I had heard about this project several months ago... They had originally tried to make this work in the Paseo area -- which would have been a far better location, obviously -- but couldn't secure the land.

It's a local group wanting to create a place for food trucks to park with hookups, restrooms, seating and a performance stage.

I know they have similar setups in Atlanta, Austin and some other cities.

Great idea, not sure about the location:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodtrucks1.JPG


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodtrucks2.JPG


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodtrucks3.JPG

Really strange location. Not close to anything...

Tons of businesses in that area, obviously.

Would probably work for lunch, not so sure about in the evenings.

I don't like the location. Great idea but something like this shouldn't go in the borderline burbs, surrounding by almost entirely ugly industrial metal warehouses. Is there no way to make it work near downtown?

Location is everything. They should reconsider.

Better place for this would be 36th and either Western or Lincoln.

Love the concept. Pretty sure it doesn't fit in the "if you build it, they will come" category.

Better place for this would be 36th and either Western or Lincoln.

Yeah, there are some open parcels around 36th and Western that would be perfect.

Agree - love the idea, skeptical of the location.

If it is created as a day time lunch and go spot, it makes sense to me. As an evening venue, not quite so much.
But there's little need for a stage area if fast convenient grub grab for area workers is the target audience.

Then again, if it has the right food and music mix, it's basically a permanent space suitable for the same sort of
short term musical events that appear to do well in parking lots. Bluesfest in Bricktown and parts of Jazz in June in Norman come to mind.

Folks arrive and eat, stay for the music and often depart without spending much time in other nearby venues.

Lots of land in the stockyards or fairgrounds area

The great thing about the one in Austin was the proximity to unique shopping and dowtown. Ideally this would go in somewhere with an established walkable area or potential walkable area. I did hear rumors during my last trip to Austin that the land was being sold to a developer.

50th is too far north. 36th and Lincoln would be great because it would get Capitol folks to go a direction different than 23rd, which gets way backed up @ lunch time.

50th is too far north. 36th and Lincoln would be great because it would get Capitol folks to go a direction different than 23rd, which gets way backed up @ lunch time.

Nah, that extra distance won't really be an issue if it is marketed to capitol folk. First, it's just another mile. That's not a lot of time difference if the lines at most of the places along N Lincoln are still as long as they used to be. Haven't stopped anywhere on N Lincoln for a grab and dash bite in a long time so I can't say if the lines are the same, shorter or even longer.

Second, it's not chain based fast food and if it attracts good trucks, none of the Lincoln brick and mortar chains can even try and offer the variety that comes from multiple trucks.

yes, the food truck area on south congress in austin is no more, but they also have the 'trailer park & eatery' on first street. torchy's has a location there and it seems like a lot better set up than what was on south congress (as far as seating, shade, and number of trucks). (they also have restrooms available.)

Yeah this is an awful location for this.

Bad location.

I also don't understand their reasoning in this location. I'm not really familiar with what is in that immediate area... Are they hoping to draw people from 23rd / the Capitol complex?

Like everyone else, great idea, not so great location. If you go to all this kind of trouble they need more than lunch business to survive.

Still bummed about Italianos closing there on N Lincoln and 48th which im sure had something to do with the general locale.

I would almost rather this not happen at all if they decide to put it there. It just makes it less likely that one will be put in a better location. There has to be a way to put this closer to any district. The only reason these things work in other cities is due to their walkable proximity to businesses and other restaurants/bars...none of which are near this location. The nightlife business for places like this is huge unless they are just aiming to serve lunch.

As I mentioned, they really tried to make it work at a particular site in/near The Paseo but couldn't secure the site.

The good news is I heard that a beer garden is going into that Paseo location (still unsure exactly where) instead.

I would almost rather this not happen at all if they decide to put it there. It just makes it less likely that one will be put in a better location. There has to be a way to put this closer to any district. The only reason these things work in other cities is due to their walkable proximity to businesses and other restaurants/bars...none of which are near this location. The nightlife business for places like this is huge unless they are just aiming to serve lunch.I personally don't really see what harm it would do if they put it here. I agree it would likely be more successful some place in the Paseo, but if they do put it here, just don't worry about it. I highly doubt it would discourage someone from building another one within walking distance of a walkable district. Just because they don't put it where you want it doesn't mean it shouldn't be built at all.

I personally don't really see what harm it would do if they put it here. I agree it would likely be more successful some place in the Paseo, but if they do put it here, just don't worry about it. I highly doubt it would discourage someone from building another one within walking distance of a walkable district. Just because they don't put it where you want it doesn't mean it shouldn't be built at all.

The thing is there are far better places to put it, even in the suburbs, than this place on NE 50th. That is one of the ugliest areas in the city and it will be surrounding almost entirely by metal warehouses. There's absolutely nothing else of interest around there. If they want to do it in the burbs, they should look a mile west and try to put it in the Western Avenue district. This could be a much needed shot in the arm for that district.

