Were those satellite photos taken during a weekend? I'm sure someone is going to point out that Vail or Avon doesn't seem that busy.

Maybe that is proof that roundabouts work better at keeping traffic flowing, instead of stacking cars at a light.

Coverage at both 6 and 10 PM newscasts by News9.

http://www.news9.com/category/116601/video-page?autostart=true&clipId=7610021

What was the general consensus on how this went ?

It was well attended. I thought the speakers "beat to death" the evils of highway building. I wish there had been more of a "Call to Action" and a build up to such. But, it was a Monday night and the event seemingly illustrated just how many New Urbanists, or people interested in such matters, that there now are.

Council members, Meg Salyer, Pete White, Skip Kelly, and obviously Ed Shadid were present.

The Planning Director Russell Claus, Asst City Mgr Dennis Clowers, and many other City employees were present. It was also interesting to see how many City subcontractors (ADG and such) as well as engineers were in the room.

For an event bent on education, I would assume that such was accomplished handily.

Maybe that is proof that roundabouts work better at keeping traffic flowing, instead of stacking cars at a light.

Or proof that some folks avoid them like the plague...LOL

Or proof that some folks avoid them like the plague...LOL

sept in vail/avon is like july/august in palm desert/scottsdale ... low season .... that pic from dec-april would look much different

Or proof that some folks avoid them like the plague...LOL

That is okay too. They can drive with the other people that don't know how to drive :)

On a serious note, I know what you mean about 'new' things when driving. While in Atlanta a few weeks ago I was on North Ave going by the GT campus and there is a mid-block crosswalk. It is normally flashing yellow. As I got to it the light turned red so I stopped. The car next to me also stopped. This guy crosses the road and shortly after he gets on the sidewalk the light started flashing red. The car next to me started going but I stayed there because to me, flashing red still means stop. After the guy behind me honked I assumed flashing red means go. Just as I started to hit the gas the red flashing stopped and the light turned green. Who the hell knows what all the means but it seems way to complicated for a mid-block crosswalk.

That is okay too. They can drive with the other people that don't know how to drive :)

On a serious note, I know what you mean about 'new' things when driving. While in Atlanta a few weeks ago I was on North Ave going by the GT campus and there is a mid-block crosswalk. It is normally flashing yellow. As I got to it the light turned red so I stopped. The car next to me also stopped. This guy crosses the road and shortly after he gets on the sidewalk the light started flashing red. The car next to me started going but I stayed there because to me, flashing red still means stop. After the guy behind me honked I assumed flashing red means go. Just as I started to hit the gas the red flashing stopped and the light turned green. Who the hell knows what all the means but it seems way to complicated for a mid-block crosswalk.

They have this setup in Stillwater on Hall of Fame next to the student athletic center. The light stays off until a pedestrian comes and pushes the crossing button and goes through the whole routine you just described. I too have honked at cars in front of me that have not moved after it goes to flashing because FLASHING RED LIGHT MEANS ITS ESSENTIALLY A STOP SIGN. Have you never seen an intersection after a power outage and all the stoplights go to flashing red?

sept in vail/avon is like july/august in palm desert/scottsdale ... low season .... that pic from dec-april would look much different

I was in Vail Village the second week of July last year. I -70 had a 2 hour wait to get get over Vail pass due to road construction, in which most major construction is done during the summer in the mountains. We got off and had lunch and shopped around a bit. Those circles were great, traffic flowed right through them. It was so crowded 'cause folks were getting off due to the traffic delays on the interstate.

House of Representatives
State of Oklahoma

August 14, 2012

Representative Richard Morrissette
State Capitol Building, Room 543
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
Contact: Jacklyn Brink-Rosen
405-557-7404

MEETING ADVISORY

Morrissette Encourages Civic Input on Oklahoma City Boulevard

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Representative Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, is encouraging all local residents to attend the upcoming public meeting in which design concepts of the Oklahoma City Boulevard will be presented.

Who: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
When: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Where: Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center, 425 East California Avenue, OKC

Free parking available in lot directly to the south of Coca Cola Center

The meeting at a glance: The focus of the meeting is to discuss building a four-lane roadway instead of a six-lane roadway previously indicated in the original Environmental Document. Citizens are urged to attend this meeting and formally submit their comments on the proposed boulevard.

