Shame - the one of the left is not only better and more imaginative - it also doesn't look like we're trying to create our version of the bean.

They still have a big budget and the designers are talented. I'm sure they will come up with something cool.

I'm very confused about this 4.5 million dollar budget cut for the lower park. I have never heard of any MAPs project being defunded or not having a full budget. MAPs 3 had a 40 million dollar surplus that was allocated to additional projects like 6 months ago. Does anyone have the story on this? Has 4.5 million dollars actually been cut from the lower park? Were these just conceptual ideas they decided not to proceed with or has the actual scope of the lower park been scaled back?
I’ve asked, but no one here is saying what was cut and why.

So 4,000,000 was removed from the lower park (south) to fund additional items in the upper park (north). If the bid comes in low then they may add back some of the "alternatives". Soccer fields light, fencing, and equipment, two shades structures by soccer field, nature play elements, sports courts field equipment , fencing, nd lighting, woodland trails as well as lighting and seating .hill pavilion (restrooms and potential concessions), extension of the promenade from 14th to 15th street. No traditional playground equipment is included in the base bid or alternatives. Add alternatives total approximately 4.5 million.

Do those asking read the quoted post

Then go here.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4tgIozuRPGE

Then fast forward to 1 hour 32 minutes.

Do those asking read the quoted post

Then go here.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4tgIozuRPGE

Then fast forward to 1 hour 32 minutes.

So, the park was funded in full, but it kept changing as items were added or removed from upper and lower. It isn’t as if the park was defunded by $4 mil, just changed items as it went along.

Do those asking read the quoted post

Then go here.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4tgIozuRPGE

Then fast forward to 1 hour 32 minutes.

^Thanks. that helps me understand where the number comes from. Later in the video It also says that a portion of the 19 million allocated to Union Station from the surplus will be used on the lower park to connect to the river. So it sounds like they have additional funds to play with above the initial 20 million they have budgeted for the lower park.

So, the park was funded in full, but it kept changing as items were added or removed from upper and lower. It isnÂ’t as if the park was defunded by $4 mil, just changed items as it went along.

They moved 4 million dollars from the southern part of the park to the northern part of the park. This caused certain features of the southern part park to become unfunded in the base bid. The estimated bid price is 20 million. If the base bid comes in at 19 million, then you have 1 million that you could use to fund one of the 7 alternate bids. Since the estimated total of the alternate bids is around four million it is unlikely that all of the alternates will built. This will make the design of the lower park incomplete.

Meanwhile the extra Maps 3 funding is going to other projects like the fairground or the union station (north park) remodel.

If you watch the video you should get a more complete understanding of the situation. It sure would be nice to have the lower park fully funded, because the upper park is so well designed, I can only imagine what is possible in the south park.

^Thanks. that helps me understand where the number comes from. Later in the video It also says that a portion of the 19 million allocated to Union Station from the surplus will be used on the lower park to connect to the river. So it sounds like they have additional funds to play with above the initial 20 million they have budgeted for the lower park.
They have funds to connect from where the lower park ends to the river. This area is not part of the lower park. They are very clear in the video unless the bids come under budget there are no additional funds to replace the 4 million removed from the budget.

Sucks. Wasn't the Sputnik sculpture revealed first? If that is the case, maybe Thunder Alley should be the ones to come up with something different.
This is what I don't get. The park unveiled their sculpture first, the Thunder Alley one should have to change.

This is what I don't get. The park unveiled their sculpture first, the Thunder Alley one should have to change.

As Pete said, the real leader$ of OKC get to decide that.

This is what I don't get. The park unveiled their sculpture first, the Thunder Alley one should have to change.

It's the "Golden Rule". The man with the gold rules.

They should just use the park design for Thunder alley. It's way better and already looks like a basketball.

Shame - the one of the left is not only better and more imaginative - it also doesn't look like we're trying to create our version of the bean.

I'd put money on the one on the right would draw more attention than the one on the left.

