Oh yeah, well, that's just like, your opinion man.
I know it is. I said it was and that was the whole point of the post you quoted and responded to. You basically responded clarifying what I tried to clarify. Thank you.

Anybody else notice that the old bank building west of The Rise is for lease or sale. I believe David Box bought this building and immediately mentioned he had some plans for it (i even thought Flashback may move to part of this when they left The Rise), apparently any plans that were in the works are toast.

Anybody know the scoop on this?

^

He's cleaned it up and fixed the roof.

Don't think he's ever had specific plans for it. I've talked to both potential tenants and buyers who say he wants a ton of money.

Oklahoma City church agrees to delay move until Tower Theater re-developers obtain needed liquor license | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-church-agrees-to-delay-move-until-tower-theater-re-developers-obtain-needed-liquor-license/article/5386638)

For those who can't read that article yet.


The agreement struck by both sides delays opening of the church for 10 months to allow for owners of the Tower Theater to redevelop the portion that will need an ABC-3 license. That agreement however, does not address the existence of the church to hamper development of other properties along NW 23 between Hudson and Walker.

Mannin comfirmed the congregation is looking at restricting its legal status so that ownership of the property will be with a nonprofit organization instead of a church.


The mobile link

http://m.newsok.com/oklahoma-city-church-agrees-to-delay-move-until-tower-theater-re-developers-obtain-needed-liquor-license/article/5386638

I have a couple friends who are heavily involved this church (I believe leading worship) so I'm very happy to see things working out for all sides. I've had beers with these guys before so I know for a fact that they are not against alcohol.

I stopped worrying too much about the Tower after hanging out with the owners a week or so ago at the ULI Impact awards. They all assured me that they would reach a happy resolution with the church. Nevertheless, this law really, REALLY needs changing.

Yeah. I think I've mentioned it up thread, but my next door neighbor works for this church. They're good people who are excited about the improving neighborhood.

I know it is. I said it was and that was the whole point of the post you quoted and responded to. You basically responded clarifying what I tried to clarify. Thank you.

Sigh

This is a phenomenal outcome, which we haven't had a lot of lately. This will even incidentally guarantee a timely completion of the Tower Theater finally, and ensure the church a successful opening in the next version of Uptown, with a more revitalization and less blight.

I also think that, like in the Plaza district, a modern and "cool" church can be a great component to a vibrant, diverse urban community. I think what could have been a very bad situation has turned into great news.

As I said from the beginning and repeatedly, there was never anything to worry about in the first place.

This is good news, churches bring community together & will also bring activity & financial investments. They aren't moving to this location to force their religious views down people's throats and expel all those unholy establishments around them :rolleyes:. Anybody who doesn't see this as a positive is narrowly focused with anti-religious views. It is that simple.

Just wanted to quote myself. In case anybody might ever accuse me of being too negative. I was one of the first people (Pete was obviously the first and loudest) to proclaim this to be a good thin.

Gotta love Lackmeyer taking credit in his chat for the compromise between the two parties. :) His tireless reporting and loyal readers saved 23rd street! Even though what has been agreed was clearly discussed before his article was written.

Gotta love Lackmeyer taking credit in his chat for the compromise between the two parties. :) His tireless reporting and loyal readers saved 23rd street! Even though what has been agreed was clearly discussed before his article was written.That's not what happened at all. You obviously have some kind of biased agenda, so I'm not going to comment any further.

Haha. Ok. Don't post anymore. But Steve saying it was his article that led to the agreement is simply not true. The parties were speaking before hand and they knew the church was willing to wait. In fact, Steve inserting himself in the middle could have easily made the situation worse not better.

Haha. Ok. Don't post anymore. But Steve saying it was his article that led to the agreement is simply not true. The parties were speaking before hand and they knew the church was willing to wait. In fact, Steve inserting himself in the middle could have easily made the situation worse not better.I misread your first post. Sorry. Just disregard my last post.

I misread your first post. Sorry. Just disregard my last post.

No problem.

I stopped worrying too much about the Tower after hanging out with the owners a week or so ago at the ULI Impact awards. They all assured me that they would reach a happy resolution with the church. Nevertheless, this law really, REALLY needs changing.

They are very good people and this is a great sign for the district. These types of things work best with there is cooperation and synergy between the owners and tenants. It's taken a lot longer than I expected, but this district will be a great addition to the mix of neighborhoods we have now in the core.

But, yeah, it's a stupid law. Any church should be able to wave it if they want. It seems stupid to "protect" them from something they don't really feel threatened by.

Haha. Ok. Don't post anymore. But Steve saying it was his article that led to the agreement is simply not true. The parties were speaking before hand and they knew the church was willing to wait. In fact, Steve inserting himself in the middle could have easily made the situation worse not better.

You got quotes?

The silver lining in all of this is that the Tower will really have to bust their tails to get the renovation largely complete so they can make application for the liquor license.

Some extra motivation and urgency because they pretty much have to be done in 10 months.

The silver lining in all of this is that the Tower will really have to bust their tails to get the renovation largely complete so they can make application for the liquor license.

Some extra motivation and urgency because they pretty much have to be done in 10 months.

