Yes.

And spent time in jail.

He told me that within 5 minutes of meeting him and he mentions it all the time on his social media.

Wow. I've always thought the guy was a little off/never understood the following from some of the restaurant industry people.

Wow. I've always thought the guy was a little off/never understood the following from some of the restaurant industry people.

Because they think he has some sort of sway and he hangs out with many of them.

He has a couple of thousand followers. There are dozens of foodies and influencers in OKC with more, many with substantially more.

Because they think he has some sort of sway and he hangs out with many of them.

He has a couple of thousand followers. There are dozens of foodies and influencers in OKC with more, many with substantially more.

Yea I know he's buddy/buddy with some of them. Always thought he was a weirdly narcissistic dude but didn't know about the bank robbery back in the day. Just googled it lol.

Because they think he has some sort of sway and he hangs out with many of them.

He has a couple of thousand followers. There are dozens of foodies and influencers in OKC with more, many with substantially more.

Guide to becoming a food critic in OKC:

Step 1: Armed Robbery
Step 2: Experience prison food
Step 3: Tell EVERYONE about steps 1 & 2.
Step 4: Hype your friends’ restaurants for free food
Step 5: Profit?

It's all part of the worst aspects of OKC that need to change.

If you want free stuff, then be honest about what you are (a grifting 'influencer') and stop trying to pretend to be a journalist. It amazes me that people here aren't appalled. Just goes to show how low our standards have always been.

It's all part of the worst aspects of OKC that need to change.

If you want free stuff, then be honest about what you are (a grifting 'influencer') and stop trying to pretend to be a journalist. It amazes me that people here aren't appalled. Just goes to show how low our standards have always been.

I am continually shocked at how people are simply happy to go along with the fake, pay-to-play insider crap they're being fed. Frankly, I don't understand why this is not outright insulting to most people. It has to be because of low standards and the resulting low expectations.

I think the weekday ridership is fine for the streetcar it is on par with Seattle's weekday streetcar averaging around 3k riders per day

edit: I can't find any 2021 ridership info for OKC streetcar and I got daily ridership off of wikipedia for both cities and it doesn't seem to add even for weekday ridership for OKC

Light rail would be nice in OKC. Like a lot of cities mixed public trans would be great here having the bus, streetcar, and a light rail. I left Seattle in 2007 before Link light rail even had one station open in Seattle but I've visited many times since it has opened and now goes all the way the university district.

OKC's streetcar is averaging 3,000 riders a day? Sorry, trying to confirm what you're saying here. If that's so, can anyone personally vouch for those numbers? I'm more likely to believe 3,000 weekly is more in tune and that's if there are big events happening downtown. But, I could be completely wrong and am willing to accept that.

Latest COTPA report:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/streetcar071322a.jpg

Thank you, sir!

Three observations:

1. I am surprised ridership has actually seen such high levels throughout its tenure so far.
2. It definitely appears seasonal and people prefer to be out during cooler months (shocking, isn't it?).
3. We're looking at an average of 500-675~ daily riders over the last three months of this year. If I look at Mar-May and average out roughly 20,000 a month divided by 30 days.


I think it needs a couple more years to define long term trends. The last couple years should have asterisks next to them, unfortunately. Lots of possible unrealized ridership levels were lost to the winds. Does it cost to get on or is it completely subsidized?

I am continually shocked at how people are simply happy to go along with the fake, pay-to-play insider crap they're being fed. Frankly, I don't understand why this is not outright insulting to most people. It has to be because of low standards and the resulting low expectations.

It's because people here have never known anything different and because OKC is incredibly incestuous in some ways.

If you look at the background of area 'journalists' you'll see they all come from small towns, small schools or went to a J-school which is named after the worst family in the history of publishing and run by one of their former editors. I'm having a big problem with Channel 9 and was told by a long-term newscaster on another station, "We all just steal from each other" like that was completely normal and fine.