I mean, they probably would've complimented each other well but I certainly understand the designer wanting to go back to the drawing board. Probably felt a little copy-catted. On the bright side, if you look at their other work there's no shortage of quality designs. Also maybe now that things have actually been constructed they'll be able to take a visit and get a better feel for the area rather than a "vision".

http://www.studiokca.com/

Replace the statue on the park corner of the intersection with one that looks like a giant basketball hoop to match the basketball and hands on the arena corner. Let's lean into the theme.

They should come back with a huge basketball hoop to make it look like the hands are shooting over the Boulevard. Ultimate troll job

Replace the statue on the park corner of the intersection with one that looks like a giant basketball hoop to match the basketball and hands on the arena corner. Let's lean into the theme.

I like this...

I'd put money on the one on the right would draw more attention than the one on the left.

I mean, obviously - we love derivative architecture and shiny things.

They should come back with a huge basketball hoop to make it look like the hands are shooting over the Boulevard. Ultimate troll job

Great minds think alike.

Great minds think alike.

Haha, I checked the timestamps you def beat me to the punch... Good call D!

The Thunder Alley sculpture should just be Russell Westbrook's statue, tbh.

^ exactly

Any guess when Google Maps / Earth will update the satellite picture and 3d modeling with Scissortail, Convention Center, and Renaissance hotel?

Not sure, but it always seems to be when everything is dead in the winter :(

Any guess when Google Maps / Earth will update the satellite picture and 3d modeling with Scissortail, Convention Center, and Renaissance hotel?

they have taken longer than usual to update. I remember a period a few years back when they updated a couple times a year but it seems like we are closing in on 2 years since the latest update in the middle of OKC. They updated the areas around the city earlier this year.

Google Earth does have 2020 aerial imagery of the area. When I initially look at it, it shows 2017, but when I hit the Historical Imagery drop down, it shows April 2020.

https://oklahoman.com/article/5673557/core-to-shore-within-reach-with-favorable-lower-park-construction-bids

Here are the results of the bid.

Made it down there for the 1st time and was extremely impressed. This park is actually going to drive real value for the city

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail102020a.jpg


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Looks spectacular

Is it ever not packed? I certainly haven't seen that, but I've generally only ever gone at times when plenty of other people would be there.

Is it ever not packed? I certainly haven't seen that, but I've generally only ever gone at times when plenty of other people would be there.

It stays very busy and I think that will only increase once they reopen Robinson and open up that massive surface lot south of the convention center.

The only time I've seen in relatively empty is on bad weather days.

I've been down there at lunchtime on weekdays and there are always a good number of people out and about.

Pete do you know when the burger spot at the park is going to open??

Pete do you know when the burger spot at the park is going to open??

It will be called Spark and I believe it's on hold indefinitely, as the same group (Jones, Fuzzy's) were also doing the bookings for the main stage and that is pretty much halted for the time being.

I'll check in with them and post what they tell me.

Was just told next spring/summer pending how things are going with the pandemic.

Was just told next spring/summer pending how things are going with the pandemic.

thank you

Here’s a link to vote on architecturally pleasing projects for Oklahoma. Scissortail Cafe is in there.

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUfX4swnOiaBdSf6XdRqEv1M8DJKoxQLw1-l2VDkZnVReYMQ/formResponse

Press release:

***********

Oklahoma City leaders break ground on Scissortail Park’s Lower Park
11/06/2020

Construction is under way on Scissortail Park’s 30-acre Lower Park in the heart of Oklahoma City, as civic leaders broke ground on the project Friday.

“Scissortail Park attracts thousands of residents and visitors alike to enjoy concerts, festivals, farmer’s markets and even roller skating. It’s been an outdoor oasis during a challenging year,” said Mayor David Holt. “And now we get to break ground on phase two, which will serve as an ideal companion to our bustling Upper Park with athletic fields and courts, an extension of the promenade and nature play elements.”

