Wasn’t the part that came from the contingency budget originally a part of the cc budget, then moved to contingency, and then moved back to the cc? Or did I just dream that? I have a hard time keeping track.

Don't worry, I'm keeping track for everyone. :)

I'll soon do a breakdown on all the cc costs as there have been several more things added and it looks like more are coming.

Reminder: $8,865,000 approved from the 2017 Go Bonds election targeted for the Downtown City Arena which includes:


Repair, renovation, remodeling and improvement of the City’s Downtown Arena at 100 W Reno, now called
the Chesapeake Energy Arena, which may include related design, engineering, real property acquisition, infrastructure,
drainage, utilities, roadways, parking, exterior site improvements, equipment, furnishings, landscaping, irrigation, fencing
and technology improvements; and, expenses of the bond issue.

There will be extra money ($8,865,000) when the city decides to allocate this money when it becomes available.

Technology improvements, does anyone have any idea what this will entail & cost?


2014: Representatives of AT&T and Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett showed off the technology Friday. The company installed new Wi-Fi antennas all over the center... ...The project took about four months to finish and cost more than a $1 million.
Tulsa Mayor, AT&T Announce BOK Center Wi-Fi Improvements: http://www.newson6.com/story/25478751/tulsa-mayor-att-announce-bok-center-wi-fi-improvements

It obvious that Oklahoma City has learned from previous MAPS & Bond initiatives to provide a little extra cushion on funds toward the projects presented to voters.

The MAPS 3 Downtown Convention Center project budget is $288 million and includes other costs like property acquisition. Our new convention & Omni Hotel will cost:

https://www.thelostogle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/okc-convention-center-4-575x284.jpg
Oklahoma City Convention Center: $288 million

https://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/tulsaworld.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/6d/86dee52b-2b33-581e-8d47-50624255978e/5a4e5d5792ef5.image.jpg
Omni Conference Hotel: 605 room hotel: Estimated cost - $235.5

https://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/w620-4caa903827f6effe523e610015a31ec3.jpg
Fairfield Inn & Suites: $50 million (Patel development)

http://image.mlive.com/home/mlive-media/width600/img/grpress/news_impact/photo/library-parking-1jpg-777324687c136715.jpg
Parking: (Placeholder). The city parking authority is to borrow about $26 million to build the garage which, including the land, is expected to have a price tag of about $40 million.

Our convention center, Omni conference hotel & parking will have an estimated valued investment: $575 million of which OKC will contribute $425 million.

San Diego just announced a multi billion dollar renovation and expansion of their CC. I am in favor of at least spending a billion on ours when it’s all said and done.

San Diego just announced a multi billion dollar renovation and expansion of their CC. I am in favor of at least spending a billion on ours when it’s all said and done.

You cant really compare SD to OKC. OKC has other things they need to spend money on, in my opinion.

Downtown OKC project could use affordable housing incentives

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record February 1, 2018

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority will soon issue a request for proposals for a private commercial development next to the convention center’s parking garage.

That project could be one of the first to use the city’s new affordable housing money. When the latest 10-year general obligation bond package was approved in September, it included $10 million in money for affordable housing.

Alliance for Economic Development of Oklahoma City President and CEO Cathy O’Connor said if approved by the City Council, the developer could use some of that $10 million in the private development.

The site sits between SW Third and SW Fourth streets, with Shields Boulevard and Broadway Avenue on the east and west.

The site measures about 2.5 acres. The parking garage for the convention center will be developed by the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority. COTPA will issue bonds to fund the project, which is different money than the GO bonds.

Public Information Officer Michael Scroggins said COTPA will find an architect soon for the garage through the public bidding process.

O’Connor said during the January Economic Development Trust meeting that the goal would be to bring on the private developer and its team to work together with COTPA’s architect so the site has cohesiveness.