I don't care if it is in the burbs and in fact, I would actually prefer to see it in Midtown or Paseo. I'm just saying to say they shouldn't build it period unless it goes where I want it to go is not very friendly.

I don't care if it is in the burbs and in fact, I would actually prefer to see it in Midtown or Paseo. I'm just saying to say they shouldn't build it period unless it goes where I want it to go is not very friendly.

Or the plaza for that matter if they could find the space...the concept would fit well there.

As I mentioned, they really tried to make it work at a particular site in/near The Paseo but couldn't secure the site.

The good news is I heard that a beer garden is going into that Paseo location (still unsure exactly where) instead.

I know, I just feel like there has to be a better location then this somewhere around a district. If not the paseo, uptown, midtown or the plaza, you could make the concept work in film row or maybe western. I guess space is the key but there are still empty lots all over the place.

The thing is there are far better places to put it, even in the suburbs, than this place on NE 50th. That is one of the ugliest areas in the city and it will be surrounding almost entirely by metal warehouses. There's absolutely nothing else of interest around there. If they want to do it in the burbs, they should look a mile west and try to put it in the Western Avenue district. This could be a much needed shot in the arm for that district.
You may not find anything in the area that interest you but you are totally misrepresenting the area. It is not surrounded almost entirely by metal warehouses. There are 750 apartments just across the street to the north. There are office buildings along that stretch of 50th from I-235 to Lincoln. From 50th south all the way to 23rd there are dozens of thriving businesses employing hundreds. There are insurance companies, professional associations, medical clinics, manufacturers, office suppliers, printing companies, schools, lawyers, and much more including thousands of government workers.

The old Marco's restaurant at NW 16th and Classen would be handy spot.

The old Marco's restaurant at NW 16th and Classen would be handy spot.

It would definitely be visible!

Or the plaza for that matter if they could find the space...the concept would fit well there.Yeah that would be a great spot. Seems they would do really well in almost any established urban district, imo.

The proposed location for the Food Truck Court flies in opposition to the intended purpose of a Food Truck Court and is therefore should be brushed aside in favor of a different location of later choosing. A Food Truck Court will only attract gypsies, tramps and thieves and should, therefore, be located closer to the Urban Hub in order to generate business.

On the other hand . . . Bricktown wasn't built in a day . . . so . . .

(I think out around Britton Rd. and Western might be nice . . . =)

what is the opposite of "NIMBY"?

Still bummed about Italianos closing there on N Lincoln and 48th which im sure had something to do with the general locale.

I heard they reopened in north Edmond, but I just don't ever go up to Edmond much at all. Once this year, in search of a specific toy, only to find out the person on the phone wiht my lovely was either a complete idiot or simply lied. Anyway, I don't know if Italiano's is still open in Edmond or not. There are several acceptable or better Italian places closer to me so I am unlikely to ever visit again.

I am willing to bet they looked at many other locations after the Paseo area fell through. I am sure it all came down to price in the end. Any area that is a major hot spot or has the potential to become a hotspot has been bought up or people are sitting on until they get an offer they cannot refuse. Real Estate is a sellers market and it is one of the few areas left in our society you can make a fortune overnight if you have the right property and the right buyer.

There is definitely a decent size day time market to pitch the concept as a close in place to
ditch the boring fast food routine.

For evenings, the more I think about it in terms of right trucks, right music, it sinks in.

Large apt. complex to the north.
Guard training center to the NE.
Residential to the west.
After hours stop for the lunch crowd.

Minimal travel for the first three groups,
and the last group is already traveling.

May not be the A-1 best location, but yeah,
not so bad, not so bad at all.

Ehhhh, I still think this location is relying too much on the 'build it (or in this case 'park it') and they will come' mentality.

As much as I love these sorts of things (and we often seek them out on our many trips to Austin) and attend the ones during H&8th, Midtown and Plaza events - I'm going to go out on a limb and say 'if' this one even happens in the proposed area it will not last, or will quickly become something resembling a food court at Mary's Swap Meet. Hope not, but that's my gut feeling.

I guess we'd really need to know more about the investors and their motives and ties to the community. Unless you're just rolling in dough, I'm not sure how they plan on making their initial investment back and turn a profit. They would have to put a huge chunk of change into making a really nice area to overcome the location and compete with so many other established food truck events.

Then on top of that they are totally dependent on the participation of individually owned food trucks for this to work. These guys make very little money as it is - are they going to charge them to park there or take a percentage of their sales? Are they going to charge patrons to park and come onto the property? Or, do they think they'll have bands and such people will pay to come see?

I just don't see this working at this location within any realistic business plan and as a patron I don't see the draw to take me away from other events in better locations with shopping, downtown vibe etc…… But hey, I've been wrong before….

