Have we seen either of those two since the election?

Not that badly. The arguments with mkjeeves and Edgar were much more heated.

I'm still disappointed he never posted the blog post he mentioned that was going to explain his reasoning.I don't want to make this political, but quite a bit of people here were pretty big douche-bags to people that simply voiced out support for Ed.

Doug didn't really participate for the majority of the Mayor's race thread, so most of the douche-bag-ing that happened didn't actually happen to him.

Doug didn't really participate for the majority of the Mayor's race thread, so most of the douche-bag-ing that happened didn't actually happen to him.Well, I wasn't really referring to Doug being bashed... more so a few others, less the trolls.

Doug didn't really participate for the majority of the Mayor's race thread, so most of the douche-bag-ing that happened didn't actually happen to him.

To be sure, many times participating on a forum doesn't include speaking in a conversation. Any assault levied in the form of "Anyone who supports this guy is a douchebag" is applicable to Doug if Doug indeed supports him.

Back on topic though, Obviously the remediation on this site is going to take some time, and it would be foolish to expect these to be done by 2014, but is there any chance these are finished by Summer 2015?

No clue about that, but unless I just didn't see it when I drove by earlier, the drilling rig is gone.

He came out as a Shadid supporter and got flamed pretty bad in the Mayor's race thread. Haven't seen him post in weeks, and I assume this is the cause.

That's a shame. I stayed away from the race, though I support Mick (I think?), because too many friends on both sides. I wish Doug the very best.

Thanks for the photo evidence, Will. Tell him I plan to kidnap him for the duration of a coffee when I'm back in town this summer.

Does anyone know how Doug has been?
I've been fine. Thanks for asking.

Not that badly. The arguments with mkjeeves and Edgar were much more heated.

I'm still disappointed he never posted the blog post he mentioned that was going to explain his reasoning.
David, I didn't because I sort of lost interest. I like and trust Shadid more than I do Cornett, and I suppose that, for my vote cast, it all boiled down to that. Not really any reasoning to it, I suppose. Anyway, it's over.

2-17-14

He's still alive and kicking and hosting RetroMetroOKC meetings...

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/9322497/Photos/IMG_9561.JPG

Ha ha, UnFrSakn! Might have known that you'd take one of the rare pics of me in a clean starched shirt, sport coat, pleated slacks, and shoes and socks. My wife (Mary Jo) said she wouldn't come with me if I was dressed in my normal attire ... the blog post showing the videos from that meeting are here (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2014/02/invisible-black-history-before-statehood.html). I'll be adding text later. It was during Black History Month.

I'm now pretty confident the hotel for this project will be a Hyatt Place.

There are already a couple in town and of course, final design can vary wildly based on the project, owner, etc.

Here are a few of their recent urban projects.

Business Hotel - Airport Hotel - Business Travel Hotel | Hyatt Place (http://www.place.hyatt.com/en/hyattplace.html)



Austin
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hyattaustin.jpg



Nashville
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hyattnashville.jpg



Omaha
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hyattomaha.jpg



Champaign
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hyattchampaign.jpg

I like the one in Nashville and Austin the best. Hopefully we don't end up with one like the ones in Omaha or Champaign

Any of the four would be a great for for that corner.

I would actually prefer the Champaign style, because it does not have the trim that is so prominent on the two hotels on Sheridan east of Perry.

I would actually prefer the Champaign style, because it does not have the trim that is so prominent on the two hotels on Sheridan east of Perry.

Agreed.

I would actually prefer the Champaign style, because it does not have the trim that is so prominent on the two hotels on Sheridan east of Perry.

Same here.

Austin and Nashville appear to me to be the same exact structure. Likewise, Omaha and Champaign appear to be alike. Maybe that's the only 2 designs they are working with at this time. I guess maybe youo get one or the other.

Austin and Nashville appear to me to be the same exact structure. Likewise, Omaha and Champaign appear to be alike. Maybe that's the only 2 designs they are working with at this time. I guess maybe youo get one or the other.Yeah, I noticed that. I like them better though.

Or it could look like the one at Belle Isle...