Persons who would like to attend this meeting but find it difficult due to disability, architectural barrier, or other special needs, or who require a sign-language interpreter, may contact Craig Moody, Public Involvement Specialist at (405) 522-1465, cmoody@odot.org.

They have this setup in Stillwater on Hall of Fame next to the student athletic center. The light stays off until a pedestrian comes and pushes the crossing button and goes through the whole routine you just described. I too have honked at cars in front of me that have not moved after it goes to flashing because FLASHING RED LIGHT MEANS ITS ESSENTIALLY A STOP SIGN. Have you never seen an intersection after a power outage and all the stoplights go to flashing red?

After posting that I found the website by the system designer - it is called a HAWK system. One of the things that made me leary on going after it started flashing red was a GT officer was parked just up the street watching. I am sure they make a lot of money off people not stopping.

http://www.spotdevices.com/video-PHB/index.html

JzNs0_u6wcQ

That is okay too. They can drive with the other people that don't know how to drive :)

On a serious note, I know what you mean about 'new' things when driving. While in Atlanta a few weeks ago I was on North Ave going by the GT campus and there is a mid-block crosswalk. It is normally flashing yellow. As I got to it the light turned red so I stopped. The car next to me also stopped. This guy crosses the road and shortly after he gets on the sidewalk the light started flashing red. The car next to me started going but I stayed there because to me, flashing red still means stop. After the guy behind me honked I assumed flashing red means go. Just as I started to hit the gas the red flashing stopped and the light turned green. Who the hell knows what all the means but it seems way to complicated for a mid-block crosswalk.

Oh the irony of you commenting on how people don't know how to drive..........and then saying you don't know what a flashing red light means

Oh the irony of you commenting on how people don't know how to drive..........and then saying you don't know what a flashing red light means

Hence the "On a serious note, I know what you mean about 'new' things when driving" and smilley face.

But see, here is the thing. I didn't know how the HAWK system worked. Now I do. Problem solved. So if you extrapolate that to this topic - People don't know how roundabouts/traffic circles work. Now they do. Problem solved.

After giving it some thought, I know why the HAWK system confused me. It was the alternating flashing red lights like at a railroad crossing. Had they flashed together or just one of them I probably would have related it to a flashing red light at a normal intersection. But anyhow, now I know.

Hence the "On a serious note, I know what you mean about 'new' things when driving" and smilley face.

But see, here is the thing. I didn't know how the HAWK system worked. Now I do. Problem solved. So if you extrapolate that to this topic - People don't know how roundabouts/traffic circles work. Now they do. Problem solved.

After giving it some thought, I know why the HAWK system confused me. It was the alternating flashing red lights like at a railroad crossing. Had they flashed together or just one of them I probably would have related it to a flashing red light at a normal intersection. But anyhow, now I know.

Why do they need to flash red, anyway? Isn't the solid red sufficient. I agree with JTF (or at least his traffic agressor). When the lights changed from solid red to flashing red, it signified that something changed. ... unless we're going to a european system where the yellow starts to flash to warn you that the light is getting ready to change from red to green?

Why do they need to flash red, anyway? Isn't the solid red sufficient.

So that cars can proceed if there are no more pedestrians

If you care at all about the subject of this thread (and urban planning in general) you must watch the documentary Urbanized as soon as possible. It is available on NetFlix instant queue. It is every problem OKC is facing right now rolled into one movie with examples from around the world. Then we need to go over and make ODOT watch it.

House of Representatives
State of Oklahoma

August 14, 2012

Representative Richard Morrissette
State Capitol Building, Room 543
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105
Contact: Jacklyn Brink-Rosen
405-557-7404

MEETING ADVISORY

Morrissette Encourages Civic Input on Oklahoma City Boulevard

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Representative Richard Morrissette, D-Oklahoma City, is encouraging all local residents to attend the upcoming public meeting in which design concepts of the Oklahoma City Boulevard will be presented.