A blessing in disguise.

Haha. Ok. Don't post anymore. But Steve saying it was his article that led to the agreement is simply not true. The parties were speaking before hand and they knew the church was willing to wait. In fact, Steve inserting himself in the middle could have easily made the situation worse not better.

This is what Steve said and it's not counter to anything you are saying. Nothing says they weren't talking or that they didn't know the church was willing to wait. You seem to be trying to read something into this that isn't there.


Steve Lackmeyer
‎10‎:‎41‎:‎02‎ ‎AM
Concerned citizen, I don't know what questions you are referring to. But when it comes to the Tower Theater and Oklahoma City Community Church, I stand by my reporting. Until I made the deal public, the church was focused on trying to get the law changed, and the agreement that finally took place didn't really firm up until after concerns were voiced by readers.

"Open Streets OKC" is coming again.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/5399886&headline=Open%20Streets%20OKC%20clears%20pavement% 20for%20pedestrians


For now, we’ll have to stay satisfied with an annual “Open Streets” gathering, the next one running noon to 4 p.m. on March 22. Once again, a 0.8-mile section of NW 23 between Western to Robinson will be closed to automobile traffic. Organizers say the purpose of this event is “permanent change.”

It would be cool to see it done Friday's 8-11p, Saturday's 5-10p, and Sunday's 11a-3p.

I saw on Facebook that Cee&Cee's Wigs is closing and moving to Penn & 23rd. Did I miss somewhere what is going in their place?

Interesting. The interior of that place is the best-kept secret in Uptown.

Oh no!

The beginning of the end for the Wig District! ;)

Cee & Cee is actually in the same building and under the same ownership as Grandad's and Back Door BBQ.

If they don't already have a tenant, that space should be very easy to lease:

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

Yeah, Greg is the one who showed me the interior. It would instantly make a run at coolest bar in OKC if developed as a watering hole.

It's big, though. Looks like it's the size of Grandad's and Back Door combined, and each of those are plenty big.

Still, this is great news for the district.

Things seem to be happening daily here now.

What about the beauty supply store to the west? Any sign that will be developed?

Was this the choice of Cee & Cee Wigs or was this a "We're not renewing your lease" type of change?

My understanding is the landlord chose not to renew their lease.

That strip would be really cool turned into a little bar strip. VERY easy for bar crawls.

What about the beauty supply store to the west? Any sign that will be developed?

Someone please tell me I'm wrong, but I thought Queen's owned that building and parking lot.

^

Yes, the people that operate Queens own the building, the parking lot to the west and the small lot to the north as well.

They are going to redevelop all of that at some point.

Pete, please keep us posted about what is going into Cee&Cee's. I'm really excited about new development there!!

This one is for you Pete.
What about the former gas/convenience store at the SE corner of 23rd and Walker? It is recently closed and now vacant. I did see a few professional looking people inside and outside the building the other day.

This one is for you Pete.
What about the former gas/convenience store at the SE corner of 23rd and Walker? It is recently closed and now vacant. I did see a few professional looking people inside and outside the building the other day.

Ben Felder of the Gazette tweeted this just yesterday. Hopefully it's just temporary; the property has been owned by the same family for a long time, although there have been rumors about a Starbucks.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCB83fmWAAEuQWx.jpg:large

I drove by that gas station yesterday and they had a sign up that said goodwill donation center on it.

As per Brianna, there will be a new reason to visit Uptown.

Oklahoma City uptown district hopes farmers market lures shoppers | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/farmers-market-a-potential-gamechanger-for-uptown/article/5421018)


Merchants in the Historic Uptown 23rd District hope a new monthly farmers market will lure more shoppers to businesses in the area and also give the neighborhood better access to fresh, local produce.

The first Uptown Farmers Market will be 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 31 on Walker Avenue from NW 23 to NW 25 and will feature more than 20 local vendors. Subsequent farmers markets will be held the last Sunday of each month from May through October.

As per Brianna, there will be a new reason to visit Uptown.

Oklahoma City uptown district hopes farmers market lures shoppers | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/farmers-market-a-potential-gamechanger-for-uptown/article/5421018)

this is the brainchild of one of the LOYAL groups from this year, my mortgage guy is in that group, please get out and support this if you can! hopefully the weather is good

It looks like the farmers market got off to a good start today.

Families enjoy the outdoors for Uptown 23rd District?s first farmers market | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/05/31/families-enjoy-the-outdoors-for-uptown-23rd-districts-first-farmers-market/)

It looks like the farmers market got off to a good start today.

Families enjoy the outdoors for Uptown 23rd District?s first farmers market | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2015/05/31/families-enjoy-the-outdoors-for-uptown-23rd-districts-first-farmers-market/)

I was there! Some observations:

I think they were under-prepared for the success they had. The event was scheduled 11-4, but by 2PM much of the produce was sold out and the petting zoo guys had a shellshocked look about them and were packing up.
The food truck generators were, as always, way too loud and really interfered with the experience. There were only two of them, might it be possible to wire them to the grid or something?
The local vendors had some good stuff. Good to see the Jerky.com folks there.
There is a serious need for bicycle parking. The weather was beautiful and there were dozens of folks and families on bikes.


