I went past it today and did not notice any molding or stains on the exterior. Which side is this supposedly on?

The north side is where I saw it a couple of weeks ago. Might have been remedied by now. People forget this is still an active construction project. Just as a dead tree in a still-in-progress streetscape project shouldn't inspire panic, neither should this. Contractor warranties are still in effect in both cases.

Regarding the faux stucco application: I wasn't commenting at all on the design merits. I was only suggesting the material used should be significantly more durable than styrofoam-type EIFS.

Any idea how much longer until the entire complex is completely finished? (not including Native Roots moving in)?

Also, is is not odd that an operator hasn't been announced for the restaurant space? Perhaps interested parties are waiting for Aloft to open?

Perhaps interested parties are waiting for Aloft to open?

I can't imagine this would be the case because (a) it won't be a long wait at this point, and (b) if you wait then you risk not getting the space at all. I agree that it's strange that no one has been announced. I think this could be an excellent location for the right restaurant because it can get the downtown lunch crowd AND probably do well at night with the emerging DD neighborhood.

Noticed a lot bikes, patio furniture, and plants on balconies, which is a good sign, these are filling up pretty quickly.

Any updates from the tenants? Is there any difficulty living with the construction?

I'm thinking about trying to move here when I get back to town, that is if there are even units remaining...

As of about 2-3 weeks ago there was only one unit left for rent, both completed and still under-construction.

As of about 2-3 weeks ago there was only one unit left for rent, both completed and still under-construction.

Ha, ya snooze ya lose, I suppose. The search continues...

The cabinets have been installed inside Native Roots. They look very close to opening.

From this afternoon...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8022/7701304382_45c3312d8a.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701304382/)
Level Urban Apartments (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701304382/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7701303976_1f64e972a9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701303976/)
Level Urban Apartments (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701303976/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7248/7701303620_36cbf16116.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701303620/)
Level Urban Apartments (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701303620/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/7701303228_384a5b4d1c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701303228/)
Level Urban Apartments (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701303228/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7280/7701302832_c6ffeb95d6.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701302832/)
Level Urban Apartments (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701302832/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8001/7701226938_5f533ffb22.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701226938/)
Deep Deuce (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7701226938/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr

I was excited to see the Spokies rack go up at LEVEL. I have my own bike, but it's nice to see it there regardless.

Yeah, for some reason I thought it was going across Walnut... in front of Native Roots is a much better location.

FYI: On my way to work this morning I noticed an older/homeless guy walking on the sidewalk next to Level on Walnut, looking on patios trying to find something to take! So please don't leave anything valuable on those balconies/patios if you live on the 1st level. Does this complex have security?

You shoulda yelled at him. That woulda freaked him out!

FYI: On my way to work this morning I noticed an older/homeless guy walking on the sidewalk next to Level on Walnut, looking on patios trying to find something to take! So please don't leave anything valuable on those balconies/patios if you live on the 1st level. Does this complex have security?

BTW - this is called 'eyes on the street' and what makes a populated urban neighborhood safer than a suburban neighborhood that is empty 9 hours a day. Yes G. Walker, you should have yelled at him to let him know his actions were not welcomed in the neighborhood.

A simple "Hey, don't even think about it!" would probably suffice, even if it was from across the street. Just don't put yourself in too much danger. Some of these homeless types are mentaly unstable.

And even some of the Ph.D. in Neuroscience candidate types are mentally unstable. You never know who's dangerous.

And even some of the Ph.D. in Neuroscience candidate types are mentally unstable. You never know who's dangerous.

TruDat - but to be fair, some Ph.D. Neuroscience candidate types were on the verge of being homeless after their government grant ran out.

BTW - this is called 'eyes on the street' and what makes a populated urban neighborhood safer than a suburban neighborhood that is empty 9 hours a day.

Interesting spin. Even though statistics don't prove that out at all.

However you are correct in that IF everyone is vigilant and vocal we can all help keep crime down, whether in the core or in the suburbs. Crime is a metropolitan problem, not just downtown, uptown, suburbs, or exburbs. We all need to help keep it in check. Meanwhile, the original idea was correct...the ground floor apartments need to be careful about what they have on the patios and how it is secured. It is just smart.

Interesting spin. Even though statistics don't prove that out at all.

