Am I just missing something or does there seem to be absolutely nothing happening in Warr Acres/Bethany since the MacAurther widening project?

Yeah that area seems to have gone downhill.

From some of the studies on housing developments they will be doing good to maintain service to all their areas. Their core strategy for growing income was new houses on vacant land for decades but they both have little or no land to develop further. The existing housing stock continues to age, which may be leading to lower incomes per household, which would lead to less local services, retail & amenities.

I give it 10 years before Warr Acres at least starts making plans to be annexed by OKC, with Bethany not far behind.

They are not unlike other small towns in the fact that they have a really weak tax base (little in the way of retail, no new residents being added, little new construction). Much like Snowman stated, they have an increasingly low income population and aging infrastructure that is putting pressure on services.

Big city problems that must be fixed by small town resources? Its just not sustainable. They can start recruiting retail, but most new retail on the Westside is going towards Yukon or along the I-40 corridor. Or they can do what Bethany is doing and start handing out tickets like hot buttered rolls, especially on 39th. But how long can that last?

Both cities paths are kinda cloudy right now

.. Or they can do what Bethany is doing and start handing out tickets like hot buttered rolls, especially on 39th. But how long can that last?
...

As long as there are cars, jaywalkers, & other ticket applicable incidents?

Are there any plans to try and revitalize these areas?

The biggest problem in Warr Acres (other than the extremely low-standard apartments in the Lyrewood area) is the old Westpark Mall.

This has been discussed in another thread, but I looks like something straight out of inner city Detroit and occupies a very prominent intersection.

There had been rumors the current slumlord was close to a sale but I spoke to a WA councilperson who told me that the owner has basically said: "I own it free and clear and as long as there is at least one tenant, it makes money and I don't plan to do a darn thing."

There is some sort of dollar store and maybe one other small tenant in the whole place. It's a horrible black eye not only on WA but that entire area of town.

I can't believe WA doesn't have any recourse in terms of enforcing codes to at least get the place painted and some of the crater-filled parking lot repaired.


I did happen to spend some time in the Warr Acres Library, as it opened when I was a kid and I used to walk there all the time. I was very happy to see it looked almost exactly like I had remembered, but they have also done a very nice job of maintaining it, with some minor updates.

It was very busy and had lots of good resources.

The biggest problem in Warr Acres (other than the extremely low-standard apartments in the Lyrewood area) is the old Westpark Mall.

This has been discussed in another thread, but I looks like something straight out of inner city Detroit and occupies a very prominent intersection.

There had been rumors the current slumlord was close to a sale but I spoke to a WA councilperson who told me that the owner has basically said: "I own it free and clear and as long as there is at least one tenant, it makes money and I don't plan to do a darn thing."

There is some sort of dollar store and maybe one other small tenant in the whole place. It's a horrible black eye not only on WA but that entire area of town.

I can't believe WA doesn't have any recourse in terms of enforcing codes to at least get the place painted and some of the crater-filled parking lot repaired.


I did happen to spend some time in the Warr Acres Library, as it opened when I was a kid and I used to walk there all the time. I was very happy to see it looked almost exactly like I had remembered, but they have also done a very nice job of maintaining it, with some minor updates.

It was very busy and had lots of good resources.

Where is this apartment complex at? I'll probaly swing by and have a look tomorrow when i'm in that area.

Just drive up lyrewood lane north of 63rd between mcarthur and meridian.

They call the whole area "lyrehood".

Just drive up lyrewood lane north of 63rd between mcarthur and meridian.

They call the whole area "lyrehood". I'll do that thanks:) I'll also check out that library you were talking about as well. Seems pretty neat.

The biggest problem in Warr Acres (other than the extremely low-standard apartments in the Lyrewood area) is the old Westpark Mall.

This has been discussed in another thread, but I looks like something straight out of inner city Detroit and occupies a very prominent intersection.

There had been rumors the current slumlord was close to a sale but I spoke to a WA councilperson who told me that the owner has basically said: "I own it free and clear and as long as there is at least one tenant, it makes money and I don't plan to do a darn thing."

There is some sort of dollar store and maybe one other small tenant in the whole place. It's a horrible black eye not only on WA but that entire area of town.

I can't believe WA doesn't have any recourse in terms of enforcing codes to at least get the place painted and some of the crater-filled parking lot repaired.


I did happen to spend some time in the Warr Acres Library, as it opened when I was a kid and I used to walk there all the time. I was very happy to see it looked almost exactly like I had remembered, but they have also done a very nice job of maintaining it, with some minor updates.

It was very busy and had lots of good resources.

It is too bad that Warr Acres has gone to pot. It used to be a decent area around 25 years ago. Maybe the residents do not care anymore? As far as the owner of the shopping center, typical slumlord and "cheap" as well.

The biggest problem in Warr Acres (other than the extremely low-standard apartments in the Lyrewood area) is the old Westpark Mall.

