I attended a meeting yesterday regarding the beginning stages of street music festival. It will be called West Fest and is planned for Saturday, September 19th. It will be located on Western between the blocks of 42nd and 45th.

Very cool to see something like this come to Western Ave.

That's great news.

That district has much untapped potential.

Sounds awesome, but I'd love to see it a month earlier instead of competing with OU (Tulsa) and OSU (UTSA) home football games. Maybe the city can support all these events, but I bet a lot of people would love to attend both. I don't think there are any major festivals or sporting events in August, right?

Sounds awesome, but I'd love to see it a month earlier instead of competing with OU (Tulsa) and OSU (UTSA) home football games. Maybe the city can support all these events, but I bet a lot of people would love to attend both. I don't think there are any major festivals or sporting events in August, right?

Correct. The MLB season is wrapping up and the NFL has preseason games but that doesn't necessarily affect Oklahoma City.

I agree, too many things are being crammed into the Spring and Fall months.

Reconstruction has started on the portion between NW41 and 42nd

Photo of the work:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B_G5qieXAAAfFHr.png

That's more of a "During" than "Before."

Thank you Pete for posting the pictures. I am very pleased with this.

That's more of a "During" than "Before."

Isn't it more of a "During" and a "Soon to Come"?

Isn't it more of a "During" and a "Soon to Come"?naa. I think "currently" and "down the road" is better. ;)

That will be a much needed improvement.

It should not only be a massive improvement, it should also make the whole area feel like a cohesive district rather than a jumble of places along a roadway.

This project is primarily underway due to the sheer will of Councilman Shadid. The concept started with a phone call from Shadid to Blair Humphries while Shadid was at a placemaking conference in California. Shadid secured $25,000 from the City Manager which allowed Humphries and the OU Institute for Quality Communities to study enhancing the car-centric streetscape that was part of the 2007 Bond, Shadid pushed for and secured a $1 million to be invested from the city's Fund Balance for the streetscape, 2 1/2 years of public meetings and meetings with property owners ensued, a plan to minimize disruption to local businesses and neighborhoods was devised and construction is now underway. Probably Shadid's least publicized but perhaps most transformative accomplishments and a testament to the fact that Councilman Shadid is getting things done.

This project is primarily underway due to the sheer will of Councilman Shadid. The concept started with a phone call from Shadid to Blair Humphries while Shadid was at a placemaking conference in California. Shadid secured $25,000 from the City Manager which allowed Humphries and the OU Institute for Quality Communities to study enhancing the car-centric streetscape that was part of the 2007 Bond, Shadid pushed for and secured a $1 million to be invested from the city's Fund Balance for the streetscape, 2 1/2 years of public meetings and meetings with property owners ensued, a plan to minimize disruption to local businesses and neighborhoods was devised and construction is now underway. Probably Shadid's least publicized but perhaps most transformative accomplishments and a testament to the fact that Councilman Shadid is getting a thing done.

Fixed it for you.

Though I will admit, from an outsiders perspective, he did a good job moving this along.

Ed Shadid is not a bad councilman.

Whether or not he's a good councilman will be decided during this next term.

But I am certainly thankful for his efforts on this project…huge for this area. Lots of unrealized potential around this area and will be interesting to see if the flare of this district will ever make the 2-block jump over to Classen.

Ed Shadid is not a bad councilman.

Whether or not he's a good councilman will be decided during this next term.

But I am certainly thankful for his efforts on this project…huge for this area. Lots of unrealized potential around this area and will be interesting to see if the flare of this district will ever make the 2-block jump over to Classen.

To what extent did Ed really make this happen? If so, I am impressed. But I thought that was in the GO Bond Issue?

To what extent did Ed really make this happen? If so, I am impressed. But I thought that was in the GO Bond Issue?

The GO bond plans were very milquetoast and, while being an upgrade to the area, would not have been a huge win for the district. Shadid managed to slow the process down, and spent some of his own money to help get better placemaking included in the GO-funded rebuild. He brought in the OUIQC people to consult on the project. When the upgraded plans exceeded the GO bond budget, he helped to find the money to make up some of the difference (although not all of the placemaking proposals are to be implemented due to their costs).

Any new shoppes or eateries coming to the area or is this primarily a streetscape enhancement project?

Any new shoppes or eateries coming to the area or is this primarily a streetscape enhancement project?

Almost every building in the area is already in use, but I'm sure the business will come in overtime. The question is whether or not someone is going to eventually come in and do some new build or dramatic alterations to increase the capacity of the district to stretch its borders, or become more dense (some 2 to 3 story developments here would go a long way.

Almost every building in the area is already in use, but I'm sure the business will come in overtime. The question is whether or not someone is going to eventually come in and do some new build or dramatic alterations to increase the capacity of the district to stretch its borders, or become more dense (some 2 to 3 story developments here would go a long way.

I agree.

The Western Avenue district is has sort of been forgotten in the story of OKC's resurgence but its a great district with great potential, and actually needs much less to get it there than areas like Midtown and SoSA. I think a 3-story residential building or two with ground-level retail/restaurants would go a long way in that area.