Who: Oklahoma Department of Transportation
When: 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Where: Coca Cola Bricktown Events Center, 425 East California Avenue, OKC

Free parking available in lot directly to the south of Coca Cola Center

The meeting at a glance: The focus of the meeting is to discuss building a four-lane roadway instead of a six-lane roadway previously indicated in the original Environmental Document. Citizens are urged to attend this meeting and formally submit their comments on the proposed boulevard.

Persons who would like to attend this meeting but find it difficult due to disability, architectural barrier, or other special needs, or who require a sign-language interpreter, may contact Craig Moody, Public Involvement Specialist at (405) 522-1465, cmoody@odot.org.


I think Morissette is my state rep. This is odd. As a southsider, I'm not used to being democratically represented by a good guy... holy crap

Friends,

I am offering you two excuses for doing today what I should have done Tuesday:

1.) The "Friends for a Better Boulevard" event Monday evening was a rip-roaring success. Our speakers were great. Former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist delivered a knock-out of a speech. He deftly turned on its head every preconceived notion that anyone may have held about the consequences of traffic congestion, side-walk and street lane width, the devastating effect of high-speed streets and expressways in the core of a city.

Norquist left no doubt that another high-speed entry into downtown would be a dagger in the heart of Downtown Oklahoma City. Our new boulevard (if indeed we need or get one) needs to be integrated into the street grid and at ground level. Norquist convinced me that congestion can be a good thing, not a failure caused by inadequate planning.

By the time Tuesday morning broke in my bedroom window, I didn't want to get up. I was overly tired. Planning and putting on an event is always stressful. So for the first time in a long time, I took the entire day off..no emails..no texting...minimal phone usage. All day long I just stared into empty space, whilst sipping tea and watching my lawn turn brown. That is excuse #1.

2.) When Wednesday morning happened I had to make up for all that I did not do the previous day. Hence, I was too busy to do Wenesday what I should have done Tuesday. That is excuse #2.

Here is what I should have done Tuesday morning:

Speaking on behalf of Councilman Dr. Ed Shadid and Councilwoman Meg Salyer, our hosts, and for my self, we want to thank each of you for attending our event. Just by you being there is our thank yous. Everyone seemed to want information about what the Boulevard meant for the future of Oklahoma City. I for one received an education.

However, there is now something that I would like to ask of you. Please extended your thanks by phone, email, or by USPS letter carriers, to the following people, businesses and organizations for making the event possible.

1. Burt and William McAnally, owners of Farmer's Public Market for allowing us the use of their wonderful venue.

2. Councilman Dr. Ed Shadid for underwriting the expense of our program

3. Councilwoman Meg Salyer for agreeing to be co-host of the event

4. Oklahoma City Fire Fighters for providing the audio/visual equipment

5. Kamp's 1910 Cafe and Deli for providing a number of the food trays

6. Vito's Ristorante for the delicious pasta salad

7. Elemental Coffee for the coffee

8. ACOG (Association of Central Oklahoma Governments) for their display

9. The Better Block for their display and closing remarks

10. Studio Architecture for their great renderings of the Boulevard

11. The Modern Streetcar Project for their display and route maps

12. Mark Lenters of Ourston Roundabout Engineering for his presentation

13. John Norquist, former Mayor of Milwaukee for his outstanding presentation

14. The volunteers who took down names and email addresses and who help with all the minor details before and during the event.

15. The staff of Farmer's Public Market for their excellent service

16. If I have left any one out please rake me over the coals..I shall make amends.

THANK YOU!


199619971998

Still waiting for that video recap.

I know that it was videotaped. But I have not heard from the Councilman as of yet where/when it will be released. It was specifically done for those who could not attend.

Here is something new from Steve and Paul Ryckbost. http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2012/08/16/more-alternatives-to-building-an-elevated-boulevard/

Thanks for the update on the video. I was one of those people ;-)

I am sure this has been answered somewhere on this site, but I was wondering if the boulevard is at grade near the theater, how will it be crossing the railroad tracks by EKG/ Shields?

I am sure this has been answered somewhere on this site, but I was wondering if the boulevard is at grade near the theater, how will it be crossing the railroad tracks by EKG/ Shields?

