It sucks about Cusack, but since it's only a gravel lot, at first glance, you hardly notice it being out of place. I'm sure many who aren't in the know won't know any different.

IMO looks much better vacant and sodded then it did before.

It will look even better in a few years when all the scrapyards and abandoned buildings are replaced with new development.

I noticed a good number of the the lamp posts are on at the park. Someone should take a picture at night if they have the chance.

Here is a good overview of everything underway around the park.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention033119e.jpg

Took this one last night.

You can see some lights are now operational in the park (insert streetlight joke here).

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissor040619a.jpg

Took this one last night.

You can see some lights are now operational in the park (insert streetlight joke here).



That's more lights operational than what I-40 has.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissor040619d.jpg

You can see most the lights are now on in the western section of the park and along Hudson.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissor040619b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissor040619c.jpg

Does anyone else get re-mindblown sometimes when you see that skyline and think about how crazy it is that Devon decided to build that beautiful tower in OKC?

There's a rumor that Maureen Heffernan and Leslie Spears sleep down there wearing ghillie suits in order to protect the lights. OK - I started the rumor, but it's a fun visual!

I hope they didn't use copper wires in that lighting!! Ha!

I hope they didn't use cooper wires in that lighting!! Ha!
My thought exactly.

From today:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail042219b.jpg

Took these last night. Bridge is now illuminated.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail042519c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail042519a.jpg

I imagine that bridge (and the park as a whole) will become a popular spot for proposals.

I am just astounded thinking about how this whole area is going to definitively change OKC once everything under construction is complete, and in 5-10 years when the area to the North and West is filling in with great (hopeful..) development. It's not often a city downtown completely reinvents itself in the time period OKC has.

Pete (or others in the know) - when will we see movement on the empty lot between Scissortail and Myriad Gardens? Any word on development/plans/buyer?

Question,

Is that all incandescent lighting or is it LED? (looks incandescent)

Wondering if there are options to make the lighting change colors or not.

Pete (or others in the know) - when will we see movement on the empty lot between Scissortail and Myriad Gardens? Any word on development/plans/buyer?

That's owned by Bob Howard (auto dealer and money behind the Midtown Renaissance development group) and Hall Capital (heirs of Fred Jones and developer of 21c, Jones Assembly and West Village).

There are no current plans for development and probably won't be for a while.

They make so much money off of utilizing it for Thunder parking with minimal overheard, from a business standpoint, I can't blame them for not wanting to close down that cash flow and invest in something riskier.

They make so much money off of utilizing it for Thunder parking with minimal overheard, from a business standpoint, I can't blame them for not wanting to close down that cash flow and invest in something riskier.

I agree with this - most major stadiums have a sea of parking surrounding them, we are a little fortunate in this regard. Hopefully someday they will build a 10 story parking garage wrapped in mixed use but I don't know our market is ready for something like that.

With the coop seemingly not to be developed any time soon, it should help this property in terms of attracting some sort of mixed use.

Plus, unlike Strawberry Fields, they have owned that property for a long time and thus have more flexibility because they didn't spend millions per acre that they have to recoup.

That's owned by Bob Howard (auto dealer and money behind the Midtown Renaissance development group) and Hall Capital (heirs of Fred Jones and developer of 21c, Jones Assembly and West Village).

There are no current plans for development and probably won't be for a while.

Seems like a good group with a history of success. I'm sure it will pay off in tasteful use of the land...but I'm impatient :)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail042619a.jpg

With the coop seemingly not to be developed any time soon, it should help this property in terms of attracting some sort of mixed use.

Plus, unlike Strawberry Fields, they have owned that property for a long time and thus have more flexibility because they didn't spend millions per acre that they have to recoup.

I imagine there's also an element of wanting to have updated data on how the park and convention center affect the day to day demographics and headcount of the area. At present, the REHCO site sits on the southern border of downtown and so it would be exponentially harder to come to terms with partners for the various uses this site should see. That's assuming they're wanting this to become truly the most dense mixed-use project block this state has ever seen and competitive with major cities. No reason for this site not to have residential, hotel, office, retail and restaurant --- I would think they would be better poised once they can show the increase in traffic the Convention Center brings in order to partner with that next tier of hotel, higher quality retailers/national restaurants that will need to see hard numbers, etc. Also, I would think they're wanting to ensure that downtown is going to find a way to fix the Class A occupancy prior to deciding how to build the lot.

