From the Lower Bricktown facebook page, pics showing recent progress:

http://sphotos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/902203_10151176063733039_636006039_o.jpg

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http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/902907_10151176055608039_1225296385_o.jpg

A couple more:

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/557984_10151176055418039_675268939_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/891604_10151176063988039_1470772402_o.jpg

Still not too late to toward it into a strip mall. They have until the project is 95% complete and the LED Kevin Durant sign is installed. lol

Ok, I have to give credit where it is due. It took a lot of work to add that overhang on the east side.

The entire frame on this done yet?

Looks like the official name of this restaurant will be "KD's Southern Cuisine".

$1,000,000 building permit to finish the space in that name today.

Looks like the official name of this restaurant will be "KD's Southern Cuisine".

$1,000,000 building permit to finish the space in that name today.

ugh... i was hoping for a back east type feel. something from the Maryland, DC, Virginia area (who know, where he is from)... not just to slap his name on a restaurant in which the menu was designed completely separate and without him in mind at all. i'm not exactly sure what the menu should look like... but it wouldn't be "Southern Cuisine"

ugh... i was hoping for a back east type feel. something from the Maryland, DC, Virginia area (who know, where he is from)... not just to slap his name on a restaurant in which the menu was designed completely separate and without him in mind at all. i'm not exactly sure what the menu should look like... but it wouldn't be "Southern Cuisine"

the menu is based on things that kevin likes and eats

And on things that will be popular here.

ugh... i was hoping for a back east type feel. something from the Maryland, DC, Virginia area (who know, where he is from)... not just to slap his name on a restaurant in which the menu was designed completely separate and without him in mind at all. i'm not exactly sure what the menu should look like... but it wouldn't be "Southern Cuisine"

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

This is a direct quote from the article in post # 516 -

about the menu -

Guests will be able to choose from items such as chicken satay, popcorn lobster, honey-dipped fried chicken, center cut pork chops, blackened catfish stuffed with crab meat, slow-smoked barbecue ribs and other comfort foods.

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

Was just about to type something similar.

One can be forgiven for thinking that food found in and around DC is typical "east coast" food given the fact that Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland have more in common with New Jersey than the south. But trust me, the roots of that area are very much of the old south. Some of the best crab cakes and fried chicken I ever had was in St Charles County MD, which is just a bit south of where KD is from in Prince Georges County.

Kevin Durant's Restaurant To Open In Bricktown In October - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/22252940/kevin-durants-restaurant-to-open-in-bricktown-in-october)

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

You would be surprised how many people don't know the Mason-Dixon line is between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Probably even less know the capitol of the Confederacy was in Virginia.

You would be surprised how many people don't know the Mason-Dixon line is between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Probably even less know the capitol of the Confederacy was in Virginia.

and before that it was in Montgomery .. survey those in north and south carolina, georgia, alabma and mississippi .. is they think maryland is in any way the south

and before that it was in Montgomery .. survey those in north and south carolina, georgia, alabma and mississippi .. is they think maryland is in any way the south

You annoy me to no end with your insatiable desire to be a contrarian and constant one line responses of drivel. What in the hell are you talking about is Maryland the south? I polled 17 different family members - 3 from Georgia, 2 from South Carolina, 3 from Alabama, and 9 from North Carolina - and every one of them considered Maryland to be a part of the south.

ok... yes. both Maryland and Virginia were south of the Mason-Dixon line and therefor "Southern" States (something geographically that i was aware of). and so technically their food is "Southern" Cuisine. But Maryland and Virginia see much more use of pork and crap as the chief sources of protein rather than shrimp, chicken, and beef that you see across the rest of the south. you also see much more use of Sorgum and Honey as opposed to sugar or molasses as a sweetener. So while they are "Southern" States with "Southern" cuisine, they are much different than even the Low Country Cuisine area of the Carolinas and Georgia, and share much more in common with the cuisine of the Delaware and the Appalachian areas of Pennsylvania and West Virginia (which i know was also south of the Mason-Dixon line), than it does with what is common thought of as "Southern" Cuisine.

Local sourcing of food died with the interstate highway. National chains covered the casket with dirt.

Local sourcing of food died with the interstate highway. National chains covered the casket with dirt.

but it didn't kill the cuisine associated with it... people still make that food. and that is the food i was hoping for

Local sourcing of food died with the interstate highway. National chains covered the casket with dirt.

That's truer than most people know or are willing to admit.

