Maybe they could find a parcel of land out on 1-40 and Peebly rd or somewhere like that for Pull-A-Part and do a swap. That has always seemed like an odd site for a salvage yard.

It made sense in the context of that area being Hubcap Alley but with the park coming and many of the remaining Hubcap Alley businesses closing I agree that Pull-a-Part should want to move.

:ot:

Pull-A-Part appear to run a transparent operation. Gone there with a friend to help pull some parts; only surprised that they charge an admission fee. They are well organized with the grounds & arrangement of vehicles according to some models & makes.

Don't have any idea as to what was in place before Pull-A-Part occupied the site; hopefully the clean-up won't be as enormous or severe as the Producer's Coop Mill site.

Just thrilled with the OKC future development plans; especially with the potential clean up of the coop mill & Pull-A-Part sites. Our city looked like the pits in the pre 90s. Since 2000, you can see the drastic change in the overall cleanliness of our city. Clean-up & beautification will always be a continuous process. Bricktown, Adventure, Paseo, Capitol Hill, Plaza, Asian & HSC districts have made remarkable improvements.

Does anybody else see the OKC sign in this? Its very hard to see if you don't know its there.13704

Does anybody else see the OKC sign in this? Its very hard to see if you don't know its there.13704

Very interesting coming out of the ground like that.

Does anybody else see the OKC sign in this? Its very hard to see if you don't know its there.13704

I never noticed that before. That's a nice touch really. Far better looking than if the entire sign was at the front. It would be overbearing

Does anybody else see the OKC sign in this? Its very hard to see if you don't know its there.13704

Kyle, your keen eye for observation pointed out something many of us overlooked.

That's neat, reminds me of the logo signage in the Ferris Wheel Wheeler District; the city needs to maintain this theme. Every Thunder game you hear the fans chant O - K - C, it reminds me of that signage.

https://s3-media2.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/LojZe7ZAGm94g-OJiD7Tgg/ls.jpg
The more you can build that signage in strategic points throughout our city; it will leave what we hope will be a favorable impression. We are a city on the verge; therefore we need to promote ourselves through subliminal signage.

http://www.fiberstock.com/images/products/Primed_buffalo_on_steps_450x266.jpg
The Land Run monument & the OKC signage along with the buffalo statues throughout our city will complement & promote Oklahoma City.

I don't know that flooding the city with big OKC letters will have a big positive impact, but I do like the appearance of it here.

Well, it's a branding benefit I would think. Cities often spend huge amounts of money on symbols, slogans, etc, in order to create a certain brand for their cities. OKC is certainly one way to brand Oklahoma City, and it's something nice and short to use when talking about the city. Maybe similar to how people say DC instead of saying Washington, DC.

It's also a branding that is already used by other companies that tie back into the city, like the logo of the Thunder (whether you like it or not). It also ties in somewhat with the old "Oklahoma is OK" motto we used to have on our tags and promoted by our tourism board.

And as I mentioned in the Central Park thread, every publicly funded project is required to spend 1% of its budget on public art.

So, they will have a big chunk of money for that purpose.

... OKC is certainly one way to brand Oklahoma City, and it's something nice and short to use when talking about the city. Maybe similar to how people say DC instead of saying Washington, DC.

...

And having people refer to it as "OKC" is way preferable to people saying "Oak City" (phonetically, not sure how it's spelled in print), which I have never heard from anybody that lives here or grew up here. :)

The first time I ever heard "Oak City" was on an airplane as it was preparing to land. My reaction was "Where the hell is that and why were we detoured?" For that matter, that's pretty much the only time I've heard it.

Heard "Oak City" a few times from a few NBA analysts before.

when I worked for DoD, we had VTCs with other sites, many folks outside of OKC referred to us as Oak (I think more of a pronunciation of "OK" vs Oak as in the tree) City... example... 3 ALCs (air logistics centers [I know, it's complex, not center now])... OO-ALC (Hill AFB in Ogden, UT), OC-ALC (Tinker), WR-ALC (Robins AFB in Warner Robins, GA)... would call them Ogden or Hill, Tinker or Oak City, and Robins...

In reference to OKC, the farther away from OKC I get, the less people seem to know off hand what OKC means. Have gotten a few dead stares even in the last year or two. If they don't follow sports it seems to be worse.