Not spin, it is just that the traditonal method for caluclating crime doesn't work well in areas where they daytime users far out number the full time residents. When you adjust for that the crime stats tell a different story than what you are used to seeing. When they calculate crime in downtown OKC do they do it based on the 2,000 people that live there or the 35,000 people that spend most of their day there but go somewhere else to sleep? Here is Jax they do it by the daytime population which makes downtown Jax one the safest neighborhoods in the entire city.

http://downtownjacksonville.org/Libraries/PDF_Libraries/2011_Downtown_Safety_Page_FINAL.sflb.ashx


The crime rate in Downtown is significantly lower than the Duval County crime rate. Crime in Downtown accounts for only 2% of the crime in Duval County. According to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Uniform Crime Report (UCR), the Duval County crime rate in 2009 was 58 per 1,000 population, while the UCR crime rate in Downtown in 2009 was 22 per 1,000 population (based on day time employment population1).

Interesting spin. Even though statistics don't prove that out at all.

However you are correct in that IF everyone is vigilant and vocal we can all help keep crime down, whether in the core or in the suburbs. Crime is a metropolitan problem, not just downtown, uptown, suburbs, or exburbs. We all need to help keep it in check. Meanwhile, the original idea was correct...the ground floor apartments need to be careful about what they have on the patios and how it is secured. It is just smart.

What are you talking about? Statistics are pretty negative toward suburban neighborhood watches, but I don't know how urban ones play out tbh...

http://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0592.jpghttp://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0593.jpghttp://i1196.photobucket.com/albums/aa408/wschnitt/IMG_0594.jpg

Last picture is the Native Roots Space.

REALLY liking those signs. Very nice touch

Thanks for the photos.

Look all the little design details at Level.


Native Roots should move fast now, as they have announced the closing of their Norman store so they'll just be moving their fixtures and inventory to this site.

Thanks for the photos.

Look all the little design details at Level.


Native Roots should move fast now, as they have announced the closing of their Norman store so they'll just be moving their fixtures and inventory to this site.

WHAT!?!?! they are closing their Norman store to move it up to OKC? I do not feel good about that.

WHAT!?!?! they are closing their Norman store to move it up to OKC? I do not feel good about that.

They didn't feel good about the increased level of competition arising in Norman, so they decided to focus on the OKC location and shut down the Norman location.
http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=31271

That should show just how bullish they are on the demand for a downtown grocer. To just pick up and move after becoming sort of the name brand alternative grocery in Norman take some guts.

It does stink for Norman but it seems like they will soon have tons of options.

Not sure they would have made it even if they weren't going forward with this new downtown location.

And of course, it's always nice to see a suburbs-to-urban move.

It does stink for Norman but it seems like they will soon have tons of options.

Not sure they would have made it even if they weren't going forward with this new downtown location.

And of course, it's always nice to see a suburbs-to-urban move.

Norman will be fine. Existing folks have already upped their game some. New arrivals will spur that further along as well. Looking forward to seeing who fills the space they are vacating (though I suspect the residents above the space are far more curious than I am.).

I didn't realize there was increased competition in Norman, especially considering that Forward Foods is no longer there, either. I guess you can chalk them up to another local operation that scooted up north. Although ironically, FF is now in much more danger of competition..

Forward Foods IS still in Norman Sparty, still on Main St. Just closer to I-35

I wonder why Downtown Norman is no bueno for small independent grocery business. Native Roots' current space in the Magnolia Building was fantastic, they were the first tenants after the building was immaculately restored, and it was actually a pretty good-sized space on an active stretch of Main. I dated a girl who was an artist with an apartment above there, and I really just dated her for the apartment I think...

*On a side note, back to LEVEL, I am pleasantly surprised to see that the Deep Deuce bikeshare rack has been the most popular as I've noticed. The bays are all modular so they will be able to re-arrange them as needed around downtown to fit ridership patterns. I would predict Deep Deuce getting more of the bike capacity.

I wonder why Downtown Norman is no bueno for small independent grocery business. Native Roots' current space in the Magnolia Building was fantastic, they were the first tenants after the building was immaculately restored, and it was actually a pretty good-sized space on an active stretch of Main. I dated a girl who was an artist with an apartment above there, and I really just dated her for the apartment I think...

*On a side note, back to LEVEL, I am pleasantly surprised to see that the Deep Deuce bikeshare rack has been the most popular as I've noticed. The bays are all modular so they will be able to re-arrange them as needed around downtown to fit ridership patterns. I would predict Deep Deuce getting more of the bike capacity.

sprouts is going in just down the street ..

I wonder why Downtown Norman is no bueno for small independent grocery business. Native Roots' current space in the Magnolia Building was fantastic, they were the first tenants after the building was immaculately restored, and it was actually a pretty good-sized space on an active stretch of Main. I dated a girl who was an artist with an apartment above there, and I really just dated her for the apartment I think...

*On a side note, back to LEVEL, I am pleasantly surprised to see that the Deep Deuce bikeshare rack has been the most popular as I've noticed. The bays are all modular so they will be able to re-arrange them as needed around downtown to fit ridership patterns. I would predict Deep Deuce getting more of the bike capacity.

