A discussion of weather is probably not the best time to bring this up, but have you considered moving back to OKC? Your influence and love for the town are impressive. With the respect you garner through this board I suspect you could make even a larger difference if you were in OKC.

NO!!!! If he moves back here he will lose his secret weapon! He is untouchable where he lives. His ownership of this forum is purely based on love for our city! He cannot be corrupted!


That said, it would be nice to have Pete live here. Hint: if he does move here, we will know this city has truly arrived.

Honestly, this new paint scheme is ugly as sin. Mother of god.

Honestly, this new paint scheme is ugly as sin. Mother of god.

Agreed. But it fits the apartments, because inside they are just as outdated.

NO!!!! If he moves back here he will lose his secret weapon! He is untouchable where he lives. His ownership of this forum is purely based on love for our city! He cannot be corrupted!


That said, it would be nice to have Pete live here. Hint: if he does move here, we will know this city has truly arrived.

I've often thought and said that I sometimes believe I can do more for OKC by not being directly apart of the community; but of course, there were would be tremendous advantages to being there physically as well.

OKC is still a very tight-knit network of people who all know each other. Believe me, there are many roles that would interest me in OKC leadership that have already been closed off because of this site. There are some who feel like the site is nothing more than misinformation and rumors, or that we leak secrets in a harmful way, or that I am personally too opinionated and off-base.

The more we grow and the wider our exposure, the more I feel this backlash. Limited as it may be, it's very real and gets back to me periodically.

And it's one of the reasons I feel the need to stand up for the site in a more aggressive way, although I try to do it in a respectful manner, even when I/we are not given the same courtesy.


I sometimes laugh about this because The Lost Ogle makes a good living by being an active part of the community yet pretty much giving the finger to the powers that be. But of course, they have a very different niche.

I hate burning bridges but then again, perhaps being willing to do so is an essential part of getting as much of the truth out as possible, and in the end I really try to use a very simple sense of right/wrong as the guide... And if that means some people not only dislike the site but actively campaign to undermine our credibility, then I suppose that's the way it has to be and in that sense, being physically removed is an advantage as I can merely ignore most of the ill-will.

Maybe an interior update with similar gall is pending?

It doesn't matter where Pete lives since running a forum can be done from anywhere in the world, a Skype conversation can take place from anywhere, pictures can be posted in seconds, live cams are up and about. There's not much he can't do in a day to day way for this forum from anywhere in the world and he comes back often enough to get the up-close treatment and the changes are even more clear to him. It's like seeing a child grow, if you see them every day you don't notice it as much, but if you only see them once every few months you notice every little thing.

Networking would be much easier in person... Every time I'm in town I meet with someone like Keith Paul or Steve Mason and it goes a long way towards keeping communication channels open and meeting more and more people through them. As with any business, relationship building is incredibly important.

Also, there are many times where I'd love to go check things out, either at a development or at City Hall. The City is slow to put full information on-line but if you go down in person, you can usually gain immediate access to full plans and other documents.

And finally, we will soon start selling local ads and since I'm not there I'll have to pay commissions to a salesperson for a job I would much prefer to do myself (more relationship building).


Having said all that, there is a very good chance I will take the OKCT format and functionality to other cities, as I've already identified some key markets that don't have anything similar. So in those cases, I won't be able to be everywhere anyway. :)

Having said all that, there is a very good chance I will take the OKCT format and functionality to other cities, as I've already identified some key markets that don't have anything similar.

You've mentioned before that you own the domain TulsaTalk or something like it. Is that one you plan to go to?

You've mentioned before that you own the domain TulsaTalk or something like it. Is that one you plan to go to?

I own a bunch of domains, including TulsaTalk.com. But they already have TulsaNow and there are bigger markets that would be higher priorities.

OKCTalk will always be my biggest priority because of my love for the community, but the idea would be as I continue to invest in the site and learn along the way, there is much that can be ported to other cities that have the need.

