0. Why are kids allowed to ride those scooters throughout DT impeding traffic.


I almost ran over one of them the other day. Sadly I hit the brakes in time.

The problem isn't the scooters!

Honestly, I've been really enjoying the scooters as a disruptive change to our existing transportation mix. Cars have been the priority in OKC for too long compared to all other options, it's nice to see that get shaken up a bit.

Honestly, I've been really enjoying the scooters as a disruptive change to our existing transportation mix. Cars have been the priority in OKC for too long compared to all other options, it's nice to see that get shaken up a bit.
not at the expense of safety

Passed by Amazon Fulfillment this morning, simply a massive building. Regardless of incentives great addition of over 1,000 jobs.
I think I saw where the building being built for the former NRA law firm was for lease? can someone verify or correct me.
Actually walked around scissor tail park construction this morning , a Sep full completion will be challenging IMO.
Some of the highway signs in the metro need replacing (I saw those coming from Lawton on 44)

Jimmys Egg has awesome breakfast Lol, Hatch DT was packed

The problem isn't the scooters!

Yeah it’s the idiots driving them that think they aren’t subject to the same rules of the road that cars and bikes are. Like just running through stop signs and red lights.

Passed by Amazon Fulfillment this morning, simply a massive building. Regardless of incentives great addition of over 1,000 jobs.
I think I saw where the building being built for the former NRA law firm was for lease? can someone verify or correct me.
Actually walked around scissor tail park construction this morning , a Sep full completion will be challenging IMO.
Some of the highway signs in the metro need replacing (I saw those coming from Lawton on 44)

Jimmys Egg has awesome breakfast Lol, Hatch DT was packed

Glad to know you're making the most of your trip, stay safe, dcsooner, don't hesitate to contact me if you need help.

The problem isn't the scooters!

Scooters can fit in well both on slow moving streets and in bike lanes. I agree that scooters provide even more incentive for multimodal streets with bike lanes, but there's no question that there is danger during the transition. But if OKC can build better bike lanes I suspect it will improve how scooters are driven.

Passed by Amazon Fulfillment this morning, simply a massive building. Regardless of incentives great addition of over 1,000 jobs.
I think I saw where the building being built for the former NRA law firm was for lease? can someone verify or correct me.
Actually walked around scissor tail park construction this morning , a Sep full completion will be challenging IMO.
Some of the highway signs in the metro need replacing (I saw those coming from Lawton on 44)

Jimmys Egg has awesome breakfast Lol, Hatch DT was packed

I think (again, think) the NRA law firm you are referencing is probably Ackerman-McQueen ad agency. They are taking space in that building on the west side of N. Robinson between 10th & 13th, but I don't think they were ever going to take the entire building. So, it is likely the for lease sign was always part of the plan. Maybe. Could be.

Passed by Amazon Fulfillment this morning, simply a massive building. Regardless of incentives great addition of over 1,000 jobs.
I think I saw where the building being built for the former NRA law firm was for lease? can someone verify or correct me.
Actually walked around scissor tail park construction this morning , a Sep full completion will be challenging IMO.
Some of the highway signs in the metro need replacing (I saw those coming from Lawton on 44)

Jimmys Egg has awesome breakfast Lol, Hatch DT was packed

I LOVE that you're taking the time to post these thoughts as you are experiencing the city. It provides an immediate "outsiders" prospective and is a pleasure to read. I hope you continue.

Also, I hope after you return home - can you provide a final overall observation. You know, what was the city vibe like and is OKC catching up to your expectations. Any faults, but also any surprises or areas that were positive that you weren't expecting or previously were negative. I think this can truly be constructive for OKC and is something I also like to do after I visit.

Cheers, fellow expat!

P.S. - I also, personally appreciate if you can share any pics of the city you might have taken. Particularly the airport construction and areas that surprised you positively (and negatively).