The cycle just keeps feeding itself. The Oklahoman will hire some kid from a smalltown newspaper and they are indoctrinated in the Oklahoma way of doing things right out of the gate, such as stealing stories without attribution and plagiarizing press releases.

I mentioned this before but all these "best" lists need to stop. Those things are completely manipulated (either through paid advertisement or ballot stuffing) and often used by bad actors to bring attention and credibility to semi-scams and highly questionable business practices. Or, the writers and publishers use them for favor trading of all types.

Thank you, sir!

Three observations:

1. I am surprised ridership has actually seen such high levels throughout its tenure so far.
2. It definitely appears seasonal and people prefer to be out during cooler months (shocking, isn't it?).
3. We're looking at an average of 500-675~ daily riders over the last three months of this year. If I look at Mar-May and average out roughly 20,000 a month divided by 30 days.


I think it needs a couple more years to define long term trends. The last couple years should have asterisks next to them, unfortunately. Lots of possible unrealized ridership levels were lost to the winds. Does it cost to get on or is it completely subsidized?

the street car is fee based except for a few days / weeks a year ..


it should be free all of the time .. but there is lots of resistance from COPTA from that even if it had sponsors to pay for it ..

OKC's streetcar is averaging 3,000 riders a day? Sorry, trying to confirm what you're saying here. If that's so, can anyone personally vouch for those numbers? I'm more likely to believe 3,000 weekly is more in tune and that's if there are big events happening downtown. But, I could be completely wrong and am willing to accept that.

in my post I put an "Edit" saying I was going off of wikipedia info as far as OKC streetcar ridership and that it did not add up and I could not find current info which pete located and posted.

It amazes me that people here aren't appalled. Just goes to show how low our standards have always been.

Good point. Slightly sad that I'm apathetic to it all. Given how many opinions get shared here, I thought we all ignored the local food critic, Horton or otherwise. If for nothing else, they never say anything negative. That's why I don't read them a nyway.

the street car is fee based except for a few days / weeks a year ..


it should be free all of the time .. but there is lots of resistance from COPTA from that even if it had sponsors to pay for it ..

Agree it should be free. From what I understand, folks including possibly a former council member have threatened to file a lawsuit if fees are removed from the streetcar but remain for the buses.

Fear of lawsuits is the driving force.

I also believe it's time for the streetcar to reengage with the public, a new "grand opening" if you will. People need to be reminded of the stops, how to get a fare, where it goes, etc.

The streetcar was doing well ahead of expectations before the Pandemic. It's pretty obvious why people decided to stop riding it after that.

People also need to remember that the value of the streetcar only will go up (along with ridership), because it is a fixed route in an area that is growing in population: new apartments, new hotels, even new commercial real estate. What we paid to develop the streetcar will be considered a massive bargain over time.

People have selective attention and either note when it's full or when it's not. This culture absolutely is not a transit culture in any way. Buses are viewed as something for poor people. Rail transit is considered wasteful spending. Yet no one considers how much f****** money we spend to maintain the roads here.

The streetcar should be free, and as far as I'm concerned, so should the buses. We could pay for it.

I think the weekday ridership is fine for the streetcar it is on par with Seattle's weekday streetcar averaging around 3k riders per day

edit: I can't find any 2021 ridership info for OKC streetcar and I got daily ridership off of wikipedia for both cities and it doesn't seem to add even for weekday ridership for OKC

Light rail would be nice in OKC. Like a lot of cities mixed public trans would be great here having the bus, streetcar, and a light rail. I left Seattle in 2007 before Link light rail even had one station open in Seattle but I've visited many times since it has opened and now goes all the way the university district.

Goes all the way up to Northgate now, and down to Angle Lake (SeaTac). Soon, it will go up to Lynnwood (eventually to Boeing then downtown Everett) and down to Federal Way and eventually Tacoma Dome (iirc). Also, the E-W route from Seattle to Bellevue to Microsoft (YAH) to Redmond town center will open in a year or two.

Also Tacoma Link has expanded, will open shortly and then expand again in 2030.

