IMHO financing is the worst delay to have. That goes to illustrate that this project was NOT as solid as reported. Sounds like it is now.


That was my exact thought…but that still imparts some amount of worry for the end result…

This is going to be fine.

That was my exact thought…but that still imparts some amount of worry for the end result…

Just to be clear I didn't mean to impugn what could be the finished product.

No design review changes yet..

Just to be clear I didn't mean to impugn what could be the finished product.

No design review changes yet..

Right…I'm not saying that the thing is going to flop…but should something go over budget, go wrong during construction, that could cause some setbacks, scale-backs, etc. I think it should be fine…but as we've seen with both aLoft and Maywood I, noticeable changes late in the process hurt the overall quality of the project, even if only in superficial ways.

I don't imagine anything will happen to the structure, but I'll feel better when the thing is framed out.

If they have financed the proposed $45 million they should be alright.

Apparently they are starting dirt work in a couple of weeks, per Steve. What is this hand-wringing about? The show's about ready to start. They have their financing. They're going to start construction imminently.

The folks at OKCTALK enjoy hand-wringing. :)

We've got a customer that might be doing the site utilities for this, and they've told us another hang up is the city I believe is wanting them to relocate a waterline into the street, and that's going to add some costs, so there has been some discussion about that.

clearing of trees being done on this site today as I drove back from S&B's over lunch

We've got a customer that might be doing the site utilities for this, and they've told us another hang up is the city I believe is wanting them to relocate a waterline into the street, and that's going to add some costs, so there has been some discussion about that.

The waterline (along with all other utilites) should have been located in the street from day 1 anyhow. Putting all that stuff on the sides of the road is why we have large setbacks everywhere.

http://media.metro.net/photologue/photos/12-0663_ntc_I405_Handout_8.5x11_final_1.jpg

clearing of trees being done on this site today as I drove back from S&B's over lunchAwesome!

Kerry I don't know what your point is, I was just sharing some info that I was told.

Kerry I don't know what your point is, I was just sharing some info that I was told.

I think his point is that if water lines were ran where they should be, they wouldn't have to move them.

I think his point is that if water lines were ran where they should be, they wouldn't have to move them.

No kidding, I don't think anyone was arguing that here.

Similar utility relocations are going to be done for The Steel Yard as well, to a much grander scale.

I think his point is that if water lines were ran where they should be, they wouldn't have to move them.No kidding, I don't think anyone was arguing that here.

Similar utility relocations are going to be done for The Steel Yard as well, to a much grander scale.

No one here was arguing it - but Public Works doesn't like them in the street - which is why they aren't in the street now. Look at any new construction in metro OKC and you will see the City putting utilities along the sides of the road.

Saw some signs of life on the property over the weekend. Looks like they're clearing.

Saw some signs of life on the property over the weekend. Looks like they're clearing.

Yeah, looked like trees and the remnants of the foundation of the previous building there.

I spoke to the architects on this project today and they told me that the delays were due to some minor revisions (see below) that had to be first worked through, then resubmitted to the Downtown Design Review Committee. The changes were just approved a couple of weeks ago.

I was told they now have their final building permits and are ready to go, which is why you now see clearing at the site.

Below is a detail on the west elevation, the one that will front Oklahoma:



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


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/8009d1401724607-metropolitan-metropolitannew.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/8010d1401724607-metropolitan-metropolitannew1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/8011d1401724608-metropolitan-metropolitannew2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/8012d1401724609-metropolitan-metropolitannew3.jpg

With the trees gone, this site is much larger than I previously thought.

On a related note, I hope this spurs some development on the NW corner of 6th and Oklahoma.

Remember, this will be the largest housing development in the core. It's a big project.


Also, I really like how they have varied the materials and design elements to make what could be a long, dull expanse into something interesting to look at.

I love how this project and Steelyard (though less so after some of the changes they underwent) look like trains :)

I am still surprised there is no retail on the ground level of this project. The traffic count along here seems to be very high.

Plutonic Panda getting it done for the OKCTalk Street Team:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/metropolitan060414a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/metropolitan060414b.jpg

Thanks PluPlan for the pics! Be careful traipsing through these construction sites.

Np man... I'm walking around downtown now getting some more so if there's anything else you want to see let me know.

I love downtown so much... Very exciting what's going on!!!

I am still surprised there is no retail on the ground level of this project. The traffic count along here seems to be very high.

I think that section of Oklahoma is more commuter-ish, if that makes sense. Retail would have been tough, but I think there's a lot of potential on the west side of Oklahoma for retail/restaurant development.

That's a big change compared to when I swung by on Sunday. I snapped a few, but once I got home and looked they just weren't very good pictures.

I think that section of Oklahoma is more commuter-ish, if that makes sense. Retail would have been tough, but I think there's a lot of potential on the west side of Oklahoma for retail/restaurant development.

I wouldn't be surprised if the lack of retail was coordinated as to not interfere with what's going on in AA and 9th street, which is close enough to service these folks...

I think that section of Oklahoma is more commuter-ish, if that makes sense. Retail would have been tough, but I think there's a lot of potential on the west side of Oklahoma for retail/restaurant development.

I agree. There are quite a few empty lots on the west side.

I think that section of Oklahoma is more commuter-ish, if that makes sense. Retail would have been tough, but I think there's a lot of potential on the west side of Oklahoma for retail/restaurant development.
It is definitely commuter traffic that I am referring to.
Yes the west side of Okla ave is mostly vacant lots or metal storage buildings, more likely that is where the retail could be added. I'm thinking retailers love to have that highway access and all the number of cars that pass by. But as shawnw has said it is probably wise for now to keep growing the retail along AA before adding another area to the mix.