Headed out this afternoon, really enjoyed my visit. Ok, biggest negative. City appearance. High grass, trash, tires, signs, lighting. OKC should I much more to improve the cities overall appearance.

Headed out this afternoon, really enjoyed my visit. Ok, biggest negative. City appearance. High grass, trash, tires, signs, lighting. OKC should I much more to improve the cities overall appearance.

Thanks dcsooner, you & your family have a safe drive back to Washington D.C., again, appreciate the highlights from someone who use to reside here.

The trash & high grass is something that continue to be an eyesore; wish people would treat these areas
with respect. It's not difficult to keep a bag inside your vehicle to collect trash.

Stay alert & safe.

Thanks dcsooner, you & your family have a safe drive back to Washington D.C., again, appreciate the highlights from someone who use to reside here.

The trash & high grass is something that continue to be an eyesore; wish people would treat these areas
with respect. It's not difficult to keep a bag inside your vehicle to collect trash.

Stay alert & safe.

Thanks, but two corrections I retired from DC and now live in Raleigh NC. secondly way to far to drive.

ah, ^ that's 4 to add to OKC's pax numbers for 2019. :Welcome:

Can't wait to hear your full thoughts when you return home and have time to digest.

Cheers!

Some of the highway signs in the metro need replacing (I saw those coming from Lawton on 44)


The ones north from Newcastle to the I240 junction were just replaced last year. I believe they are waiting to do the signs north from there until they are done with the pavement/bridge rehabs beginning either next month or the month after.

The signs from Lawton to Newcastle are the responsibility of OTA, who contracts with ODOT for actual installation.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention072819aa.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/scissortail072819a.jpg

About the SC. I have always contended it was a tourist item not a “last mile” solution. I was slammed here for suggesting it was not a great last mile solution but rather a great tourist attraction. I stand by that, it will resonate with tourists but should not be expanded due to costs.

I have also always contended had we put that same money into citywide bus system we’d have a model bus system which would get folks to downtown. The SC helps no one outside of downtown other than occasional bar hopping or some big events. Its not an efficient people mover though, and it takes 40-45 minutes per cycle. Any disruption stops the whole system (see Devon windows or bad parkers). No one outside of downtown uses it as part of daily work car relief. Cars still have to drive to downtown and 99.9% park close to their work. Buses would have helped reduce traffic getting to downtown had we put same money into them. Then some luxury mini buses running many routes within downtown would have been a better last mile plus can change routes immediately as needs change. Can’t move those rails as downtown expands different directions.

But for tourists (I count convention attendees as tourists too) its awesome. But does not need expanded due to costs. Many other needs for $200 more million.

Hope that makes sense. Tourists will rave about it but it is costly, and will have high upkeep costs too.

1. It most certainly IS a last-mile solution, exactly as proposed.
2. It cost $140 million, not $200 million
3. It is exceeding ridership estimates
4. It has and continues to stimulate residential, office, restaurant and retail investment
5. It provides functional downtown transportation for residents and visitors and it is working exactly as proposed.
6. The group that pushed for the streetcar ALSO pushed for increase in bus infrastructure. Couch nixed that.

You can be opposed to it all you want but the above is true. The streetcar is already a clear success and will only continue to be more valuable as our Downtown neighborhoods draw more residents, employees and visitors and continue to densify.

^^^
I think the Streetcar is a cool thing and I have zero concerns about the cost. I think OKC Guy was writing that expansion would cost an additional $200 million, not that it cost that to begin with.

I think it is a toy in it's current configuration and have zero problem with that. Zero. Zero. Zero. OKC deserves that, dammit! It is a great Chamber of Commerce tool.

I see no problem with optimizing operations in it's current configuration and leaving it alone otherwise for a few years. The city has other, and more pressing, needs. Our overall layout in regards to size/sprawl, current need and future growth might well be the most unique opportunity in North America. A well studied and responsible plan for future use would be the best move, IMO.