She said the private development could also help offset some of the purchase price of the land. The private development design could lower the cost of the garage because it could decrease the need for aesthetic. If the private development covers some of the parking garage’s exterior walls, then COTPA would not have to take on the cost of those walls’ aesthetics. She said construction would start in 2019.

But the entire development doesn’t have to be affordable housing, O’Connor said. Housing studies have shown it’s beneficial to have a mix of income types in a development.

“We could build a project where people who work at the hotel and convention center could live (in the private development),” she said. “They could walk to work and just have a very urban living experience.”

The city’s $10 million isn’t the only money available for affordable housing in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency has four products that can work downtown, said Darrell Beavers, housing development team leader at OHFA.

There are 9-percent federal housing tax credits, which are issued twice a year. They can be used on projects where people make 60 percent or less of the area median income. They are hard to acquire though, Beavers said.

“There are three times as many applications as there is funding,” he said.

A downtown Oklahoma City project would get points for location, he said.

“That’s easily our most powerful tool financially for the production of affordable housing,” he said.

Another product is a 4-percent tax credit, but that is paired with private activity bonds. Half of the project has to be funded by the bonds, and then the developer is eligible for the 4-percent credit.

Another option is the National Housing Trust Fund. The state gets about $3 million annually. It has to be used on projects where people make 30 percent or less of the area median income.

The fourth option is the Oklahoma Housing Trust Fund, which can be used as a construction loan for leased or single-family properties.

You cant really compare SD to OKC. OKC has other things they need to spend money on, in my opinion.There are many other cities that have spent billion plus dollars on renovations alone.

You are correct it isn't fair to compare OKC to San Diego, but my overall point was if OKC wants a nice convention center, it needs to pay up. I am flat out amazed at the amount of money tons of cities around the US are paying for new convention centers, renovations, or expansions. Some expansions alone are upwards of 3 billion dollars. I'm referring to Las Vegas which is a huge convention center market. I definitely see the value of spending a lot of money for our convention center.

I disagree. There's still a lot of low-hanging fruit for us to pick. Every time you spend an extra $500M on one project, that's three other projects that aren't getting funded.

Yes, we need a modern convention center. But there's a lot of other stuff we need just as badly, and we have limited funds. I think OKC should go for the high hanging fruit.

There are many other cities that have spent billion plus dollars on renovations alone.

You are correct it isn't fair to compare OKC to San Diego, but my overall point was if OKC wants a nice convention center, it needs to pay up. I am flat out amazed at the amount of money tons of cities around the US are paying for new convention centers, renovations, or expansions. Some expansions alone are upwards of 3 billion dollars. I'm referring to Las Vegas which is a huge convention center market. I definitely see the value of spending a lot of money for our convention center.

Agree,

Oklahoma City needs to invest in quality & quantity. Our city is on the verge of breakout--no need to half step, do the Texas two step. We have an abundance of land in the core for development, time to enhance, encourage & obtain some crown jewels

I disagree. There's still a lot of low-hanging fruit for us to pick. Every time you spend an extra $500M on one project, that's three other projects that aren't getting funded.

Yes, we need a modern convention center. But there's a lot of other stuff we need just as badly, and we have limited funds.

I disagree. There's still a lot of low-hanging fruit for us to pick. Every time you spend an extra $500M on one project, that's three other projects that aren't getting funded.

Yes, we need a modern convention center. But there's a lot of other stuff we need just as badly, and we have limited funds.

What would you recommend?

http://digital.newsok.com/Olive/ODN/Oklahoman/get/DOK-2018-02-21/image.ashx?kind=block&href=DOK%2F2018%2F02%2F21&id=Pc0040300&ext=.jpg&ts=20180221110310
Lighting in a variable palette is intended to give the MAPS 3 convention center a dramatic nighttime flair. Latest estimates are the nearly $300 million convention center could open by mid-2020, a little more than two years from now.--Oklahoman, William Crum, February 21, 2018

An upswept roofline and fields of west-facing glass are intended to draw the new downtown park and convention center together, erasing barriers between indoors and out.

