The City gets naming right to the ballpark back in 13 more years.

Unless of course they permit it to remain with the owners de jour. After all, the world will have gone to seed about five years before then according to some timetables.

It's Kevin Durant's new southern cuisine restaurant with a price point slightly higher than Toby Keith's.

You say this pretty emphatically...

Are you sure of this information?

It doesnt but whatever

I'll tell you what - point me to a link that shows it being elevated for whatever distance and I will concede the point. The only thing I have ever seen that even suggest it will be elevated is an animation done about 4 years ago. I happen to think that once the plans are done it will be taken to grade as soon as possible so it will open the Co-op site for development and provide access to the LB parking lots in anticipation of Reno being reduced to two lanes. Granted, that is just my guess. We will know for sure in another year or so.

JTF, the problem is that the flyover that has to land and become the boulevard is actually higher in the air than the old I-40 when it enters LBT immediately adjacent to Bass Pro. I've been down there looking at it trying to imagine the transition and I think BoulderSooner is probably right. It would require a very steep downward incline to land it much before Harkins.

Also, it still has to stay somewhat elevated as it flies over the Bass Pro lot to accommodate the traffic that loops through down by the Land Run monument, which includes RVs and semi trailers (high clearance) and the canal itself. I'm not sure it won't be still be elevated by the time it gets to Harkins.

Next, it almost immediate would start going BELOW grade, so that it can get to the required height to make it under the railroad viaduct. They are going to be giving that crossing quite a bit more overhead clearance than Reno or Sheridan have as it goes underneath. All of that ads up to make me think the boulevard will still have quite a bit of highway character east of the viaduct, and won't interact much with LBT.

Guys, what do you think about this being a Kevin Durant restaurant?

Pretty big news and could turn into a great, fun place.

I thought that might have been a tongue-in-cheek comment. You're reading it as a real possibility?

It's a done deal but I can't reveal my source.

Oh, you and Steve and your sources, lol.

Nah, that's good news to hear. Not only to see that grass patch turn into something, but to see a top notch player tie himself to it in a community when some (very wrongly it turns out) thought he would bail at the first opportunity.

Good on him.

They don't stay sources if you reveal who they are!

Gosh, now we'll have to debate whether or not it's a blight on LBT. KD: Good. Low density building with parking lot: Bad. Choices, choices.

Let's make this easy: That spot was always going to be a 1- or 2-story structure of about this size.

So given that, I'll just be happy that KD is investing in OKC and lending his name to something that will sure to be a draw. Could become the de-facto Thunder fan hang-out.

That's easy. New dining offering v. grass patch that had lots of potential, but no one willing to make something happen other than leave it a grass patch. I vote Let's eat!

That's awesome.

I like this. A KD hangout. Way cool. Be awesome if they incorporated a basketball court... but that would take up too many parking spaces.

I'll tell you what - point me to a link that shows it being elevated for whatever distance and I will concede the point. The only thing I have ever seen that even suggest it will be elevated is an animation done about 4 years ago. I happen to think that once the plans are done it will be taken to grade as soon as possible so it will open the Co-op site for development and provide access to the LB parking lots in anticipation of Reno being reduced to two lanes. Granted, that is just my guess. We will know for sure in another year or so.

The chances of Reno ever being two lane are slim to none

I love this. KD is making himself a permanent fixture in town. Wow.

The chances of Reno ever being two lane are slim to none

So you don't think the Bricktown Strategic Plan will be put into effect?

Yeah, Boulder. The plan is for Reno's excess lane capacity to be restriped into angled or parallel street parking.

LIke i said in boulevard design thread, the guy who works for Hogan that runs the building we own a unit in and is designing/had a hand in this project said there will be some sort of wall that will hide the theater/toby keiths. And he said it will be a few feet below grade at the theater cause there is a slight elevation chang from the toby keiths parking lot to the theater. and are sill hoping for an intersection at oklahoma. hope that makes sense but take that for what its worth. not reporting that's the final design.

Yeah, Boulder. The plan is for Reno's excess lane capacity to be restriped into angled or parallel street parking.

That is bricktowns plan Little to no chance of it happening Just like no chance of broadway becoming 2 lane

That is bricktowns plan Little to no chance of it happening Just like no chance of broadway becoming 2 lane

Holy crap, what a ray of sunshine you are. I remember a lot of things that people had said had little to no chance of happening, even as they were obviously happening. Like the NBA, Devon Tower, MAPS3 passage, MAPS3 post-election changes, a downtown housing boom, Whole Foods, NW9th Street, renovating historic buildings, the Bricktown Canal, an OKC streetcar system, I could go on for a long time. All of these were (or will be in the streetcar's case) the most successful ideas we've had, and these bold, powerful ideas didn't gain strong public and city support without a lot of prominent skeptics along the way.