As I understand, FF moving was not an indictment of downtown Norman, and may have had to do more with the size of their space and challenges with their building. Also, apparently their customer base that truly spends money with them was not necessarily just in the central part of the city.

As for Native Roots, one would surmise they are calculating that they will make more money in the new location, and being a small business, operating two locations is probably more than they can handle. Furthermore, one of the challenges that all businesses in Norman face is the disappearance of the student customer during the summer, holidays, and even on weekends. I was always surprised how empty the dorms would get on weekends as students went home to Dallas, Tulsa, OKC, etc. The student business is simply very inconsistent.

Norman is moving very slowly in embracing the new urbanism. As a former resident, I find it surprising given how progressive Norman is that they have done so little to add density / housing in the urban core and downtown. Also, there is still no quality hotel within walking distance of the University / Campus Corner, etc. Norman is great, but it somewhat suffers from the fact that so many residents "like it just the way it is" and are somewhat fearful of development.

Another observation I've had over the years is that despite the city's liberal leanings, Norman's city council has always been very middle of the road and even somewhat conservative. And let's not even address Norman's strangely draconian and even hostile police force (all good officers notwithstanding).

So much could be done to enliven Norman's central core but there are institutional barriers present that make the wheels of change grind very slowly.

Does Norman have curbside recycling yet? The fact they didn't for so long (if they even have it now) always surprised me given how liberal / progressive the community is.

Norman is simply complacent and behind OKC about 20 years on revitalizing its central core. Hopefully this inertia will pass and give way to more creative thinking.

Norman is moving very slowly in embracing the new urbanism. As a former resident, I find it surprising given how progressive Norman is that they have done so little to add density / housing in the urban core and downtown. Also, there is still no quality hotel within walking distance of the University / Campus Corner, etc. Norman is great, but it somewhat suffers from the fact that so many residents "like it just the way it is" and are somewhat fearful of development.

Another observation I've had over the years is that despite the city's liberal leanings, Norman's city council has always been very middle of the road and even somewhat conservative. And let's not even address Norman's strangely draconian and even hostile police force (all good officers notwithstanding).

So much could be done to enliven Norman's central core but there are institutional barriers present that make the wheels of change grind very slowly.

Does Norman have curbside recycling yet? The fact they didn't for so long (if they even have it now) always surprised me given how liberal / progressive the community is.

Norman is simply complacent and behind OKC about 20 years on revitalizing its central core. Hopefully this inertia will pass and give way to more creative thinking.

I agree with all of this. Norman has been very disappointing in many areas considering it's population. They did add curbside recycling 3 or 4 years ago though.

Norman is great, but it somewhat suffers from the fact that so many residents "like it just the way it is" and are somewhat fearful of development.

Norman is simply complacent and behind OKC about 20 years on revitalizing its central core. Hopefully this inertia will pass and give way to more creative thinking.

Your whole post was extremely accurate and summed up my own thoughts as well, but these two points are really bull's eye.

Any and all future talk of Native Roots, please post here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Native+Roots+Grocery&redirect=no

Thanks!

Norman is moving very slowly in embracing the new urbanism. As a former resident, I find it surprising given how progressive Norman is that they have done so little to add density / housing in the urban core and downtown. Also, there is still no quality hotel within walking distance of the University / Campus Corner, etc. Norman is great, but it somewhat suffers from the fact that so many residents "like it just the way it is" and are somewhat fearful of development.

Another observation I've had over the years is that despite the city's liberal leanings, Norman's city council has always been very middle of the road and even somewhat conservative. And let's not even address Norman's strangely draconian and even hostile police force (all good officers notwithstanding).

So much could be done to enliven Norman's central core but there are institutional barriers present that make the wheels of change grind very slowly.

Norman is simply complacent and behind OKC about 20 years on revitalizing its central core. Hopefully this inertia will pass and give way to more creative thinking.

Not to change to subject even further from LEVEL, but this puts in words what I feel about Norman but couldn't quite put my finger on.

Norman's approach to everything is so over the place, and it stems from a pretty deep identity crisis. Does it want to be a college town? A suburb? A run-of-the-mil Oklahoma county-seat town? Is it even a part of greater OKC?

In any event, I'm sure Native Roots will do very well in Deep Deuce.

Well it "looks like" Mckown's next development will be in Norman:

http://m.normantranscript.com/normantrans/pm_112594/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RwGGEKxS

Well it looks like Mckown's next development will be in Norman:

http://m.normantranscript.com/normantrans/pm_112594/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RwGGEKxS

Sounds like Norman is finally getting with the program. Good. The article you cite is rather vague, however, as to whether McCown will get the project.

