Come on PQ - no one is complaining about the service provided. But who knows, if I was in that situtation then having to cross a parking lot, find an opening in a fence, navigating a hedge row, then crossing a high speed 4 lane road just to get to hospital might be a concern of mine.

This is a suburban design. The building is fine, it is just the location on the site. It should be moved closer to the street with parking in the back. Spartan knows what he is talking about. This is a simple fix that will add to the district and make it feel/be more walkable for the people working and staying at the hotel. This hotel is supposed to be walkable to the children's hospital. That is the point of the hospital. So, make the emphasis of the hotel walking instead of the car.

I know Rover doesn't understand urban design.... He just sees pretty pictures and that is what excites him. He can't get into the details of design.
From what I know about about many cancer patients's families, walking to the hospital is not likely going to happen, routinely. There is a lot of things to lug around when you are living away from home.

From what I know about about many cancer patients's families, walking to the hospital is not likely going to happen, routinely. There is a lot of things to lug around when you are living away from home.

Are you saying that parent won't make 10 trips a day between this hotel and the hospital and the best (only) way for them to do that is in a car? Will everyone walk, or even want to? No, but this design requires everyone to drive. There won't be any choices.

Come on PQ - no one is complaining about the service provided. But who knows, if I was in that situtation then having to cross a parking lot, find an opening in a fence, navigating a hedge row, then crossing a high speed 4 lane road just to get to hospital might be a concern of mine.

See my previous post about walking. Expecting sick kids to make that kind of jaunt strikes me as unrealistic and suggests to me that some people are so wed to "urban lifestyle" that they aren't even thinking about what this thing is all about. Yes, sometimes kids are already in the hospital and don't need to do the walk, but many times they come in from out of town for tests/surgeries/other procedures. The plan has suites for families to stay in that have afternoon appointments, for example. My god - it is like a lot of people have no idea just how sick some of these kids are, or how difficult is it for them to even walk 20 feet.

Are you saying that parent won't make 10 trips a day between this hotel and the hospital and the best (only) way for them to do that is in a car? Will everyone walk, or even want to? No, but this design requires everyone to drive. There won't be any choices.

I am saying they definitely won't be making ten trips a day. Come on, Just the Facts - do you honestly believe a parent of a child with cancer who is alone in the hospital having procedures is going to leave that child to go back and forth to the motel? They are going to be glued to that child and it will take doctor's orders to get them to leave. A lot of these children are little and will need a parent to be there with them. When children have to go to the hospital for treatment, typically only one parent goes because the other is working/looking after the other kids. That parent sticks with the child.

What makes you think that thanking somebody very distant from yourself on an Internet message board is a heart-felt way of showing thanks? Rover, I took you to be way way way more mature than that. I'm so underwhelmed by anyone who is naive enough to think that a message board show of support for a charity is somehow a meaningful form of expression. So pardon me, but I'll keep my good works and egalitarianism off the message board showcase and stick to the facts.

Rover has been in the shoes of these families for whom this is being built. You insults are disgusting. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

That's great. OKC has about a million places just like that which you can select from. The urban core should not be one of them. And heaven forbid a sick child should have easy access to a streetcar or a pedestrian friendly environment to walk in. Honestly - talk about a superiority complex.

You think these kids are going to be taking the street car or need a pedestrian friendly environment? While they cart their oxygen and are pushed around in a medical wheelchair?

No, you don't get it. This is a development forum. It IS about the buildings.

And what exactly is supposed to make them feel safe and protected about a cabin? Something modern, futuristic, and imaginative seems like it would be a great distraction for kids with cancer. To me it seems it was designed less for the kids and more for Toby Keith.

Most aren't looking for a distraction. Most are looking for the equivalent of comfort food. They are sick, away from home, scared, their lives have been disrupted, they are often separated from dear family members and subjected to painful/frighting medical procedures. You guys don't get it.

Well - the point and counter point has been made and the design is approved. I guess there is nothing more to discuss and we will see in 20 years if this design stands the test of time. Now where is that puppy of mine - I need somthing to kick.

It appears that this project is starting. The site work is underway and erosion fencing is in place. Also the contractor and project signage has been added to the job site.

Just reading through this thread for the first time. Rover absolutely destroyed Spartan in their argument.
Its not about what the structure looks like its about what it does. Well stated Rover.

I dream of a day where most of the nay-sayers on OKCtalk don't think they are an award winning architects or city planners.

Regardless.. kudos Toby Keith.

