.

It reminds me too much of the millions OERB spends on their self-congratulatory TV ads. Look at us! Look at us! We're cleaning up the messes that we made. Aren't we great?

Heh, I agree with your premise, but these signs don't have to be very expensive. I think the Alliance would get a lot of PR bang for the buck out of it, it would proactively convince a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't know how beneficial it is for the public sector to make partnerships with private sector in the interest of moving the community forward.

We NEED to be highlighting our successes other than Devon and the Thunder, because there are so many. Times may not always be this good for downtown real estate, so it's important that we make a strong impression now, rather than leaving that job to only those who are in-the-know.

It may also serve to alert some HH neighbors.

What? Apartments? Since when?

It may also serve to alert some HH neighbors.

What? Apartments? Since when?

At this point there is little they could do short of standing in a line in front of the construction equipment. All permits and applications, to my understanding, have been reviewed, approved, and issued.

Signage revealed for this project:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edgesign1.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edgesign2.jpg

Have they actually broken ground on this yet? Or when is the expected start date?

Should be starting very soon.

Its funny how all these projects break ground in relation to the announcement, it went Level, Aloft, Maywood Apartments, I suspect that Hilton Garden Inn to break ground next, followed by the Edge. The Edge will be a game changer Midtown...

Its funny how all these projects break ground in relation to the announcement, it went Level, Aloft, Maywood Apartments, I suspect that Hilton Garden Inn to break ground next, followed by the Edge. The Edge will be a game changer Midtown...

I believe aLoft was announced before Level.

I love the signage, too bad it isn't illumined though.

I love the signage, too bad it isn't illumined though.

It is illuminated.

It is illuminated.

Glad to hear and thanks. I saw 'non-illuminated' on the specs and thought it applied to the surface of the sign. I see now it only applies to the casing.

I saw an OKC.biz article today in which Cathy O'Connor states that the developers are still working to finalize financing and plans for this project. Is that correct? I thought they were getting ready to actually begin construction...

Ms. O'Connor told the city council yesterday that she expected the ground breaking to take place in September.

I'll feel much better when dirt actually starts to move.

Do you realize that Wiggin's first proposal was chosen for this site in March of 2007???


Here we are over five years later and still not under construction. Please let it happen soon!

I just spoke to someone in the know and they assure me that HUD financing commitments are expected next week (no issues anticipated, just part of the bureaucratic process) and that construction will start in September.

There is nothing up in the air. Gary Brooks has significant experience with HUD and is one of the few local developers who can get HUD financing.

My family and I are anxious to see this. We are one of the many suburbanites looking to move to the core...when 3 beds and the school arrive.

My family and I are anxious to see this. We are one of the many suburbanites looking to move to the core...when 3 beds and the school arrive.

Schools for my kids are the reason I live where I do and not downtown. I visited The Hill today and liked the model home they just sold. They are very well built but I agree with many other they are a bit overpriced. I am going to keep following developments in Deep Deuce, SoSA, Midtown, and hopefully C2S in a couple (?) years. I think there are thousands of suburb dwellers that would gladly move downtown were it not for a couple critical issues - school for their children being foremost. But should my daughter decide to go for OSSM, I may be able to get down there sooner than expected.

We are moving to Deep Deuce with 3 kids but we homeschool, so that makes the hunt a lot easier. Excited to see how Edge turns out too though as we will probably continue to eye-ball MidTown.

So you're moving back to OKC?

update for the EDtrust meeting yesterday ... this project has final HUD approval .. they expect to close in the next 2 weeks and break ground late sept or early oct

Permit today for temporary structure for this project.

Looks like they are getting ready to set up a construction office and break ground.

Nice "fly-by" video at the Oklahoman. Construction starts October 17th.

OKC Central: The Edge | NewsOK Videos (http://newsok.com/okc-central-the-edge/multimedia/video/1850259627001)

Nice "fly-by" video at the Oklahoman. Construction starts October 17th.

OKC Central: The Edge | NewsOK Videos (http://newsok.com/okc-central-the-edge/multimedia/video/1850259627001)

If THAT is what is built it will take MidTown to new heights. The city must hold the developer to his word and is not permitted to use all the usual excuses contractors use to cheapen the end result.

What is the estimated completion date?

Big project. My guess is it will take at least 15 months, probably Spring 2014. Just a guess.

What is the estimated completion date?

Big project. My guess is it will take at least 15 months, probably Spring 2014. Just a guess.

