Film Exchange Park

it's the least we could do

Film Exchange Park

it's the least we could do

I had similar thoughts.... although I just thought "Exchange Park". But I don't think they'll want to acknowledge what they did.

Citizens' Park, or Citizens' Common. A nod to the spirit of OKC's people, who, by agreeing to tax themselves, have made MAPS projects possible.

What about "Skydance" has to do with our heritage? I'm not being snotty, I truly don't get the reference. I thought it was a pretty random name for the pedestrian bridge when it was announced.

I may be off base, but I think Skydance is a reference to the flight of the Scissortale. . from "All About Birds" website: They are agile in the air, spreading their long tails wide to make abrupt turns and stalls. " Their flight is like a "skydance". This is what I remember being told as a child ( and I'm old :) )

When the large majority of people don't understand the connection, I'm not sure of the value.

I voted Union Park. Short and sweet, and has an obvious connection to the Union Station right there.

Originally I was favoring the Skydance idea, but changed my mind over time.
+1

The committee will choose what names they think best, right?
Reading some posts on this thread, it seems like a popularity contest/numerical vote for whichever names are cast more than others.

Skydane Park (IMO) is much more broad inclusion of our bird heritage--like the bird from Oklahoma's state song; '...hawk, makin lazy circles in the sky' to the state bird, the scissortail flycatcher.

We need to keep it as simple to boast the park's popularity. Just not a fan of trying to include a string of elongated names.

Skydane Park is truncated; now within the park we could dedicate certain areas or sections of remembrance like a veterans memorial, Mayor Cornett & Family & something recognizing a few citizens like Patience Latting (first woman mayor of OKC) or list of all OKC mayors.

The committee will choose what names they think best, right?
Reading some posts on this thread, it seems like a popularity contest/numerical vote for whichever names are cast more than others.

They will choose finalists then there will be an on-line public vote.

When the large majority of people don't understand the connection, I'm not sure of the value.

Right. If people on this board don't know what a Skydance is, imagine what it sounds like to a tourist.

Right. If people on this board don't know what a Skydance is, imagine what it sounds like to a tourist.

I'm guessing it will sound like something interesting and memorable that will cause them to ask about it, which is a good thing. The large majority of people, natives and tourists, will likely have no idea why (i.e., the connection) it is called Union Park or other variations that have been discussed here either.

Or, it just sounds like a hokey, made-up word.

http://media.dfw.com/smedia/2013/10/30/13/42/5loaI.St.117.jpeg
Sundance Square in Fort Worth

When I lived in Fort Worth, they promoted the 'Sundance.' theme.

Leave something for the imagination with Skydance; tourists who want to know will ask questions or do the research.

I don't understand the dislike for the Skydance Bridge. I think it's part of what makes OKC a unique city. And it's cool to see as you're approaching it at night and it's changing colors. It will be a perfect link between the upper and lower parks. I do photography and I'm already looking forward to taking pictures from the bridge showing BOK, the park, and any other new developments that pop pup in the coming years. Do I know what Skydance means? No. Do I care? Nope. Do I like the name? Yep!

I think everyone is overthinking this. Whenever your typing the word Skydance in, your computer probably tries to auto-correct it. It's the perfect name because it forces tourist to ask questions. But it's 2017 so most people will just google it, and when you google it 100 pictures of OKC pops up. It's better than a historic figure or any historic name. It's more like a free brand and OKC would have the market cornered.

If they name it Skydance, they should maybe put up some kind of plaque at the main entrance (or entrances) explaining what it means. Yeah, I know a lot of people won't care what it means, and some that do will just look it up on their phones, but still be nice to have something there telling the story.

I don't understand the dislike for the Skydance Bridge. I think it's part of what makes OKC a unique city. And it's cool to see as you're approaching it at night and it's changing colors. It will be a perfect link between the upper and lower parks. I do photography and I'm already looking forward to taking pictures from the bridge showing BOK, the park, and any other new developments that pop pup in the coming years. Do I know what Skydance means? No. Do I care? Nope. Do I like the name? Yep!

I love the bridge. I do not love the name. I really feel like the majority of people who I've discussed the name with don't care for it, at all. I am surprised there are so many on this message board that support it so vehemently. Or, maybe its just a few people with loud voices :wink:

I have no problem with Skydance as a name for the bridge or for the park for that matter. It's unique and doesn't soundlike we are trying to copy anyone else which is refreshing.

I don't care what the name of the Skydance bridge, I just wish they would have built the original suspended cable version...

The top five name submissions so far for the park are Land Run Park, Scissortail Park, Skydance Park, Union Park, and Unity Park.

http://www.news9.com/story/34850317/okc-announces-top-5-contenders-for-name-of-new-downtown-park

Land Run Park should be right out IMO, due to the negative history there. Unity Park just sounds weird to me.