The design for the complex at 500 S Robinson Ave. includes:


• A 200,000-squarefoot exhibit hall, bigger than three football fields.
• 45,000 square feet of high-tech meeting rooms on three levels.
• A 30,000-squarefoot ballroom, with balcony overlooking the park.

A headquarters hotel is being developed by Omni Hotels and Resorts across SW 4 Street from the convention center and is to include additional meeting rooms.

A skyway will link the convention center and a new parking garage to be built adjacent to the hotel. A second skyway over SW 4 could connect the convention center and hotel.

Extras to be added if bids are favorable include:


• Surface parking for 750 cars, at $3.5 million.
• Skyway linking hotel and convention center, at $2 million.
• SW 4 pedestrian plaza between hotel and convention center, $1.2 million.

Perhaps S. Robinson will be renamed in front of the Conventions center? I like Convention Ave. we can then have Robinson, Convention, Thunder, Ron Norrick, and back to Robinson all within a half mile.

they would never be so generic and non-attributional to the city. clearly it would be Oklahoma City Convention Avenue or something thereabouts.

Perhaps S. Robinson will be renamed in front of the Conventions center? I like Convention Ave. we can then have Robinson, Convention, Thunder, Ron Norrick, and back to Robinson all within a half mile.

Although the CC will face Robinson; not sure the actual address of the convention center but the fact that the Oklahoma City Boulevard will cross thru there could affect the address they prefer.


Once the Oklahoma City Boulevard is completed, roughly following the alignment of SW 3 Street and the old Interstate 40, the parking garage and hotel will face the boulevard.

The hotel will be across the boulevard from Chesapeake Energy Arena, home of the NBA’s Thunder.

The convention center will be south of the hotel, facing S Robinson Avenue and the new MAPS 3 park under construction across the street.

The sunken OKC thing is super cool. Really hope that comes through in the final designs.

http://newsok.com/article/5585036?utm_source=NewsOK.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=NIC-Facebook

Designs for Oklahoma City's new convention center won the city council's approval on Tuesday, clearing the way for construction to begin and for the building to open in mid-2020.

https://cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/w640-5e48b85a7268b5073d335edc33fbf3e1.jpg

...Fronting two blocks of S Robinson Avenue south of Chesapeake Energy Arena, the convention center will anchor a meeting, entertainment, transit and outdoor complex being developed at the intersection with the new Oklahoma City Boulevard.


• A 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall designed to be divided into four separate spaces.
• High-tech meeting rooms on three levels, totaling 45,000 square feet.
• A 30,000-square-foot, third-level ballroom. Glass doors opening to the outside will extend the ballroom to a balcony overlooking the park.

Plans were to put the project out for bid on Wednesday. Construction could begin in June.--Oklahoman, by William Crum Published: February 28, 2018

I disagree. There's still a lot of low-hanging fruit for us to pick. Every time you spend an extra $500M on one project, that's three other projects that aren't getting funded.

Yes, we need a modern convention center. But there's a lot of other stuff we need just as badly, and we have limited funds.

The CC is a done deal. Its going to happen. To back out now would cause irreparable harm to many projects built early in anticipation of the new CC.

If there are other things you think the city needs as that high a priority, list them and discuss how to get them done. Perhaps they can be on the next MAPS program.

Oklahoma City is situated at the crossroads (I-40/I-35) of the United States; our location puts us in an enviable position most cities would like to have.
Economic Impact of Convention and Conference Centers

(Presented to the 2nd Annual Conference of the National Council for Urban Economic Development, titled "If You Build It, Will They Come?: Stadiums, Arenas & Convention Centers")


1. What If They Don't Come?
2. The Best Facility Isn't Enough
3. Meeting Facilities Lose Money
4. Operating Policies Affect Impact
5. Civic Centers are OK

Oklahoma City leaders IMO have taken the right approach toward preparation for the new Oklahoma City Convention Center & Omni Conference Hotel.