It goes under the railroad tracks.

I think Morissette is my state rep. This is odd. As a southsider, I'm not used to being democratically represented by a good guy... holy crap

I talked to him for 10 or 15 minutes at the capital once... He was about as genuine and straightforward as you can get.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/market circle/MarketCircle-SchemeE.jpg

The "No Boulevard" Option??

After driving around the area this past Monday, I think this may actually be the best option. After seeing what it could look like on the ground, it makes a lot of sense. It is by far the simplest solution and likely least expensive to construct by a significant margin.

We would essentially end up with three "boulevards" - California, Reno, and 3rd. Instead of only 3000 feet on one street conforming to new urbanist standards, imagine how a very large area of downtown could be transformed by having three such streets. The view down California toward the Myriad could become the iconic (to continue the overuse of that descriptor) western gateway to downtown depending on how the surroundings are developed. The funds saved from construction could be redirected into curb bumpouts, street fixtures, extensive landscaping, and streetcar preparations along Caifornia, Reno and 3rd. The currently proposed boulevard along the 3rd St corridor will easily handle all traffic to and from east I40. Then we would have Reno running between both streets for the entire east-west length of downtown. Imagine a streetcar couplet layout using 3rd St and Reno or California; or more simply, a bidirectional route down Reno to the Farmer's Market.

Maybe it is best to concede the berm at the far western end of the right of way for now in order to get the street down to grade at Western and eastward. The land lost to redevelopment along the berm would be replaced with redevelopable land closer to downtown/Core to Shore by the land not used by the proposed boulevard. This may even have the very desirable effect of facilitating the redevelopment and revitalization of the Farmer's Market district AND Core to Shore sooner than projected.

Does anyone know if this has been presented to city staff for detailed analysis? I certainly expect the soon to be retained independent traffic engineering firm will consider it. I believe this may be the best compromise between the need to move people in and out of downtown; and the need to promote redevelopment in this part of downtown. (And quite possibly the least expensive option too - talk about good government!!)

The "No Boulevard" Option??

After driving around the area this past Monday, I think this may actually be the best option. After seeing what it could look like on the ground, it makes a lot of sense. It is by far the simplest solution and likely least expensive to construct by a significant margin.

We would essentially end up with three "boulevards" - California, Reno, and 3rd. Instead of only 3000 feet on one street conforming to new urbanist standards, imagine how a very large area of downtown could be transformed by having three such streets. The view down California toward the Myriad could become the iconic (to continue the overuse of that descriptor) western gateway to downtown depending on how the surroundings are developed. The funds saved from construction could be redirected into curb bumpouts, street fixtures, extensive landscaping, and streetcar preparations along Caifornia, Reno and 3rd. The currently proposed boulevard along the 3rd St corridor will easily handle all traffic to and from east I40. Then we would have Reno running between both streets for the entire east-west length of downtown. Imagine a streetcar couplet layout using 3rd St and Reno or California; or more simply, a bidirectional route down Reno to the Farmer's Market.

Maybe it is best to concede the berm at the far western end of the right of way for now in order to get the street down to grade at Western and eastward. The land lost to redevelopment along the berm would be replaced with redevelopable land closer to downtown/Core to Shore by the land not used by the proposed boulevard. This may even have the very desirable effect of facilitating the redevelopment and revitalization of the Farmer's Market district AND Core to Shore sooner than projected.

Does anyone know if this has been presented to city staff for detailed analysis? I certainly expect the soon to be retained independent traffic engineering firm will consider it. I believe this may be the best compromise between the need to move people in and out of downtown; and the need to promote redevelopment in this part of downtown. (And quite possibly the least expensive option too - talk about good government!!)

Excellent post. I'm beginning to see the wisdom of the "no boulevard option," although I believe that ship has truly sailed.

Agreed. It might as well have an intersection at klein too so the ramps and bridge there can be removed.

I don't even think of it as a no boulevard option. Its three boulevards feeding into one big I-40 access ramp. The previous design was the "no boulevard until Walker option.