MAPS 3 Convention Center ‘topped out’ with ceremonial steel beam
08/01/2019

The MAPS 3 Convention Center was ceremonially “topped out” on Thursday, an important milestone on the way to its scheduled opening in late 2020.

“Topping out,” traditionally traced to Scandinavia, is a ceremony in tribute to the natural resources used to construct a building. A tree or branch is placed on the highest beam in the frame, often with flags or streamers. For the MAPS 3 Convention Center, crews used a tree with an American flag.



“Especially with the frame now complete, it’s easy to see what a significant addition this building will be to our downtown skyline,” said MAPS 3 Program Manager David Todd. “We’re excited to see the progress as we move into the next phases of construction. It’s going to meet or exceed the high expectations we’ve all had for the project.”

The convention center is at the epicenter of more than $680 million of MAPS 3-driven public and private investment transforming that part of Oklahoma City into a community cornerstone.

The convention center is across the street on one side from MAPS 3’s Scissortail Park, and on another side from the Omni hotel. The park’s upper section opens in September, and the hotel is scheduled to open along with the convention center. It’s all served by MAPS 3’s OKC Streetcar.

MAPS 3 Convention Center construction as of July 31

Project start date June 2018
About 300 workers on site
450,888 working hours
17,131 cubic yards of concrete, 7,500 cubic yards to go
11,232 tons of rock
1,174 tons of rebar
6,051 tons of steel
Preparations for 129 miles of conduit and 2 miles of underground piping

The MAPS 3 Convention Center’s total project budget of $288 million, including land acquisition and other related expenses, is the biggest in City history for a single project. The construction contract is $168.2 million, $20 million under budget.

The state-of-the art building is east of Scissortail Park along Robinson Boulevard between SW 4th and SW 7th streets.

The convention center’s sleek and modern design features sweeping downtown views, and materials designed for energy efficiency and resiliency against the weather.

The 200,000-square-foot exhibit hall will dominate the ground floor, featuring three operable walls to divide it in up to four flexible spaces. About 45,000 square feet of meeting spaces are on all levels of the building, and many also have operable walls to make the spaces flexible. The rooms can be configured to provide up to 27 individual meeting spaces.

A 30,000-square-foot ballroom is the main space on the fourth level, complemented by 10,000 square feet of pre-function space and a 4,000-square-foot balcony.

Informal meeting spaces, a kitchen, a potential café space, an expansive loading dock and administrative offices are also planned for the convention center.

The gleaming, angular façade has towering glass walls to make maximum use of natural light and takes its design cues from Oklahoma City’s sky, landscape and architectural character.

Landscaping outside the convention center will use native plants and trees well-suited to the local climate, with a focus on sustainability, comfort and beauty. A central plaza and other inviting spaces will help the convention center’s exterior come alive with activity.

Wayfinding stations inside and outside the convention center will be interactive.

A skywalk will connect the building to the future Omni hotel, which is being developed to complement and support the convention center.

The City has a marketing contract with the CVB for securing events to be booked at the convention center, and a contract with SMG for facility management.

The CVB and SMG fulfill similar roles now for the Cox Convention Center, which will no longer be marketed and operated at the City’s main convention center when the MAPS 3 facility opens.

Noticed the flag today at lunch.

Yeah the mayor posted on Twitter that the steel work is completed so "topped out"...

A skywalk will connect the building to the future Omni hotel, which is being developed to complement and support the convention center.

Is the skywalk to the Omni back in the plans? Would have sworn that it had been nixed.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention080419a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention080419b.jpg

Sent out in the MAPS 3 newsletter in case you're not subscribed:


The Oklahoma City Council has commissioned internationally renowned Susan Narduli Studio for interior public art in the MAPS 3 Convention Center.

Narduli’s “Virtual Sky” will grace the glass atriums facing Scissortail Park across the street. The work evokes Oklahoma’s beautiful skies and the state’s links to aviation history.