Moving right along... From today:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/kds61213.jpg

That photo was taken more or less from the vantage point from where folks were concerned that the roof and mechanicals might be visible.

I walked next to it the other day from that same vantage point and it appeared to be the same height as the Earl's Rib Palace building. I guess they will use a tall ceiling like Toby Keith's.

I walked next to it the other day from that same vantage point and it appeared to be the same height as the Earl's Rib Palace building. I guess they will use a tall ceiling like Toby Keith's.

Ceilings have to be high to allow KD clearance in his own joint.

Ceilings have to be high to allow KD clearance in his own joint.

LMAO! Great point.

KD's (June 17 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634244354482/)

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http://youtu.be/smAIFsL2RSo

http://youtu.be/smAIFsL2RSo

thanks for the pics, it looks somewhat better situated than I thought and actually appears to give a bit of 'urban' density to that section of the canal. I wonder if other buildings could rethink their back ends and extend a bit to open up canal side patio seating? That would really set LBT in motion IMO without razing all of Hogan's development.

One question about this thread, shouldn't it now say "Under Construction" instead of "proposed"?

Great shots Will.

I especially like the canal panorama. But it seems as though that view towards downtown would be even more interesting if a certain (ahem) additional item was on the skyline....

So, I took that section of the photo and added in a new tower:

http://dl.dropbox.com/s/02efy1bi5fh2d26/mystery_tower_from_canal.jpg

Yes, I know the design is rather lame. There's a limit to what I can do with my mad graphics editing skillz (slapping rectangles together, basically).

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/9099114968_41eb7e3525_b.jpg

Yes, I know the design is rather lame. There's a limit to what I can do with my mad graphics editing skillz (slapping rectangles together, basically).

...and as that building will be further back, your rendering indicates it's actually 975 feet tall. Sorry PluPan, no supertall for you!

Not a big fan of the little triangle peaks on the canal side. Makes it look like the builder just hurled up a mini strip mall between the B&G and Earl's.

...and as that building will be further back, your rendering indicates it's actually 975 feet tall. Sorry PluPan, no supertall for you!

Yeah, it's too tall. That's one of several problems with it -- the biggest being that it's a bit lame looking and not very realistic. But hey, I gave it a shot!

Anyway, just squint when you look at it, use your (vivid) imagination, and consider that future date when there really will be something there.

Yeah, it's too tall. That's one of several problems with it -- the biggest being that it's a bit lame looking and not very realistic. But hey, I gave it a shot!

Anyway, just squint when you look at it, use your (vivid) imagination, and consider that future date when there really will be something there.

I was just jiving with ya...I once did a rendering on Microsoft Paint for my vision of downtown with a new skyscraper (pre-Devon days). Trust me, my work was that of a preschooler. Yours is waaaaaay better ;-)

...and as that building will be further back, your rendering indicates it's actually 975 feet tall. Sorry PluPan, no supertall for you!:(

More construction shots -- these are from Sunday (June 23):

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/1013689_376827532418902_281169579_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1045054_376827685752220_156906220_n.jpg

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https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/994794_376828152418840_1574108258_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/983973_376829042418751_137691274_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1004728_376829082418747_1366936336_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/1003657_376828102418845_164475002_n.jpg

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/382483_376829005752088_914708934_n.jpg?dl=1


Source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.376827469085575.1073741825.231986693569654&type=1

Randy Hogan should be barred from further downtown development. His designs suck.

Randy Hogan should be barred from further downtown development. His designs suck.

I will not say that his designs suck... i will say that he should be barred from further downtown development as his designes are more suited for a non-urban environment. If this were being build on Meridian, or Memorial, or Ed Nobel Parkway, i'd have no problems with it. It's just not what Bricktown needs

I will not say that his designs suck... i will say that he should be barred from further downtown development as his designes are more suited for a non-urban environment. If this were being build on Meridian, or Memorial, or Ed Nobel Parkway, i'd have no problems with it. It's just not what Bricktown needs

I do think his designs suck. But you have point in that they would fare much better in a non-urban environment. But the disappointment is certainly magnified because of where they've been built.

KD's (July 5 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634555156761/)

A slight delay in the opening according to Steve.

Weather sets back opening for KD's in Bricktown | News OK (http://newsok.com/weather-sets-back-opening-for-kds-in-bricktown/article/3860351)

And no, I didn't have lunch with him to already know that a story about this would be coming. LOL

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http://youtu.be/mWPShT7wOiM

Thanks, Will!