Union Park is my favorite out of the five, I liked Union Commons, but I figured that the Park variant would be more popular.

Scissortail Park and Skydance Park would end up being two versions of pretty much the same name/theme, so I don't know if I would want to keep both of them in the running. If I had to choose between the two I would probably pick Scissortail Park with the connection to the Skydance Bridge.

Nobody voted for Oklahoma City Park? What is the world coming to?

I kind of like just naming it after a bird with no historical connection to the name besides just being a bird. Union Park is also ok.

down vote "Land Run Park" ....please!!

down vote "Land Run Park" ....please!!

Especially since there is the large land run monument and corresponding park in Lower Bricktown.

I submitted both Ikana Park (Chickasaw word for friend)
and......
Drumroll please:
Okchamali Park -pronunced "oak-cha-ma-lee" (Chickasaw word for both blue and green, which you'll be seeing most of at the park, grass and sky)
Not to mention the logos they can produce with the OKC capitalized

OKChamali Park

It works on all levels

I submitted both Ikana Park (Chickasaw word for friend)
and......
Drumroll please:
Okchamali Park -pronunced "oak-cha-ma-lee" (Chickasaw word for both blue and green, which you'll be seeing most of at the park, grass and sky)
Not to mention the logos they can produce with the OKC capitalized

OKChamali Park

It works on all levels

Love these suggestions. :) I'm also a fan of Union Park or Union Commons.

I submitted both Ikana Park (Chickasaw word for friend)
and......
Drumroll please:
Okchamali Park -pronunced "oak-cha-ma-lee" (Chickasaw word for both blue and green, which you'll be seeing most of at the park, grass and sky)
Not to mention the logos they can produce with the OKC capitalized

OKChamali Park

It works on all levels

OKChamali Park, I like it! It's also the Choctaw word for green as well (we have a separate word for blue, which is "okchakko").

I submitted Riverfront park and Red Bud park

Hudson is almost finished on the west side of the park.

The asphalt strip is for the streetcar rails which will lead to the maintenance facility (just behind me in this photo).

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/centralpark031917.jpg

Construction bids for the upper park -- estimated at $60 million -- are due by May 2nd with the plan to start construction in June.

Construction bids for the upper park -- estimated at $60 million -- are due by May 2nd with the plan to start construction in June.

Very exciting to hear. I cannot wait to watch this park unfold.

Excited about this park! Love the setting. My kiddos/wife love the MBG and we participate in a lot of the programmed activities that go on there. Hopefully, the interfacing and synthesis between the new park and MBG is maintained. Can't wait.

Something that would be nice is a pedestrian bridge of sorts from MBG to the park so that people can freely go between the two parks. That's one big drawback of the boulevard and all of the parking lots; the separation between the parks

I guess you could always jump on the streetcar and ride it back and forth between the two parks, but it would be nice to have a pedestrian connection.

Something that would be nice is a pedestrian bridge of sorts from MBG to the park so that people can freely go between the two parks. That's one big drawback of the boulevard and all of the parking lots; the separation between the parks

As a matter of pragmatism, based on the programming expected at each park, what is going to draw people to walk from park to park? Seems like people will go to one or the other for different reasons and not just be somehow compelled to leave one to go to the other. This will be especially true when the blocks between the two are developed, won't it. I don't think people just go park hopping, do they?

Something that would be nice is a pedestrian bridge of sorts from MBG to the park so that people can freely go between the two parks. That's one big drawback of the boulevard and all of the parking lots; the separation between the parks

Depending on how the land between the 2 parks gets developed, that may not even be a possibility. Hopefully it is, but there's no guarantees at this point.

Depending on how the land between the 2 parks gets developed, that may not even be a possibility. Hopefully it is, but there's no guarantees at this point.

Happy Birthday Teo!!

Happy Birthday Teo!!

Thank you, Pete!

Hopefully next year I get to celebrate my 30th in "Union Park" ;)

I also would like to celebrate my 30th next year. :)

Is there any set plan for the sculpture piece that will be in the Urban Plaza located @ Robinson and Boulevard?

I still think we should do something unique and iconic - this is pretty extreme, but I would love to see a [world's] largest interactive plasma globe type of sculpture. Not a single one exists, and it would instantly be a marketing centerpiece and destination for visitors.

http://okchomesellers.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/OKCCentralPark1.jpg

http://www.holoscience.com/news/img/Arp%20w%20plasma%20ball.jpg

The Arts Commission handles all public art in OKC and every publicly funded project is required to set aside 1% of its budget for public art.