You mostly hear it on airplanes because the official call sign for OKC's Radar Approach Control is "Oke City Approach" pronounced "Oak". Pilots likely assume it is a common term for the city and therefore likely use it over the PA out of ignorance.

One I have noticed more and more frequently lately which I hate is flight attendants have been omitting the "City" in their announcements. Which make it seem like there's only one airport in Oklahoma.

I sometimes call OKC O(a)K City!

I hear it a lot in Oklahoma State sports coverage too. "Oak State".

Also I would like to second catch's point about FAs calling it "Oklahoma" instead of "Oklahoma City". I think my last 3 or 4 flights back to OKC have been that way.

I grew up in Tulsa, took my first flight lesson into Wiley Post when I was 15, from then on, OKC was "Oak" City for me. Much better than "the city," which means nothing to Tulsans.

IMO Oak City kind of sounds like it should be an abbreviation for Oakland California.

IMO Oak City kind of sounds like it should be an abbreviation for Oakland California.

So true, people feel the same about San Francisco being referred to as Frisco. Have relatives in both San Francisco & Oakland.

City across the bay claim that the reason Oakland doesn't endure catastrophic earthquakes:

"There are just some things the earth wouldn't swallow."

I call out pilots whenever I'm disembarking. It's like saying Frisco in San Fran. Hate it.

I call out pilots whenever I'm disembarking. It's like saying Frisco in San Fran. Hate it.

"Frisco" is a relatively common term in San Francisco that is either embraced or outright rejected, depending on who you're talking to. I would say "San Fran" is the term that natives of San Francisco collectively hate. Personally, I don't have as much of an issue with Oak City as others do, but I can definitely understand why others dislike it so much.

IMO Oak City kind of sounds like it should be an abbreviation for Oakland California.

Exactly..

IMO Oak City kind of sounds like it should be an abbreviation for Oakland California.

I've heard "Oaktown" to describe Oakland since I've been out here, but I think most Bay Area residents avoid calling it "city" because San Francisco is "the city."

OKC Central:

Q: It looks like MAPS 3 will exceed projections. Is it pretty much a done deal that the funds will be used for the Convention Center parking garage and not sidewalks or more trails?

A: ...City Hall reporter William Crum reported several options are being considered, including a garage that will serve the new convention center, park and arena; an additional wellness center and a renovation of Union Station, which for some unfathomable reason was never funded as part of the park project.

These all seem like reasonable choices. Unless you want to see the current Cox Convention Center stay in place, largely unused and gobbling up prime real estate that can be sold for redevelopment, it will need to be torn down. And when the building is torn down, the city will also need to take out the approximately 1,000 parking spaces under the Cox Center. So we would have these major new venues opening with less parking than we have now. The garage is needed. Union Station is needed.--Lackmeyer, Oklahoman 05/06/2017

And when the building is torn down, the city will also need to take out the approximately 1,000 parking spaces under the Cox Center.

Is this actually a given? Could the site be cleared and the super block broken up in such a way that the underground parking is preserved in spite of the redevelopment above, or would that be too potentially limiting to the new development above? I assume no new mystery towers if they can't dig a foundation.

^ ^ ^
Agree David, let's hope it's not a given. 1,000 spaces to park in that area across from the Peake will be needed. Hope something can be worked out.

and much better to have underground parking than a massive new garage.

The city-paid consultants have made a recommendation to add a roundabout to Robinson to aid in traffic flow and drop-off.

Also, they presented several options for a skybridge that would connect the center with the proposed Omni hotel; an added expense of anywhere from $1 to $3 million. There is also the possibility of connecting the two via a covered walkway at ground level.



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+1 for the roundabout

When does this project actually start moving dirt?

When does this project actually start moving dirt?

The OG&E substation has to be completely relocated first.

They have started on the new site by the river but I don't think it will actually move until some time next year.

The OG&E substation has to be completely relocated first.

They have started on the new site by the river but I don't think it will actually move until some time next year.

they're doing a ton of boring under I-40, which I presume is electric lines going to the new station, so I think they're making good progress?

+1 for roundabout
-1 for skybridge

+1 for roundabout
-1 for skybridge

I'm generally against skybridges, but I'm actually okay with this one since there may be events in the hotel directly related to a conference, it's nice to have the ability for the contiguous flow...