They are moving right along.

I actually like the brick they are using... And look forward to seeing lots of people out on the patio along the canal.

Yeah, the masonry work is comparatively intricate and ornate. It's nice, especially close-up.

Just curious(sorry if I sound stupid), if Hogan owns Lower Bricktown, do people still pay a sales tax and if so, I'm assuming it does go to the city.

Thanks, Will!

They are moving right along.

I actually like the brick they are using... And look forward to seeing lots of people out on the patio along the canal.I'm looking forward to seeing how much the patio is patronized. Toby Keith's reason for enclosing their patio was that it wasn't used. Always too hot, too cold, too windy. I hope KD's patio works and proves TK's wrong. I liked TK's patio.

I will not say that his designs suck... i will say that he should be barred from further downtown development as his designes are more suited for a non-urban environment. If this were being build on Meridian, or Memorial, or Ed Nobel Parkway, i'd have no problems with it. It's just not what Bricktown needsI'm really not trying to cause a urban-suburban debate. But could it be that Bricktown designs tend toward the suburban because most of the patrons commute to Bricktown from suburbia?

I'm really not trying to cause a urban-suburban debate. But could it be that Bricktown designs tend toward the suburban because most of the patrons commute to Bricktown from suburbia?

I'd say it's more that suburban developers start projects there. Suburban people love, at least visiting, vibrant urban areas. For example, who doesn't want to visit to NYC? If Lower Bricktown was developed according to urban principles I don't think a family from Edmond heading downtown for a Thunder game is going to say, "No. That area is too urban. Lets find somewhere to eat that looks more like our subdivision." I don't think most people even define the urban/suburban concepts consciously. People will frequent the options you give them based on a number of factors. Lower Bricktown provides some decent options with easy nearby parking, but if you put these options in an urban setting with a parking garage I think even more people would be there because the area would attract more by other modes of transportation.

Just curious(sorry if I sound stupid), if Hogan owns Lower Bricktown, do people still pay a sales tax and if so, I'm assuming it does go to the city.

Plupan, who owns a building or the land it's on has nothing to do with paying sales tax. It's based on what sales tax district the business is in. If there are multiple sales taxes, such as city, county, or state it is split between them based on the amount of the tax.

Plupan, who owns a building or the land it's on has nothing to do with paying sales tax. It's based on what sales tax district the business is in. If there are multiple sales taxes, such as city, county, or state it is split between them based on the amount of the tax.Ah, well the reason I ask is that it was said the police didn't police patrol the area and that the Sheriffs department was contracted during big events, so that got me wondering.

Excluding the overhang, it's a very strip mall-y design. Not quite how I imagined this area developing.

When its finished and it's night, the building is lit up and people are on the canal it won't be half bad. Just looks small and lame from the backside during the day.

Thru poor planning the back of Tobys is on the canal and the front of KD's is on the canal. And opposite for the parking lot side. Identity crisis?

Lower bricktown is a joke.

Thru poor planning the back of Tobys is on the canal and the front of KD's is on the canal. And opposite for the parking lot side. Identity crisis?

Lower bricktown is a joke.

It absolutely is. What I wouldn't give for that area to be able to start over.

I'm really not trying to cause a urban-suburban debate. But could it be that Bricktown designs tend toward the suburban because most of the patrons commute to Bricktown from suburbia?

Probably a mix of they did not make any real enforcement mechanism for making him do what was originally promised, along with helping get him the land for far under market value so additional streams of revenue like residential or office space above the first flow was not pursued

I think we are finding that the canal by itself is not a big economic generator. It has been a great rallying point and an interesting feature, but not a magnet. The real development has been further north and in Midtown. It is the proximity to opportunity that will draw attention and value. Higher priced real estate follows that opportunity, it doesn't create it. Adding to the cost of development on the canal wouldn't automatically make someone build an apartment building on it. Having more canal traffic would.

I think we are finding that the canal by itself is not a big economic generator.

Give it time. The River Walk in San Antonio got rolling in the 80s. OKC needs another 10 years to develop business, population around it. Need more people in the area.

SA is the 7th most populous city in America, so they have plenty of foot traffic on top of being #1 destination in Texas.

Moving right along:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRF27KSCMAEcYrc.jpg:large

Moving right along:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BRF27KSCMAEcYrc.jpg:large

What a shame...such a weak design.