Any new shoppes or eateries coming to the area or is this primarily a streetscape enhancement project?

I hear that they're about to add a bar and restaurant called VZDs at the south end of the strip...:p

Any new shoppes or eateries coming to the area or is this primarily a streetscape enhancement project?

No shoppes. All the cutesy pie named stores are going in at Shoppes of Del City, Shoppes at Quail Springs, Outlet Shoppes, and the Outlet Shoppes at Tulsa. I'm sure that Ye Olde Londone Towne Square will be getting some cutesy-pie named stores if we don't discover a shortage of "e"s.

Damn auto correct

Damn auto correct

Worse, yet: that Dubya61 guy appears to be quite the judgmental bastard. I happen to know that he's made several typos that went uncorrected. My MIL ran an antique store called "The Curiousity Shoppe". I groaned every time I saw it ... for multiple reasons.

No shoppes. All the cutesy pie named stores are going in at Shoppes of Del City, Shoppes at Quail Springs, Outlet Shoppes, and the Outlet Shoppes at Tulsa. I'm sure that Ye Olde Londone Towne Square will be getting some cutesy-pie named stores if we don't discover a shortage of "e"s.

Adding an 'e' can make anything upscale. A shoppe is upscale, a shop is not. A Towne Center is an upscale development. A Town Center is not.

Adding an 'e' can make anything upscale. A shoppe is upscale, a shop is not. A Towne Center is an upscale development. A Town Center is not.

just don't go sticking a U between O's and R's like some crazy Canuck

The GO bond plans were very milquetoast and, while being an upgrade to the area, would not have been a huge win for the district. Shadid managed to slow the process down, and spent some of his own money to help get better placemaking included in the GO-funded rebuild. He brought in the OUIQC people to consult on the project. When the upgraded plans exceeded the GO bond budget, he helped to find the money to make up some of the difference (although not all of the placemaking proposals are to be implemented due to their costs).

Alright. I didn't know all of that. That's very impressive on the part of Shadid.

Hoffman's Furniture is closing. Does anybody know if anything is planned there? That corner is loaded with potential.

I heard the owners of the strip across Western (with Cock and Guestroom) just purchased the barber shop on the SW corner of 36th and Western and have been trying to buy Hoffmans to split into several storefronts. Maybe they finally came to an agreement.

It seems like we're getting a new street festival every week. This looks like it will be pretty cool and will be a good way for everyone to see the work that they've been doing on Western.

Oklahoma City's Western Avenue to host new music and street festival | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-western-avenue-to-host-new-music-and-street-festival/article/5424682)

Yes, this looks pretty cool.

West Fest is a once-a-year thing as opposed to Western on the Lawn, which is their monthly thing on the grassy area behind Whole Foods.

It will be a good addition to the Western Avenue district.

I was actually a part of their committee as everything was in the beginning stages. Wish I could of stayed on but I became too busy.

Hey guys! Incoming Director of Western Avenue here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Hey guys! Incoming Director of Western Avenue here. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

Welcome to OKCTalk!

Rachael is awesome, she's been training me to take over her position at work. She has a great deal of knowledge and experience, I bet she'll do great.

Clearly, the WAD is in good hands.

unlikely that "the wad" is a name she wants catching on though :-P

OKCTalk - Greek restaurant planned for the Western Ave. District (http://www.okctalk.com/content/178-greek-restaurant.html)

OKCTalk - Greek restaurant planned for the Western Ave. District (http://www.okctalk.com/content/178-greek-restaurant.html)

Authentic Greek cuisine is one of my all time favorites. I am very happy this place is going to serve lamb, as it is disheartening when I order a gyro at the typical Oklahoma Greek restaurants and they ask "chicken or beef?" Real Greek food is based around lamb and it has a very different taste compared to beef or hybrid beef/lamb gyros and kabobs. I can't wait for it to open.

Don't most Greek places use gyros from a restaurant supplier? At least that is what I heard around San Diego which seems to have Greek hybrid type place on every corner that doesn't have a burrito store. I have a friend that is gluten-free and she claims she cannot eat gyros anywhere because it contains gluten and they get them from the same supplier.

Don't most Greek places use gyros from a restaurant supplier? At least that is what I heard around San Diego which seems to have Greek hybrid type place on every corner that doesn't have a burrito store. I have a friend that is gluten-free and she claims she cannot eat gyros anywhere because it contains gluten and they get them from the same supplier.

Hopefully their kebabs are made by layering the meat vs. the doner cones that are all over the place.

Funny you say that. The gyro cones are all over the place here in the Greek/ Middle Easterns restaurants that call themselves Greek, but the only place I know of that has the layers of meat, chicken in this case, is named Doner Kabobs. I think that is called Swarma in some places. I don't know much about authenic, but most places in San Diego are a hybrid of Greek and Middle Eastern. For instance, I understand hummous and falafel and domas are more Middle Eastern than Greek, yet all the Greek places around here have those items as well as Gyros and Moussaka. I like it all....

unlikely that "the wad" is a name she wants catching on though :-P

Haha! Yeah, let's keep "the wad" to ourselves. WA is fine if you're into abbreviations, or WAA (Western Avenue Association, officially) but we also go by western ave a lot.

