I know what the word means. Why ya gotta be snarky? See that's one of those unnecessary posts that just doesn't belong here among friends.

Just wanted clarification for that context. Have never myself thought of looking at red dirt as entertaining. Just looking for the poster to expound, that's all.

I don't believe he was trying to be. Those of us who live out of state can learn to appreciate the little things like the unusual OK red dirt. I could go over a dozen things l see or hear that will instantly remind me of growing up in OKC

Agree. I was a big "thumbsdown" on the CC, but I've come around to it. This is a very good thing for OKC.

Many of us recall the initial reaction when a convention center was among the proposals on MAPS 3; also the most expensive on the initiative. Posters shared their experiences about visits to other cities. Cities are poised to build, renovate and/or expand their convention centers.

Now many projects aren't completed and there's talk about streetcar and convention center expansion--welcomed discussions city resident voters should have. Excited that we are able to plan 10 years or more ahead to address potential future projects. We also welcome & appreciate the input from those of you who say 'you don't have a dog in this fight.'

I know what the word means. Why ya gotta be snarky? See that's one of those unnecessary posts that just doesn't belong here among friends.

Just wanted clarification for that context. Have never myself thought of looking at red dirt as entertaining. Just looking for the poster to expound, that's all.

My apologies, from the context it was clear (to me, perhaps not to others) what the poster meant. When you live in a certain area, some things get taken for granted, as they are literally an every day thing. When you move to a place that lacks that particular thing/place/event/whatever, it can warm the heart to see or hear it. You'll see posts along this line in just one month, when people (not just on this board, mind) who lived in Oklahoma for a time and have moved away discuss how they just don't feel it is Christmas without the BC Clark jingle. Warming the heart of course is not the only feeling such things can engender, one possibly being entertainment or amusement in a wry sort of way when someone has moved away and "fondly" remembers owning a white car in Oklahoma, or never quite being able to keep children's clothing clean, especially white clothing. People who have lived near the ocean and have moved away still speak of having an ocean nearby. I could list countless examples easily, but everyone's life experience is different, perhaps that is why it was clear to me what was meant, but not to others. Is dirt in and of itself entertaining. Except to a geologist, not really. But KingOfTheNorth explicitly stated "as someone who lives out of state".

My apologies, from the context it was clear (to me, perhaps not to others) what the poster meant. When you live in a certain area, some things get taken for granted, as they are literally an every day thing. When you move to a place that lacks that particular thing/place/event/whatever, it can warm the heart to see or hear it. You'll see posts along this line in just one month, when people (not just on this board, mind) who lived in Oklahoma for a time and have moved away discuss how they just don't feel it is Christmas without the BC Clark jingle. Warming the heart of course is not the only feeling such things can engender, one possibly being entertainment or amusement in a wry sort of way when someone has moved away and "fondly" remembers owning a white car in Oklahoma, or never quite being able to keep children's clothing clean, especially white clothing. People who have lived near the ocean and have moved away still speak of having an ocean nearby. I could list countless examples easily, but everyone's life experience is different, perhaps that is why it was clear to me what was meant, but not to others. Is dirt in and of itself entertaining. Except to a geologist, not really. But KingOfTheNorth explicitly stated "as someone who lives out of state".

I hear ya. It was just the King's choice of words that threw me. Wanted clarification, but am sure what you said is likely what King means.

Agree. I was a big "thumbsdown" on the CC, but I've come around to it. This is a very good thing for OKC.

I don't think having the CC and park next to each were in the original plans, maybe they were? I dk, either way it will make a pretty cool impression for visitors.

Visitors will be staying at a brand new CC, with an Omni, with streetcar access to whisk you to bricktown or all the shops, bars, restaurants, breweries in Midtown, and an awesome park with some cool local eats and drinks plus an amphitheater in the park, or maybe they fancy a thunder game.

It will leave an awesome impression on people.

I don't think having the CC and park next to each were in the original plans, maybe they were? I dk, either way it will make a pretty cool impression for visitors.

They were, actually. In the original Core to Shore plan, the convention center was envisioned for the same location that it ultimately ended up in. See: http://www.naisullivangroup.com/coretoshore and https://www.okc.gov/home/showdocument?id=2778

I hear ya. It was just the King's choice of words that threw me. Wanted clarification, but am sure what you said is likely what King means.

My apologizes, didn't mean to throw you off.

Recent construction update to the convention center committee:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention103118.jpg

The also advised some changes:

https://newsok.com/article/5613392/construction-contract-adjustments-pave-the-way-for-operations-flexibility-energy-savings-at-convention-center

You can see the west outline is starting to take shape.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention111118.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omni112418c.jpg

First wall is going up:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention112418a.jpg

From yesterday; convention center outline starting to take shape:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention120218.jpg

It's amazing how many large cranes are set up in central OKC. (CC, Broadway, OU Med, and the Capital)

It's amazing how many large cranes are set up in central OKC. (CC, Broadway, OU Med, and the Capital)

Seeing those cranes stationed all around the areas you mentioned reminds me of vultures eating away at the decay and dying. It's also a grim reminder of what has happened to our historic venues.

Steel has started going near robinson

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention121118a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention121118b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention121118a.jpg

Unbelievable how fast this is moving.

Note all the steel on the ground.

This should start going up very fast now.

I thought there was supposed to be a basement level? Doesn't seem deep enough for that.

I thought there was supposed to be a basement level? Doesn't seem deep enough for that.

I thought there was too. The entire building is going to take up a huge part of that area of land, so the basement level (if there is one) could be further back, away from the street.

