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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkAPrdsCEAMGPCi.jpg:large

If they do this again next year, think about how different it will be with the Rise tenants, Pizzeria Gusto, Pump Bar, Daebak K and who knows what all else.

That kind of crowd pictured sustained for most of the day, stretched out for a mile, could easily be 15-25k as cited.

I sure hope nobody parked on the streets in Mesta Park or Heritage Hills!

And I had to work today...

That kind of crowd pictured sustained for most of the day, stretched out for a mile, could easily be 15-25k as cited.

It was just 4 hours, I think it may have been around 10-15k. But definitely I don't think it was 25k. The pictures of the crowd suffer from a telephoto effect. From a distance zoomed in they look tightly packed throu the whole stretch. But walking around was no problem, and didn't bump shoulders or do the weird "side to side--oncoming juke" where you don't know which way to step to allow someone to pass by you.

It was a much different vibe than H&8, Paseo First Friday, or Plaza Fest. It was a lot more relaxed than those events as far as attitude goes. More of a leisurely stroll, instead of a fight to get in to a line, or trying to weave and dodge people.

The pace and atmosphere reminded me more of the boardwalk on venice beach CA, as far as the attitude of the people themselves (not comparing street vendors or performers, as they are much different) walking, biking, skating. The "ebb and flow" of people seemed to be comparable.

I did not get in any food truck lines, but I did go to Tuckers for a burger and shake, and walked around for about an hour afterwards.

Parking was no issue. I arrived a tick before 1, and parked in the lot on the SW corner of 24th and Dewey. Had no issue getting out of the area around 230-3. Was very painless.

I think it was a hit success. Looking forward to the next event.

Side note, what's the deal with Broadway Ave between 23rd and 16th? All of the streets terminate on Broadway, and do not allow westbound turns off of Broadway on to 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. You are forced to go past 5 streets before you can go west on any of those streets.

Absolutely ridiculous. Talk about a mega block. A literal half mile of one-way intersections all going the same "one-way".

Are you talking about the building that has both the tattoo and piercing place?

Or the building just west of there?

This one:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/31/ruhy8ata.jpg


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^ you're tall.

It was just 4 hours, I think it may have been around 10-15k. But definitely I don't think it was 25k. The pictures of the crowd suffer from a telephoto effect. From a distance zoomed in they look tightly packed throu the whole stretch. But walking around was no problem, and didn't bump shoulders or do the weird "side to side--oncoming juke" where you don't know which way to step to allow someone to pass by you.

It was a much different vibe than H&8, Paseo First Friday, or Plaza Fest. It was a lot more relaxed than those events as far as attitude goes. More of a leisurely stroll, instead of a fight to get in to a line, or trying to weave and dodge people.

The pace and atmosphere reminded me more of the boardwalk on venice beach CA, as far as the attitude of the people themselves (not comparing street vendors or performers, as they are much different) walking, biking, skating. The "ebb and flow" of people seemed to be comparable.

I did not get in any food truck lines, but I did go to Tuckers for a burger and shake, and walked around for about an hour afterwards.

Parking was no issue. I arrived a tick before 1, and parked in the lot on the SW corner of 24th and Dewey. Had no issue getting out of the area around 230-3. Was very painless.

I think it was a hit success. Looking forward to the next event.

Side note, what's the deal with Broadway Ave between 23rd and 16th? All of the streets terminate on Broadway, and do not allow westbound turns off of Broadway on to 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. You are forced to go past 5 streets before you can go west on any of those streets.

Absolutely ridiculous. Talk about a mega block. A literal half mile of one-way intersections all going the same "one-way".

This has NIMBY fingerprints all over it.

This one:

That's the lady that owns the space for the now shot-down live music venue.

She had planned to put her own art gallery in there as well.

This has NIMBY fingerprints all over it.

I have a feeling that was done a long time ago when the surrounding area was much seedier to limit access to the neighborhood. If you notice, it's blocked off from 13th through 18th along western/classen as well.


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That's the lady that owns the space for the now shot-down live music venue.

She had planned to put her own art gallery in there as well.

That might explain the frustration...but jeez, the people out there were the ones that would've been supportive of the venue, not the opposition.


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It was just 4 hours, I think it may have been around 10-15k. But definitely I don't think it was 25k. The pictures of the crowd suffer from a telephoto effect. From a distance zoomed in they look tightly packed throu the whole stretch. But walking around was no problem, and didn't bump shoulders or do the weird "side to side--oncoming juke" where you don't know which way to step to allow someone to pass by you.

