AND they didn't ask for TIF or any other public assistance.

You mean to tell us that it's possible to build an economically viable project without a handout from taxpayers?

It is amazing isn't it.

3/31/2015

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x378/KerryinJax/OKC%20Stuff/CAM03448_zpsmpaw7g0f.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x378/KerryinJax/OKC%20Stuff/CAM03449_zpstirftfdp.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x378/KerryinJax/OKC%20Stuff/CAM03450_zpsv9klgxhv.jpg

http://i1178.photobucket.com/albums/x378/KerryinJax/OKC%20Stuff/CAM03451_zpsaws1dxql.jpg

Thanks for the pics JTF.

I really love this particular project. It will do wonders in connecting Deep Deuce and Automobile Alley and help in bridging the urban fabric between the two districts. There is a ton of potential in terms of vacant lots and underutilized historic buildings. Imagine once this area, the empty lots in Deep Deuce and along AA, and Midtown all fill in... It is going to be a very vibrant, seamless collection of urban districts that will benefit being a part of a 'whole', rather than functioning individually and against one another.

In the population growth thread, we've mentioned that OKC's current urban neighborhoods are still woefully lacking compared to some other cities. But looking at the big picture, once these neighborhoods are complete, they will complement and integrate into each other. Individually they may not be able to compare to more vibrant 'hoods of other cities, but together they should/could/can provide it all.

Pictures don't really do this project justice because it just doesn't capture the scale. It is the 3 blocks long for goodness sakes and is bigger than the Santa Fe Parking Garage.

That's always what I think when I go by there. "Wow, this thing is massive."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIWrFNDKQ6o

Really wish the sidewalks and crosswalks and such (have you tried crossing 6th street to go to Jimmy Johns? Ouch!) connecting it would have been evaluated and considered and maybe worked on in tandem with this complex. While it will certainly help connect DD and AA, for a bit those folks will feel trapped by disconnectivity! Okay I'm probably exaggerating, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done.

That's always what I think when I go by there. "Wow, this thing is massive."

If I measured correctly it is over 800' long. It is like laying Devon Tower on the ground.

Really wish the sidewalks and crosswalks and such (have you tried crossing 6th street to go to Jimmy Johns? Ouch!) connecting it would have been evaluated and considered and maybe worked on in tandem with this complex. While it will certainly help connect DD and AA, for a bit those folks will feel trapped by disconnectivity! Okay I'm probably exaggerating, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done.

No doubt that 5 way intersection needs to be reworked. Traffic Circle?

I would be in favor for traffic circles in this area.

If I measured correctly it is over 800' long. It is like laying Devon Tower on the ground.

Steve's article mentioned the site was about 960 feet long, so the building isn't much shorter than that.

This development reminds me of One Santa Fe in Los Angeles, which is at least a quarter mile long, only far less uglier.

One Santa Fe : Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/places/one-santa-fe)

Steve's article mentioned the site was about 960 feet long, so the building isn't much shorter than that.

This development reminds me of One Santa Fe in Los Angeles, which is at least a quarter mile long, only far less uglier.

One Santa Fe : Curbed LA (http://la.curbed.com/places/one-santa-fe)

I would say the LA development is far uglier than Metropolitan.

Yes, that's what I meant. Sorry my post was a bit of a word jumble. One Santa Fe is butt ugly, but the two concepts are somewhat similar.

Really wish the sidewalks and crosswalks and such (have you tried crossing 6th street to go to Jimmy Johns? Ouch!) connecting it would have been evaluated and considered and maybe worked on in tandem with this complex. While it will certainly help connect DD and AA, for a bit those folks will feel trapped by disconnectivity! Okay I'm probably exaggerating, but there's a lot of work that needs to be done.

100% agree. That intersection is miserable. I kinda feel like it really separates AA from DD

No doubt that 5 way intersection needs to be reworked. Traffic Circle?
As the area officially within the boundaries of the Automobile Alley district, when plans were being made in 1999-2000 to reconfigure that I-235 off-ramp and intersection we (the Automobile Alley Main Street Program Design Committee and Board of Directors) proposed a large traffic circle. It was summarily vetoed by then-Public Works Director Paul Brum, who openly admitted to hating them.

Maybe it is time to test the waters again.

Considering the fact that what's there is nearly brand new relative to other infrastructure and in excellent condition - plus the fact that a rework would cause massive ingress-egress issues for a year or more and cost millions if not tens of millions - you'd probably have a much easier time focusing on a hundred other worthwhile projects downtown.

I'm not saying it SHOULDN'T happen - in fact I actually chaired a committee that recommended that it should - I'm only saying that from a practical perspective it won't. We should be selective in which windmills at which we tilt.

It would have to be a double lane traffic circle, and that would be a nightmare teaching people to use.

I think it would be cool to see something like this done

http://i.imgur.com/FdMalAQ.jpg

This one is under construction in the same country I think

https://bicycledutch.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/stavanger1.jpg

The Netherlands has it going! That would be super cool to see that.

Just to make sure we are all on the same page, I am talking about 5th and Oklahoma. Earlier I said 5 way intetsection, but it is a 6 way.

They could do it here. Make a super big round-a-bout putting a business or a large sculpture in the middle.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7590/17010951972_3ded7d0bec_o.png

Just to make sure we are all on the same page, I am talking about 5th and Oklahoma. Earlier I said 5 way intetsection, but it is a 6 way.
Sorry, I thought you were talking about 6th/Walnut/Harrison, which is where we proposed. I think 5th and Oklahoma is probably too tight owing to having two buildings at zero setback, which is also desirable.