Holy crap, what a ray of sunshine you are. I remember a lot of things that people had said had little to no chance of happening, even as they were obviously happening. Like the NBA, Devon Tower, MAPS3 passage, MAPS3 post-election changes, a downtown housing boom, Whole Foods, NW9th Street, renovating historic buildings, the Bricktown Canal, an OKC streetcar system, I could go on for a long time. All of these were (or will be in the streetcar's case) the most successful ideas we've had, and these bold, powerful ideas didn't gain strong public and city support without a lot of prominent skeptics along the way.

the city is already on record that broadway will not be 2 lane with angled parking on both sides ... at best it will two lanes south and 1 lane north with angled parking on 1 side ..

and i would expect the city will have the same thoughts on reno

i will say i am just being a realist .. with out any judgement on whether 2 lane streets would be better or not

I think by 'tourist' catch22 was including anyone who doesn't live/work downtown. A visitor from Edmond is still a tourist in Bricktown.

That's what I was getting at, thank you. The weekend dinner trip to Bricktown to see the big city lights people.

Sources: Eric Maynor is considering opening up a Bar & Grill, but it will be in Edmond.

Let's make this easy: That spot was always going to be a 1- or 2-story structure of about this size.

So given that, I'll just be happy that KD is investing in OKC and lending his name to something that will sure to be a draw. Could become the de-facto Thunder fan hang-out.

Totally agree. There really wasn't much potential for this lot other than something like this and nothing could be done on it that would have "turned around" the development approach of Lower Bricktown. That ship has sailed. And if it actually interacts with the canal instead of ignoring it as much of LBT does, it could actually be a real improvement to the canal as a whole.

I guess the only thing to really lament is that this could have been cool on the corner lot that's getting the surface parking treatment. It would at least have more of a chance to create some flow from Micky Mantle to the canal and help the canal properties up there...

the city is already on record that broadway will not be 2 lane with angled parking on both sides ... at best it will two lanes south and 1 lane north with angled parking on 1 side ..

and i would expect the city will have the same thoughts on reno

i will say i am just being a realist .. with out any judgement on whether 2 lane streets would be better or not

Fair enough.

Sources: Eric Maynor is considering opening up a Bar & Grill, but it will be in Edmond.

Nice.

Sources: Eric Maynor is considering opening up a Bar & Grill, but it will be in Edmond.

he might want to wait and see if he is still in OKC next season

A lot of times it's just a restuarant group buying a players name rights for their establishment.

he might want to wait and see if he is still in OKC next season

I think he will still be here next season since he missed most of this season. The 2013-2014 season is the one he needs to worry about I think.

It's confusing how it works out that way but that's what I've heard.

I think he will still be here next season since he missed most of this season. The 2013-2014 season is the one he needs to worry about I think.

It's confusing how it works out that way but that's what I've heard.

He's under contract through June 2013.

He's under contract through June 2013.

but there were enough rumors that teams were interested in him before he hurt his knee this year... a trade is always possible

but there were enough rumors that teams were interested in him before he hurt his knee this year... a trade is always possible

Absolutely a possibility. He's an upgrade for several teams, so there will probably be interest. Just depends on if OKC can keep him. If so, I think we resign him. If he wants more than we can offer, a trade may net us a draft pick or another back up PG. I don't think we'll just let him walk away, but it isn't a one-sided decision.

He's under contract through June 2013.

Yeah, I know. I shouldn't have opened my mouth because now I'm confused about what I heard.

How will you guys feel if this Durant restaurant report is true but the building is designed to match the one that is home to Earl's BBQ and the ice cream shop?

Meh. Par for the course in Lesser Bricktown.

I'll put it this way: I'd be less upset if it matched those buildings than if it matched TK's.

How will you guys feel if this Durant restaurant report is true but the building is designed to match the one that is home to Earl's BBQ and the ice cream shop?

That would not bother me at all. On the other hand, being next to TK's, I wouldn't flip if it complemented that, both being on a lower elevation than Earl's and points west. But if I had my druthers, looking like Earl's or Sonic HQ would be the druthers.

How will you guys feel if this Durant restaurant report is true but the building is designed to match the one that is home to Earl's BBQ and the ice cream shop?

