Holy crap, that's gonna be huge.

Wow!! Thanks Pete - you never fail. That is even bigger than I was imagining. This park is going to be amazing. I hope the folks in charge of programming are able to keep the stage in use or at least make it open to the public!

Thanks!!

Posting Myriad Gardens lawn over Scissortail reminds me of one of my favorite simple geography sites to use to use with students compare countries' sizes: https://thetruesize.com/.

^^^I love that site! I've shown it to so many people and it always blows their minds.

Posting Myriad Gardens lawn over Scissortail reminds me of one of my favorite simple geography sites to use to use with students compare countries' sizes: https://thetruesize.com/.

TIL Oklahoma is bigger than Iceland!

Oh wow. I went into that assuming I already had a good grasp on comparative country sizes, and then was blown away when I typed in Russia and Canada started dragging them around.

Its weird how the poles skew the size on maps. Not really sure why that happens, but when you drag Greenland around it becomes tiny.

Its weird how the poles skew the size on maps. Not really sure why that happens, but when you drag Greenland around it becomes tiny.

It's because in reality, the circumference of the latitudes get smaller as you go away from the equator, yet the Mercator projection distorts the latitudes to all be the same size, as if the globe were a cylinder.

It's because in reality, the circumference of the latitudes get smaller as you go away from the equator, yet the Mercator projection distorts the latitudes to all be the same size, as if the globe were a cylinder.

Ah, that makes sense. Thank you.

Its weird how the poles skew the size on maps. Not really sure why that happens, but when you drag Greenland around it becomes tiny.

All flat maps are projections because putting a round globe on a flat surface requires distortion in some form. So, all mapmakers have to make a decision about what they want to be accurate and what can be less accurate. The Mercator Projection of political boundaries is the most common map in schools and elsewhere and, as the video shows, it emphasized getting country shape correct at the expense of country size. That Greenland, an island 1/14th the size of the African continent, is the same size as Africa is the most dramatic example. Here's the explanation. It's a great video I use when teaching teachers to teach geography:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIID5FDi2JQ

I find this map stuff fairly interesting. I did a little reading a few months back and saw where a lot of schools are transitioning to a map that does a better job of showing correct size. Can't remember what it's called but seems like the Mercator is slowly being phased out, or at the very least supplemented.

iirc Mercator gained prevalence over other projections as a navigational map. The size of countries is wrong, but direction/bearing is maintained. Other projections are better for reference maps, but don't do as good a job for navigation.

My favorite video/clip on this subject comes from the West Wing.


https://youtu.be/vVX-PrBRtTY

Edit: I'm not smart enough to embed a video. Hopefully a link will suffice.

As that video points out, Google Maps still uses the Mercator Projection because it still works for accurate directions. The Mercator is useful, it's just important to use others maps too and understand its limitations.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail111217a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail111217b.jpg

looks really desolate now. that parking lot is terrible

looks really desolate now. that parking lot is terrible

Well, yeah. It's under construction.

the parking lot?

the parking lot?

I thought you meant the scene as a whole, but I was just pointing out the foreground is all under construction. The parking lot will surely be developed at some point. It's prime property.

I don't understand why this parking lot isn't getting developed. It's arguably the most valuable land in OKC. The developers already know what's going in around it... why the wait?

I don't understand why this parking lot isn't getting developed. It's arguably the most valuable land in OKC. The developers already know what's going in around it... why the wait?

It's the Midtown Renaissance group and they aren't doing anything right now.

And even when they do, they have a ton of properties to develop.

Hopefully whatever is built here is nothing short of 50 stories!

Hopefully whatever is built here is nothing short of 50 stories!

Amazon HQ2 in OKC confirmed! :rolleyes:

Core2Shore would be great place for Amazon to build an urban campus all of the other issues aside.

That's good parking on Thunder game days. I hope they keep it.

Aside from a landfill, a parking lot is one of the worst uses for this property.

Similar to the lot by IHOP in Bricktown, I wish they would invest in rebuilding the parking lot. If it's going to be a parking lot for 5 or more years, at least make it as attractive and inviting as possible. Find a way to improve the connection between the two parks with a wide walking/bike trail down Harvey.

That's good parking on Thunder game days. I hope they keep it.

So true, but I'm reluctant to park in that area anymore because it isn't monitored like it was prior to the renovation of the Peake when the OKCPD portable skywatch towers were used. There are just too many undesirables who could take advantage of parked cars in the area.

So true, but I'm reluctant to park in that area anymore because it isn't monitored like it was prior to the renovation of the Peake when the OKCPD portable skywatch towers were used. There are just too many undesirables who could take advantage of parked cars in the area.

According to crime analytics in the OKC database, a vehicle hasn't been broken into in that area in over a year.

