I am sure the world would think I am nuts. but I think it would be cool if in the new central park there was a play ground that was basically a Jungle gym type smaller replica of the Stage center. just something that i have thought of many times.. I know it would make me smile to see its likeness integrated that way.

I like it.

Oh I don't expect it to happen. But if people can wish our streetcars would go 300mph then I can dream a little dream. :)


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalkyeah... 300mph....First off, I never said 300mph nor did I say even say 100mph... I said closer to 100mph.... Furthermore, I will also venture to say that my point was hoping our METROWIDE LIGHT RAIL could go closer to 100 and NOT the street cars. I said since we can have hsr go 300 miles per hour, it could get closer to 100mph. I never said 100mph exactly.

If you want people to ride light rail and have it be feasible, you have to give a competitive edge. You have to make people want to ride it which is have higher speed limits than highways which most people drive 70-85... Saying, hey, you have 15 or so minutes to pull out a book or some papers and get work done isn't enough.

Now I'm not sure whether or not you were being serious or joking, but if you are serious, than sir, you either incompetent or just trying to be an ass. My response was positioned in favor of METROWIDE light rail along with street car. Not to pit one up against the other or compare the two. They serve two different kinds of people most of the time.

That is the elephant in the back of the room for all OKC development.what? Development in OKC has increased drastically in terms of the number of developments and quality wise,

He can't hear you.

Speak a little louder.

He can't hear you.

+1

He can't hear you.

He's with Jesus now.

He can't hear you.haha I just saw that :p

He's with Jesus now.I hope not lol....

We don't want Jesus to be influenced by any negativity

Steve's got an update on the demolition.

Not sure if this is new information, but:


Rainey Williams, President of Kestrel Investments, is clearing the site at Hudson and Sheridan avenues to make way for a mid-rise headquarters for OGE Energy Corp. and garage, and is hoping to solicit a developer to build a second building of about a dozen stories for either a hotel or housing.

Stage Center demolition begins in earnest | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5028021)

So, they're tearing down the most architecturally significant building in OKC (according to those in the field) for a mid-rise and maybe a building about 12 stories... or not.

I heard an interview ( a recent one ) on the news last night from Rainey Williams. He was speaking of the demo and clearing of the site. He used the term 'world class' headquarters for OG&E again.

Not sure if this is new information, but:



Stage Center demolition begins in earnest | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5028021)

So, they're tearing down the most architecturally significant building in OKC (according to those in the field) for a mid-rise and maybe a building about 12 stories... or not.

Do you really believe this? Of all the people who visited OKC over the last 50 years how many of them do you think remember Stage Center (or even took a picture of it) over all other buildings? How many times did you see Stage Center featured on Thunder game street shots? Answers - none and none.

On that note, does anyone know what textbook Stage Center is in and how long ago that book was in print? Also, when I was in college at OU I remember seeing what was then Liberty Tower in a geography textbook.

I heard an interview ( a recent one ) on the news last night from Rainey Williams. He was speaking of the demo and clearing of the site. He used the term 'world class' headquarters for OG&E again.well I think it will. Hopefully the final product will be nice. I will hold myself to those words and eat them if I'm wrong. Bellaboo, me and you go to a bar or something and you show me your phone or iPad or something for me to see this post and take a steak knife to cut out part of the screen and I will eat it after this is built and is not nice.

I really think it has the potential to be a great area.

Some of you really need to hold off on the doomsday predictions until we see the actual design.

Some of you really need to hold off on the doomsday predictions until we see the actual design.

I get the doomsday scenarios as we are use to being disapointed in some areas.
but I am holding out hope that it will be something better than we anticipate.. but I tend to be optimistic

I've got my bulldozer keys out...lets get to work. Some will shoot me for saying that, some will praise me, most I think couldn't give a fat crap.

Not sure if this is new information, but:



Stage Center demolition begins in earnest | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/5028021)

So, they're tearing down the most architecturally significant building in OKC (according to those in the field) for a mid-rise and maybe a building about 12 stories... or not.

One less reason to care about spending time downtown. My list keeps getting shorter.

One less reason to care about spending time downtown. My list keeps getting shorter.

Did you spend time in the Stage Center in the last four years or just outside looking at it?

Did you spend time in the Stage Center in the last four years or just outside looking at it?

I have, with PluPan. He took pictures of the homeless people living there and the general filth that accumulated. Honestly, the demo crew should really wear biohazard suits - and that's not a joke.