Agree it should be free. From what I understand, folks including possibly a former council member have threatened to file a lawsuit if fees are removed from the streetcar but remain for the buses.

Fear of lawsuits is the driving force.

I also believe it's time for the streetcar to reengage with the public, a new "grand opening" if you will. People need to be reminded of the stops, how to get a fare, where it goes, etc.

The streetcar was doing well ahead of expectations before the Pandemic. It's pretty obvious why people decided to stop riding it after that.

People also need to remember that the value of the streetcar only will go up (along with ridership), because it is a fixed route in an area that is growing in population: new apartments, new hotels, even new commercial real estate. What we paid to develop the streetcar will be considered a massive bargain over time.

People have selective attention and either note when it's full or when it's not. This culture absolutely is not a transit culture in any way. Buses are viewed as something for poor people. Rail transit is considered wasteful spending. Yet no one considers how much f****** money we spend to maintain the roads here.

The streetcar should be free, and as far as I'm concerned, so should the buses. We could pay for it.

the law suit would have gone no where ..

also the old down town circulator (circ) was free for a long long time because of sponsorship ...... COPTA doesn't want to do that with the streetcar ...... it is about bad policy decisions ..

Goes all the way up to Northgate now, and down to Angle Lake (SeaTac). Soon, it will go up to Lynnwood (eventually to Boeing then downtown Everett) and down to Federal Way and eventually Tacoma Dome (iirc). Also, the E-W route from Seattle to Bellevue to Microsoft (YAH) to Redmond town center will open in a year or two.

Also Tacoma Link has expanded, will open shortly and then expand again in 2030.

That’s impressive! Link light rail just keeps expanding!

My buddy lives in the building right above west lake station.

Wish it was up and running when I lived in Capitol Hill.

Only took 40 minutes to go from the airport to west lake station

the law suit would have gone no where ..

also the old down town circulator (circ) was free for a long long time because of sponsorship ...... COPTA doesn't want to do that with the streetcar ...... it is about bad policy decisions ..

Perhaps you're right. But, even if a threatened lawsuit would go nowhere, that doesn't mean the bureaucracy is willing to risk it. The city is lawsuit averse for a reason. The problem could easily be solved by also offering free bus transit, perhaps within the inner city zone only: SW 44th to NW 50th and May to MLK.

Perhaps you're right. But, even if a threatened lawsuit would go nowhere, that doesn't mean the bureaucracy is willing to risk it. The city is lawsuit averse for a reason. The problem could easily be solved by also offering free bus transit, perhaps within the inner city zone only: SW 44th to NW 50th and May to MLK.

agreed ...

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/oklahoma-city-ok-population It looks like we've surpassed a population of 700,000 and have had two years in a row of our population growing by 10k per year.

It’ll be nice when OKC proper can pass the million mark.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/oklahoma-city-ok-population It looks like we've surpassed a population of 700,000 and have had two years in a row of our population growing by 10k per year.

Interesting. Are these based on interim estimates from the census?

Interesting. Are these based on interim estimates from the census?

Probably

Interesting. Are these based on interim estimates from the census?

"The current population of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is 701,266 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates. The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 681,054."

They're basing it on a 2.97% growth rate with an estimated increase in 20,212 people since the 2020 census.

I'd bet on the most growth for OKC will be from Eastern Canadian County. There is a solid 6 to 7 miles of housing development under construction from East of Yukon down to Mustang. Also from Surrey Hills East to County Line Rd.

^^^^ take a drive through east Edmond one day if you’re bored. The amount of housing going up is pretty impressive.

"The current population of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is 701,266 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates. The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 681,054."

They're basing it on a 2.97% growth rate with an estimated increase in 20,212 people since the 2020 census.

Right, thanks. I'm mostly wondering where the 2.97% growth rate is coming from. From what I can tell, the census's 2021 numbers had OKC gaining 4,965 people for a 2021 population of 687,725 and an annual growth rate of ~0.7%. So that would represent quite an increase in growth.