I would be disappointed, but I probably wouldn't criticize the project out of deference to #35.

but there were enough rumors that teams were interested in him before he hurt his knee this year... a trade is always possible
Fisher's contract ends this year, and while it was a good move to pick him up, doubtful they'll re-sign him next. If Maynor is healthy next year he'll get his job back and they'll continue to bring Reggie Jackson along. If they can't afford to re-sign Maynor after re-upping (hopefully both) Harden and Ibaka, they can deal Maynor. Again, assuming he's healthy, he'll be appealing to a lot of teams. I think he's good enough to start on 6-10 teams in the league.

Either way, Fisher will not be a complication. That's the beauty of the way they picked him up. No risk to anyone.

Steve, you were being coy:

Thunder star Kevin Durant is preparing to open a restaurant in Lower Bricktown, just a short walk from the Chesapeake Energy Arena where he is routinely greeted by a devoted fan base of 18,000. The restaurant is being developed by Randy Hogan and will be operated by the Hal Smith Restaurant Group. A building permit filed this week shows the $700,000 restaurant will be one-story tall (similar to an adjoining building that is home to Earl's Rib Palace), 10,000 square feet, and will be located just west of Toby Keith's I Love this Bar and Grill (also operated by the Hal Smith Restaurant Group).


Read more: http://newsok.com/okc-thunders-kevin-durant-preparing-to-open-restaurant-in-lower-bricktown/article/3664226#ixzz1rJHjT1Dg

Pete scooped me.

One story is disappointing but at least it replaces some grass.

The City gets naming right to the ballpark back in 13 more years.
really? Do you have a link on that? they weren't given away to the team in perpetuity???

Let's make this easy: That spot was always going to be a 1- or 2-story structure of about this size.

So given that, I'll just be happy that KD is investing in OKC and lending his name to something that will sure to be a draw. Could become the de-facto Thunder fan hang-out.

A lot of times it's just a restuarant group buying a players name rights for their establishment.
This sounds like it is the case, from Steve's article...

“It was a deal I couldn't pass up,” Durant said. “That's something in Oklahoma City that I always wanted to do … No matter what's going to happen, my name is going to be clear, and I'm not putting up money or nothing like that. So it was a perfect deal.”

The Kevin Durant brand is worth a lot of money these days. Him lending his name save the enterprise immeasurable amounts of advertising dollars and greatly enhances the odds for significant success. And, his name is growing even bigger than ever outside of OKC, so it will draw out of towners at a greater pace. This is good for KD, Hal Smith, and OKC.

How will you guys feel if this Durant restaurant report is true but the building is designed to match the one that is home to Earl's BBQ and the ice cream shop?

I'm kind of indifferent to how it looks, as long as it interacts with the canal better than anything else does on that side of Reno. If it has no canal patio or bar, it will be a lost opportunity.

I'm kind of indifferent to how it looks, as long as it interacts with the canal better than anything else does on that side of Reno. If it has no canal patio or bar, it will be a lost opportunity.
Agree 100%, but it sounds like it might be too late for that.

Agree 100%, but it sounds like it might be too late for that.

Despite having walked by Toby Keith's 200 times in my life, I just realized yesterday that patio does not open up to the sidewalk, or at least was open-air to the sidewalk... The patio is enclosed in glass with zero access to the canal. Is this developer the same? I know the operator is Hal Smith, the same guy, so I'd say it will be a KD-version of Toby Keiths.

"KD's I love this 35 and Grill" ?

Despite having walked by Toby Keith's 200 times in my life, I just realized yesterday that patio does not open up to the sidewalk, or at least was open-air to the sidewalk... The patio is enclosed in glass with zero access to the canal.

Yep, it's weird. I guess it could be changed, but it's been sitting there ignoring the canal for a long time now...

Same developer and same restaurant group. The patio at Toby's used to be open air, but they enclosed it with glass so that they could have more climate-controlled seating. They were averse to bringing the patio all the way to the water front because there is a lot of pre-existing infrastructure under where the patio would have had to go, which would have had to be re-located or built over in such a way that it could be easily accessed. I can't remember if it is sewer or water main.

I'm not aware of the same restrictions for the KD site.

Trying desperately not to be a negative Nelly here, but Hal Smith Restaurants offer conveyer belt food, in my opinion. How are they going to make this menu differentiated? It will probably offer the same steaks and chops one can already find better in other Bricktown establishments. Hope desperately to be wrong on this.