Man, as an avid convention attendee, this is the one time you MUST have a skywalk. I will be pretty let down if they don't include it.

To those saying -1 for skybridge, I am genuinely curious. Can you explain what you feel the problem(s) associated with a skybridge might be? Would 5000-20000 people crossing the street all at once be preferable?

generally grade separation is bad for street life, but I suspect the convention goers need to not be on the street in the middle of the conference at least...

To those saying -1 for skybridge, I am genuinely curious. Can you explain what you feel the problem(s) associated with a skybridge might be? Would 5000-20000 people crossing the street all at once be preferable?

First, I go to a lot of big conferences and I've yet to see everyone at the conference cross the street at once. ;) But, seriously, I think getting people on the street is a good thing. Sometimes it is too easy to never leave the convention center and see the city. Even just walking outside can cause attendees to look around and see something or place they might want to visit later. I'm just speaking from my experiences and preferences. I understand the appeal of keeping everyone inside the hotel/convention center 24/7, but I've found that to be the problem too for the host city. I've known conference attendees who never left the hotel/convention center over a 4-5 day stay.

I'd say people who don't leave Hotel/Convention center for 4-5 days would still just cross the street and never venture beyond those two buildings anyway. SKybridge or not. For this purpose I don't really mind a skybridge.

I get the rap against skybridges in the core between office towers which can kill street life below, but here, it's a convention center on one side, and a hotel on the other, which likely the only street life it will have is food/bev attached to it that hotel goers are going to use anyway. I get both sides though.

Glad to see the excitement planned for our city to move forward on items like parking & some kind of connection from the Omni conference hotel to the convention center.

Bullbear bring up a good observation; ...people who don't leave Hotel/Convention center for 4-5 days would still just cross the street and never venture beyond those two buildings anyway.

Although it would be nice for convention attendees to get in some sight seeing in the core, our streetcar will provide a nice 5 mile cruise for those who take advantage. Convention goers will get information on what to see in the core: Midtown, Automobile Alley & Bricktown Entertainment Districts.

You'll see a much improved Oklahoma City come 2020.

The sky bridge in this case is required to get caterings back and forth and to facilitate moving materials to and from an HQ hotel to a convention center during events. A physical connection such as this one is pretty much a requirement here.

The sky bridge in this case is required to get caterings back and forth and to facilitate moving materials to and from an HQ hotel to a convention center during events. A physical connection such as this one is pretty much a requirement here.

knowledge...this guy has it when it comes to this topic

Its basically the same kind of setup the Renaissance has with the current convention center. The two buildings services are closely integrated and are essentially one building. Plus, it would be super annoying for a convention guest to have to cross the street in 30 degree weather. Would they wear a heavy coat for the short time it takes to cross the street? and if they did that they would be hot the whole time inside the convention. These details are silly to some, but are critical issues to others.

Dogma shouldn't override common sense. This is not a new urbanist issue. It is a practical issue with no real downside.

No problem with the skybridge in this scenario.

Any news or updates on the convention center development?

I believe the last things we're waiting on are the OGE station moving, final decision on skybridge/walkway, and construction bids. Once all those are done they should be breaking ground.

The city-paid consultants have made a recommendation to add a roundabout to Robinson to aid in traffic flow and drop-off.

Also, they presented several options for a skybridge that would connect the center with the proposed Omni hotel; an added expense of anywhere from $1 to $3 million. There is also the possibility of connecting the two via a covered walkway at ground level.



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OKC seeks roundabout solution for convention center traffic

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record July 28, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – City Hall is addressing traffic management at the new MAPS 3 convention center in a roundabout way.

The decision is one of necessity – a direct approach is doomed to failure, project manager David Todd said.

“People would be making U-turns in the street, and that’s not safe at all,” Todd said. “And anything bigger than a midsize passenger car would have a hard time making a turn at all, based on projections of queuing. … You’d have to be a local and have visited many times to navigate the area.”

Todd was speaking to the proposal of realigning streets at Robinson Avenue and SW Seventh Street to form a circle rather than a 90-degree intersection. Maintaining the traditional grid layout that close to Interstate 40 will make it nearly impossible for drivers to drop off or pick up visitors without causing traffic snarls, he said.