I’m sure this is discussed somewhere upthread, but is 200K square feet really the entire size of the exhibit floor? I was curious so I looked it up and it seems that on a list of the nation’s 40 largest convention centers, the smallest on that list has 350,000 SF on the exhibit floor. Even Tulsa’s “Expo Square” which I’ve never heard of, had 400,000 SF.

http://www.tradeshowexecutive.com/pdf/convcenters/TSX-ConvCenters_2013-09.pdf

Is this convention center smaller than it should be? Shouldn’t OKC’s center at least be among the nation’s 40 largest? If we were planning for the future, shouldn’t we build something in the Top 25? Or what am I missing?

The CC is a done deal. Its going to happen. To back out now would cause irreparable harm to many projects built early in anticipation of the new CC.

If there are other things you think the city needs as that high a priority, list them and discuss how to get them done. Perhaps they can be on the next MAPS program.

Yeah I was going to say, this is happening and has been for 8 years now...time to stop worrying about whether we are or aren't spending money on it...we are and we do need a better convention center. The Cox is trash and only getting worse. Time to start looking forward to what we need to spend future tax dollars on.

The CC is a done deal. Its going to happen. To back out now would cause irreparable harm to many projects built early in anticipation of the new CC.

If there are other things you think the city needs as that high a priority, list them and discuss how to get them done. Perhaps they can be on the next MAPS program.

Not saying we shouldn't build it. The post you quoted was in response to someone suggesting spending a billion dollars or so on it.

I’m sure this is discussed somewhere upthread, but is 200K square feet really the entire size of the exhibit floor? I was curious so I looked it up and it seems that on a list of the nation’s 40 largest convention centers, the smallest on that list has 350,000 SF on the exhibit floor. Even Tulsa’s “Expo Square” which I’ve never heard of, had 400,000 SF.

http://www.tradeshowexecutive.com/pdf/convcenters/TSX-ConvCenters_2013-09.pdf

Is this convention center smaller than it should be? Shouldn’t OKC’s center at least be among the nation’s 40 largest? If we were planning for the future, shouldn’t we build something in the Top 25? Or what am I missing?

City leaders knew the convention center would be the most expensive yet the least popular item on the MAPS 3 Initiative. They have started with 200,000 square feet; IIRC there is room for future expansion. Just don't think that MAPS 3 would have passed if there had been like a $400 million budget attached to the convention center; we still have to account for our subsidy of the Omni Conference Hotel that will need a parking garage.

OKC dodged a bullet getting MAPS 3 on the ballot & approved by voters.

Stlokc- I'm not for sure the list you posted was strictly for convention centers in the way you might think. I've been to two of those and they were clearly expo centers on state fair property. But they also had convention centers more in line with what we're getting downtown also. But we're still coming up short compared to the new Nashville-type convention centers but we did leave room to build on.

MAPS 3 convention center in Oklahoma City to include $9 million in optional work:


The separate bid items, known as “add alternates,” are a common practice within the MAPS programs to keep projects on budget. Sometimes the bids come in lower than expected and the add alternates are awarded along with the base bid. Other times, the items are dropped and later added, as was done with a pedestrian and overlook bridge at Riversport Rapids... ...The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority remains in negotiations with OGE Energy Corp. to acquire the utility's data center at SW 3 and E.K. Gaylord that would allow for construction of a garage adjacent to the convention center and the Omni.

David Todd, MAPS 3 program manager, said some of the items like the surface parking likely will be built with other funding if not included in the base project. The central utility plant cost may be reduced dramatically if the city enters into a later agreement with Veolia Energy to provide service from its downtown plant.