Not to derail thread...but regarding PP post above ^ (and I know he was just kidding) but did OKC even put in a bid for Amazon?

Yes sir we did....I posted an article from koco with Abigail Ogle briefly speaking with Mayor Cornet about it in the Amazon thread.

In fact, someone mentioned they had a family member working at Amazon and apparently we have a real shot at it. Count me in as being optimistic that we get them to come here. They could have that land to the east of Scissortail or to the east of Chesapeake. Whatever the case, would be pretty awesome for us to win the bid.

**sidenote** I believe it was noted that Tulsa put in a bid too.

Not to derail thread...but regarding PP post above ^ (and I know he was just kidding) but did OKC even put in a bid for Amazon?

It's discussed here: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43054&page=7&p=1006213#post1006213


In fact, someone mentioned they had a family member working at Amazon and apparently we have a real shot at it.

Is this anything more than just rumors of questionable truthfulness? I know I've been super negative about our odds at the HQ (for good reason, IMO), so this just strikes me as really implausible and more like what people from OKC want to believe than the truth. I know we haven't seen the package OKC put together, but I can't think of anything we can offer them that other cities can't except we also have a ton of drawbacks considering what they're looking for....

Everything I've heard is that we've got zero shot at it. We're not a tech hotbed.

Probably just sitting on it waiting for someone with big money to come buy it. Suprised the city hasn't offered to buy it yet.

Probably just sitting on it waiting for someone with big money to come buy it. Suprised the city hasn't offered to buy it yet.

Didn't they? I thought this was the lot they wanted for the convention center, but the price was too high.

It's the Midtown Renaissance group and they aren't doing anything right now.

And even when they do, they have a ton of properties to develop.
It’s not JUST Midtown Renaissance, correct? Last I knew the Halls were still in the partnership on this property. If so, they’re a little busy at the moment doing some other really cool stuff downtown, but I’m sure none of these guys have forgotten this land.

The anxiety and impatience people show on this stuff. This property will develop, and based on who is involved, the development will be done very, very well. I can’t imagine that it will be empty/unplanned even five years from now, certainly not ten. Either of these would be a blink in the eye relative to how development has occurred downtown over the past half-century.

The impatience people have on stuff like this is always surprprising.

It’s not JUST Midtown Renaissance, correct? Last I knew the Halls were still in the partnership on this property. If so, they’re a little busy at the moment doing some other really cool stuff downtown, but I’m sure none of these guys have forgotten this land.

The anxiety and impatience people show on this stuff. This property will develop, and based on who is involved, the development will be done very, very well. I can’t imagine that it will be empty/unplanned even five years from now, certainly not ten. Either of these would be a blink in the eye relative to how development has occurred downtown over the past half-century.

The impatience people have on stuff like this is always surprprising.

OKC track record on development/redevelopment does not illicit confidence (mine) in either timely or transformational development outcomes. Look for a modest, uninspired, fill-in effort. Same for the cotton seed area. OKC just does not go big on development

It's discussed here: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=43054&page=7&p=1006213#post1006213



Is this anything more than just rumors of questionable truthfulness? I know I've been super negative about our odds at the HQ (for good reason, IMO), so this just strikes me as really implausible and more like what people from OKC want to believe than the truth. I know we haven't seen the package OKC put together, but I can't think of anything we can offer them that other cities can't except we also have a ton of drawbacks considering what they're looking for....

Eh....were all entitled to OUr own opinion. You have yours, I have mines. Nothing wrong with that.

Eh....were all entitled to OUr own opinion. You have yours, I have mines. Nothing wrong with that.

You gotta stop with the "OUr"

It's the Midtown Renaissance group and they aren't doing anything right now.

And even when they do, they have a ton of properties to develop.

I wonder if they're holding this land to sell the city for a new NBA arena. We're going to start having discussions relatively soon (4-5 years) about the need to begin planning for a new arena and the Thunder will want to keep the team downtown.

Will we need a new arena that soon? I don't see anything wrong with the current one.

You gotta stop with the "OUr"

+1.

You gotta stop with the "OUr"

This comment really needs more expOSUre.

I really wish there was a word with SWOSU in it...

I had to take a little ROSEy STATEx pill because this thread was starting to make my head hurt, but now I get it.

You gotta stop with the "OUr"

....OUr

Lol....BOOMER

I can't be mad because its not like a rivalry really exists.....pokes have to win before I can be mad for any hate!

OKC track record on development/redevelopment does not illicit confidence (mine) in either timely or transformational development outcomes. Look for a modest, uninspired, fill-in effort. Same for the cotton seed area. OKC just does not go big on development
I'm shocked.

If I cared more I'd go through some threads related to Jones Assembly, West Village (Hall Capital) and Midtown Renaissance (tons of high-quality projects), and I'm sure I'd find similar comments and poormouthing from you about THOSE efforts.