City Councilman David Greenwell recently raised constituents’ concerns about traffic circles or roundabouts, and he questioned whether it was the best plan for what promises to be a popular tourist area. He asked city staff to look closely at merging lane space and the impact of the circle’s diameter.

Farther west on I-40, Jack Bell, City Hall chief of staff in Conway, Arkansas, said size isn’t really a factor. In all cases, small and large, one lane or several, traffic flows smoother and with fewer accidents.

Bell said traffic circles are used near college campuses and at state highways in Conway. And because traffic circles are merger-oriented, they save on the city’s budget for light installation and repairs, he said. Conway is about to build its 20th traffic circle within the city’s 46 square miles, raising its per capita rate to one circle per 3,300 people.

Studies by the Federal Highway Administration back up Bell’s experience. The FHA found that roundabouts can increase traffic capacity by about 40 percent compared with traditional intersections by reducing idling and stops.

Although the terms are often interchanged, a modern roundabout in the U.S. typically refers to a counterclockwise circle around a center island without traffic signals or stop signs. Traffic circles tend to be larger and might incorporate signs and signals. Two of the most well-known examples are Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., and Arc de Triomphe in Paris.

Emily White, manager at McNellie’s Pub in the Midtown district, said she’s never seen an accident at the roundabout just south of the restaurant at NW 10th Street. It used to be one of the most accident-prone intersections, which is exactly why City Hall rebuilt it a decade ago.

Todd said the MAPS 3 advisory group isn’t ready yet to commit to a traffic alignment at the convention center, but there doesn’t seem to be a better option.

“It’s really just a concept right now that we put out for consideration. The subcommittee told us, ‘You’ve got to solve this,’” Todd said.

In this photo I took of the coop, you can see the new OG&E substation taking shape in the lower left.

Not sure when they will make the full move from the station on convention center site.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/coop073117c.jpg

In this photo I took of the coop, you can see the new OG&E substation taking shape in the lower left.

Not sure when they will make the full move from the station on convention center site.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/coop073117c.jpg

Can't believe we gave away riverfront property for an electrical substation. I realize there's a junk yard next door... but eventually that will be prime real estate. I guess we can pay to move it again in 15 years.

What's more stunning to me in that picture is the huge tract of land set to be developed from the CoOp, to the convention center site, to the park, west through what will hopefully be Strawberry Fields. How many acres is that totaled out?

What's more stunning to me in that picture is the huge tract of land set to be developed from the CoOp, to the convention center site, to the park, west through what will hopefully be Strawberry Fields. How many acres is that totaled out?

Approximately 275 acres.

Can't believe we gave away riverfront property for an electrical substation. I realize there's a junk yard next door... but eventually that will be prime real estate. I guess we can pay to move it again in 15 years.

The problem is that Tract has almost no access and really no means for getting additional access.

Can't believe we gave away riverfront property for an electrical substation. I realize there's a junk yard next door... but eventually that will be prime real estate. I guess we can pay to move it again in 15 years.

Mainly because the city could do it for 'free'; i.e. not having to find more money to go acquire property rather than just give this away and not charge the convention center project.

Yet another hidden cost of the convention center.

The problem is that Tract has almost no access and really no means for getting additional access.

This specific problem is going to be a hard reality for the Coop site. People worried about Residential on that land need not worry, because there are about 15 acres (40% of the space) of that property that are going to be horrendous for retail.

http://i.imgur.com/8HPk9xw.jpg

Phew. Glad to see Union Station still standing in the background. These days you never know!

Guessing this might have something to do with the ongoing move of the substation from the Convention Center site to the OK River site?

"I-40 closes at Shields Blvd. intermittently for Saturday, Sunday

All lanes of east and westbound I-40 will be closed intermittently between Shields Blvd. and Walker Ave. for 20 min intervals between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for an OG&E project. Drivers should avoid the area and locate an alternate route. For more information contact OG&E at 405-553-3000."

Guessing this might have something to do with the ongoing move of the substation from the Convention Center site to the OK River site?

"I-40 closes at Shields Blvd. intermittently for Saturday, Sunday

All lanes of east and westbound I-40 will be closed intermittently between Shields Blvd. and Walker Ave. for 20 min intervals between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for an OG&E project. Drivers should avoid the area and locate an alternate route. For more information contact OG&E at 405-553-3000."

Yep.