Slender, sleek anodized titanium forms will be suspended by aircraft cables in each of the two multi-story atriums facing west across Robinson Avenue. The gleaming forms will capture the natural light pouring in across the downtown skyline.

Titanium is important to aviation because of its strength and lightweight, and its use is a nod to Oklahoma’s place among aviation pioneers since Wiley Post’s round-the-world solo flight in 1933.

Small LED lights will also add color to the piece. The lights can be programmed for specific patterns, and can also change based on real-time data inputs to reflect the changing sky.

“It’s technology-driven. You’ll see a dynamic, transparent, colorful piece that accentuates the building’s architectural features and the natural environment,” said Oklahoma City Arts and Cultural Affairs Liaison Robbie Kienzle. “We think it’s going to be a beautiful match for the building that our visitors will enjoy and our residents will be proud of.”

The California-based Narduli Studios has earned commissions for public and private art across its home state and in Utah and the Netherlands.

The convention center’s total construction budget is the largest-ever for a single project in Oklahoma City, which in turn provides one of the biggest public art budgets in City history. The City’s 1% for Art ordinance requires at least 1 percent of the construction budget for every public project be spent on public art.

The commission for “Virtual Sky” is for up to $1.3 million. Hundreds of thousands of dollars remain in the public art budget for future projects on the convention center grounds. Those will be planned as the Arts Commission and City staff evaluate how people use and enjoy the building in the months and years after it opens.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/conventionart1.jpg

https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=610-LED-public-art-to-shine-at-new-convention-center

That's gonna be some nice public art.

Will be very pretty when viewed from the park.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention081719a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention081719b.jpg

so much wasted space on that roof.

I wish the city would have installed solar panels; maybe they can do it later. ...

For some reason I had thought solar panels were part of the plan? Maybe I imagined that.

For some reason I had thought solar panels were part of the plan? Maybe I imagined that.

It was discussed.

But pretty sure it didn't make it into the final plans.

If you’re gonna throw some energy on the roof throw some nat gas turbines.

If you’re gonna throw some energy on the roof throw some nat gas turbines.
Solar panels are way more practical and efficient, and costs have really come down.

If you’re gonna throw some energy on the roof throw some nat gas turbines.

No offense, but that doesn't make even a little sense. Big wide flat roofs have good synergy with solar panels, gas turbines do not.

If you’re gonna throw some energy on the roof throw some nat gas turbines.

This comes off as willful ignorance on the topic. I understand that you are involved the PNG industry, but you have to know the optics and practicality of your suggestion are awful. Just because PNG is a significant portion of the state GDP does not mean that we have to be willfully ignorant about advances in technology. Frankly, I am disappointed in Oklahoma based companies in the energy sector that have not made significant investment in future energy technologies i.e. renewable resources like solar and wind. The competition is getting stiffer, different regions that were once profitable are not viable given the current market and the next ten years don't look good. Operations that are running lean, clean, and have cash on hand are making a mistake by not diversifying their holdings. Kodak was on top of the world until they weren't.

This comes off as willful ignorance on the topic. I understand that you are involved the PNG industry, but you have to know the optics and practicality of your suggestion are awful. Just because PNG is a significant portion of the state GDP does not mean that we have to be willfully ignorant about advances in technology. Frankly, I am disappointed in Oklahoma based companies in the energy sector that have not made significant investment in future energy technologies i.e. renewable resources like solar and wind. The competition is getting stiffer, different regions that were once profitable are not viable given the current market and the next ten years don't look good. Operations that are running lean, clean, and have cash on hand are making a mistake by not diversifying their holdings. Kodak was on top of the world until they weren't.

I think he was being sarcastic.

I think he was being sarcastic.
Because of some of the things said by posters it’s sometimes hard to know what is serious and what is sarcastic. Lots of totally impractical ideas thrown out as serious. I didn’t see the author defend his post as sarcasm.