Source: Oklahoman-- by Steve Lackmeyer Published: October 25, 2017

Laramie and Kevin Lee- I appreciate your replies. I looked more closely at the list and did see a few expo/fairgrounds type places on there, you’re right. But I go to a lot of trade shows and just in the last year, I’ve been to Houston, Indianapolis, Orlando, Washington, Vegas (Mandalay), Nashville and San Antonio. All of those are traditional and of the type we’re building. I guess I just assumed ours would be a little closer to some of those - especially Indy and Nashville that are closer to our peer group. I know there were issues in getting just the funding we got, but I find it hard to believe we’ll be adding on inside of 15-20 years. But if we can’t fill the space then I guess it’s fine. Just curious.

We will 100% be able to fill the space, and ultimately an expansion will be needed and very justifiable.

The 200,000 is contiguous, which I think is the key. We just have nothing like that now, aside from the brand new MAPS3 Bennett Event Center at the fairgrounds, which is 201,000 sq feet (and that building is HUGE!).

How much convention square footage will the hotel have, and would it be normal for that to be included in any conventions at the center?

(so really with MAPS3 we kinda did get 400,000+ sf in event space)

How much convention square footage will the hotel have, and would it be normal for that to be included in any conventions at the center?

I was in Phoenix in 2014 and there was a comic con going on. That event took up the entire convention center plus the convention space in the Hotels on either side of it.

(edit, that might have been 2016 actually)

I know GenCon in Indy pretty much takes over the convention center and every hotel connected to it.

Which made me wonder if our square footage comparison just includes the CC, or if it should include the CC and space at the CC hotel.

How much convention square footage will the hotel have, and would it be normal for that to be included in any conventions at the center?

I've not been to dozens and dozens of conventions by any means, but the ones I've been to have never not used the hotel space.

Same.

I've not been to dozens and dozens of conventions by any means, but the ones I've been to have never not used the hotel space.

Most conventions I go to use the hotel space. I just presented on the hotel side of convention space in the Baltimore Hilton yesterday. On a side note, it is unreal how much contiguous convetion center space some cities have. Baltimore's convention space, including hotel space, extended at least 4 full city blocks.

Most conventions I go to use the hotel space. I just presented on the hotel side of convention space in the Baltimore Hilton yesterday. On a side note, it is unreal how much contiguous convetion center space some cities have. Baltimore's convention space, including hotel space, extended at least 4 full city blocks.

I'm curious, were there skybridges involved in moving between buildings? Looking on Google Maps it appears there is at least one across Howard St leading to the Hilton and one across Charles St. Another to the south doesn't appear to cross a street but leads to a Sheraton. Looking at the street level there appears to be a good number of people walking on the sidewalks, so the skybridges did a really horrible job of discouraging people to get out and about.

Also loving that streetcar setup.

My brother called me today talking about the BIG XII's women's tournament at the Peake this weekend--relatives' daughter plays for UT.

He saw one of the teams eating at one of the local Bricktown restaurants; they were anxious to walk around downtown OKC. He immediately thought about the impact the streetcar would have for an event like this.

Once we increase our downtown hotel rooms with the new CC & Omni; OKC should be in a position to bid for more quality events. Success of the Omni could lead to a decision for that group to exercise their option to invest in another sizeable or smaller hotel before the Cox center is demolished.

Dallas Metroplex seems to be bursting at the seams with conventions; OKC will be a welcomed alternative.

I'm curious, were there skybridges involved in moving between buildings? Looking on Google Maps it appears there is at least one across Howard St leading to the Hilton and one across Charles St. Another to the south doesn't appear to cross a street but leads to a Sheraton. Looking at the street level there appears to be a good number of people walking on the sidewalks, so the skybridges did a really horrible job of discouraging people to get out and about.

Also loving that streetcar setup.

Most people moving between the buildings used the sky bridges primarily because all the signs and instructions directed people to the 2nd floor sky bridges to access the other building. If you asked someone, how do I get to this room?, they'd say, "go to the second floor, cross the skybridge, and then go..."