It was a much different vibe than H&8, Paseo First Friday, or Plaza Fest. It was a lot more relaxed than those events as far as attitude goes. More of a leisurely stroll, instead of a fight to get in to a line, or trying to weave and dodge people.

The pace and atmosphere reminded me more of the boardwalk on venice beach CA, as far as the attitude of the people themselves (not comparing street vendors or performers, as they are much different) walking, biking, skating. The "ebb and flow" of people seemed to be comparable.

I did not get in any food truck lines, but I did go to Tuckers for a burger and shake, and walked around for about an hour afterwards.

Parking was no issue. I arrived a tick before 1, and parked in the lot on the SW corner of 24th and Dewey. Had no issue getting out of the area around 230-3. Was very painless.

I think it was a hit success. Looking forward to the next event.

Side note, what's the deal with Broadway Ave between 23rd and 16th? All of the streets terminate on Broadway, and do not allow westbound turns off of Broadway on to 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22. You are forced to go past 5 streets before you can go west on any of those streets.

Absolutely ridiculous. Talk about a mega block. A literal half mile of one-way intersections all going the same "one-way".

It's designed to be impossible to get into HH from Broadway.

These people shot down a music venue and art gallery as well??

Have they released estimated numbers yet? I would guess there was easily 15k in attendance.

I have a feeling that was done a long time ago when the surrounding area was much seedier to limit access to the neighborhood. If you notice, it's blocked off from 13th through 18th along western/classen as well.


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It was done well over ten years ago back before I235 was in place and the main street downtown was broadway. I believe but not 100% sure that it help to slow down some of the drive through traffic through the side streets when people would divert over to Robinson when Broadway backed up. When I lived at NW21 and Robinson10-12 years ago, that was what I was told.

Something like First Thursday (http://www.firstthursday.info/) on South Congress in Austin would probably be a hit on this stretch of 23rd and in the Plaza district.

Just a question of whether or not the city would allow such a large stretch of 23rd to close on a monthly basis.

We need something like this every week.

Hi-res photo:

https://scontent-a-mad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31.0-8/1403218_10152023069482536_314254879_o.jpg

We need something like this every week.I don't think that will ever happen but it would be neat to see it closed off every Saturday.

^ That photo is beautiful. Uptown is not only ready for a renaissance, but also for pedestrian-scaled improvements.

I don't think that will ever happen but it would be neat to see it closed off every Saturday.

I'm not saying this exact event, just something similar.

Drove in from the "burbs" (that's what some of you call Lake Hefner) and was the second car at the Wilson Elementary parking lot around 1145am. Enjoyed the entire block over the span of 2.5 hours (props to my 3.5 year old for making it on her feet the whole time).

Really enjoyed it

Had a great time out there as well today.

A lot of the local businesses made this event phenomenal. Like others said, it was very casual and fun. I could see this happening monthly or every other month maybe. Also, big props to the Guernsey Park people for free hamburgers.

A lot of the local businesses made this event phenomenal. Like others said, it was very casual and fun. I could see this happening monthly or every other month maybe. Also, big props to the Guernsey Park people for free hamburgers.

I think as soon as more of the store front spots on 23rd are filled, it will be more likely to happen every month. It will add more to do and more people to push for it. I had a great time, but it didn't seem like there was just a ton to do. It obviously would've been cool if there were more Uptown shops, restaurants, etc to venture into. That's not a big deal and completely fine right now as this was the first event of it's kind on 23rd, but I think when the rise opens and other future venues follow, it will make events like this even more fun and successful.

BTW, it according to NewsOK, over 20,000 people attended...wow!

Open Streets festival in Oklahoma City brings thousands to Uptown | News OK (http://newsok.com/open-streets-festival-in-oklahoma-city-brings-thousands-to-uptown/article/3948590)

No parking problems here. My kids and I rode our bikes from downtown. Just makes no sense to drive that couple miles. It was such a nice day I actually kind of wish we would have just walked from downtown. We walk to the boathouse and that's a similar distance.

No parking problems here. My kids and I rode our bikes from downtown. Just makes no sense to drive that couple miles. It was such a nice day I actually kind of wish we would have just walked from downtown. We walk to the boathouse and that's a similar distance.

We drove too, but met some friends who biked from Level. I need to buy a bike.

Highly recommend all downtowners have a bike. Opens up a number of possibilities, helps you be active, and will certainly bring you more joy than not. Doesn't have to be new or fancy. You can USUALLY find one for under a hundred bucks on craigslist. I know I've bought a few that way for my kids or friends.


p.s. Even though I have a bike, I'm still a Spokies member. Spokies is a great transit option, and sometimes my situation dictates a spokie would be better than taking my own bike.