This comes off as willful ignorance on the topic. I understand that you are involved the PNG industry, but you have to know the optics and practicality of your suggestion are awful. Just because PNG is a significant portion of the state GDP does not mean that we have to be willfully ignorant about advances in technology. Frankly, I am disappointed in Oklahoma based companies in the energy sector that have not made significant investment in future energy technologies i.e. renewable resources like solar and wind. The competition is getting stiffer, different regions that were once profitable are not viable given the current market and the next ten years don't look good. Operations that are running lean, clean, and have cash on hand are making a mistake by not diversifying their holdings. Kodak was on top of the world until they weren't.

Have you driven out west of the city recently? What was once a nice clean horizon, we now have wind turbines sticking up everywhere, and at night when going stargazing you now have to deal with those dumb red lights blinking. I think OK has implemented a lot of renewable energy sources, OG+E has installed solar panels at their plant along I-40.

Because of some of the things said by posters it’s sometimes hard to know what is serious and what is sarcastic. Lots of totally impractical ideas thrown out as serious. I didn’t see the author defend his post as sarcasm.
It was most definitely sarcasm.

Despite the wishes and desires of some people we’re a good solar market not a great one. Solar would be a project to virtue signal, well if we’re gonna virtue signal, virtue signal with something we are great at, nat gas.

Have you driven out west of the city recently? What was once a nice clean horizon, we now have wind turbines sticking up everywhere, and at night when going stargazing you now have to deal with those dumb red lights blinking. I think OK has implemented a lot of renewable energy sources, OG+E has installed solar panels at their plant along I-40.

OGE =/= every OK energy company

It was most definitely sarcasm.

Despite the wishes and desires of some people we’re a good solar market not a great one. Solar would be a project to virtue signal, well if we’re gonna virtue signal, virtue signal with something we are great at, nat gas.

OKC is in a high solar absorption area for days and hours of intense sunlight. But, we are also in a preferred wind generating location and that is favored for large scale generation. And face it, this is oil country... the environment be darned.

OKC is in a high solar absorption area for days and hours of intense sunlight. But, we are also in a preferred wind generating location and that is favored for large scale generation. And face it, this is oil country... the environment be darned.

It’s actually too cloudy to be a reliable source of energy here, it’s why OG&E built on farm and then stopped.

This is word for word what Sean traschke the ceo of OGE said.

When you zoom in on the minute by minute data for the solar panels the wattage produced is all over the map. They lose 50% of their output when a cloud covers the sun, and we have clouds everyday. When you are producing energy on a massive scale reliability and predictability are the top 2 priorities. Solar provides neither. You can’t predict when a cloud is going to cover the sun, how long it’s going to be there, and how thick it is, and we have clouds every single day. They can predict the wind quite accurately but they can’t with cloud cover quite as much. The output was so up and down they’ve shifted to wind and nat gas mostly. The solar farm is just....there.

Compare that to New Mexico Arizona and Nevada who have next to zero clouds most months.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=solar_where

There’s some data from the government. We have good to just ok solar not great.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=solar_where

There’s some data from the government. We have good to just ok solar not great.

https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce-authors/u5642/examining.solar_.energy.final-converted%20%281%29.pdf

https://www.kgou.org/post/oklahoma-s-unrealized-solar-potential

Battery technology is drastically different in 2019 is completely different compared to even 3 years ago, high volume storage is a much more realistic idea for municipalities. Solar panels have seen increases of efficiency year over year that are outpacing the expected gains of the technology. What was true 5-10 years ago is completely different at this point. If the democrats have 2020 run like the 2018 midterm we are going to see green new deal legislation that will drive the price of renewable energy to its floor.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=solar_where

There’s some data from the government. We have good to just ok solar not great.

We are in the second best zone for solar absorption in the US. Arizona, New Mexico, SoCal, west Texas, South Nevada and South Colorado are in Zone 1.