This has been discussed in another thread, but I looks like something straight out of inner city Detroit and occupies a very prominent intersection.

There had been rumors the current slumlord was close to a sale but I spoke to a WA councilperson who told me that the owner has basically said: "I own it free and clear and as long as there is at least one tenant, it makes money and I don't plan to do a darn thing."

There is some sort of dollar store and maybe one other small tenant in the whole place. It's a horrible black eye not only on WA but that entire area of town.

I can't believe WA doesn't have any recourse in terms of enforcing codes to at least get the place painted and some of the crater-filled parking lot repaired.


I did happen to spend some time in the Warr Acres Library, as it opened when I was a kid and I used to walk there all the time. I was very happy to see it looked almost exactly like I had remembered, but they have also done a very nice job of maintaining it, with some minor updates.

It was very busy and had lots of good resources.

Lyrewood is in OKC limits not Warr Acres and from what I hear Wal-Mart neighborhood market is going in Westpark Mall.

I know Lyrewood isn't actually in Warr Acres but it has a tremendous impact on it.

I hope you are right about the Walmart market but we've been hearing that for quite a while.

now that I think about it my uncle who works as a supervisor at Wal-Mart told me they were going to be relocating the 23rd MacArther neighborhood to another location on MacArther. Thinking about it further 63rd and MacARther would be the most appropriate location for it. The area is vastly underserved as far as grocery stores go and you got thousands of of people their spending our money(food stamps) on food in the area which won't help warr acres as food stamps do not contribute to sales taxes. Wonder what the nursing home behind westgate would think of a Wal-mart on their doorstep.

Why can't they annex Warr Acres to Bethany right now? I still dont know which street seperates them

The border jogs back an forth about a dozen times between Bethany & Warr Acres; near 66 it is about 3 blocks west of MacArther, goes up to 8 blocks west nearer to the airport and tapers back to 3 blocks west near NW Expressway.

As far as Bethany annexing Warr Acers that seems pretty unlikely. Warr Acers will probably want to stay independent till it has no choice, by that point it would be unlikely combining them would solve much. Plus there is limited upside for Bethany, why would they want to add areas that in general are taking in less revenue than it takes to maintain assets and provide services.

they currently share an animal shelter I would not be surprised if they end up consolidating trash service in the next few years maybe even fire coverage but I think that would stop at the police depts as they are a funding source for both communities.

Anyone have an idea on what the building is going to be going up on the west park parking lot?

Anyone have an idea on what the building is going to be going up on the west park parking lot?

That is a building for the Family Dollar store which is currently in the shopping center. They will be demolishing the shopping center for the construction of a Walmart Neighborhood Market and this will allow that store to move there before the shopping center is demolished.

That's what I was thinking as well. Looks like wal mart is footing the bill too with that cheap construction

Perhaps it's a temporary structure until the old shopping center can be demolished and rebuilt?

In any event, as much as it's sad for me to see yet another big chunk of my history fall to the wrecking ball, I'm glad to finally see progress on this corner. It's been hideous for years.

Were this Ohio, where cities are dependent on retail tax growth, the city would just eminent domain the west park mall and redevelop it with a crony developer. The resulting redevelopment would be pretty fabulous.

Legacy Village Home (http://www.legacy-village.com/)

Were this Ohio, where cities are dependent on retail tax growth, the city would just eminent domain the west park mall and redevelop it with a crony developer. The resulting redevelopment would be pretty fabulous.

Legacy Village Home (http://www.legacy-village.com/) Nice development Spartan. This reminds me so much of the "Shops at Legacy" in Plano.

It was just an inner ring suburb, Lyndhurst, that was losing tax revenues and had to make an aggressive economic development move. Demographics in Lyndhurst are alright, but incomes are about half what you'd see in bordering suburbs like Beachwood and Shaker Heights. They just had extremely high traffic counts that supported a nice redevelopment project here.

Warr Acres has traffic counts.

That's what I was thinking as well. Looks like wal mart is footing the bill too with that cheap construction

That type of construction is typical for those kind of stores. There is a Dollar General store less than a block from this location on MacArthur with an almost identical type of building. They don't sell items for a dollar from expensive buildings.

It's about time they did something at that corner. It's a shame the building couldn't be re-purposed somehow, but it's better to redevelop it than to just let it rot even further.

Just drive up lyrewood lane north of 63rd between mcarthur and meridian.

They call the whole area "lyrehood".

Rockwell and MacArthur

Bethany Public Schools is close to finishing a bunch of new upgrades to the campus including: new entrance awning, new gymnasium awning (and signage), a new STEM building, auditorium renovations, and other improvements. Pictures are on the school's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bhsbronchos/

I graduated from Bethany High School a few years ago and I'm glad to see some much needed renovations and new construction are occurring! IMHO, it's the best public school district in the metro (I'm biased, I know :-) ).

double post.