^^^^ take a drive through east Edmond one day if you’re bored. The amount of housing going up is pretty impressive.

New housing is now speading into Logan county near l-35.

I'd bet on the most growth for OKC will be from Eastern Canadian County. There is a solid 6 to 7 miles of housing development under construction from East of Yukon down to Mustang. Also from Surrey Hills East to County Line Rd.

Yep, that area is poised to see some Frisco-esque growth numbers over the next 10-15 years

"The current population of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is 701,266 based on our projections of the latest US Census estimates. The last official US Census in 2020 recorded the population at 681,054."

They're basing it on a 2.97% growth rate with an estimated increase in 20,212 people since the 2020 census.

Valid point IMO, seems to be the most logical explanation, thanks.

Does anyone think the Kickapoo Turnpike will spur a new wave of housing development in Jones and Choctaw? Especially once the southern extension is under construction to Norman/Noble/I-35.

Does anyone think the Kickapoo Turnpike will spur a new wave of housing development in Jones and Choctaw? Especially once the southern extension is under construction to Norman/Noble/I-35.

That eastern section of Oklahoma County is the prettiest in all of OKC.

And with the independent school districts, we are going to see tons more homes out that way, ala Mustang/Yukon.

They need to build a new freeway going to east connecting the South I-44/I-35 junction to the Kickapoo. Ideally they’d build it to be expanded to 10-14 lanes if/when the time comes. For the time being a 4 lane freeway would be awesome

They need to build a new freeway going to east connecting the South I-44/I-35 junction to the Kickapoo. Ideally they’d build it to be expanded to 10-14 lanes if/when the time comes. For the time being a 4 lane freeway would be awesome

Is this self parody?

They need to build a new freeway going to east connecting the South I-44/I-35 junction to the Kickapoo. Ideally they’d build it to be expanded to 10-14 lanes if/when the time comes. For the time being a 4 lane freeway would be awesome

Not quite but close. Watch areas in north Norman/south Moore continue to fill in with new neighborhoods along the turnpike. Same for areas in east Norman though the Lake Thunderbird watershed limits how much development can go east

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/03/23/NOKL/bc1d9603-a7b6-44ea-bad9-65451cf6ab33-279e6bea-7fa8-451f-b48b-cb9a711e07a0-Kickapoo_south_map.jpg

I'd bet on the most growth for OKC will be from Eastern Canadian County. There is a solid 6 to 7 miles of housing development under construction from East of Yukon down to Mustang. Also from Surrey Hills East to County Line Rd.

Hope you’re right. I’ve got a bunch of land in that area that is for sale. I think the turnpike development and time frame will kind of decide which part of the city that will develop the soonest.

Is this self parody?
It’s completely logical and much needed if the soon to be growth coming to that area doesn’t want to travel through endless traffic lights on surface roads. There’s a pretty big gap of no freeways between I-35, I-40, I-44, and the Kickapoo.

Not quite but close. Watch areas in north Norman/south Moore continue to fill in with new neighborhoods along the turnpike. Same for areas in east Norman though the Lake Thunderbird watershed limits how much development can go east

https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/03/23/NOKL/bc1d9603-a7b6-44ea-bad9-65451cf6ab33-279e6bea-7fa8-451f-b48b-cb9a711e07a0-Kickapoo_south_map.jpg
Yep. I’m beyond excited for these new freeways. I’ve heard some exciting things might come to the future interchange at I-35 and the east to west connector.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) 'willfully' violated open meetings law:

District Judge Timothy Olsen declared the open meetings act violation was "willful."

“The agendas for the meetings in question clearly do not comply with the (Open Meeting Act),” Olsen said. “The OTA knew the general routes of the turnpike plan for ACCESS Oklahoma before the February 22, 2022, meeting. The agenda items were void of any description of the routes for which the business being transacted were necessary.”

Stan Ward, attorney for the opposition group PIKE OFF, said the ruling will force the turnpike authority to start the process from scratch and that all decisions since February 22, including the engineering contracts, are invalid.

Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) 'willfully' violated open meetings law:

District Judge Timothy Olsen declared the open meetings act violation was "willful."

“The agendas for the meetings in question clearly do not comply with the (Open Meeting Act),” Olsen said. “The OTA knew the general routes of the turnpike plan for ACCESS Oklahoma before the February 22, 2022, meeting. The agenda items were void of any description of the routes for which the business being transacted were necessary.”

Stan Ward, attorney for the opposition group PIKE OFF, said the ruling will force the turnpike authority to start the process from scratch and that all decisions since February 22, including the engineering contracts, are invalid.

I continue to not believe this unless the ruling from the judge actually directly says it. So far all I have seen is the plaintiffs claiming it with no proof provided.

10 Largest Cities in Oklahoma


Oklahoma City (701,266) 20,212 (1.46%)
Tulsa (417,298) 4,232 (0.51%)
Norman (131,446) 3,440 (1.32%)
Broken Arrow (116,478) 2,938 (1.28%)
Edmond (97,032) 2,604 (1.36%)
Lawton (89,083) -998 -0.72%
Moore (64,335) 1,342 (1.21%)
Midwest City (59,217) 808 (0.69%)
Enid (51,694) 386 (0.38%)
Stillwater (48,936) 542 (0.56%)

Cities in Oklahoma by Population (2022) https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/cities/oklahoma

I continue to not believe this unless the ruling from the judge actually directly says it. So far all I have seen is the plaintiffs claiming it with no proof provided.

I read the ruling. The judge said it. He openly scolded the OTA.

I read the ruling. The judge said it. He openly scolded the OTA.

Did he specifically say that the engineering contracts are invalidated? That's primarily the part I don't believe.

Judge: Oklahoma Turnpike Authority violated Open Meeting Act, ACCESS project contracts rendered invalid . . .

https://stateimpact.npr.org/oklahoma/2022/12/01/judge-oklahoma-turnpike-authority-violated-open-meeting-act-access-project-contracts-rendered-invalid/

Did he specifically say that the engineering contracts are invalidated? That's primarily the part I don't believe.

only the ones from the Feb 22 meetinjg which were 2 mgmt contracts .. totaling 4 mil .. for right of way and utility mgmt ..

this is a big nothing burger doesn't slow down work and will just be reauthorized

Hey Pete/Martin. Could these turnpike posts be shifted to the OTA thread?

only the ones from the Feb 22 meetinjg which were 2 mgmt contracts .. totaling 4 mil .. for right of way and utility mgmt ..

this is a big nothing burger doesn't slow down work and will just be reauthorized

69 M, not 4M per the article in State Impact.

69 M, not 4M per the article in State Impact.

4 mil is related to the ACCESS projects the rest is other projects ..

4 mil is related to the ACCESS projects the rest is other projects ..

Which is why I keep asking about the exact wording from the judge. Even that State Impact article only quotes one single paragraph from the judge and then does a bunch of analysis to get stuff like the 69 M figure.

https://www.oscn.net/dockets/GetCaseInformation.aspx?db=cleveland&number=CV-2022-1905&cmid=2406514

There's the OSCN link - can find the decision there.

4 mil is related to the ACCESS projects the rest is other projects ..

Thanks for the clarification.

Oklahoma had net in-migration of 28,481 in 2021 and 32,528 in 2022 for a total of 61,009 in 2021-22. That ranks #10 nationally.

The Top 10 in 2021-22
1. Florida: 735,279
2. Texas: 585,868
3. North Carolina: 240,610
4. Arizona: 183,033
5. South Carolina: 166,219
6. Georgia: 154,308
7. Tennessee: 143,305
8. Idaho: 82,519
9. Alabama: 62,715
10. Oklahoma: 61,009

Oklahoma had net in-migration of 28,481 in 2021 and 32,528 in 2022 for a total of 61,009 in 2021-22. That ranks #10 nationally.