There may be a complication on this - read my story on the John W. Rex Elementary, specifically the sidebox about the cuing lines

Excellent post. I'm beginning to see the wisdom of the "no boulevard option," although I believe that ship has truly sailed.

If you ask me, if this is the case were wasting our time here. There just as likely to poo poo any other alternative.

Maybe it is best to concede the berm at the far western end of the right of way for now in order to get the street down to grade at Western and eastward. The land lost to redevelopment along the berm would be replaced with redevelopable land closer to downtown/Core to Shore by the land not used by the proposed boulevard. This may even have the very desirable effect of facilitating the redevelopment and revitalization of the Farmer's Market district AND Core to Shore sooner than projected.

Until operations at the Stockyards change in a way that produces less odor, I don't see much of significance going in the boulevard and Penn region anyway (possibly over to Blackwelder).

I have always been a fan of simply returning the grid to its former state. As you can see from CaptDave's picture, the City/State can make a lot of money buy selling off the old right-of-way.

Does anyone with inside knowledge know anything about the progress of the hiring of a consulting engineer on this project? I'm hearing weird stuff on the street.

I've heard this company is in contention: http://www.stantec.com (if I remember correctly).

^

Heard the same thin about Stantec and that they may have already been chosen.

They have an amazing resume.

^

Heard the same thin about Stantec and that they may have already been chosen.

They have an amazing resume.

This is from their website under the title "urban design."

Our plans and designs fuse local context with functional design and the potential effects of social, economic, and political change.

At Stantec, we believe the key to successful urban design is in creating a balance between the various types of land uses, incorporating architecture, landscape design, transportation infrastructure and utility coordination and taking each of their needs and roles into consideration as a project progresses through the planning stages. Urban design involves not only the skills and experience of planners and designers but also the participation and innovation of the community at large, reflecting its distinct identity while integrating a variety of uses into the built environment.


Our planning and urban design team can provide:


evaluation of community economic data
analysis of transportation uses
infrastructure
pedestrian links and open space
architectural character of buildings and landscape interface

Our approach considers the natural environment, integrating environmentally sustainable solutions that promote long-term viability and continued relationships with the surroundings. Through the understanding and experience of our multidisciplinary teams, we create buildings and spaces that unify the elements of an urban community, bringing together the various forces that shape a vital urban landscape.

This seems very positive, if indeed they are the contractor. I noticed they also have experience with Transit Oriented Development and Modern Roundabouts. This seems like a solid hire. If so, kudos to Jim Couch for listening to "the people."

Until operations at the Stockyards change in a way that produces less odor, I don't see much of significance going in the boulevard and Penn region anyway (possibly over to Blackwelder).
What odor? I work at 4th & Penn, driving past the Agnew/Boulevard and taking the Penn exit daily. Have never noticed a thing.

Glad to see so many are agreeing with what I have been saying for years about even the need for a new road...the response back from the City has been nothing...it is presumed to be a given that the new road is needed, even critical to downtown functioning...so much so, the Mayor stated that downtown "grinds to a halt" without the Central Park & Boulevard. Sell that ROW, get it back into private ownership, get development and all of the taxes that come along with all of that. Sometimes the easiest solution is the best one...and in this case is not only cheaper but can generate revenue in the process. A multi-faceted win.

i would suggest that the speakers at the event make a presentation to the ODOT, Council and City Staff collectively.

Take look at San Francisco. No interstate highways. Coming from the Golden Gate bridge south, it is tamed down with stop lights and a 4 lane with median boulevard before it picks back up to an interstate. I believe coming from the Bay Bridge it does the same, and they have way more folks commuting than we do, even if you discount BART.

^

Heard the same thin about Stantec and that they may have already been chosen.

They have an amazing resume.

Yes, they have already been chosen although there was a slight delay that is being resolved.

They had two engineers flown in for the Monday night event. The company also video taped the event for their staff.

This is happening very, very fast.

This is happening very, very fast.

When I read this, it sounds ominous. No problem with speed per se, just hasty decisions. Hopefully it's moving quickly just to meet ODOT's proposed timeline, and not to further obfuscate things.

If these folks have been hired, hopefully citizen and Council input will be paramount. Is it reasonable to interpret their attendance at / videotaping of Monday's forum as a positive development?