I haven't seen them start this process (solicitation from artists, then selection) as of yet.

http://newsok.com/architect-predicts-oklahoma-citys-downtown-park-will-be-transformative/article/5543121

One thing that stands out about this rendering is the surface parking for the convention center fronting the park. Is there any reason it has to be surface parking and if so, does it have to front the park?

http://newsok.com/architect-predicts-oklahoma-citys-downtown-park-will-be-transformative/article/5543121

One thing that stands out about this rendering is the surface parking for the convention center fronting the park. Is there any reason it has to be surface parking and if so, does it have to front the park?

IIRC, that parking lot is for the Convention Center expansion. Someday it should go away.

IIRC, that parking lot is for the Convention Center expansion. Someday it should go away.

Ah yes, Proverbs 231: 3-4 "Let it be known that that surface parking fronting a busy area within the confines of downtown Oklahoma City will one day go away. Just kidding, it stays forever."

Praise be the God of Parking.

In this particular case, I would not bet against the interests in the city that are why we are building this new convention center in the first place. They'll want that Convention Center expansion, and they'll probably get it.

Ah yes, Proverbs 231: 3-4 "Let it be known that that surface parking fronting a busy area within the confines of downtown Oklahoma City will one day go away. Just kidding, it stays forever."

Praise be the God of Parking.

The big difference is that the city will actually own this surface parking lot for future. It also buys the city time when it comes to parking issues near the convention center. There is already the question of how the the parking garage serving the convention hotel will be funded.

Its one of those situations where its absolutely critical to allocate space for future expansion.

I am quite sure the parking structure will be completed in time for the Omni to open, and that garage will also serve the convention center.

But when there are big events, they'll need all the parking in that area they can get.

The Arts Commission handles all public art in OKC and every publicly funded project is required to set aside 1% of its budget for public art.

I haven't seen them start this process (solicitation from artists, then selection) as of yet.

Does the park budget have $1.2+ million to spare?

MAPS 3 park ready for bids

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record March 28, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – The bidding process will begin this week for the construction of the north part of the 70-acre MAPS 3 park downtown.

The City Council on Tuesday approved the final plans and specifications for what is often referred to as the upper park, generally bounded by the new Oklahoma City Boulevard, S. Hudson Avenue, Interstate 40 and S. Robinson Avenue. The full park, divided by Interstate 40 and joined by the Skydance Bridge, is part of the $777 million Metropolitan Area Projects package of municipal improvements.

The design of the upper park allows for several alternative additions should the council decide to go beyond an initial budget of $60.6 million, said Gavin McMillan with Hargreaves Associates architecture firm. Bids are expected by May 2 with council approval June 6. Construction is expected to be finished by the second quarter of 2019.

The first 36 acres are subdivided into 15 attraction areas that include the great lawn, cafe, renovated Union Station, water features, playgrounds and gardens. McMillan said his company was able to work closely with park management at the Myriad Botanical Gardens to design features that will improve revenue generation and the park’s overall financial success.

“Along the lake will be a boathouse, which will be a great place to grab a drink and some food and look at the lake and people coming and going,” he said. “We’ve been doing parks for 30 years. In this one, we’ve had the most interaction with the operator from day one. That usually only happens after the park opens.”

Possible operational revenue generators include parking space for food trucks along Robinson Avenue, small event pavilions, Union Station and lawns for music and other entertainments such as arts festivals.

The planned cafe of about 5,700 square feet will include a combination of indoor and outdoor seating and dining areas. The design was developed with input from local restaurant operators. Likewise, the 4,500-square-foot stage involved the Oklahoma City Ballet company, Oklahoma City Symphony and regional music promoters.

The planned cafe of about 5,700 square feet will include a combination of indoor and outdoor seating and dining areas. The design was developed with input from local restaurant operators. Likewise, the 4,500-square-foot stage involved the Oklahoma City Ballet company, Oklahoma City Symphony and regional music promoters.

I know it's spilled milk and all, but there's no reason the old film exchange building couldn't have immediately filled this purpose and allowed us to have a connection to this area...

I am quite sure the parking structure will be completed in time for the Omni to open, and that garage will also serve the convention center.

But when there are big events, they'll need all the parking in that area they can get.

What happened to the idea of building a garage on the east side along Shields? It would cover the loading docks, etc.

What happened to the idea of building a garage on the east side along Shields? It would cover the loading docks, etc.

The City swapped land to the developer of the Fairfield Inn and that project seems to be moving forward.

I know it won't be named after a person, but someone on reddit came up with Mickey Mantle Park and I thought that was a cool idea. You could shorten it to Mantle Park.

If we had kept the Film Exchange Building and that became the future home of the Mickey Mantle Museum, I'd be on board with that, otherwise there's enough Mantle going on in Bricktown.

What’s in a name? OKC residents submit 5,100 suggestions for park

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record April 10, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – The development of a 70-acre MAPS 3 park in downtown Oklahoma City has entered one of its most important and subjective phases, city officials said.