Trying desperately not to be a negative Nelly here, but Hal Smith Restaurants offer conveyer belt food, in my opinion. How are they going to make this menu differentiated? It will probably offer the same steaks and chops one can already find better in other Bricktown establishments. Hope desperately to be wrong on this.

Someone always has to play the role of the bad guy who tries to brings everyone's spirit down, whether it be on purpose or not, and that guy just happens to be you in this thread.

Hand clap to you for stepping up to the plate. =)

(I'm just being sarcastic (incase my response upsets you)

Trying desperately not to be a negative Nelly here, but Hal Smith Restaurants offer conveyer belt food, in my opinion. How are they going to make this menu differentiated? It will probably offer the same steaks and chops one can already find better in other Bricktown establishments. Hope desperately to be wrong on this.

I think Hal Smith Group is a pretty good value for the cost.....I'd be fine if it's just another Charlestons with KD's name.

Somebody must like the Hal Smith restaurants...they seem to always be busy when I go...both here and Wichita. I enjoy their food, but I don't consider them my "special event" restaurants, except for Mahogany. I bet they will put a fine enough product out at KD's Court as they are pretty smart operators.

Trying desperately not to be a negative Nelly here, but Hal Smith Restaurants offer conveyer belt food, in my opinion. How are they going to make this menu differentiated? It will probably offer the same steaks and chops one can already find better in other Bricktown establishments. Hope desperately to be wrong on this.

so mahogany prime/louie's/mama roja/red rock/charlestons all have the same food?

Somebody must like the Hal Smith restaurants...they seem to always be busy when I go...both here and Wichita. I enjoy their food, but I don't consider them my "special event" restaurants, except for Mahogany. I bet they will put a fine enough product out at KD's Court as they are pretty smart operators.

Yep. Toby Keith's seems to get knocked a lot on this board. Go there and see how long it takes you to get a table any Friday or Saturday night between 6 and 8. Fairly full most other times I've been there also.

Yep. Toby Keith's seems to get knocked a lot on this board. Go there and see how long it takes you to get a table any Friday or Saturday night between 6 and 8. Fairly full most other times I've been there also.

Mcdonalds usually has a line at the drive-thru. Doesn't mean the food is good. Some people like cookie cutter food joints where others prefer something else. I think Koby Teeths buiilding is just ugly with no character or charm. I have never ate there and anyone I have talked to who has said it was just OK. I just hope that the KD version next door will have a bit more character and not just look like a boring box like Koby Teeths. a rooftop patio would be nice.

Good food is very subjective. As well, the food market is like every other market...highly segmented. Hal Smith restaurants know the segments they serve. Mahogany is anything but cookie cutter. The food is generally excellent there. Red Rock is not trying to be a gourmet restaurant but is a casual mid-upper scale establishment with nice variations of familiar foods and a fun atmosphere with an excellent view. Mama Roja's is very average Mexican cuisine, in my opinion, but then again, there aren't any true and good Mexican restaurants on the north side in OKC. Charlestons is a better version of Houstons....great salads and other lunches in an nice atmosphere.

I am sure that KD isn't going to be a gourmet upscale restaurant. If you want pretentious, go somewhere else. If you want avaunt guard cuisine, well, good luck finding that in OKC anyway. If you want good food, fun/pleasant atmospheres, and moderately upscale, go to most Hal Smith places.

Bottom line is that I would be willing to bet KD's will be a success and around for a long time.

And to compare this restaurant, or any of the Hal Smith food to McDonalds is more hyperbole. Using that logic, anything successful has to be "cookie cutter". LOL and simple but WRONG logic application. The only good places then are starved for business.

And, for the building, two story restaurants are hard to manage....not impossible, but hard. If this is a single use building, it is understandable that it is one story. However, I hope it opens to a patio on the canal so that more energy is created on the canal. It is way too calm now.

Well of course it isn't McDonalds. it was an extreme comment a bit tongue in cheek. My point is just because a place is busy on a friday and saturday doesn't mean its much to brag about. many middle of the road type of joints are busy. just not my Scene. My point is I would rather it be a little different. Hal Smith definately knows his market and has a variety of levels of Cuisine. Some I am a fan of others I am not it is just my opinion. It is difficult to run a multi-level establishment but I would love a roof top terrace for drinks. I know it wont happen here but I can dream. But I agree with you on the patio. It is a total waste to have canal front property and not have a nice patio.

All I've got to say is if they are doing "upscale Southern" cuisine, I hope the menu looks a lot like this: http://www.screendoordallas.com/menu.html

Hal Smith, are you reading?