When I read this, it sounds ominous. No problem with speed per se, just hasty decisions. Hopefully it's moving quickly just to meet ODOT's proposed timeline, and not to further obfuscate things.

If these folks have been hired, hopefully citizen and Council input will be paramount. Is it reasonable to interpret their attendance at / videotaping of Monday's forum as a positive development?

I would become concern if they release their report within a couple of weeks.
Im not too concern about a group being hired this fast, there can't be that many companies to choose from, can there? Its nice that they were able to send people down here.

Take look at San Francisco. No interstate highways. Coming from the Golden Gate bridge south, it is tamed down with stop lights and a 4 lane with median boulevard before it picks back up to an interstate. I believe coming from the Bay Bridge it does the same, and they have way more folks commuting than we do, even if you discount BART.

San Francisco proper removed two urban freeways. They still have I-280 and I-80 (which becomes the 101 just south of downtown). Clearly the worst traffic in the entire bay area is on the freeways where ironically - the speed limits are higher and there are no stop lights.

I've been following this thread, pretty much without commenting, but I'm sad that a video of this past Monday night's meeting has not been posted somewhere, as others have already said, for those of us who who were not able to be present. The absence of a video is the missing of a larger opportunity to spread the information presented there ... I'd be pleased to post it in my blog, should it become available.

I've been following this thread, pretty much without commenting, but I'm sad that a video of this past Monday night's meeting has not been posted somewhere, as others have already said, for those of us who who were not able to be present. The absence of a video is the missing of a larger opportunity to spread the information presented there ... I'd be pleased to post it in my blog, should it become available.

Contact Ed Shadid. If you guys want it, I think he arranged it.

Returning to the grid

Sell the land to developers and a lot the money for more miles of streetcar track.
Use property taxes from the land to indefinitely fund operations cost of the streetcar

As the tax collections grow larger invest them into more streetcar miles

Sales tax dollars generated in the area should be allocated 50% as usual 25% for streetcar funding and the remaining 25% for improved bus service.

This kind of land becoming available will draw investment all around it making it an almost certainty that once development gets well underway the City will have to extend the streetcar thus increasing sales tax and property tax revenues and allowing a predetermined fundingsource(most taxes and land sales generated in the freed up area) to fund further miles of streetcar track while also funding most of the operational cost

Maybe its a little optimistic but this system(if we were to return to the street grid ) would eliminate the need for to increase sales taxes beyond maps 3 to greatly improve public transportation if we were to get the land sold to developers by 2015 they would have 3 to 5 years to build on it pay taxes on it and start bringing on some sales tax dollars before the MAPs streetcar is done by that time the property taxes generated by the land, sales taxes from it and the money garnered by selling the land will have provided enough funds to expand on the MAPs streetcar

Retail mixed use and office is what I see going in the area described with some smaller to medium residential I would believe that with this tax structure developers and retailers or companies wanting to locate into the area would leap to build there and petition the city to extend the street car to their area. It would go a long way into turning around the dilapidated areas around it as well

I've been following this thread, pretty much without commenting, but I'm sad that a video of this past Monday night's meeting has not been posted somewhere, as others have already said, for those of us who who were not able to be present. The absence of a video is the missing of a larger opportunity to spread the information presented there ... I'd be pleased to post it in my blog, should it become available.

I understand the video will be available on Monday.

KGOU was at the event last week and recorded it. Mayor Norquist's speech is to be on this morning at 11:00 AM during the "Oklahoma Voices" program.

That is 105.7 FM for OKC and 106.3 FM Norman

On now.

http://newsok.com/public-meeting-about-downtown-oklahoma-city-boulevard-is-tuesday-evening/article/3702832

Im actually going to get to go to this thing!

Here is Councilman Shadid's speech hat was broadcast. Apparently, Norquist is next week at 11:00.

http://www.kgou.org/index.php?news-management&action=view_news&news_id=4242

http://newsok.com/public-meeting-about-downtown-oklahoma-city-boulevard-is-tuesday-evening/article/3702832


The Oklahoma Transportation Department is hosting a public meeting Tuesday regarding the downtown Oklahoma City boulevard. It is set for 5:30 p.m. at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Events Center.