There was never a basement level, apart from the aborted plans for the site directly south of the Myriad Gardens.

But at this location, it's always been 4 levels, all above ground.

I must be thinking about previous plans...

...or the Alamo ;-)

I drove directly by it last night going to Factory Obscura ( check that out BTW). I mean I have seen Pete's progress pics but driving by it feels massive already and going up so fast. I was impressed!

^

Yes, so strange how photos never can fully capture something like this.

It's pretty amazing to see all the cranes in person and to stand down there and marvel at the scale of the park, convention center and Omni.


I know I can be hard on our civic leaders (I believe it's my duty to be a skeptic because no one else in the media even comes close) but I have to say this entire area is coming together because of very strong leadership and vision.

Cathy O'Connor deserves immense credit for executing the plan through methodical property acquisition and creative funding for the Omni, the garage and even the underlying property.


I will also say I'm absolutely thrilled the convention center landed at its current site as opposed to the misguided and over-reaching effort to force it onto the REHCO land between the Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park. That is the flip side of too few people with too much power and influence trying to force something that was a bad idea from the start and IMO not in the long-term best interest of the city as a whole.

^

Yes, so strange how photos never can fully capture something like this.

It's pretty amazing to see all the cranes in person and to stand down there and marvel at the scale of the park, convention center and Omni.


I know I can be hard on our civic leaders (I believe it's my duty to be a skeptic because no one else in the media even comes close) but I have to say this entire area is coming together because of very strong leadership and vision.

Cathy O'Connor deserves immense credit for executing the plan through methodical property acquisition and creative funding for the Omni, the garage and even the underlying property.


I will also say I'm absolutely thrilled the convention center landed at its current site as opposed to the misguided and over-reaching effort to force it onto the REHCO land between the Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park. That is the flip side of too few people with too much power and influence trying to force something that was a bad idea from the start and IMO not in the long-term best interest of the city as a whole.

Don’t be too much of a skeptic though. There’s a fine line between making sure the city has thought it through, and outright opposition that starts to derail projects and progress.

...or the Alamo ;-)

Rumor has it they keep bikes there.

15064

^
I will also say I'm absolutely thrilled the convention center landed at its current site as opposed to the misguided and over-reaching effort to force it onto the REHCO land between the Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park. That is the flip side of too few people with too much power and influence trying to force something that was a bad idea from the start and IMO not in the long-term best interest of the city as a whole.

Isn’t the actual site where it is now the site that was ORIGINALLY conceived when first presented as part of maps. Seems like it was roundly criticized on here. We sure have come full circle.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention122218.jpg

So, weird question time. Does anyone know if anyone has given thought to the water fountains? I know, I know, it's something to which most of the time people pay no mind. But we're building from the ground up, how much difference cost-wise would it be to use the regular old-fashioned 'bubbler' vs the newer, larger kind that can fill a water bottle, and the water is filtered?

There will be a lot of pictures in this area. A truly iconic fountain would go right along with all the skydance pics, etc.

https://i.imgur.com/DzeFu8K.jpg

There will be a lot of pictures in this area. A truly iconic fountain would go right along with all the skydance pics, etc.

While I have no problem with adding art, I meant drinking.

I'm hoping we have 15107 instead of 15108

bahahaha... oops...

I agree with you that that should be a thing. Surely scissortail will have plenty. I'll have an audience with Ms Heffernan in March and will try to make a point to ask.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omni010519b.jpg

More steel going up.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention011719a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention011719b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention011719c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention012019a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention012019b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention012019c.jpg

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtThcKvBBoI/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7840/46025564275_dbbda7cc32_o.png

Bump

Bump

Why?

Here's a photo from last Sunday:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention030319a.jpg

Here's a photo from last Sunday:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention030319a.jpg

Is the Convention Center building going to take up the the other two parcels to the left of the already framed and concreted portion? If so it will be huge

^

The far east section is for the loading docks.

^

The far east section is for the loading docks.

Makes sense, thank you

Went Downtown for the first time in a while and it’s insane how much is Happening in this area. Construction Cranes everywhere.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention031719a.jpg

Great pic, but to grasp the scale you really have to see it in person.

when may we start to see the Omni hotel go up?

It is going up, just not as quickly

when may we start to see the Omni hotel go up? It's already going up. They're starting work on the second floor.

when may we start to see the Omni hotel go up?

A month and a half ago.

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=35905&p=1063562#post1063562

Pretty well topped out now but still tons of steel to go outward.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention032319a.jpg

I imagine the AV on this will be a monster...

surprised there are so many columns. I thought there was a push for modern cc's to be mostly column free for the exhibit halls. ...

surprised there are so many columns. I thought there was a push for modern cc's to be mostly column free for the exhibit halls. ...
Don’t think this part of the structure is exhibition space.

The general plan for Robinson now involves a roundabout at SW 7th and a signaled pedestrian crossing at NW 5th; the convention complex is centered on 5th. There will also be dedicated bike lanes and sidewalks.

These are from a MAPS 3 Board meeting today.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819f.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819g.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/robinson032819h.jpg

BTW, you can see they have already put the parking, sidewalks and curbs along the west of Robinson.

The wide concrete section running E/W into the park will be the location of the signaled pedestrian crossing at what was SW 5th.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention032819a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention032819b.jpg

I'm a little amused they end one lane of Robinson approaching the roundabout like cowards instead of forcing Oklahoma City to learn how to use a two-lane roundabout. (Diagrams for multiple-lane roundabouts exist in the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, but I don't know of any that have been built in the metro.)