City Hall is seeking an answer to the question, “What’s in a name?” Or, to borrow from William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, could a central park by any other name be successful?

Early resident survey results suggest a Buffalo Park or Bison Park, for example, would not be as attractive as a Scissortail Flycatcher Park, by a vote of 70-200.

Since mid-March, residents have been submitting names for the park, one of several projects scheduled under the $777 million Metropolitan Area Projects tax issue. About 5,100 names were entered online by the April 7 deadline. City staff members will now sort through the raw data to arrange it by common themes and compensate for misspellings before forwarding the most popular ideas to a committee, followed by another survey and final decision.

The only rule posted on the city’s internet site was that the park can’t be named after a person. Officials also said silly names will not be considered.

Several people set aside dignity, however, to follow a trend that developed last year when a British government agency asked for Internet input on a $287 million polar research ship. The majority in that exercise chose Boaty McBoatface.

In Oklahoma City, about 140 submissions were made for Parky McParkface or some variation thereof, according to raw data provided under an open records request. A total of about 5,100 names were submitted before the poll was closed.

Mayor Mick Cornett – whose name showed up 50 times in the list – said he wants the park identity to represent the best of the city and stand the test of time.

That’s why a name including a reference to thunder is probably a bad idea, said Tracey Zeeck, president of the Bumbershoot public relations agency. Although it does suggest something about Oklahoma’s weather, storms typically don’t evoke positive vibes. And the name is already trademarked by the local NBA basketball team.

Regardless, “thunder” was submitted about 80 times.

Sponsorship opportunities will be made available for individual features within the park such as water spraygrounds and event pavilions, said Maureen Heffernan, executive director of the Myriad Gardens. But the park’s overall identity needs to be kept away from a brand that could suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.

“It needs to tether the park to the community, and then the name identifies itself to the rest of the world,” Zeeck said. “It needs to represent everyone equally, like a Central Park or Millennium Park (in Chicago) does. Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta commemorates how the people came together to hold the Olympic Games.

“This (MAPS 3) park doesn’t really feel like our park yet. I know taxpayers are paying for it, but there’s nothing in that area that has its own identity yet. There’s no connection,” Zeeck said. “It all feels a little contrived at this point until we know its personality.”

In the same vein as Parky McParkface, the survey drew some wholly inappropriate references to sex or cursing. A few used the opportunity to make political statements about taxation or the appropriateness of such a large project at the people’s expense. The word “tax” appeared nearly 70 times; “people” was submitted 40 times.

Some respondents tried to tie the park to elements nearby. “Skydance,” for example, a reference to the Skydance Bridge over Interstate 40, appeared 140 times. “Myriad” showed up 10 times.

The adjective “central” was submitted 110 times, while “heart” made the list 180 times by itself or as part of “heartland.”

The history of Oklahoma was just as popular. “Pioneer” was submitted 50 times, “land run” came in at 110, and “sooner” got 30 votes.

Kym Koch, head of Koch Communications, said she tries to get her business clients to identify how they want people to feel about the company, focusing on characteristics or traits rather than specific words. Those references don’t necessarily make it into the final brand name, but they do help generate insightful discussion to that end.

Sarah Sears, a principal at S Design Inc. in Oklahoma City, said it’s important to be as inclusive as possible in research surveys because a vocal minority can skew perspective. Sears’ agency helped develop the Embark identity for the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority as well as the name Riversports for the activity district on the Oklahoma River.

“People go with what’s most comfortable, and that’s usually what they’ve already seen before,” she said.

Many survey respondents sought familiar elements of nature. The words “redbud” or “red bud,” for example, got 90 votes, while “prairie” got 80 and “wind” received 35.

Animal names were some of the most popular ideas. “Buffalo” and “bison” received 70 votes, while “scissortail” was submitted 200 times. “Armadillo” didn’t make the cut at all, and “squirrel” showed up in the data 330 times.

“Anytime you pick something too generic, it loses its value,” Sears said. “That’s a basic trademark rule – think about Apple and all the other companies with the word ‘computing’ in their names. … Sometimes the greatest ideas come out of the funniest places.”

The final naming decision will be announced at the park groundbreaking June 29, city officials said.

I'll just post what I submitted as it probably doesn't matter now.

New Century Park

I thought it was strong, simple, and kept OKC's renaissance in mind with how the city has transformed from the lates 90s/early 2000s until now. I also thought it was on par with Centennial Park and Central Park.

I'm not interested in debating the merits of it. I hope it's a finalist, though.

Not bad, though it has me wondering what happened to "old" Century Park. :-)

Union Prairie wouldn't have been a bad idea

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/centralpark051317.jpg