This and the Cox site are the two sites I am perfectly okay with us sitting on for another decade or two if it means doing it truly world class so that it can stand for 100+ years without needing much change.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail042519b.jpg

I make a habit of checking the Scissortail Park live feed. Looking right now it appears that the "lake" is overflowing from the North facing webcam.

I make a habit of checking the Scissortail Park live feed. Looking right now it appears that the "lake" is overflowing from the North facing webcam.

I thought so too but if you look closely you can see the lake level is well below overflow.

I think that standing water is just puddling.

Scissortail Park's potential in the heart of downtown near the Myriad Botanical Gardens may not be realized until it's established--two areas should complement each other.

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/tulsaworld.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/32/132652f7-84f2-5655-a3e2-d9f8cae16464/5a720987c889e.image.jpg?resize=640%2C479

The Gathering Place in Tulsa cost more than twice as much to construct. IMO this park will have a greater impact on OKC's downtown because it will serve the core--it's proximity on the streetcar route, convention center complex, ballpark, arena and downtown housing will make it unique.

Oklahoma's two largest cities will have new parks that will be among the best in the country.

the gathering place park didn't cost nearly as much as has been reported it was clearly expensive but the price floated includes a bunch of city work that is really unrelated

Everyone knows I sometimes get into platitudes and exaggerations with my glass half full-ness, but here I go again. I believe Scissortail park will be the most impactful MAPS project in the way that it will connect everything together and it's downtown proximity. The foresight to do this, what it is replacing, the connectivity to the river, to Westpark, to be the front lawn of the convention center, and most importantly to be a massive place of community. If anyone has been to the Myriad Gardens lately on nearly any day it is obvious it's just not big enough. Especially in the kids area its hard to even find something to play on..

I do continue to hope they will make a pedestrian connection between MBG and Scissortail, but I am fairly confident they will!

^

You can certainly see the vision starting to come together.

I believe very strongly that the convention center location is an even bigger catalyst. Even though the committee did everything they could to place it between Scissortail and the Myriad Gardens, If that had happened the area around the park could have taken decades to really get going.

As it all played out, I really think the location is by far and away the best placement for the city as a whole.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail050219a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail050219b.jpg

Random question. Are the pond/s earthen bottomed or concrete? Was curious how much evaporation and seepage takes place and if they will use city water to replenish? My assumption is concrete bottom would keep water longer. Don’t want a dry pond in the park. This question may have been covered already.

Pete's post # 20s7 from 1-1-2019 makes me think it is earthen bottom.

It is earthen with a plastic liner.

It is earthen with a plastic liner.

Thanks, was thinking after I posted to add plastic lined. I would assume they work well these days. And much cheaper too. Also curious if they have an auto switch when it gets to a low level to replenish water or if its manual. Or do they even have a method setup? I know with all this rain it seems so far away but our hot summers can suck up some water.

I am curious about the ponds as well. Will they filter out the dirt and be cleaner looking or will it get red when ever it rains like the river?

If you look closely it looks like there are "barriers" that will create a stepped waterfall effect. The only way for this to work if there is is a pump. I'm sure they can pump water in with the same pump, but just a guess.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail050419a.jpg

Will they replace the decking on the bridge of I-40? My wife and I walked over the bridge a few weeks ago and it looks to be in rough shape.

Will they replace the decking on the bridge of I-40? My wife and I walked over the bridge a few weeks ago and it looks to be in rough shape.

Yes, money has already been allocated for that purpose.

I really hope that they will be able to have full-scale concerts here! That stage and lawn setup there is massive, and would be great for them (and in a much better locale than the Zoo).

I really hope that they will be able to have full-scale concerts here! That stage and lawn setup there is massive, and would be great for them (and in a much better locale than the Zoo).