Sounds like Norman is finally getting with the program. Good. The article you cite is rather vague, however, as to whether McCown will get the project.

True, thats why I said "looks like", but the title of the article suggests he is the one proposing the project.

Well it "looks like" Mckown's next development will be in Norman:

http://m.normantranscript.com/normantrans/pm_112594/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RwGGEKxS

I didn't think he was going to announce this for a few more months. This is basically a half block north of Campus corner, so it'll tear down some underutilized buildings and make campus corner bigger, denser and add residents.

I didn't think he was going to announce this for a few more months. This is basically a half block north of Campus corner, so it'll tear down some underutilized buildings and make campus corner bigger, denser and add residents.

Well, it was confirmed in the Norman thread http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=30576, that he is not the one proposing the project, he just was offering his perspective of the situation.

Cool new sign on the corner, plus some benches:


http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/s720x720/526321_10151172285761005_1361325009_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/s720x720/378597_10151172285356005_655748077_n.jpg

They need a few more trashcans. Tenants seem to be dropping trash all over the street and sidewalk. I've had to add LEVEL to my trash pickup route on walks. I don't understand why people think they have the right to drop cups and plastic bottles, fast food wrappers and bags when they're getting out of their cars. Sigh.

Come on Level dwellers. You are not trash, so Don't Trash OKC!

I've seen the littering first hand - it's the construction workers.

Except the construction workers are pretty much gone. It was far worse when they were there. I suppose we can blame it on the moving companies for awhile, but judging by the general level of trash around the Deep Deuce apartments, my expectations aren't high. If there were more trash cans placed, I bet people would be more likely to hold onto their trash until the reach a trash can. We've got multiple cans in front of our houses and I think LEVEL could follow suit.

I've worked with guys who could litter a mile around them. Try not to make an area guilty. It only takes one.

Except the construction workers are pretty much gone. It was far worse when they were there. I suppose we can blame it on the moving companies for awhile, but judging by the general level of trash around the Deep Deuce apartments, my expectations aren't high. If there were more trash cans placed, I bet people would be more likely to hold onto their trash until the reach a trash can. We've got multiple cans in front of our houses and I think LEVEL could follow suit.

I think they may be referring to the Aloft construction workers, and a strong south wind.

Oklahoma City is HORRIBLE in general for not having trash cans in public places. We need more trash cans everywhere. It should be a code for new construction or remodel.

We could use more citizens who are proud of their city and JUST QUIT throwing trash on the ground. It is just laziness and low class. Yes, it would be great to have more trash cans, but that is no excuse for slobs. There is a great problem in this society that when someone is acting poorly we blame everyone but the violator. Trash cans or not, not every area of town is treated like everyone's trash can. Have a little pride folks.

http://www.treeandleafclothing.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/OklahomaTrash.jpg

http://www.treeandleafclothing.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/OklahomaTrash.jpg

Hot damn, I didn't know you could still get these shirts. That's great!

Unfortunatley, a lot of folks believe the back of their, or someone else's, pickup is a trash can. I see so much stuff blowing out of the back end of pickups, especially getting on the interstate.

We could use more citizens who are proud of their city and JUST QUIT throwing trash on the ground. It is just laziness and low class. Yes, it would be great to have more trash cans, but that is no excuse for slobs. There is a great problem in this society that when someone is acting poorly we blame everyone but the violator. Trash cans or not, not every area of town is treated like everyone's trash can. Have a little pride folks.

Well said Rover. It isn't much different from the idiots who throw cigarette butts onto dry grass and drive off with a wildfire beginning in their wake - irresponsibility and no consideration for anyone else are far too common attitudes.

Oklahoma City is HORRIBLE in general for not having trash cans in public places. We need more trash cans everywhere. It should be a code for new construction or remodel.

Now that you've said that: Could we get a few trash cans along the river walk? I've walked west to May Ave. from the boathouses on the north side, and I believe there's only one trash can. through there.

People in general can be pretty trashy, I drive through Civic Center Park here in Denver (the park between the State Capitol and City Hall) every afternoon on the way home and it is covered in trash by 5:00 in the evening and there are trash cans everywhere. Just because the cans are there doesn't mean that people will use them.

It's not worthy of a new thread, but they're drilling in the land between 2nd and 3rd west of Oklahoma. Looks like Richard McKown might be thinking about starting something.

It's not worthy of a new thread, but they're drilling in the land between 2nd and 3rd west of Oklahoma. Looks like Richard McKown might be thinking about starting something.

Hmmmm drilling means they are going up! I am getting really excited. I have heard rumors that he wants to go up on that spot!

I think a 10-11 story residential tower would be perfect for that location. It would provide as a visual and physical anchor for that district.