Would love to see a Spokies in the Plaza and in Uptown. If we had that the wife and i would rarely drive when going to Midtown, Uptown, Thunder games, etc...

Yeah…not sure why Spokies isn't at least at these two points. That would make for an absolutely kick ass date.

Yeah…not sure why Spokies isn't at least at these two points.

I think I remember Sid saying that Spokies locations cannot be seperated by more than a half mile. The closest ones to those locations is at 11th and Walker or 9th and Broadway. I have actually stated several times Spokies should go on the concrete area directly west of The Mule or right in front of Collected Thread.

Yes, we need to grow them to those points. But it seems doable in not too many years. Right now there is a station at McNellies. I can see one going in at the North end of the new Shartel aparments, say 12th and Shartel-ish, then another could be practical at Mesta Park (18th/Shartel), which then puts another practical at 18th/Classen (Homeland). From there it's not that many more leaps to Plaza or 23rd as development occurs. For example if something cool ever goes in at 16th and Classen in the old restaurant or a replacement building, I could see one going there instead of Homeland as that could be a good spot for reaching the plaza and Homeland. What would probably help would be if the district entities start saving now for the future cost to sponsor racks in their districts. It costs $40K per setup. If they begin putting an amount in their budget now towards a future kiosk, then by the time we've grown to that point we don't then have to look for funding.

From the Uptown 23rd Facebook Page

https://www.facebook.com/uptown23rd

Urban Environment Framework for Uptown 23rd
Monday, April 14, 2014 6:00-8:00 PM
Leichter Room, 2nd Floor, Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center, Oklahoma City University

The development of the Uptown 23rd Urban Environment Framework is underway! Join us to learn more about the results of the Uptown Survey that received over 500 responses and the stakeholder input on the needs and concerns in the district. After a brief presentation you will have an opportunity to provide your feedback by prioritizing the identified concerns and share your visual preferences on parking, streetscape, and future development. Community input will be taken from 6:30 to 8pm so feel free to come when you are able.

OU's Institute for Quality Communities held a public meeting on 23rd street ideas today.

You can see their extensive presentation here:

Uptown 23rd | An Urban Environment Framework | The Institute for Quality Communities (http://iqc.ou.edu/portfolio/uptown23rd/)

http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-21228-one-street-one-city.html?utm_content=buffer6ad95&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Have any of you ever see the old man with white hair and beard that regularly sweeps the streets along 23rd?

He has a regular broom and a dust pan, traveling up and down 23rd street sweep and cleaning.
Someone should do a story on this guy, he seems interesting. It also looks as he has upgraded his broom and now using a long handle commercial grade dust pan. He's being doing this for what seems like a couple of years. I saw him again yesterday in the middle of the day when the extreme temps. Anyone know about this guy?

I wonder if that's the guy I used to see, who I've seen cover quite a large swath of the city over the course of a day...

Have any of you ever see the old man with white hair and beard that regularly sweeps the streets along 23rd?

He has a regular broom and a dust pan, traveling up and down 23rd street sweep and cleaning.
Someone should do a story on this guy, he seems interesting. It also looks as he has upgraded his broom and now using a long handle commercial grade dust pan. He's being doing this for what seems like a couple of years. I saw him again yesterday in the middle of the day when the extreme temps. Anyone know about this guy?

This gentleman is homeless, and has been "living" in the vacant store front across from Pizza 23 for about two years now. He refuses any financial help, and is content in his current station. He not only sweeps, he also removes weeds from all the cracks in the sidewalks.

I attended the presentation about the Uptown 23rd streetscape/OUIQC project. It was interesting. No real bombshell announcements. Some commonsense suggestions included better pedestrian crossing infrastructure (stepouts, sanctuary zones, wider sidewalks, street trees), bicycle corridor designation on 22nd and 24th, addition of bike racks and the organization of a shared parking system to maximize efficient use of the available parking.

Things I learned:

1) Nearly every block of 23rd has a different right-of-way widths, meaning that every block will need a unique solution. I.e. no cookie-cutter stuff.
2) Based on recent surveys, there are something like 90 "spare" parking spaces in the Uptown district. These are not being efficiently used. For example the Subway parking lot is never full, but no one else can park there besides Subway patrons. Even if agreements are reached to more efficiently use available parking, future development of restaurants, bars and venues will almost certainly result in parking issues.
3) Aside from a bunch of new bike racks, no money has been identified to facilitate these changes. They are hoping to get in on the next GO bond measure.

Some people I recognized in attendance: Ben Sellers (who was one of the presenters), Marva Ellard, Meg Salyer.

Surprisingly zero NIMBYs availed themselves of the Q&A session. If they were there they kept silent (which is nearly impossible for a NIMBY to do).