The Upper Park opened in 2019. Construction is scheduled to finish on the Lower Park in 2022. The total project budget for Scissortail Park is $132 million, funded debt-free by MAPS 3.

About the Lower Park
The Lower Park is intended to have more open and natural spaces than the Upper Park. There will be a focus on space for athletic events and pickup sports, with a soccer field, sports pavilion, pickleball courts, futsal court and two basketball courts.

Paths with pavers and furniture will be consistent with the Upper Park, dotting the promenade alongside whispering pines, native gardens, a hollow, an overlook hill and a plaza. There will also be a play area for children.

The 40-acre Upper Park extends south from Oklahoma City Boulevard to Interstate 40. The Skydance Bridge connects it to the 30-acre Lower Park, which extends to SW 15th Street on the north shore of an original MAPS project, the Oklahoma River.

The Upper Park is served by MAPS 3’s OKC Streetcar and is across the street from MAPS 3’s Oklahoma City Convention Center. It’s also near the new protected bike lanes on S Walker Avenue and other bike, pedestrian and street improvement projects funded by the Better Streets, Safer City program.

HargreavesJones is the park architect, and Wynn Construction is the general contractor for Lower Park construction.


The nonprofit Scissortail Park Foundation operates the park on behalf of the City of Oklahoma City.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail110620c.jpg


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HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail110620a.jpg

This is most welcome news. I am looking forward to exploring the lower park

I hope they are willing to leave any mature trees that may be there.

I hope they are willing to leave any mature trees that may be there.

They did leave 4 mature trees in front of the old Union train station.

This thread is about the lower park.

This thread is about the south park.

Well maybe the example of keeping trees in the upper park will be considered in the lower.

Scissortail Park encompasses both the upper & lower park. Hope the park will link both sections divided by the I-40 Skydance Pedestrian Bridge to unite the upper & lower sections that promote the character of our city.

Old historic Union Station renovation--let's see how this turns out.

Well maybe the example of keeping trees in the upper park will be considered in the lower.

I'm sorry. I was unnecessarily terse.

I must admit I thought they were being too ambitious with the December date for Robinson being done, but they're making great strides. Barring weather they might actually make it.

16560

Slightly annoyed they had to cut a huge section out of recently completed construction, though. Seems like this could have been coordinated better.
16561

FYI the south end of skydance bridge is closed off with a fence again as lower park construction has started, they have a fence up around the lower park and it extends up to the bridge. tried to ride down to the river that route to check on construction progress and couldn't get through. (technically there was a gap in the fence but could see where there would be an opening to get through to the river so just used Walker instead)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail112520a.jpg

There is now a construction trailer on site (lower right of first photo) and groundwork has started.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark112820a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark112820b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark112820c.jpg

I kind of wish they had waited to close the streets until after Robinson was open again, but oh well.

That huge chunk of land missing out of the middle of the lower park is annoying me.

^

It's going to look increasingly weird as that area starts to come together.

Just don't want to end up with a funky Bricktown U-Haul type situation.

^

It's going to look increasingly weird as that area starts to come together.

Pete, do you know what the zoning is for that cut out? Is it industrial?

Pete, do you know what the zoning is for that cut out? Is it industrial?

It's DTD-2, which is the governing overlay for anything in the downtown district.

They can't put up a fencepost without prior approval from the Downtown Design Review Committee.

I believe the Cusack property is up for sale, and on the county's website says that it is an Industrial account.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark120520a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark120520b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark062520b.jpg

I didn't realize the concrete on the south side of skydance was getting ripped up. I thought it was already configured to integrate with the promenade but it seems that wasn't the case and now fully explains why the gate is up on the south side of the bridge.

Surely there's going to be some sort of backstop net between the soccer field and I-40 right?

Surely there's going to be some sort of backstop net between the soccer field and I-40 right?

I had not thought of that. What's to stop a kid from accidentally kicking a moonshot over the goal and onto I-40?

Capping I-40 there, it's been the secret plan all along. The Innovation District cap was all a clever ruse.