Nothing is set in stone but I've written a business plan and if I have the time and resources, I'd like to get involved in other cities. I am also looking at having a national site, where the individual city sites would feed key developments and other interesting subjects up to a national level. Similar in some ways but very different in others to SkyscraperCity and Curbed.com.

I feel there is a great opportunity to bring together people who are passionate about their communities, both through content and discussion.

And I've always loved cities and really like people who feel the same. :)

Will you seek out local moderators for your other sites? One of the things that makes this board unique is your deep knowledge of OKC and your ability to act as a leader on the site. I really think digital Web 2.0 spaces like OKCTalk can increase citizen involvement in local issues, thus strengthening our democratic ethos.

Will you seek out local moderators for your other sites? One of the things that makes this board unique is your deep knowledge of OKC and your ability to act as a leader on the site. I really think digital Web 2.0 spaces like OKCTalk can increase citizen involvement in local issues, thus strengthening our democratic ethos.

Yes, I would recruit and enlist a passionate people to moderate the site, help consolidate content and drive discussion.

I believe I could do this with little trouble, given my past experiences.

Also, I would probably spend time in those new cities to help get things rolling and to further my own knowledge so I could be an active participant.

I hate to be the smug Californian one of the reasons I forget about the cold is because we've had a record warm fall and winter.

It's been in the 80's several times the last couple of months and it's been rare when the high hasn't been over 70. It was almost hot on Christmas Eve and Day!

http://i.imgur.com/CtWA2I1.png

I live in Park Harvey. The paint job leaves something to be desired to say the least....

They are redoing all the tile downstairs and all the carpet on each floor has been redone. The new management is doing a great job. We have lived here for 6 months and it really has been great. We don't pay too much in rent and get to parking spots in the City Center East garage.

It is by far the cheapest place to live downtown since utilities are included. Well maybe not cheaper than the Regency but that place scares me

There is definitely a wider variety of clientele at the Regency, but nothing to be scared of. If my teenagers feel safe, you probably would, too.

I live in Park Harvey. The paint job leaves something to be desired to say the least....

They are redoing all the tile downstairs and all the carpet on each floor has been redone. The new management is doing a great job. We have lived here for 6 months and it really has been great. We don't pay too much in rent and get to parking spots in the City Center East garage.

It is by far the cheapest place to live downtown since utilities are included. Well maybe not cheaper than the Regency but that place scares me

What are you paying at Park Harvey?

What are you paying at Park Harvey?

$1000 for a grand studio.

There is definitely a wider variety of clientele at the Regency, but nothing to be scared of. If my teenagers feel safe, you probably would, too.

I only mention this as we took a tour of the place and ran into some interesting people. We were excited for the location but settled on Park Harvey after they made us a deal.

$1000 for a grand studio.

bills included, steps from library, parks, courthouse, many, many good eats. Nice.

A little more painting progress, courtesy catch22:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5842d1389385851-park-harvey-apartments-parkharvey11014.jpg

It's quite hideous in person....

It would be cool if it was rainbow, but it's just shades of red, orange, and yellow...

Looks like a sunrise/sunset. I love it.

I actually kind of like it. I haven't seen it in person yet, though. It's at least different and memorable, and it is easily changeable. I think a rainbow color scheme would be a bit much. I like the sunset scheme.

It's quite hideous in person....

It's quite hideous in the picture too.

That pig looks good in lipstick! I like it. Looks great in person.

It's bound to be polarizing (as demonstrated on this thread) but more than anything I like the effort and ambition to try something different.

That in itself is a good sign and frankly, that building is so plain and boring that virtually anything would be better.

The idea is fine, but the execution is pretty poor. Before it was boring, but now it looks cheap.

It's quite hideous in person....

You're not kidding. Just absolutely hideous.

I haven't seen it in person, but I like it. Huge upgrade just because it's interesting. Previously, that entire building just felt... stale.

I haven't seen it in person, but I like it. Huge upgrade just because it's interesting. Previously, that entire building just felt... stale.

I'm with you, I like it.

It looks a bit like a gift to all the Stage Center haters. Once it's gone, they can just refocus the glares a few blocks over to here.

It's quite hideous in the picture too.