Big project. My guess is it will take at least 15 months, probably Spring 2014. Just a guess.

Hmmm.... that would be good timing for me. My daughter says she wants to attend OSSM and my boys will be making their own way. I don't need 2500 ft2 and the school system will be irrelevant. I may take a look at this place in a couple years. I wouldn't mind renting for a while as long as it isn't as much as owning.

Here are some screen captures from the NewsOK video.

Surprised they didn't show any of the apartments, but the rest looks great:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge5.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge6.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge7.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/edge8.jpg

If this is what we actually end up getting, it will be a wonderful addition.

The bricks are great! That looks like a fabulous place to live!

In that last photo, I really like that they will be screening off the interior parking garage with greenery; looks like bamboo.

At Level, when you are at the pool you are looking straight into the garage with car grills looking down on you. Don't know if that will later be screened off in some way but for now it looks lousy.

If this is what we actually end up getting, it will be a wonderful addition.

It would be nice to have a developer deliver what is promised. I think it is more likely now since more and more people are paying attention to what is built downtown and are less willing to take good enough just to have something built.

I don't know how final the renderings are, but the windows / entrances on the retail storefronts appear pretty blah and institutional. I love the way Level's look. Maybe this is just preliminary.

I think these are about as final as you get.

Just released and construction starts in a couple of weeks.


Also, remember Brooks is trying to queue up another residential development in East Bricktown, so delivering what he promises is going to go a long way towards getting the necessary approvals.

One more thing: Brooks has assembled a great team.


NE Construction out of Texas has a great reputation as do the architects involved.

I feel really good about this project and think it's going to be game-changer in Midtown.

One more thing: Brooks has assembled a great team.


NE Construction out of Texas has a great reputation as do the architects involved.

I feel really good about this project and think it's going to be game-changer in Midtown.

Sounds like everything is falling into place for this to be a great development. I like several of the newer developments I have seen in DFW and hope this will turn out well. It may be where I land while waiting for C2S development to get rolling.

Awesome - I love it.

Really exciting! MidTown just keeps getting better! Some of the other developers need jump on some of the other empty lots in this area because people are going to want to live there...

I think when this quickly leases up, you'll see lots more residential development in the area.

We already know the MidtownR renovations have been snapped up long before being finished.

Very pleased with the renderings. Hopefully it is built as displayed, as that is a sure winner.

An ambitious project for sure. If it comes together like that, MidTown will explode.

A million times better than the Legacy and it seems the concerns of the community over a repeat of that project have really helped shape a much, much better project.

Hmm...

http://ocura-ok.org/sites/default/files/slides/OCURA-Slides-Notice_0.jpg

I don't recall ever hearing a specific date for the ground-breaking of The Edge, but I may have missed it. Anyway, the notice above is from OCURA's website - Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority (http://ocura-ok.org).

But this is good news. In fact, pretty awesome news.
:cool:

I don't know what the "Special Meeting" is about (unless "Special" just refers to the meeting occuring at St. Anthony's rather than the usual office location).

I suppose Mr. Lackmeyer will be there, covering this event?

Ok, mayor, time to get out your shovel -- another OKC ground-breaking.

:Smiley199

Just to answer my own question... there's not too much mystery about the meeting Wednesday, because OCURA has posted the agenda on their website:

http://ocura-ok.org/sites/default/files/files/documents/Agenda_Packets/OCURA%20Board%20Packet_101712_.pdf

This is the October Agenda Packet from: Board Meeting | Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority (http://ocura-ok.org/meetings/board-meeting)

Very nice! I'm still trying to scan through all the info...

this is going to be huge for midtown

Anybody going/go/at this?

Hmm...

http://ocura-ok.org/sites/default/files/slides/OCURA-Slides-Notice_0.jpg

I don't recall ever hearing a specific date for the ground-breaking of The Edge, but I may have missed it. Anyway, the notice above is from OCURA's website - Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority (http://ocura-ok.org).

But this is good news. In fact, pretty awesome news.
:cool:

I don't know what the "Special Meeting" is about (unless "Special" just refers to the meeting occuring at St. Anthony's rather than the usual office location).

I suppose Mr. Lackmeyer will be there, covering this event?

What's with the old beater truck in the corner of this rendering? That's fresh compared to most renderings that are always populated with Ferrari's and whatnot

Huge crowd at this event this morning. Beautiful day for this too.