Given the amount of attention Gary Brooks has shown for the rest of this project and at The Edge, I have a high degree of confidence this hotel will be sharp.

Also, the lot is relatively small and you can almost be assured the building will be pushed right up to the corner with parking to the north.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/4406d1379348519-steel-yard-eb9413a.jpg

Please no

Omaha's actually didn't end up with the glass on the corner like the others b/c it was deemed "too modern" for the area and people didn't think it would fit in with the older buildings. We ended up with:

http://www.bradwilliamsphotography.com/images/SC8A9419.jpg

I like the Nashville/Austin designs, they are sleeker. I think something like those two would fit well in Bricktown.

Omaha's actually didn't end up with the glass on the corner like the others b/c it was deemed "too modern" for the area

I'm so sorry you ended up with that... lol

The glass corner looks 10x better.

Yeah, I don't care for that Omaha design.

Remember though, the Bricktown Design Review Committee initially balked at the small modern element on the entrance for the Holiday Inn Express, required them to submit other alternatives, etc. In the end they approved the original design but it was a fight. But then again, they seemed very open to the glass east facade for the Mideke.


Personally, I like the blend of brick and modern glass. When you try to make something new look like an older style, it usually comes out badly. Mainly because they aren't willing to build with the same level of materials and details as the old days.

I like the blend of brick and modern glass.

It's probably my favorite right now. Absolutely love it on the Braniff Building.

Yeah, count me in as a fan of the Austin and Nashville design, I think it would look very sharp on that corner across from the Hilton Garden Inn.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I like the Nashville/Austin designs, they are sleeker. I think something like those two would fit well in Bricktown.Yeah esp. if the Lumber Yard deal does in fact put out a 42 story high-rise, count a taller Hyatt, Bricktown will have a pretty impressive skyline.

I would actually prefer the Champaign style, because it does not have the trim that is so prominent on the two hotels on Sheridan east of Perry.

My thoughts exactly.

Yeah, count me in as a fan of the Austin and Nashville design, I think it would look very sharp on that corner across from the Hilton Garden Inn.

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I don't care for those two mainly because of the lower bricking topped by the eifs looking stuff is too close to the hotels we already have. I'd like a little more variety to break up that boring theme.

Pete, any idea what scale were looking at? Those other examples seem far too large for the lot Brooks has to work with.

I like the one in Champaign the best.

Regarding the glass corner that appears on all four: I could see it being a stumbling block for BUDC if proposed. Hopefully if that is the correct hotel flag - and a similar design is brought forward - the committee will for once not be myopic, excercise some discretion, understand that this is in a transitional zone, and approve it (providing there are no glaring design ordinance issues). I think a design similar to those shown above would be great; glass corner and all. Hang on...glass corner ESPECIALLY.

I would actually prefer the Champaign style, because it does not have the trim that is so prominent on the two hotels on Sheridan east of Perry.

Yes please no more upper floor faux limestone molding on Bricktown hotels on the east edge. The Champaign hotel is clearly superior. Is that Champaign as in Illinois?? Interesting

Champaign and not close.

The glass is fine as long as it has a green hue like the sonic building. That would fit in well in this part of bricktow .

We'll, we are trifling over not only a design that hasn't been submitted, but also a flag that has not been announced. But if it does end up being this product I will point out that - facçade material choices aside - the Austin and Nashville properties have a vaulted second story that seems to indicate conference space or some other use other than simple rooms. The glass on those vaulted levels also makes the buildings more pleasant to behold from the street - airier - and large windows generally create a better connection between the street and a building. This would be preferable IMO than the squattier room-only configuration of the other two.

Also, strictly based on feel, it SEEMS from the images that those two have slightly better street interaction. So I think it is safe to say that there are elements of each of the four that would be preferable over the others. Hopefully if we get this product we'll get the best of each.

Final approval for the first phase of this project (everything but the hotel to the west and future lot to the west) is on the OCURA agenda for approval on Wednesday.

Construction people tell me that they have been soliciting bids and hoping to start in the next few months.

More signs of positive momentum...

They just filed a design application:


install landscaping on-site and in the streetscape, install lighting fixtures, and install all project signage.