I did not see anyone from the convention use the streetcar even though it was nearby. Everyone walked or used ride-sharing services that I talked to or saw out.

I did not see anyone from the convention use the streetcar even though it was nearby. Everyone walked or used ride-sharing services that I talked to or saw out.

What kind of streetcar does Baltimore have in operation--modern or vintage?

What kind of streetcar does Baltimore have in operation--modern or vintage?

Light Rail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Light_RailLink

Light Rail: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore_Light_RailLink

Cool!

What kind of streetcar does Baltimore have in operation--modern or vintage?
Light rail

In past conventions I have been to in Baltimore, I have found the light rail useful for going to and from the airport, but not particularly meaningful for moving about the city during the con. From what I can remember the big local attractions were the inner harbor area that's just a short walk from the convention center, and that's just a block or two.

Most conventions I go to use the hotel space. I just presented on the hotel side of convention space in the Baltimore Hilton yesterday. On a side note, it is unreal how much contiguous convetion center space some cities have. Baltimore's convention space, including hotel space, extended at least 4 full city blocks.

I was in awe of Indy's convention space....it's freaking ginormous

Baltimore also has a Metro Subway in addition to Light Rail. There is no streetcar.

Baltimore also has a Metro Subway in addition to Light Rail. There is no streetcar.

As much as I like a good picking nits session, this seems a strange hill to choose.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetcars_in_North_America

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/streetcar


streetcar
[street-kahr]
noun
1.
a public vehicle running regularly along certain streets, usually on rails, as a trolley car or trolley bus.

So many other possible references, New Orleans will argue with you until one party takes his/her last breath, it's a streetcar, and it's on rail. San Francisco has a rather famous streetcar system, and of course, it's on rails.

As much as I like a good picking nits session, this seems a strange hill to choose.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streetcars_in_North_America

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/streetcar


streetcar
[street-kahr]
noun
1.
a public vehicle running regularly along certain streets, usually on rails, as a trolley car or trolley bus.

So many other possible references, New Orleans will argue with you until one party takes his/her last breath, it's a streetcar, and it's on rail. San Francisco has a rather famous streetcar system, and of course, it's on rails.

But there are still important distinctions between the two systems: While it's not always true for all systems, light rail systems have a higher top speed, longer routes with further spaced out stations, and nearly always operate in their own exclusive right of way, whereas streetcars have a lower top speed, shorter routes with closer spaced stations, and nearly always operate in the street, mixed with traffic. To wit: Dallas' DART light rail system has a section through downtown Dallas where all four lines operate along Pacific Ave and Bryan St, from the West End to Pearl St. However, the street is not open to vehicular traffic except in certain limited areas where they can be physically separated from the light rail tracks. A quick glance at Google Maps Street View confirms that Baltimore's system is constructed in a similar manner. They have significant portions of their routes that are not in the street, either. This makes them light rail systems, not streetcars.

Here's a very good attempt to explain the differences between the two modes of transportation and their nuances: https://ggwash.org/view/36980/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-streetcars-and-light-rail (and yes, some of the transportation networks they describe defy definition... This is a function of how they were designed)

As much as I like a good picking nits session, this seems a strange hill to choose.


streetcar
[street-kahr]
noun
1.
a public vehicle running regularly along certain streets, usually on rails, as a trolley car or trolley bus.

So many other possible references, New Orleans will argue with you until one party takes his/her last breath, it's a streetcar, and it's on rail. San Francisco has a rather famous streetcar system, and of course, it's on rails.

Now to nit pick, it's a 'cable car' it's pulled around with a nine mile long underground cable., but yes it is very famous.

[/B]

Now to nit pick, it's a 'cable car' it's pulled around with a nine mile long underground cable., but yes it is very famous.

You're partially right.

https://www.streetcar.org/wheels-motion/

Both are used, the difference is explained there, but suffice to say a streetcar is a streetcar and a cable car is a cable car.