Touché

The spectrum is fabulous. At least they're being creative and bringing some much needed color to an otherwise bland CBD. The current color is as bland as a cold turkey sandwich.

Love it or hate it, it certainly stands out as a stark contrast to the incredible amount of gray/sliver/blue/mirrored finish that most of it's surroundings have.

While I appreciate their willingness to change, and bring color to the CBD, I'm afraid this is going to age quickly and look cheap. While not as much of a "pop", I think if they would have done the same effect in a greyscale, it would compliment the surroundings better, while still giving a "wow" factor without looking cheap.

Also as an aside - someone had mentioned why they didn't do this sooner, I'm pretty sure they used some sort of grant or historic tax credit, etc. I know off the original color topic was an issue with OKC
talkers and Gardner Tanenbaum (developer), but I believe to get the grant/credit/whatever they had to leave the original exterior in tact for "x" amount of years. I'm guessing that time is obviously up.

6013

Casts an interesting reflection on the Devon at least...

6241

From in the skybridge... East side done, South side almost done...

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6732d1392731877-park-harvey-apartments-parkharvey021714a.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6733d1392731877-park-harvey-apartments-parkharvey021714b.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6734d1392731878-park-harvey-apartments-parkharvey021714c.jpg

Looks like they're finally going to start on the west side... for a bit there I thought maybe they were leaving it like that...

From shawnw:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6867d1393681921-park-harvey-apartments-parkharvey022814.jpg

Definitely working the west side. I was by there the other morning, but it was a hit it and get trip to the courthouse and another stop so I did not stop to check things out. I did notice the scaffolding on the west side, but not until it was right over my head for just a few steps.

While I appreciate their willingness to change, and bring color to the CBD, I'm afraid this is going to age quickly and look cheap. While not as much of a "pop", I think if they would have done the same effect in a greyscale, it would compliment the surroundings better, while still giving a "wow" factor without looking cheap.

Also as an aside - someone had mentioned why they didn't do this sooner, I'm pretty sure they used some sort of grant or historic tax credit, etc. I know off the original color topic was an issue with OKC
talkers and Gardner Tanenbaum (developer), but I believe to get the grant/credit/whatever they had to leave the original exterior in tact for "x" amount of years. I'm guessing that time is obviously up.

That is current, it's usually five years.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7037d1395144753-park-harvey-apartments-ph031714.jpg

Wow. I actually think it looks pretty nice. Certainly better than the original picture in the article at the top!

We need to get some shots of the ground floor because they were doing some major renovations there and that should make a big difference at street level.

Wow. I actually think it looks pretty nice. Certainly better than the original picture in the article at the top!

Yea, I think it would be liked better if they only did a single gradient shift, trying to work in multiple color stops makes that more difficult to achieve a harmonious look and using orange/yellow for color stops between red/white pretty much stomps over basic color theory. From a visual perspective either starting from bright red or yellow and fading to white would be the strongest visually between just two colors, though from a long term client perspective red or orange have team affiliations that might lose some potential customers.

I see what they're trying to do - I showed it to a friend who thought it was glass reflecting an Oklahoma sunset. I'm not sure how I feel about it. It seems to be the architectural equivalent of Oklahoma Rising or Cowboys 4Ever...

i see what they're trying to do - i showed it to a friend who thought it was glass reflecting an oklahoma sunset. I'm not sure how i feel about it. It seems to be the architectural equivalent of oklahoma rising or cowboys 4ever...

lol

Are they doing the side that's super close to Leadership Square?

Are they doing the side that's super close to Leadership Square?

Pretty sure they already did it. I'll try to remember to look tomorrow.

Pretty sure they already did it. I'll try to remember to look tomorrow.

Yes they did it, I noticed awhile back while on the skybridge...

They are almost done with all the painting. A few strips left on two sides.

They talked about redoing the inside bottom floor (new tile and such) don't know if and when that is starting.

We move out in July and I will be recommending this to anyone looking to live downtown. Great place.