Its not about what the structure looks like its about what it does. Well stated Rover.


Why couldn't it do both?

It absolutely can do both. In fact, in my opinion that it DOES!

My point is that we could build the most beautiful building in the world, and someone would still complain about it.
And that someone is usually Spartan!

It absolutely can do both. In fact, in my opinion that it DOES!

I consider it an opportunity missed. They could have built a facility that meets the needs of their customer base and at the same time contributed to the development of a traditional neighborhood model that promotes a much healthier lifestyle.

Its a suburban design they are forcing down our throats in an urban environment. Its Sandridge for the Medical District.

It does connect to a residential neighborhood.

It does connect to a residential neighborhood.

Yes, but it is an urban residential areas and most of that area is set for redevelopment, This project will set the standard for what will come after it (see Bass Pro and Lower Bricktown). Sadly, it turns out to be a pretty low standard on the design/planning front.

Toby Keith Breaks Ground on OK Kids Korral (http://newsok.com/toby-keith-breaks-ground-on-ok-kids-korral/article/3676723)

I moved a bunch of posts to the General Urban Development thread.

Let's please not turn every thread about a development into a philosophical debate about suburbanism.

Well let's please not have every urban development inspire a philosophical debate about suburbanism.

Here's an update on this.

Found some good photos and info about this from Manhattan Construction's fb page.

This is the groundbreaking from about a year ago (May 2012)

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/542301_455226284506485_2028918686_n.jpg


A shot of the building in construction:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1017315_483450801731015_250305899_n.png

(this is from a video -- link posted below)


Nearly complete:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/420306_634396259922819_1398252361_n.jpg


With foundation graphic:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/300579_637341302961648_935777184_n.jpg

So, I believe the Fall 2013 completion date is on target.


Here's a really cool video about the building which shows construction and design:


http://www.youtube.com/v/5uyW52VrIIc

(caution: footage showing little kids dealing with cancer is not happy stuff)

This project is set to open next month (photo courtesy Downtown Development Twitter feed):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okkidskorral101313.jpg

Toby Keith opens OK Kids Korral today, storms the charts with new album "Drinks After Work"

By Brandy McDonnell
Published: November 21, 2013

After years of planning and fundraising, The Toby Keith Foundation will celebrate today the grand opening of the OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home away from home for pediatric cancer patients and their families.

“We’ve been working on the Korral for 10 years and we’re finally going to open,” said Oklahoma country music superstar Toby Keith, in a news release.

The 25,000 square-foot state-of-the-art OK Kids Korral has 16 rooms (12 overnight suites that sleep five people and four daytime suites), neutropenic wing for children with weakened immune systems, gourmet kitchen, Oklahoma Route 66 themed indoor play room, Oklahoma themed outdoor playground, game room, a family resource room, laundry room, theater and reflection room.

“Our whole goal is to provide lodging and peace of mind to children battling cancer. To keep them together, focused on healing and not spending hours commuting or going out of state for treatment,” said Toby Keith Foundation Executive Director Juliet Nees-Bright in the release.

Creating a true Oklahoma experience, the house features images of icons only found in the Sooner state such as the blue whale from Catoosa and the round barn from Arcadia, as well as a one-of-a kind glass sculpture with Oklahoma’s 77 counties, state animals, a schooner and artwork from some of the state’s talented artists.

“The families staying with us will be under unimaginable pressure. We simply hope that the care and thought we put in the house, brings them a little happiness and peace,” said Nees-Bright.

Conveniently located two blocks south of The Children’s Hospital at OU Medical Center, the OK Kids Korral will also house The Toby Keith Foundation’s offices.

“Thank you to all of those people who have supported us over the years,” said Keith in the news release. “Ten years goes by fast when you are working toward a goal this big.”

Keith has hosted the Toby Keith and Friends Golf Classic fundraiser annually for the last 10 years. Finally, the dream of the OK Kids Korral opening to provide a home-away-from-home for families fighting childhood cancer is a reality.

I’ll be covering the grand opening festivities today.

The opening of the OK Kids Korral isn’t the only milestone Keith is celebrating: The Norman resident recently released his latest 10-song collection “Drinks After Work,” which gave his Keith his 14th Top 10 album all-genre and 21st Top 10 on the country charts.

Following the release of “Drinks After Work,” the Clinton-born and Moore-bred singer/songwriter surpassed the 20 million paid singles download mark. That figure does not include tracks from digitally downloaded albums, according to a news release.