I've never seen Rainey Williams but when I think what he might look like I imagine this guy from News Radio...

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/23/4ydy3yha.jpg

I've never seen Rainey Williams but when I think what he might look like I imagine this guy from News Radio...


That is freaking weird because I picture the exact same guy.

Did you spend time in the Stage Center in the last four years or just outside looking at it?

Short attention span, eh? Your youth is showing. I was born here and had a permanent residence in OKC as an adult since '76. Was in out quite a while before. It was built in '70.

Short attention span, eh? Your youth is showing. I was born here and had a permanent residence in OKC as an adult since '76. Was in out quite a while before. It was built in '70.

Hold on. You said the demise of Stage Center was one less reason to go downtown and that your list was getting shorter. When did you cross Stage Center off your list of reasons to go downtown; when it closed 4 years ago or just recently? If you found comfort just in knowing it was there, that's cool, it probably did create a sense of place for some people.

That is freaking weird because I picture the exact same guy.
Hahaha, that's funny.

Rainey Williams looks slight of build with a scraggly beard, at least in that interview he did.

And in his 40's.

http://okcfriday.com/clients/okcfriday/3-23-2011-3-47-29-PM-6279656.jpg

Is Rainey his first name? I kept assuming Rainey Williams was the name of a group. Bill Rainey and Steve Williams, or something like that. Who names their kid Rainey?

There is a Rainey Williams plaque out at the OUHSC, which I just always presumed was this guy's dad...

There is a Rainey Williams plaque out at the OUHSC, which I just always presumed was this guy's dad...

Correct.

Downtown OKC landscape is changing; Demolition of a landmark is underway | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2014/07/23/downtown-okc-landscape-is-changing-demolition-of-a-landmark-is-underway/)

Do you really believe this? Of all the people who visited OKC over the last 50 years how many of them do you think remember Stage Center (or even took a picture of it) over all other buildings? How many times did you see Stage Center featured on Thunder game street shots? Answers - none and none.

On that note, does anyone know what textbook Stage Center is in and how long ago that book was in print? Also, when I was in college at OU I remember seeing what was then Liberty Tower in a geography textbook.

It's the only building that everyone I bring in from out of town is impressed by. But most of them live in major markets, where a Devon tower is just another shiny building. Stage Center was the only thing that was unique enough that my friends and family from LA and San Francisco would notice. But, that's why it didn't belong here.

It's the only building that everyone I bring in from out of town is impressed by. But most of them live in major markets, where a Devon tower is just another shiny building. Stage Center was the only thing that was unique enough that my friends and family from LA and San Francisco would notice. But, that's why it didn't belong here.

Same here. The universal reaction of my family members, all of whom are either from Chicago or NYC, to the Stage Center: "Wow! What's that? That's so cool!" They don't bat an eye at the Devon Tower. For people living in big cities, a Devon Tower is no big deal. But they were all amazed/impressed by the Stage Center, including my sister in law, an architect with degrees from Columbia.

I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder. I have talked about the stage center coming down to make way for the new building to hundreds of people and not one person has ever voiced their disapproval. When I am with out of towners they usually ash something like, "what is that weird looking building over there". I do a lot of public speaking to what is going on in downtown and the new developments and always talk about the stage center and OG&E's new building. when I open it up for questions there is always a lot of excitement about the new building. I watched the SC go up as a kid and thought that is was really cool. Something futuristic.

Hi res photo of the outside demolition via Tres_1001 of reddit

http://i.imgur.com/6we6E9Z.jpg

I wonder how many artists who attend and sell art during the Arts Festival wont return because of this.

I don't think it will change the artists mind. They come here to sell their expensive art and there is plenty of $$$ there. It is all about the money.

As I was walking by Stage Center this morning on my way to work, I saw a man with a news camera filming the building. Another man was walking by, and the man with the camera stopped him and asked if he had any feelings about the demolition. The pedestrian replied something to the effect of "I don't have any strong feelings, I don't know much about the history of the building or why they are tearing it down." I think that's probably the case with most people in OKC.

I thought about stopping to give my opinion, but I'm cranky in the morning and chose to just grumpily walk past them instead. The cameraman looked like he wanted to ask me a question too, but you'd be amazed how many people will leave you alone if you scowl and look like you're in a hurry.