You're partially right.

https://www.streetcar.org/wheels-motion/

Both are used, the difference is explained there, but suffice to say a streetcar is a streetcar and a cable car is a cable car.

Yep, I've been on both the 'F' line and the Jones street cable cars. At least with the cable cars, you make a loop and climb some hills while on the 'F' line it's just back and forth on the warf.

Streetcars typically integrate with the existing vehicle right-of-way, multiple stops in a given small area, and usually are single vehicle. Light Rail vehicles usually have their own right-of-way and/or mix with traffic in density areas (like a downtown), have much fewer stops with raised platforms, have much higher capacity and speed than Streetcars, and there's the ability to couple multiple trains to achieve even more capacity.

Light Rail is the bridge between heavy rail metro subway and Streetcar, taking elements from both but not quite either one. There are exceptions to this, such as Vancouver's SkyTrain which uses automated Light(er) Rail vehicles (actually medium capacity) in an otherwise heavy rail metro guideway, stations, speed.

*METRO.....longest trainsets.....Exclusive right-of-way.....Elevated or underground, but often surface in non-urban areas...Fewest stations....Intended for very high density areas....FASTEST
*COMMUTER RAIL.....variable train lengths.....Exclusive RoW.....Elev, Ug, or Surface......Few stations/platforms.....Intended for high capacity over distances.....FAST but usually directional to commute pattern
*MONORAIL.....variable trainsets.....Exclusive RoW.....Elevated or Ug.....Few stations.....Can be circular or very high density.....VERY FAST
*LIGHT RAIL.....variable trainsets......Variable RoW but exclusive rail.....Elev, Ug, or Surface.....Many platforms/stops.....Intended for medium cap in urban/suburban areas
*STREETCAR/TRAM.....typically one trainset.....typically in existing RoW but exclusive rails.....Surface.....Numerous stops.....Intended for circulating in an urban area

Examples:

* METRO: NYC Subway, Chicago EL, OSAKA Metro, Vancouver SkyTrain, Chongqing Rail Transit*, TTC-Toronto, DC METRO, BART
* COMMUTER RAIL: Chicago METRA, Seattle Sounder, Vancouver West Coast Express, OKC's Proposed new CR to Edmond-Downtown-Norman
* MONORAIL: Chongqing Rail Transit*, OSAKA Monorail, Las Vegas Monorail, Seattle Monorail
* LIGHT RAIL: Portland MAX, DART-Dallas, Baltimore Light Rail, Link Light Rail (Seattle and Tacoma)
* TRAM: numerous in Europe cities, Seattle Streetcar, Portland Streetcar, Oklahoma City Streetcar (U/C)

I'm in Houston for a convention this week. Staying about a mile from the George Brown Convention center so I chose to try out the MetroRail. It was easy to get to, tickets are $1.25 for 3 hours, and service was about every 5-7 minutes. Given construction that has many of the sidewalks closed, it was the only real option. I liked it because it was cheap, clean, and got me there in a timely manner.

Looks like skybridges are available there as well, one going to the Hilton, and one going to the parking garage, with a third between the hotel and garage. Are they used fairly extensively? I know you're not staying at that hotel, and probably not parking in the garage, just curious if you may have noticed.

The one between the hotel and convention center seems to be two stories. Not really tall ceiling, I mean it looks like one on two floors.

Old substation about halfway gone:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/substation031818.jpg

The substation is now completely dismantled, but the big power lines are still up along Robinson.

The Fairfield Inn construction is just to the east.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/substation040118b.jpg

Closer look at the old substation.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/substation040118c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/substation040118d.jpg

Plans are out to bid for General Contractors. Currently bidding April 24th.

14553

Flintco is the low bidder. Same company that built Chesapeake Arena, Devon Tower (JV with Holder), the Cox Business Center, OKCMOA, Civic Center remodel and many other prominent OKC projects.

http://newsok.com/article/5592408

Flintco is a good company.

What to do with the extra $ though?