“Drinks After Work” bowed at No. 1 and No. 2 on the iTunes country chart in Australia – deluxe and standard editions, respectively. Those fans will be well acquainted with the album when Keith launches his first tour on the continent in March. “The Hammer Down Under Tour” opens March 14 and will stop in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and at the iconic CMC Rocks The Hunter Festival. Joining Keith will be the Eli Young Band and Kellie Pickler.

In addition, Keith is nominated as Favorite Country Music Icon for this year’s People’s Choice Awards, which air Jan. 8 on CBS. He has already been chosen as one of Country Weekly’s Sexiest Men; featured in the November 18 issue of the magazine, the fans’ votes placed him as one of the top picks of this year’s poll.

As previously reported, Keith earlier this week was ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ The World’s 25 Highest-Paid Musicians of 2013.

Toby Keith opens OK Kids Korral today, storms the charts with new album "Drinks After Work" | News OK (http://newsok.com/toby-keith-opens-ok-kids-korral-today-storms-the-charts-with-new-album-drinks-after-work/article/3906935)

Thank you Toby for your support here at home. Well done.

More related to the opening. TK seems quite pleased with this. Don't blame the man. Not one little bit. Tis a good thing for those who will use it.

Toby Keith celebrates the grand opening of the OK Kids Korral in Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/toby-keith-celebrates-the-grand-opening-of-the-ok-kids-korral-in-oklahoma-city/article/3907238)

Toby Keith's annual hometown fundraiser will keep supporting OK Kids Korral

By Brandy McDonnell Published: April 9, 2014

Oklahoma music superstar Toby Keith has been hosting the annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic for more than a decade. This year’s event is set for May 16-17 and will feature a live auction, nearly 100 silent auction items, fabulous food, great entertainment, and a celebrity-filled round of golf. For the opening festivities, Keith acts as auctioneer, and his friends help supply the fun all night long.

The Friday night invitation-only event will be packed with 750 guests who will bid on auction items including an African safari, a stay at The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming, a guitar signed by the OK Twister Relief Concert artists, a bull elk hunt, and autographed items from Colin Kaepernick, Kurt Warner, Derek Jeter, Dan Marino, Nolan Ryan, Ken Stabler, Phil Mickelson, Alice Cooper, Jimmy Buffett, Jason Aldean, George Straight and many more. The ladies can also bid on a bohemian black and white crystal chandelier, custom jewelry from SL Designs, a basket of Ree Drummond’s (“The Pioneer Lady”) favorite things, a trip to Lake Tahoe and a fur coat.

The next morning, 200 golfers will have a great time with the celebrities who attend the event.

Some of the celebrities include Dermontti Dawson, Tony Casillas, Roy Williams, Sam Bowie, Nancy Lieberman and Red Steagall, The golf event has grown to include two shotgun starts and ends with the Built Ford Tough Shootout where someone will win a new Ford Truck.

The 11th Annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic benefits OK Kids Korral, a cost-free home-away-from-home for pediatric cancer patients, and is the largest event The Toby Keith Foundation hosts.

“We work on this event for months and months because we know it helps keep all the great things at the OK Kids Korral up and running,” said Keith in a news release.

Since officially opening on Jan. 7, the Korral has had more than 75 family visits with stays ranging from one day to eight weeks. Also, more than 20 volunteer groups have come in to cook for the families and help clean and organize.

“Our families inspire us every day. The work that goes into the Golf Classic is well worth the reward of staying open for the families who need us,” said Juliet Nees-Bright, executive director of The Toby Keith Foundation, in the release.

For information about the golf tournament or other ways to help support OK Kids Korral, go to www.tobykeithfoundation.org.

Toby Keith's annual hometown fundraiser will keep supporting OK Kids Korral | News OK (http://newsok.com/toby-keiths-annual-hometown-fundraiser-will-keep-supporting-ok-kids-korral/article/3953778)

We attended this last year and it was a ball. Golf tournament the next day was a lot of fun also. Great cause that raises a lot of money. Rodney Carrington was the host and at one point, he had 3 people on stage with him taking shots with Toby. They donated somewhere in the neighborhood of 4k to do that . One of the silent auction items is the right to name TK's bologna sandwich for a year at his restaurants. It went for over 10k. Auctioned off two hunting trips with Ted Nugent on his ranch. It was only one trip and when the bidding auctioned off somewhere over 40k, Toby asked the next highest bidder if he wanted the trip also at that price and commented "I'll get Uncle Teddy to donate another one" Class act and class friends helping for a great cause.