Who is the owner of the house being built at NW 36th and Council? I know this was talked about on a thread *somewhere* but can't find it.

Who is the owner of the house being built at NW 36th and Council? I know this was talked about on a thread *somewhere* but can't find it.

I heard it was a towing business but don't quote me on that.

I heard it was a towing business but don't quote me on that.

Yes, the property on the NE corner of NW 36th and Council is owned by the proprietor of Twister Towing at 6221 N. Mueller.

It looks like some type of garage / auto-related building that is going up, as there are two overhead doors facing Council; one is quite large (tall).

Then, there is a 2-story space to the east that may be for offices?


Things being built in Bethany / Warr Acres or most everywhere outside the OKC limits are more problematic because most don't have their permit systems on the 'net. And the few times I call it's like they think I'm a terrorist and aren't very helpful. (at least this was the case in Warr Acres and The Village)

I'd forgotten when I put this in the Bethany/Warr Acres area the property is actually in Woodlawn Park, so there wouldn't a Bethany, Warr Acres permit. Not sure if Woodlawn Park has any permit or building review process. When I've asked about that in the past, the answer was something like there is not really a formal government, no taxes, more like an incorporated homeowners group with no real authority, but I have hard time believing that is entirely the case.

Wikipedia says it's an incorporated town with a Board of Trusties. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodlawn_Park,_Oklahoma

https://s9.postimg.org/qgj6xj47z/Sfy1_P9_Fjzjb6_Yj_Owbmk1_Pieeqg_Juq_Egiqozm_ASHULL g_ZKiq_Jex2xcy2y_Py4_Ai4_O.jpg

Appears it will get brick with a stone cap to 6' above ground. Strange.

A contractor who did some work for a friend claims he's working on it and it's a house.

I remember when Lyrewood Lane was very nice apartments with nice tenants and Westpark Mall was nice too.

What killed it, in my opinion, was when it got older and no money was put back into the apartments and Section 8 was the next step.

I'm not being mean spirited. Unless there's a big demand and shortage of real estate ( see coastal California for example) then urban sprawl and new construction is the way things go, it's pretty much inevitable.

Another example is the Willowcliff Apartments off of NW 50th and Ann Arbor. Back in the 1970's -1980's that was a very nice and desireable location to live. It became run down, sold and renamed and it's a crap hole now. Last year I had to see some patients there and saw with my own eyes.

It's really sad but that's how things go and change as time goes by.

I grew up in that area.

What happened was the unbridled growth north. Virtually everyone I grew up with moved to far North OKC and Edmond and that area was left behind.

It's happened over and over again in OKC and it is happening again now in the PC North area and parts of West Edmond.

Grew up around 50th & MacArthur in the mid 60's to the late 70's---we had a house that was built in 1966...but I hated the whole area then... and honestly it's not much better now.

My wife just spoke with the owner of Twister Towing and yes it is going to be his personal residence.

This is the only thread I found titled Bethany so for the last month or so Westbound 39th st or US 66 through Bethany has been down to 2 lanes while it looks like they are installing sidewalks on the north side of the street. We drove down that stretch today and noticed the three traffic lights at Penile, College and Asbury are gone. We last drove through there Saturday night and all three were there then. The poles and everything are gone. When we were driving through we were saying something seems different then we realized what it was.

A lot of cities went to absurd levels on putting in stoplights, pre I-40 there could be an argument about traffic volume needing those if timed together. However since then it probably would have averaged less wait time for cars and walkers for those to be stop signs. Along with be safer from eliminating people trying to beat the light, less inducement of clusters of vehicles that inherently want to go different speeds, which that and waiting long periods at light can contribute to road rage behavior.

Plus as Bethany is built out they now have to start making more rational financial decisions than when those first became stoplights, and stoplights are surprisingly expensive, especially if in locations car counts do not justify them being there. Paired with the last justification for the third lane since 66 declined in prominences, was volume could hold for the stoplights, which further hurts hurts walkability in what should be among the most walkable area of the town.

I saw something on social media and they're just removing the parking and putting in decorative streetlights I think. Of course, I can't find the post to share now.

This is the only thread I found titled Bethany so for the last month or so Westbound 39th st or US 66 through Bethany has been down to 2 lanes while it looks like they are installing sidewalks on the north side of the street. We drove down that stretch today and noticed the three traffic lights at Penile, College and Asbury are gone. We last drove through there Saturday night and all three were there then. The poles and everything are gone. When we were driving through we were saying something seems different then we realized what it was.

It's a beautification project between the state, the city of Bethany and Southern Nazarene University. There will be improved signage for the school, road improvements and I believe a memorial to veterans, but I could be wrong on that account.

But will the stop lights be put back up? They have been there for as long as I can remember. Even the old poles are gone.