They already have approval for the building(s) design so this is probably just the last piece as they move towards starting construction.

They have yet to file building permits though, and those usually take 90+ days to process on a project of this size.

They have submitted their signage for approval... Looks badass!!



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/8519d1404761330-steelyard-steelyardsign2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/8518d1404761329-steelyard-steelyardsign1.jpg

Are we assuming this will be between the two buildings on the south side?

Oh wow! That's pretty metal.

Are we assuming this will be between the two buildings on the south side?

Yes; the archway will straddle the drive between the two buildings and will be on Sheridan:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/4405d1379348518-steelyard-eb9413b.jpg

I love it when you cuss Pete ;-)

You know it's amazing when Pete says badass and not "smash success"!

I really like the look of this development. I was looking at the land while watching the fireworks on friday from the wedge patio.. I think the fireworks were being shot not far from it to the southeast. I think this is going to be a good looking development

I love that they are still going to build a "55" story parking garage. :)

i love that they are still going to build a "55" story parking garage. :)they are building it dammit! We need this! Don't jinx it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)

if it doesn't happen... i'm blaming the people of OKCTalk for jinxing it ;)

I love that they are still going to build a "55" story parking garage. :)

at 7.5 vehicles per deck they must be expecting RVs

LOL…there is a point there guys, it's really close to the tail of the last second 5.

This project appears to have hit a lull. It's been weeks since any type of activity, also the weeds are now at least waist high. I don't mind the lull but at least cut the weeds.

I believe they are still trying to get their financing finalized; when HUD is involved, it takes forever -- same was the case with Maywood II.

Should be starting later this year.

But yes, cut the weeds.

They filed for $28.9 million in building permits today and for a on-site construction trailer a couple of weeks ago.

They should be starting work very soon.

OKCTalk - Steelyard project in Bricktown set to start construction (http://www.okctalk.com/content/42-steelyard-project-bricktown-set-start-construction.html)

Developers: New apartments, retail outlets being built in Bricktown | Local News - Home (http://m.koco.com/news/developers-new-apartments-retail-outlets-being-built-in-bricktown/27949302)

Has there been any indication how tall or how many rooms the Hyatt Place will have? I am hoping it will be at least 8 stories.

Never mind. Just saw this link was already posted.

Has there been any indication how tall or how many rooms the Hyatt Place will have? I am hoping it will be at least 8 stories.

No, not yet.

It will no doubt be developed by a separate hotel company, not Gary Brooks.

And to date, there have not been any designs presented to the review board, which would be the first step in getting it built. All the approvals Brooks has received are only for the residential/retail portion.

A very interesting update by Steve.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5345633


Almost two years of contaminated dirt clean-up is complete and the next phase of work on the Steelyard Apartments in east Bricktown is set to begin with removal of old storm sewers and reconstruction of Sheridan Avenue.

We will tear up the street to a depth of 20 feet,” Brooks said. “All of the utilities will be brand new and redone. The condition of the street is terrible. We’re putting in $115 million total on the north side of Sheridan, and more is being developed across the street (two hotels are planned by developer Atul Patel). We would have loved to have had the street redone anyway. Fortunately, it’s getting done as part of the utility relocation.”

Here's the non-embargoed mobile link: Steelyard Apartments project in east Bricktown moving on to next phase | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/article/5345633)

It's well worth reading the article and watching the video, it's pretty fascinating.

Here's the non-embargoed mobile link: Steelyard Apartments project in east Bricktown moving on to next phase | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/article/5345633)

It's well worth reading the article and watching the video, it's pretty fascinating.

That wasn't up when I posted so I have changed my post.

In that interview, Brooks said the corner property is under contract to a hotel group and they are doing the due diligence.

We've know for a while it's going to be a Hyatt Place; will be interesting to see the design and height.


BTW, Gary Brooks impresses the hell out of me. After that bad start with the Legacy / Avana (which was probably more his partner's doing than anything) The Edge is turning out to be fantastic and this project looks better yet.

I know he's been working on even bigger projects and I really hope it/they happen.

the utilities work being done on Sheridan for this is massive, about 1200' of 8'x8' concrete box culvert right in the middle of Sheridan