For everyone supporting a better boulevard, one of the most important components is a better public scoping process. Representatives from the Federal Highway Administration will be at the meeting tonight to gauge the level of public response. The higher the level of public interest and concern, the greater the scrutiny and requirements of the FHWA on ODOT in complying with the NEPA process.

Strong public attendance and involvement tonight is very important.

An Oklahoma City urban revival meeting prompts cheers
Urban planning expert John Norquist brings his message to Oklahoma City


"A casual listen by an uninformed observer at Farmers Public Market last week might have concluded they were stepping into an old-fashioned revival with all the cheers that rose up in the vast room.

A crowd of more than 350 gathered to hear urban evangelist John Norquist, the former Milwaukee mayor, deliver a harsh rebuke to highway engineers..."

http://newsok.com/an-oklahoma-city-urban-revival-meeting-prompts-cheers/article/3702696

I would guess there are approximately 200 people here as of now. Nothing has officially started at the 5:30 mark. Seen a few people I know of, including Steve and my ODOT email contact, Jim Bowman. I also spoke to a gentleman who was a former teacher of mine at OCCC who does sound & video for ODOT and he said its possible they put this on YouTube for those of you that couldn't be here.

Steve is tweeting live from tonight's meeting... Some pretty interesting stuff:

https://twitter.com/stevelackmeyer

We were told at the meeting that you can go to ODOTs website and view the presentation (slides at least) that they showed at the meeting tonight.

I was pleased with the turnout and overall pleased by the presentation and discussion. I have some faith in the process, but I was definitely nervous at the first of the meeting as ODOT seemed to be in CYA mode, by being defensive about the process that lead to where we are now. I think Mr. Wenger did a great job with his presentation and addressing all of the public's input. I believe it was a productive meeting overall, and we will end up with a better boulevard.

I was pleased with the turnout and overall pleased by the presentation and discussion. I have some faith in the process, but I was definitely nervous at the first of the meeting as ODOT seemed to be in CYA mode, by being defensive about the process that lead to where we are now. I think Mr. Wenger did a great job with his presentation and addressing all of the public's input. I believe it was a productive meeting overall, and we will end up with a better boulevard.

I agree - Eric Wenger did a very good job combining the city's initial stance with some of the public input they have received over the last few weeks. His statement that all options are being considered is a good sign.

The only negative I took away from the meeting was the Chamber rep insisting on a 2014 completion date. That deadline is completely arbitrary and needs to be eliminated as an absolute requirement. I think most people prefer the city get this right rather than rushing to meet a random deadline that is irrelevant.

http://newsok.com/oklahoma-officials-were-listening-to-you-on-downtown-oklahoma-city-boulevard/article/3703081

The video of last week's presentation:


http://vimeo.com/47942198

http://vimeo.com/47942198

I agree - Eric Wenger did a very good job combining the city's initial stance with some of the public input they have received over the last few weeks. His statement that all options are being considered is a good sign.

The only negative I took away from the meeting was the Chamber rep insisting on a 2014 completion date. That deadline is completely arbitrary and needs to be eliminated as an absolute requirement. I think most people prefer the city get this right rather than rushing to meet a random deadline that is irrelevant.

I too was impressed with Eric. Kinda reminded me of the character of Dave from that show 'News Radio'.

He directed the citizen fotter very well and he didn't lose his cool.

As far as 2014 goes, there's plenty of difference between 01/14 & 12/14. Citizens will be up in arms about the end date of this project if a new environmental impact study has to be done and due to that re-evaluation, even if it means a better boulevard, turns it into a 2015 & beyond finish.

Now they did discuss the boulevard in 5 project segments last night. Just like with the deconstruction of the old Crosstown, they should focus on the outer segments first and move their way in. As soon as the old highway comes down, they need to start working on the depression below the railroad viaduct. Speed this thing up. Work on the east end so we can get another entrance into downtown ASAP.

The west end of this project is the meat of the controversy so we focus on that but build the rest in stages that will hopefully alleviate the traffic situation.