Excited for all the new things happening in our district! I'll have updated info on the festival (and ways you can volunteer!) soon. For "On The Lawn" we're having our final one for this summer (it's just too hot to try for August) on July 2nd. Starts at 7pm, goes until 10 or 11. We're showing a movie on the grass at 9 after sunset (Honey, I Shrunk the Kids!) and for the wee-ones before, lawn games, a boxcar derby race, face-painting, bounce house and food trucks. Should be a pretty great time :)

Western Avenue Hosts New Street Festival This Fall

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 18, 2015) — This fall, the historic Western Avenue is premiering a brand new, free festival, WestFest, on Sept. 19 from 12 to 10 p.m. with live music, food trucks and a beer garden.

Located on Western Avenue from NW 41st to NW 43rd, the street will be closed for this family-friendly event for participants to enjoy the new streetscape as well as the main stage for musicians.

“We had submissions from more than 125 local and regional bands who are eager to play,” said Western Avenue Director, Rachael Taylor. “Oklahoma is a musically gifted state, so it has been a real challenge to narrow down the list of performers.”

The music and food truck lineup for the festival will be announced by the end of the month.

Although there is a chance construction will be underway during the festival, it will not deter the event organizers from hosting the event in the fall. “With our streetscape project simultaneously occurring during the event, it’ll be the perfect time to show off our new, wider sidewalks and safer, more walkable historic district,” said Taylor.

However, even with the rotating food trucks scheduled for the event, WestFest is to promote the existing bars, restaurants and retail that make this area special. There will be a beer garden located in the parking lot next to The Barrel with several local breweries. There will be exclusive beers brewed specifically for the festival.

Feature sponsors for the festival include Bob Moore Subaru, Midfirst Bank and Whole Foods Market. Supporting sponsors include Conventions and More, Oklahoma Gazette and YelpOKC.

Western Avenue Association serves to promote and facilitate the good times and good finds on Western Avenue through community engagement, small business support and everything in between.

For more information on WestFest and volunteer opportunities, visit WestFest OK (http://www.westfestok.com).

That will be phenomenal. Western Ave always used to be an epic garage band scene back before the Hipster Triangle and a few other places. My old dad's garage band even used to play at Sipp's back when I was a kid.

Holy cow, what an improvement. Great, great project.

From https://twitter.com/shanehamp:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/COFCiCnUAAUZFFN.jpg:large

Wow. That speaks for itself. That's much, much better.

Unfortunately, I've heard that the owner of the sipango/drum room building is going to refuse changes to the streetscape due to loss of parking in front of sipango. The drum room has so much potential for a larger patio so it's a bit of a shame.

I love it.

Unfortunately, I've heard that the owner of the sipango/drum room building is going to refuse changes to the streetscape due to loss of parking in front of sipango. The drum room has so much potential for a larger patio so it's a bit of a shame.

Also, the business on the west side of the street have a much better setting for patios due to the shade offered by the buildings in the afternoons and early evenings.

FYI Sipango is now smoke-free. They took advantage of the state's "Free the Night" program. Incidentally the same folks own Cookie's if I understand correctly. It's also my understanding that they went smoke free based on customer feed-back. If you're a fan of Cookie's, maybe let them know you'd like to see the same move for Cookie's.

Great news about Sipango! I may actually go in there now.

I'd let it air out first. For ten years or so.

I'd let it air out first. For ten years or so.

Hahaha. Yeah stale cigarette smoke, in my opinion, is one of the worst smells out there, much worse than actual cigarette smoke.

Any more comprehensive photos/vantage points?

FYI Sipango is now smoke-free. They took advantage of the state's "Free the Night" program. Incidentally the same folks own Cookie's if I understand correctly. It's also my understanding that they went smoke free based on customer feed-back. If you're a fan of Cookie's, maybe let them know you'd like to see the same move for Cookie's.

How is "Sipango" pronounced? Like Suh-Pain-Go or like "Sip and Go"?

Sorry if that's a bad question! :tongue:

How is "Sipango" pronounced? Like Suh-Pain-Go or like "Sip and Go"?

Yep

This is more good news for western. It's felt stale for a long time and it really seems to be polishing up again. Does anyone remember when this was the hottest strip in town?

This area is rapidly evolving.

They just did a huge streetscape and mural project, a completely remodeled VZD reopened, The Barrel, Drum Room and Sandwich Club are recent and significant investments and a new authentic Greek restaurant is on the way.

And I'm sure more is on the way.

Is anyone else less than impressed with the streetscape improvements? I really thought it was going to be better.

Is anyone else less than impressed with the streetscape improvements? I really thought it was going to be better.

It almost seems like they didn't even finish it. Do you know if they are completely done? If so, I think the city needs to hold the contractors that did the work accountable.