I thought about stopping to give my opinion, but I'm cranky in the morning and chose to just grumpily walk past them instead. The cameraman looked like he wanted to ask me a question too, but you'd be amazed how many people will leave you alone if you scowl and look like you're in a hurry.

That is how George Costanza gets out of doing work.

yd9ma2UVLHM

That is how George Costanza gets out of doing work.

yd9ma2UVLHM

Would it be fair to say that the relative value of the demolition of Stage Center, in the 'heart' of Downtown OKC . . .
Is akin to . . . George "The Wannabee Marine Biologist" Costanza saving the whale with the golf ball stuck in it's blowhole on account of Cosmo Kramer wanting to chip golfballs out into the Atlantic Ocean while smoking a Cuban Cigar?

I would say that it is akin to that.

I'm glad to see that goofy eyesore from the past removed.

However: Don't mess with The Old Red Barn in Arcadia. Don't Even Put Up A Lawfirm Sign. =)

And wander around in the aisles of commerce
carrying a clipboard . . . or the modern equivalent, thereof . . .
strolling through the environment . . . with a scowl. =)

I wonder how many artists who attend and sell art during the Arts Festival wont return because of this.

My guess is Zero.
That structure simply
Ugly-ed Up the Artistic Environment.
In the Background
On Hudson

Sure hope The Arts Council
Didn't misconstrue it
As an Anchor . . .
VenueWise . . . =)

I don't think it will have any impact at all. The weather is more of a deterant than anything. And you know what, the artists accept that risk. I've asked many artists over the years why they come to OKC knowing that when they are here, there is going to be a bad storm that could damage their work. Time and time again, they say they come because it's the most profitable show they attend all year. While most of us go and can't afford anything, I've also been witness to countless people dropping over 1k for a piece of artwork. Someone has the cash to keep the thing going. Does the Stage Center have anything to do with the Arts Festival? I don't think so at all. It was always a missed opportunity at the festival because they COULD have opened up the building for events, but rarely had anything going on inside. It COULD have served as a great money donation opportunity, but like so many things with SC, mismanagement caused missed opportunities over and over.

My concern for the arts festival is the retention of the used space during construction and after. Quite a bit of space is used around the SC during the festival. Specifically, I hope that the pedestrian stretch of California is maintained in its current state. And the plaza where the good is housed could be in danger if something spurs on that strip. If those go away, there could be some major problems with how the festival is organized. Once the Central Park is available, it would probably be great to move there. But for now....um well. we'll have to see.

I don't think it will affect artists returning as it was stated if they are making money they don't care that the structure is gone. personally I just go to the Festival for food and to people watch as most of the "art" is not really my style and seems some "crafts" are working their way in. but during construction they can always move the festival to take another street. perhaps Reno.. that particular space doesn't have anything significant that contributes to the Festival so any additional street would work just fine. I would hope upon completion of the park that the festival would move into it.

It won't affect a single artist's decision to appear in the festival. It's possible that some might choose to avoid the dust and disruption for a year or two when the new building is going up, but that won't have anything to do with feelings for Stage Center.

Is the question whether artists will avoid the arts festival due to commotion, or in protest? If it is out of protest then I doubt it will affect their attendance at all. First off, they are artists, not architects, not preservationists, and not involved in our local spats. Second, they are there to sell their artwork and as long as people who will buy their art will show up, they will show up. This is their business.

I guess it is all in the eye of the beholder.

Always is, which should be appreciated more, imo.

I think, more than anything, that a lot of visitors (especially those in my family of a snobby nature ;) ) don't expect to see anything unique or different in OKC, so when they saw Stage Center I think it kind of contradicted their stereotype of homogeneity in middle america. Ultimately, it seems that kind of contradicted our community.

I'm glad to see people are excited about the new building, but I don't think we've seen anything that warrants excitement. It still seems very much like a mystery to me. It still could be something exciting, but who knows?

I wonder how many artists who attend and sell art during the Arts Festival wont return because of this.

Most of the Arts for sale at the Arts Festival are pretty commercial. I think as long as there is still a crowd, they will come.

Now, depending on how these developments change the setting, it may affect whether or not I go. But I think it's an important enough event that there would be people upset if the format was disrupted. I would think worse case more of it will move to the park, which wouldn't be a bad thing, imo.

Most of the Arts for sale at the Arts Festival are pretty commercial. I think as long as there is still a crowd, they will come.