By the way, dozens of workers on this site today and lots of heavy equipment from one end to the other end. It may have taken this a while to get started but they look to be in high gear now.

I may have mentioned this already, but as a former director (and board member prior to that) of the Automobile Alley Main Street Program this project gives me about as much satisfaction as anything happening downtown right now.

During my service there I always felt that site would be amazing for some dense residential, but the time for that development seemed so far down the road. Well, now we know that it was about fifteen years down the road LOL, but I'm glad to see that my gut was right. It's really going to be a game changer for the area.

I also agree about the retail/development potential for the west side of Oklahoma opposite of this construction. The traffic count on Oklahoma Ave alone makes it incredibly enticing, but the proximity to 10th, 6th, 235 and this housing should make that a slam dunk.

Yes the west side of Okla ave is mostly vacant lots or metal storage buildings, more likely that is where the retail could be added. I'm thinking retailers love to have that highway access and all the number of cars that pass by.

Several lots on the west side of Oklahoma are owned by the developers that sold the land to Metropolitan.

At one point there was to be a new Starbucks and I'm not sure if that deal is dead or just on hold until they can get this project open.

Construction Update: The Metropolitan Apartments | News OK (http://newsok.com/construction-update-the-metropolitan-apartments/article/4886466)

Plutonic Panda getting it done for the OKCTalk Street Team:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/metropolitan060414b.jpg

Awesome!

Vince Gill is coming to the Riverwind.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/14412307823_c21eacd258_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nXyQZV)
The Metropolitan (https://flic.kr/p/nXyQZV) by lazio85 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

^

Awesome! Thanks as always, Lazio.

Confirmed. Even close-up those microwave towers are ugly.

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3882/14412307823_c21eacd258_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/nXyQZV)
The Metropolitan (https://flic.kr/p/nXyQZV) by lazio85 (https://www.flickr.com/people//), on Flickr

This is a 'two for one' - The Metropolitan and the GE Global Research Center.

Great picture.

In Caddyshack, Rodney Dangerfield stated that the two greatest wastes of real estate are cemeteries and golf courses.

Looking at that photo, I submit a third: Interstate exchanges / cloverleafs.

In Caddyshack, Rodney Dangerfield stated that the two greatest wastes of real estate are cemeteries and golf courses.

Looking at that photo, I submit a third: Interstate exchanges / cloverleafs.

I wish ODOT would start replacing cloverleafs with stack interchanges like other states such as Texas and Tennessee.

I wish ODOT would start replacing cloverleafs with stack interchanges like other states such as Texas and Tennessee.+1

This project is really going to have a big impact.

My goodness that AT&T building is ugly.

The building is actually beautiful. It's the crap bolted onto the top...

The building is actually beautiful. It's the crap bolted onto the top...

Well, yeah. Duh.

This is a 'two for one' - The Metropolitan and the GE Global Research Center.

Great picture.
I was thinking that the GE Research Center view may be disrupted as height is achieved on the Metropolitan. At least it will cover up the highway ditch.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

I wish ODOT would start replacing cloverleafs with stack interchanges like other states such as Texas and Tennessee.
Isn't that the cloverleaf that will fall by the wayside once construction starts on the 10th Street exit?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

Isn't that the cloverleaf that will fall by the wayside once construction starts on the 10th Street exit?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

I thought they were leaving that cloverleaf and just extending a ramp straight north off that same exit ramp so you'll have the option to go either way.

Isn't that the cloverleaf that will fall by the wayside once construction starts on the 10th Street exit?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

Yes. ODOT will eliminate the 6th Street off ramps and make 10th Street a normal diamond interchange.

Really no reason to make this a stack/flyover.

My goodness that AT&T building is ugly.
The rooftop appendage is so ugly, I almost like it. In a weird, kitchy way.

...maybe I should finish this coffee...

I hate to say it, but I was thinking the same thing. The problem is that it only works close up, and it totally clashes with the (REAL) beautiful structure below. But I do know what you mean.

Yes. ODOT will eliminate the 6th Street off ramps and make 10th Street a normal diamond interchange.

Really no reason to make this a stack/flyover.
Agreed

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

Yes. ODOT will eliminate the 6th Street off ramps and make 10th Street a normal diamond interchange.

Crud, that's how I get home. Shouldn't be a big deal to tweak the route, but the first few times I see myself forgetting.

Yes. ODOT will eliminate the 6th Street off ramps and make 10th Street a normal diamond interchange.

Really no reason to make this a stack/flyover.

I don't think they're doing away with the cloverleaf that takes you back around to Harrison are they? It's still in this photo:

8127

I think we should take the switching equipment and other obsolescent crap bolted on top of the AT&T bldg and put it in the new Central Park which will desperately need attractions and focal points.

Yes. ODOT will eliminate the 6th Street off ramps and make 10th Street a normal diamond interchange.

Really no reason to make this a stack/flyover.I have no seen any city build a stack or fly-over for a street exit.

I think we should take the switching equipment and other obsolescent crap bolted on top of the AT&T bldg and put it in the new Central Park which will desperately need attractions and focal points.

Lol

I'm surprised the city can't find someone who will go up and get that AT&T equipment if they get the salvage/scrap rights to it. I mean, there's gotta be some copper in there, right?

Yes. ODOT will eliminate the 6th Street off ramps and make 10th Street a normal diamond interchange.

Really no reason to make this a stack/flyover.

Wait. So, 6th / walnut exit is going away?

Yes. ODOT will eliminate the 6th Street off ramps and make 10th Street a normal diamond interchange.

Really no reason to make this a stack/flyover.


Can't they at least do a single point urban intersection.