The challenge is how late bands play. Being so close to OMNI it might have to be over early enough to not upset them? Zoo can go pretty late if not mistaken, at least til 11. But I agree its a nice venue setup. Could have a big Thunder gathering if in playoffs and make it far but I think they might discourage that too. I would also wonder if this is a good 4th of July fireworks venue? Lots of possibilities.

The challenge is how late bands play. Being so close to OMNI it might have to be over early enough to not upset them? Zoo can go pretty late if not mistaken, at least til 11. But I agree its a nice venue setup. Could have a big Thunder gathering if in playoffs and make it far but I think they might discourage that too. I would also wonder if this is a good 4th of July fireworks venue? Lots of possibilities.

I don't think it would happen often enough to really be an issue. Plus, most would probably happen on the weekends.

They have the Jones Assembly guys doing programming for that lawn so I have to believe they'll at least have occasional concerts there. I'm almost certain they'll get a big name for the grand opening this fall (Gathering Place up in Tulsa got The Roots to play at their grand opening last September).

They have the Jones Assembly guys doing programming for that lawn so I have to believe they'll at least have occasional concerts there. I'm almost certain they'll get a big name for the grand opening this fall (Gathering Place up in Tulsa got The Roots to play at their grand opening last September).

My thing is, the lawn here is perfect for concerts. And the second layer (mushroom head, basically) adds room for 1,000's more. May not be as complete as The Gathering Place, but it is almost perfect for concerts. I have faith, as the Jones Assembly has been killing it.

They built a grandstand for a reason lol of course there will be concerts

They built a grandstand for a reason lol of course there will be concerts

IIRC the grand lawn hold 18k for concerts

They have the Jones Assembly guys doing programming for that lawn so I have to believe they'll at least have occasional concerts there. I'm almost certain they'll get a big name for the grand opening this fall (Gathering Place up in Tulsa got The Roots to play at their grand opening last September).

I didn't know that. That has a lot of great potential.

I wish they'd hurry up and announce the official opening weekend. My fall is getting busy already and I really want to be there when they kick it off. Does anyone on this board have any inside scoop on when they'll cut the ribbon?

I believe it will be the week that includes Saturday Sep 21st.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail051019a.jpg

Visited the Gathering Place for the first time this weekend with my daughter and she had the best time. My wife was frustrated that our own Scissortail park is not going to be like that. I had to explain to her that TGP cost $465MM, had George Kaiser donate around $250MM and $100MM for upkeep for years to come. Our park is going to cost $130MM and will be very nice, but also about half the size, when it all said and done.

Sorry, I can't go back and look at all 87 pages of the thread, but what kind of programming can we expect for the lower half of the park?

Visited the Gathering Place for the first time this weekend with my daughter and she had the best time. My wife was frustrated that our own Scissortail park is not going to be like that. I had to explain to her that TGP cost $465MM, had George Kaiser donate around $250MM and $100MM for upkeep for years to come. Our park is going to cost $130MM and will be very nice, but also about half the size, when it all said and done.

Sorry, I can't go back and look at all 87 pages of the thread, but what kind of programming can we expect for the lower half of the park?

i for one am really happy our park is not like the gathering place ..... that is basicly an amusement park for kids ...

also it did not cost close to 465M

I prefer Scissortail over Gathering Place

I drove by the park last week and at ground level the trees are looking good. In a short few years that area will be quite the urban oasis.

^^^^^ I drive by every day and yea, super impressive. Any idea how tall some of these trees are supposed to get?

I love TGP bc of all the stuff for the kids. I also love it bc the whole park works. However, the biggest downfall for TGP is it is a destination. People have to drive to it to use it except a limited amount of homes in the area. SP is going to be surrounded by development and will only continue to gain further dense development in the coming years. I am anxious to see how SP evolve over the next 10 years with the maturity of the trees and plants and the maturing development around it.

Forgive me if it has been mentioned before, but will dogs be allowed in SP? I know TGP does not allow dogs in the park except for down on the walking trails next to the river.

Forgive me if it has been mentioned before, but will dogs be allowed in SP? I know TGP does not allow dogs in the park except for down on the walking trails next to the river.

Yes, and there will be a small dog park as well.