Park Harvey Tower - Humphreys & Partners Architects. L.P. (http://www.humphreys.com/portfolio/park-harvey-tower/)

This firm also put together conceptual renderings for the Lumber Yard in Bricktown. Bricktown - Humphreys & Partners Architects. L.P. (http://http://www.humphreys.com/portfolio/bricktown-2/)

http://www.humphreys.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Park-Harvey-Tower-1-325x440.jpg

http://www.humphreys.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Park-Harvey-Tower-2.jpg

http://www.humphreys.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Park-Harvey-Tower-3.jpg

http://www.humphreys.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Park-Harvey-siteplan-copy.jpg

Guess this paint job was a "fantasy" as well....

That's obviously a not-so-subtle dig at me, so I will point out that I had already connected these dots in this early post (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Lumber%20Yard&page=2#post758525) in the Lumber Yard thread, and was at that time expressing hope that this meant Gardner-Tanenbaum was involved in that project. Now I am just hoping that ANY credible, experienced developer is involved, but to date there has been zero actual evidence shown that there is.

It's funny that I am somehow being made out to be an opponent of that project when - as someone who is personally invested in Bricktown - there is likely to be nobody else on this board who would be more happy to see it come to fruition. I am only pointing out that at this juncture projects like The Cotton Exchange and The Factory had more actual credibility. But if you want to believe that an individual with no prior easily-demonstrable development experience can pull off a project roughly the same scale as Devon, be my guest. Like you, I really, REALLY hope he has an ace up his sleeve.

And that's all I will say about that. In my "fantasy" post I said don't shoot the messenger. Prescient sentiments indeed.

I think it's more a dig at Steve who explicitly called it a fantasy in his chat..

That's obviously a not-so-subtle dig at me, so I will point out that I had already connected these dots in this early post (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Lumber%20Yard&page=2#post758525) in the Lumber Yard thread, and was at that time expressing hope that this meant Gardner-Tanenbaum was involved in that project. Now I am just hoping that ANY credible, experienced developer is involved, but to date there has been zero actual evidence shown that there is.

It's funny that I am somehow being made out to be an opponent of that project when - as someone who is personally invested in Bricktown - there is likely to be nobody else on this board who would be more happy to see it come to fruition. I am only pointing out that at this juncture projects like The Cotton Exchange and The Factory had more actual credibility. But if you want to believe that an individual with no prior easily-demonstrable development experience can pull off a project roughly the same scale as Devon, be my guest. Like you, I really, REALLY hope he has an ace up his sleeve.

And that's all I will say about that. In my "fantasy" post I said don't shoot the messenger. Prescient sentiments indeed.I think that was directed towards Steve for calling the Lumber Yard project fantasy.

That's obviously a not-so-subtle dig at me, so I will point out that I had already connected these dots in this early post (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Lumber%20Yard&page=2#post758525) in the Lumber Yard thread, and was at that time expressing hope that this meant Gardner-Tanenbaum was involved in that project. Now I am just hoping that ANY credible, experienced developer is involved, but to date there has been zero actual evidence shown that there is.

It's funny that I am somehow being made out to be an opponent of that project when - as someone who is personally invested in Bricktown - there is likely to be nobody else on this board who would be more happy to see it come to fruition. I am only pointing out that at this juncture projects like The Cotton Exchange and The Factory had more actual credibility. But if you want to believe that an individual with no prior easily-demonstrable development experience can pull off a project roughly the same scale as Devon, be my guest. Like you, I really, REALLY hope he has an ace up his sleeve.

And that's all I will say about that. In my "fantasy" post I said don't shoot the messenger. Prescient sentiments indeed.

Not a dig at you at all. You've been pretty cautiously optimistic about the project. See the other two posts.


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Oklahoma City's skyline adapts to new shapes, new color schemes | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-skyline-adapts-to-new-shapes-new-color-schemes/article/4869586)

I suggest they keep the scaffolding and paint equipment at the front of the storage room - as this paint scheme is going to last about 24 months.

Okay - time to admit I was wrong. After seeing this building in several different photos from other threads I actually like it. It really does look like it is reflecting a sunset.