Now, depending on how these developments change the setting, it may affect whether or not I go. But I think it's an important enough event that there would be people upset if the format was disrupted. I would think worse case more of it will move to the park, which wouldn't be a bad thing, imo.

There is a huge difference in the art world between commercial art and art. Although art may seem to be commercial, it isn't always so. For example, walk around New Orleans and look at all the original art of a black silhouette playing sax leaning against a light pole...that is tourist art or commercial art. It is designed for for other reason than to sell mass quantity.

I just had the conversation with a art museum curator her at the hotel in boston as to photographers are artists or photographers. I consider what I do photography. It has artistic value but isn't the same as recreating a painting. However, some of my best sellers at art festivals (including some of the top five shows in the country that I have done) to be more tourist art type work whereas something that has all of the correct artistic qualities of a fine piece will maybe sell one piece to every ten pieces of the bright shiny sunflower picture. I have both much I am much more happy and impressed when someone buys the piece that truly has artistic value more than being pretty.

Most of the Arts for sale at the Arts Festival are pretty commercial. I think as long as there is still a crowd, they will come.

Now, depending on how these developments change the setting, it may affect whether or not I go. But I think it's an important enough event that there would be people upset if the format was disrupted. I would think worse case more of it will move to the park, which wouldn't be a bad thing, imo.

This won't be the first time that the location and layout of the Arts Festival has changed. It has survived quite nicely.

So long as there are artists, wallets and rain, the Festival of the Arts will endure.

I liked it better when it was more eclectic and the location was around the Civic Center. However, the move brought the more weather resistant booths which had to help the artists and the event played well with Stage Center and the gardens at that location.

This won't be the first time that the location and layout of the Arts Festival has changed. It has survived quite nicely.

Correct and it's entirely possible that it could get better. It would basically be about the food court and the main stage. But it's all speculative anyway at this point. I don't even think Williams knows what he's going to build yet.

There is a huge difference in the art world between commercial art and art. Although art may seem to be commercial, it isn't always so. For example, walk around New Orleans and look at all the original art of a black silhouette playing sax leaning against a light pole...that is tourist art or commercial art. It is designed for for other reason than to sell mass quantity.

I just had the conversation with a art museum curator her at the hotel in boston as to photographers are artists or photographers. I consider what I do photography. It has artistic value but isn't the same as recreating a painting. However, some of my best sellers at art festivals (including some of the top five shows in the country that I have done) to be more tourist art type work whereas something that has all of the correct artistic qualities of a fine piece will maybe sell one piece to every ten pieces of the bright shiny sunflower picture. I have both much I am much more happy and impressed when someone buys the piece that truly has artistic value more than being pretty.

Good points and insight. I certainly didn't mean to say that commercial works can't have artistic value, or that being commercial inherently affects artistic value. Just that the arts festival is mostly a commercial endeavor and as long as there is traffic, the artists will come regardless of the setting. Though I do think the setting can affect traffic. The reality is though, in light of the community's disdain for Stage Center, it's removal may actually help the festival. At the end of the day, I mostly go for the food court. There are several, more locally focused, art events that usually show art that is much more interesting to me and is where I actually buy stuff or identify artists whose work I want to buy.

It's a shame the building couldn't just be treated like a huge piece of public art instead of having to be commercially viable. The Picasso, Calder, and Miro sculptures in Chicago's Loop are about as strange-looking as Stage Center, but they're iconic and would never be removed. But then they're on public plazas which couldn't be used for any other purpose.

https://twitter.com/TRUE2OU/status/493531075340410880

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Btlf5MIIYAAihOF.jpg:large

It's a shame the building couldn't just be treated like a huge piece of public art instead of having to be commercially viable. The Picasso, Calder, and Miro sculptures in Chicago's Loop are about as strange-looking as Stage Center, but they're iconic and would never be removed. But then they're on public plazas which couldn't be used for any other purpose.

I would venture to guess the majority don't even know about the Stage Center, much less consider it "iconic".

I would venture to guess the majority don't even know about the Stage Center, much less consider it "iconic".

I would be surprised if any resident to OKC was not aware of stage center. most people know the structure. they either hate it or love it but they know it.

Wrecking ball has arrived:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814b.jpg

Sweet!

Action videos, anyone?

From Will, just taken:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814d.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814e.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814f.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814g.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/sc072814h.jpg