The Top 10 in 2021-22
1. Florida: 735,279
2. Texas: 585,868
3. North Carolina: 240,610
4. Arizona: 183,033
5. South Carolina: 166,219
6. Georgia: 154,308
7. Tennessee: 143,305
8. Idaho: 82,519
9. Alabama: 62,715
10. Oklahoma: 61,009

But, but, the cities are only growing due to people leaving the farms and moving to them. Nice to see that Oklahoma is growing!

Any growth that shows Oklahoma and its top population center is growing is good for the state.

Net migration by state: https://tampabayedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2020-2021-Net-Migration-by-State.pdf

BTW BG918 are you able to share the link to your figures.

Oklahoma had net in-migration of 28,481 in 2021 and 32,528 in 2022 for a total of 61,009 in 2021-22. That ranks #10 nationally.

The Top 10 in 2021-22
1. Florida: 735,279
2. Texas: 585,868
3. North Carolina: 240,610
4. Arizona: 183,033
5. South Carolina: 166,219
6. Georgia: 154,308
7. Tennessee: 143,305
8. Idaho: 82,519
9. Alabama: 62,715
10. Oklahoma: 61,009

Your numbers are a bit off from what the Census released this week:

2020 Census 2022 Estimate Growth %
Texas 29,145,428 30,029,572 884,144 3.03%
Florida 21,538,226 22,244,823 706,597 3.28%
North Carolina 10,439,414 10,698,973 259,559 2.49%
Georgia 10,711,937 10,912,876 200,939 1.88%
Arizona 7,151,507 7,359,197 207,690 2.90%
South Carolina 5,118,429 5,282,634 164,205 3.21%
Tennessee 6,910,786 7,051,339 140,553 2.03%
Utah 3,271,614 3,380,800 109,186 3.34%
Idaho 1,839,092 1,939,033 99,941 5.43%
Nevada 3,104,624 3,177,772 73,148 2.36%
Washington 7,705,247 7,785,786 80,539 1.05%
Colorado 5,773,733 5,839,926 66,193 1.15%
Oklahoma 3,959,346 4,019,800 60,454 1.53%
Virginia 8,631,384 8,683,619 52,235 0.61%
Indiana 6,785,668 6,833,037 47,369 0.70%

https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-total.html#par_textimage_1574439295

Any growth that shows Oklahoma and its top population center is growing is good for the state.

Net migration by state: https://tampabayedc.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2020-2021-Net-Migration-by-State.pdf

BTW BG918 are you able to share the link to your figures.

RegionTrack

RegionTrack is there an actual link . . .

Now if this site requires a subscription, then never mind.

Oklahoma 4,019,800 - 3,959,346 (60,454) 1.53% Thanks, Swake

Concern:

Wikipedia list Metropolitan statistical area with an 'error:'

42 Oklahoma City, OK MSA 1,441,647 - 1,425,695 is the 2021 figure

Above the 2021 and 2020 population are reversed or we wouldn't have a +1.12% change in green as a positive growth change.

Someone with an account with Wikipedia needs to make or suggest an edit:

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


The 'error' only occurred with Oklahoma City MSA. We had a gain of 15,592 during that one year +1.12%

Hope Wikipedia will make that correction when they release the 2023 - 2022 estimates . . .

But, but, the cities are only growing due to people leaving the farms and moving to them. Nice to see that Oklahoma is growing!

That has been going on in Oklahoma for many years. Some distant rural counties from OKC started consistently declining in population even before the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, due to advances in mechanized agriculture, so not as many people needed for labor. Those counties also never enjoyed a major oil boom, such as Grant.

Other factors also explain why big cities have been attracting industry and more jobs.

That has been going on in Oklahoma for many years. Some distant rural counties from OKC started consistently declining in population even before the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, due to advances in mechanized agriculture, so not as many people needed for labor. Those counties also never enjoyed a major oil boom, such as Grant.

Other factors also explain why big cities have been attracting industry and more jobs.

I know. The cities are gaining population from the rural areas. But the state itself is gaining population. so it isn't just internal migration in Oklahoma, but also eternal into Oklahoma.