They could do it here. Make a super big round-a-bout putting a business or a large sculpture in the middle.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7590/17010951972_3ded7d0bec_o.png
That's exactly what was proposed in 1999-2000. Rand Elliott wanted the sculpture to be a giant iconic O or circle, to represent Oklahoma/OKC. His sculpture idea was eventually modified and became the Beacon of Hope, instead now located on the other side of I-235.

That would have been awesome.

I would be in favor for tearing out the existing streets and building a new traffic circle, but with the way other streets are around the metro, I don't see that happening.

That would have been awesome.

I would be in favor for tearing out the existing streets and building a new traffic circle, but with the way other streets are around the metro, I don't see that happening.

If we wait until the 'other streets' get done nothing will happen - ever. There is getting ready to be lots of people living here. It funny because OKC has no problem 4-laning the prairie in preparation for growth 10 years out, but heaven forbid they fix a street where people will be living in a year. Honestly, did no one with the city say'hey, we should fix this' back when the Met was approved?

Sorry, I thought you were talking about 6th/Walnut/Harrison, which is where we proposed. I think 5th and Oklahoma is probably too tight owing to having two buildings at zero setback, which is also desirable.

There are a couple of close buildings but neither would be a show-stopper if they were torn down for better pedestrian access. In fact, a traffic circle would enhance the two flatiron style buildings.

I agree. A traffic circle could do a good job of balancing automotive and pedestrian space if it doesn't have to emphasize ped xing's on ALL sides.

Any new photos of the progress?

Any new photos of the progress?

If no one posts any I'll go by tomorrow evening.

I drove by today. It looks like they have one window on the ground floor installed. Not sure if it was for fitment or what. I didn't pay much attention. I might try to take some pictures this week.

I took this about a week ago.

The framing is almost completely up now.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/metro060215.jpg

The north side of the complex is the only section that looks like framing is incomplete.

Any new photos of the progress?

Ask and you shall receive.

1089610897108981089910900

Thank you!

Thanks for all the pics guys.

I'm still amazed by the size of this development. I think it's gonna be a really cool development.

largest PUD apartment building in OKC?

I noticed this weekend while driving through Automobile Alley that Metropolitan has opened a leasing office and is now pre-leasing.

Leasing office.

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/10928d1434046934-metropolitan-metroleasing.jpg

Just learned they hope to have their first units open for occupants in December.

11059

The Harrison corridor rising?

DOWNTOWN DIGS: Metropolitan Apartments set to open in January | News OK (http://newsok.com/downtown-digs-metropolitan-apartments-set-to-open-in-january/article/5432792)

They invited me to an open house at their leasing office but I won't be in town.

I know they are already signing leases but January occupancy seems very ambitious. These complexes almost always miss by several months, but the sooner they get open, the better. I bet they'll be full in no time flat.

These complexes almost always miss by several months

Mosaic for example.

Mosaic for example.

Amen to that. It's taken so long I've pretty much talked myself out of living downtown.

Rick Dowell just filed a Trademark infringement case against Bomasada, the owner/developer of this project.

He claims he's been using the name Metropolitan for this building at 400 N. Walker, and is requesting a permanent injunction against them using that mark, as well as other relief:

http://x.lnimg.com/photo/poster_768/23c03674abfb4cac951d8e097eb913fd.jpg

Can the city sue Rick for his use of "Midtown"? :rolleyes:

I'm certainly not a lawyer, and most definitely not an expert on trademark law.

But if I recall, as long as the uses are different, the same name can be used for businesses.

Like Delta


You have Delta faucets, and Delta Air Lines

http://showerlover.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/delta-shower-head-faucets.jpg

http://logok.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Delta-logo-1024x768.png


Nissan Frontier and Frontier Airlines

http://image.trucktrend.com/f/9959883+w660+h495+cr1/0806st_20_z%2B2007_nissan_frontier%2Blogo.jpg

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSFdx_HHxFWY-GfYSBwh7SGE1Td-WdS5TKHjBkngM34AxXx_ZwjnQ


My point being, one being an office building and one being a residential building. Is that enough distinction to allow both to operate?

Mosaic for example.

I'm actually beginning to wonder if the Metropolitan can beat Mosaic.

I'm certainly not a lawyer, and most definitely not an expert on trademark law.

But if I recall, as long as the uses are different, the same name can be used for businesses.

Like Delta


You have Delta faucets, and Delta Air Lines

My point being, one being an office building and one being a residential building. Is that enough distinction to allow both to operate?


and Delta Dental. Theres also a Delta Electrical company in OKC.

and theres so many other "Level" apartment complexes in the US. I dont think theres any basis for his claim. Why isnt he suing the Metropolitan Library System?

and Delta Dental. Theres also a Delta Electrical company in OKC.

and theres so many other "Level" apartment complexes in the US. I dont think theres any basis for his claim. Why isnt he suing the Metropolitan Library System?

I chose those examples because they demonstrate the extreme: they have the same name and very similar logos and branding.

Somebody ought to sue Dowell for ****ty parking garages.

When did he start using the term? Was it after Bomasada first attempted to enter the market? One look at their website shows that they repurpose the same names into different markets, including Metropolitan.

Somebody ought to sue Dowell for ****ty parking garages.

This!

Are you ****ing serious.

Does this douche have nothing better to do? How can you seriously be that big of an asshole? I'm sure he needs the money.

Somebody ought to sue Dowell for ****ty parking garages.

A local cemetery could sue him for the trademarked lifeless look he stole for his garages.

The scale of this place is quite impressive when you see it in person, just took this while walking by today.

http://i.imgur.com/1RZqJ8K.jpg

Great pic. The roofline will be a major design element once it is finished.

Its hard to miss driving by it on 235 SB. It's ginormous!

^^^ Yup and with the GE Global Research center looming across the highway, that little stretch of 235 is going to have a completely different vibe in a year.

They're bricking up the portion with scaffolding in that picture. Looks great.