Thanks for the recap. Sounds very promising. Hopefully they can come together as a merchant group and pool the parking in some fair way (with appropriate compensation).


Surprisingly zero NIMBYs availed themselves of the Q&A session. If they were there they kept silent (which is nearly impossible for a NIMBY to do).

They'll wait until the very last minute, when everything is ready to be done then complain loudly, claiming this was the first they had heard about. (Aimed at the small minority of neighboring homeowners who complain about absolutely everything. I realize most in the area embrace and advocate for such changes.)

The Environmental Framework presentation has been released:


Full Presentation (http://uptown23rd.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Uptown23rd_FullPresentation072914.pdf)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/231.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/232.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/233.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/234.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/235.jpg

Love parts of that, but it seems like the transition zone should reach all the way to OCU with the area right in front of OCU being an "urban center zone" as well.

What I would like to see more are actual bike lanes as opposed to Sharrows in the 22nd and 24th street lanes. It wouldn't be that hard, just some paint on the furthest north or south areas.

Love parts of that, but it seems like the transition zone should reach all the way to OCU with the area right in front of OCU being an "urban center zone" as well.

This right here.

I like how they just gave up on 23rd from Classen eastward by calling it "Auto Oriented Zone". No lie.

I'm surprised I don't see a proposed bike lane at Harvey to support the 36th-to-downtown bike expressway idea...

Another bank building for Box | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2014/08/05/another-bank-building-for-box-real-estate/)

Can someone summarize?

Another bank building for Box | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2014/08/05/another-bank-building-for-box-real-estate/)

Can someone summarize?

More information on the thread below:
603 NW 23rd - OKCTalk (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=603+NW+23rd)

Not sure if this is considered Midtown or Uptown, but there are rows and rows of traffic cones all along Classen Blvd between 13th street and 23rd street.
Anyone know if this part of Classen is about to be resurfaced? .... and if so will the city be adding new sidewalks and crosswalks in this area?

A friend of mine involved with the Jefferson Park neighborhood committee told me that the old c-store on the SE corner of 23rd and Walker has sold. He also said according to their last meeting, it was brought up that Starbucks is looking at that location. Has anyone heard anything on this?

A friend of mine involved with the Jefferson Park neighborhood committee told me that the old c-store on the SE corner of 23rd and Walker has sold. He also said according to their last meeting, it was brought up that Starbucks is looking at that location. Has anyone heard anything on this?

No sale has been posted as of yet.

No sale has been posted as of yet.

Thanks Pete, I guess we'll see what happens. Either way, it is a great location.

It's a tiny parcel but a very visible corner.

Didn't someone post that that c-store has closed?

A friend of mine involved with the Jefferson Park neighborhood committee told me that the old c-store on the SE corner of 23rd and Walker has sold. He also said according to their last meeting, it was brought up that Starbucks is looking at that location. Has anyone heard anything on this?

This rumor has really taken hold in Mesta Park/HH as well. Don't know where it is coming from but it is being treated like gospel.

Starbuck's has really stepped up their game on store design lately, aiming to rebuild the brand's image. If they build on this corner, it will be nice.

With Stunning New Stores, Starbucks Has a New Design Strategy: Act Local | WIRED (http://www.wired.com/2014/01/starbucks-big-plan-to-be-your-cozy-neighborhood-coffee-shop/)

This rumor has really taken hold in Mesta Park/HH as well. Don't know where it is coming from but it is being treated like gospel.

This will bring too many hyper coffee drinkers to 23rd St and endanger the neighborhood... TIME TO PROTEST!!!!!!

Starbuck's has really stepped up their game on store design lately, aiming to rebuild the brand's image. If they build on this corner, it will be nice.

With Stunning New Stores, Starbucks Has a New Design Strategy: Act Local | WIRED (http://www.wired.com/2014/01/starbucks-big-plan-to-be-your-cozy-neighborhood-coffee-shop/)

That would be awesome.

I guess Starbucks has realized that they have mostly lost their "cool" factor in recent years as local independent coffee shops have stepped up to the plate. Good to see them trying to up their game.

This will bring too many hyper coffee drinkers to 23rd St and endanger the neighborhood... TIME TO PROTEST!!!!!!

Are you kidding!?!? Coffee shops and art galleries are the only thing they won't protest. Yuppies love coffee.

This rumor has really taken hold in Mesta Park/HH as well. Don't know where it is coming from but it is being treated like gospel.

Lackmeyer has also noted the existence of this - don't think he refuted it as simply a rumor. The County Assessor still has the same property owner... but that could be delayed.