It’s actually too cloudy to be a reliable source of energy here.
Not really true. And there is a difference in using solar for part of the energy equation and using it for a commercial farm. Commercial farms take costly infrastructure to connect it to the grid and that is an impediment. Putting it on top of a building to help with peak load requirements is efficient and smart. OGE is in competition and not going to promote it. They don’t want to buy back any generation.

I just got my first close look at the convention center and omni hotel. Very impressive.

Glad you're back, Doug. I mean, maybe you never left, but I don't seem to see your posts often these days.

Thanks. I've been largely absent. Good to be back.

https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/index.php?page=solar_where

There’s some data from the government. We have good to just ok solar not great.

You're right as far as concentrating solar is concerned. Cloudy days even partly cloudy make concentrating a no-go; which is why most of the country is not too suited for it.

However, Photovoltaic solar is great and any score 5+ is worthwhile. We're talking about photovoltaic panels here for the CC, even if there isn't a bonanza of power produced there should be enough for the cc to at least offset some of its electricity costs. That is very useful for those days when the cc isn't in use or even when it is solar could increase profitability of the cc (or perhaps lower fees making OKC even more attractive destination).

I just observed it to be a lost opportunity that with government emphasis and since this IS a government project - seems to be a no-brainer of technology implementation. That as opposed to a 4+ acre metal roof that picture shows; I'd rather have the solar PV up there or if not then a green roof.

You're right as far as concentrating solar is concerned. Cloudy days even partly cloudy make concentrating a no-go; which is why most of the country is not too suited for it.

However, Photovoltaic solar is great and any score 5+ is worthwhile. We're talking about photovoltaic panels here for the CC, even if there isn't a bonanza of power produced there should be enough for the cc to at least offset some of its electricity costs. That is very useful for those days when the cc isn't in use or even when it is solar could increase profitability of the cc (or perhaps lower fees making OKC even more attractive destination).

I just observed it to be a lost opportunity that with government emphasis and since this IS a government project - seems to be a no-brainer of technology implementation. That as opposed to a 4+ acre metal roof that picture shows; I'd rather have the solar PV up there or if not then a green roof.
OKC sits in what is generally referred to as zone 2. Much of the deep southwest, except for coastal areas, are Zone 1. There are plenty of concentrated solar in other weaker areas. OKC just doesn’t have any, and I don’t think there are any in OK period. Btw, Tulsa is in the lower Tier 3.

A huge amount of misunderstanding in the thread. My company is building massive solar projects (3,500 acres; 400-500MW) in MI, IL, IN, even Canada at substantial profit, and without the need for tax credits. We would be delighted to locate a few in OK, too. But Oklahoma's problem is not solar irradiance, it's the Southwest Power Pool's rules.

Now, back to the convention center.

From Sunday:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention082519a.jpg

That hotel behind the convention center, on the corner, sure looks dwarfed by everything...

^

Fairfield Inn.

It's like a battle zone down there and they are clearly in no hurry to finish and get open, and it looks like they could have done that a while ago.

^

Fairfield Inn.

It's like a battle zone down there and they are clearly in no hurry to finish and get open, and it looks like they could have done that a while ago.

Saw an article in the Oklahoman stating they are waiting to open until access is easier to get. With all the construction, they are waiting a bit.

Off topic I know; but I just wanted to mention some solar out west.

South of the powerplant by Overholser:

https://i.postimg.cc/T1wbtBXn/Screen-Shot-2019-09-02-at-9-11-31-PM.png

North side:

https://i.postimg.cc/4ymK6tz5/Screen-Shot-2019-09-02-at-9-14-41-PM.png

https://goo.gl/maps/6hKQtWtdZVcTt6Di9

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention090219a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention090219b.jpg

So I see there is a garage that connects garage/omni to convention center? I can see why the plans for the second bridge was dropped, its a little bit more of a walk but guest could use the garage skybridge.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention091519a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention091519b.jpg