But all-in-all this was a great addition to the area. Glad to see it and I hope it thrives!

I was there! Some observations:

I think they were under-prepared for the success they had. The event was scheduled 11-4, but by 2PM much of the produce was sold out and the petting zoo guys had a shellshocked look about them and were packing up.
The food truck generators were, as always, way too loud and really interfered with the experience. There were only two of them, might it be possible to wire them to the grid or something?
The local vendors had some good stuff. Good to see the Jerky.com folks there.
There is a serious need for bicycle parking. The weather was beautiful and there were dozens of folks and families on bikes.


But all-in-all this was a great addition to the area. Glad to see it and I hope it thrives!

Co-sign on this. Definitely a great idea, but too small for it's potential. We got there around 2pm, did about a 5 minute walk around, and decided to leave. We'll probably check out Pump or Gusto next time, but hopefully they'll have more going on to keep people around.

this is the brainchild of one of the LOYAL groups from this year, my mortgage guy is in that group, please get out and support this if you can! hopefully the weather is good

was it a group effort by loyal or a single person? most people I know that join loyal due it to pad their resume

was it a group effort by loyal or a single person? most people I know that join loyal due it to pad their resume

What does it matter? So what if one or all joined to pad their resumes. They still have to do beneficial and charitable projects while in LOYAL. So we all benefit, even if a person joined for selfish reasons.

Just as an fyi, you don't really 'join' LOYAL. You fill out an application and there is a selection process.

Actually most of the LOYAL (and LOKC) grads I know are THE doers in OKC.

Just as an fyi, you don't really 'join' LOYAL. You fill out an application and there is a selection process.

Yea it's a "selection process" just like those 40 under 40 or 30 under 30 people don't pay to be nominated.

Looked like a success to me.

Uptown 23 did the work to put this on with the help of various volunteers. The size of the permit area is pretty large. Spanning Hudson to Dewey and 23rd-25th. The permits are secured every last Sunday through October. Like all of these events: the participants have to be listed 2 weeks prior to be forwarded to state and city county HD, fire marshals, okcpd, etc. So a lot of vendors voiced interest AFTER the deadline and could not be included despite the efforts of the organizers. I have mucho admiration for these guys, they survived the first wave with only an idea of what would happen. We had 722 people through the door by 5:30pm at the pump. I can only imagine their foot traffic. They will learn, they're smart and eager, this will grow, and by the end of the year this will be a huge entertainment and local commerce event. It's exactly the type of gap this city needs to fill between arts, food trucks, music, and block party events. I really like that their approach is not simply a place to buy groceries at 8am, rather a social event. I agree about the generators. It wouldn't be fair but I wish the city could issue a noise ordinance that they have to use the efficient, super quiet, yet super expensive inverter style generators. I donated power to a few of the retailers so they wouldn't need one. Oh, and did I mention my place serves brunch and liquor right next to it??? :)

Yea it's a "selection process" just like those 40 under 40 or 30 under 30 people don't pay to be nominated.

There's an application with various questions about your resume, why you are dedicated to OKC, demographics and 2 recommendation letters that are reviewed by the selection committee. The committee will only select 1-2 people per company and spread the class over different occupations, backgrounds, income class, etc. Over 300 people apply a year and there are only 60-65 selected.

Wow. I'm pretty surprised by this for some reason. Interesting direction they're headed, potentially focusing more on craft cocktails and less on live music and beer.

Grandad's, an Uptown beer bar and music venue, to reopen with new focus | News OK (http://newsok.com/grandads-an-uptown-beer-bar-and-music-venue-to-reopen-with-new-focus/article/5424637/?page=1)

Edited: nvm, see this is posted in the dedicated Grandad's thread.

was it a group effort by loyal or a single person? most people I know that join loyal due it to pad their resume

If you're as familiar with LOYAL as you think you are based on your replies on this thread, you'd know that each LOYAL class divides into groups and each one focuses on a special project.

Some of the projects in each class are great, and do a lot of charity around town. The stuff the groups did in my wife's class (LOYAL VII) was great, and everyone I know in that class is still heavily involved in many causes around OKC...so to say it was just a resume pad when most continue to contribute, as Urbanized noted, sounds like sour grapes.

Did the Korean BBQ place ever open?

Did the Korean BBQ place ever open?

Do you mean Daebak K?

They haven't even started construction yet. It's the same operators as Guernsey Park and now Covell Park, and they've been consumed with getting the latter open.

However, I'm told work on the new place should be starting soon.

The neon green building on the NE corner of 23rd and walker (across from the Rise) previously had "For Sale" signs on the side that are no longer being displayed. Did this property sell? This development could be huge as it links the Rise to the Tower development.

I don't see anything right off hand with the county assessor's office, but that doesn't necessarily mean a sale has not occurred. Perhaps someone else with better information will come forward.

The neon green building on the NE corner of 23rd and walker (across from the Rise) previously had "For Sale" signs on the side that are no longer being displayed. Did this property sell? This development could be huge as it links the Rise to the Tower development.

Unfortunately, I think the current owner is just changing real estate agents.