....OUr

Lol....BOOMER

I can't be mad because its not like a rivalry really exists.....pokes have to win before I can be mad for any hate!

I'm an OU fan..... It is just really unnecessary to "OUr" on every sentence you post in random threads.

On another note. I can't wait to see this park even though I didn't care for the naming.

I just assumed it was just being autocorrected, but it does irritate me, especially it is intentional.

^^^^unnecessary for yOU but not for me. But we can agree to disagree.

After much discussion about the name of the park I actually like the name. I do wish we cOUld have included renovations to Union Station thOUgh!

Well, I'm just going to keep on assuming you don't have anything intellectual to say then. Thanks.

Wait, and yOUr assumption is supposed to influence me how? I cannot do anything to change your opinion nor do i care to. Have a blessed day thOUgh sir!

^^^^unnecessary for yOU but not for me. But we can agree to disagree.

Nah. I mean, in the scheme of things, that's pretty unimportant - but for reasons I can't properly explain, it really is oddly annoying. I mean, if you're doing that in a sports thread, discussing OU sportsball, okay, sure. But I don't see the point to inserting that into posts wherever possible, especially because your posts are otherwise generally pretty thoughtful and add to the conversation. I'm not really much of a sports fan though, and could care less about the OU/OSU rivalry, so maybe that's why I don't get it. *shrug* Anyway, that's all I'll say about that. :P

As for the park, I'm impressed with how quickly they seem to be moving on this, even though the upper park isn't scheduled to open for at least a year and a half. I assume the power poles crossing the park along what used to be SW 4th St will be removed when the substation move is complete, right?

Wait, and yOUr assumption is supposed to influence me how? I cannot do anything to change your opinion nor do i care to. Have a blessed day thOUgh sir!

It's not supposed to influence you in anyway unless you let it. It's just pretty hard to take you seriously when you are doing that in a thread that has literally nothing to do with that team though.
Act like a child when confronted about it. It's what yOU will do.

It's annoying because it's like someone randomly yelling BOOMER or TRUMP or anything else that doesn't have anything to do with what anybody is actually talking about.

This:


Wait, and yOUr assumption is supposed to influence me how? I cannot do anything to change your opinion nor do i care to. Have a blessed day thOUgh sir!

is really no different than going:


Wait, and yTRUMPr assumption is supposed to influence me how? I cannot do anything to change yTRUMPr opinion nor do i care to. Have a blessed day thTRUMPgh sir!

I wonder if they're holding this land to sell the city for a new NBA arena. We're going to start having discussions relatively soon (4-5 years) about the need to begin planning for a new arena and the Thunder will want to keep the team downtown.

Unless at some point the Peake can't be renovated to conform to fit some new revenue generating upgrade that other arenas are able to add thus putting the Peake at a disadvantage (like the inability for Seattle to add more suites and lodge boxes to Key Arena) or the capacity leaves the market way underserved, this just isn't the case. I doubt we need a new arena for at least 20-30 years unless some crazy new innovation comes along. As of right now, no other city is including anything like that that couldn't be added to the Peake. I think everyone needs to calm their fears about needing a new arena anytime soon.

Unless at some point the Peake can't be renovated to conform to fit some new revenue generating upgrade that other arenas are able to add thus putting the Peake at a disadvantage (like the inability for Seattle to add more suites and lodge boxes to Key Arena) or the capacity leaves the market way underserved, this just isn't the case. I doubt we need a new arena for at least 20-30 years unless some crazy new innovation comes along. As of right now, no other city is including anything like that that couldn't be added to the Peake. I think everyone needs to calm their fears about needing a new arena anytime soon.

This.

It seems like a lot of people on this site don't understand why so many new NBA arenas were built in the 90s and 2000s. It wasn't just because of the age of the previous arenas. Unless some new innovation comes along that the Peake cannot be retrofitted with, I don't see any reason that the city needs to worry about replacing it.

I think they had the smarts to consider future upgrade needs in mind when initially building the thing, and it has served us well.

Unless at some point the Peake can't be renovated to conform to fit some new revenue generating upgrade that other arenas are able to add thus putting the Peake at a disadvantage (like the inability for Seattle to add more suites and lodge boxes to Key Arena) or the capacity leaves the market way underserved, this just isn't the case. I doubt we need a new arena for at least 20-30 years unless some crazy new innovation comes along. As of right now, no other city is including anything like that that couldn't be added to the Peake. I think everyone needs to calm their fears about needing a new arena anytime soon.

Agree 100%

I could see the team wanting a big renovation / upgrade in the coming years but suites and capacity are the biggest things and the Peake is already well set in that respect.

Might need to do some big cosmetic things to keep them happy but that is relatively easy to address.