The farmers market could be a pretty cool venue.

4th and EK Gaylord would have been a good location but not sure who that is owned by.

Farmers Market is perfect area for this as it gets in on the ground floor of that area rising (and before land costs are too high), OR, the Boathouse District. Seems strange maybe, but since they already bring many food trucks in for their events, AND already usually have a stage setup for their events, making a permanent food truck court with permanent stage is kind of a perfect fit. Once the landing is open people can walk there for events outside of Boathouse events, and if the weather isn't good for that there's already plenty of built in parking. I know this doesn't jive with the master plan, but neither does a Great Wolf but we're trying for that...

Farmers Market is perfect area for this as it gets in on the ground floor of that area rising (and before land costs are too high), OR, the Boathouse District. Seems strange maybe, but since they already bring many food trucks in for their events, AND already usually have a stage setup for their events, making a permanent food truck court with permanent stage is kind of a perfect fit. Once the landing is open people can walk there for events outside of Boathouse events, and if the weather isn't good for that there's already plenty of built in parking. I know this doesn't jive with the master plan, but neither does a Great Wolf but we're trying for that...

Why do you say Great Wolf doesn't fit in their master plan?

Also, I really like your suggestion of setting this up in the Boathouse District.

I just meant it's not in the master plan at this point.

Why do you say Great Wolf doesn't fit in their master plan?

Also, I really like your suggestion of setting this up in the Boathouse District.

I don't think there would be enough room for a GWL immediatly adjacent to the Boathouse District, especially if the whitewater rafting course is going in that area to the east of all the boathouses. It wouldn't surprise me if it was built and spurred other development along the river, I just don't see it physically fitting near the boathouse district.

Farmers Market is perfect area for this as it gets in on the ground floor of that area rising (and before land costs are too high)

Excellent suggestion.

There is tons of land around the farmers market and i would bet the price is right.

The Main Street surface parking lot between BT and Deep Deuce would be fantastic. Walkable to the CBD during lunch, convenient to multitudes of housing units in DD, accessible to late-night party crowd, and would help utilize/promote a woefully underutilized surface lot. Close to the PoPo too, which should make everyone feel safe.

The Main Street surface parking lot between BT and Deep Deuce would be fantastic. Walkable to the CBD during lunch, convenient to multitudes of housing units in DD, accessible to late-night party crowd, and would help utilize/promote a woefully underutilized surface lot. Close to the PoPo too, which should make everyone feel safe.

This is another excellent suggestion.

Isn't that where a new parking garage is going sooner rather than later?

The old Marco's restaurant at NW 16th and Classen would be handy spot.

Agree, what a horrible location. I think this would be an ideal spot, or somewhere in Midtown or 23rd Street.

Isn't that where a new parking garage is going sooner rather than later?

The west end of it is planned for the redevelopment you propose, but that is only a small fraction of the lot. That thing is HUGE. I would like to see most of it eventually become a huge parking structure similar to the one bordering Sundance Square in FW.

This project is probably going to happen in a much better location now -- people here are likely to be very happy.

Stay tuned! Should have full details in a few weeks.

This project is probably going to happen in a much better location now -- people here are likely to be very happy.

Stay tuned! Should have full details in a few weeks.

+1

Well that's great! Hope you're right!

I don't think a suburban food park is a bad idea.

San Antonio's first food truck park opened in 2011 in a suburban area and today there are a total of four food truck parks with a half dozen under construction/planned/proposed, those are represented by the green dots.

This map I made illustrates the first four in order of being built.

http://i.imgur.com/lTgr3az.jpg

As you can see, the first food truck park, Boardwalk on Bulverde (http://www.boardwalkonbulverde.com/), was built in 2011 in a suburban area. The second food truck park, The Point Park and Eats (http://pointparkandeats.com/), was built even further out in the suburbs.

This was mainly due to downtown ordinance that didn't allow food trucks within 100 feet of a restaurant without said restaurant or restaurants permission. That ordinance was changed in 2012, which allowed for the third food park to be built, Alamo Street Eats (http://alamostreeteatbar.com/). Also, since then, random spots downtown have a food truck day.

The fourth food truck park, The Block (https://www.facebook.com/TheBlockSA), was built across from the UTSA Main Campus on the far north side. Another suburban food park.

However, like I said, there are six food truck parks planned. Five in the urban core and one in the suburbs, in the Medical Center District. Of those six, two are under construction, the others have been proposed.

It should be noted that The Point Park and Eats is quite popular and The Cooking Channel came to town last week to film 10 of their trucks for one of their shows, Eat St.

So, what I'm saying, is a suburban food truck park isn't a recipe for failure.

May not be a bad idea, but there's little argument that rather doing something "not bad", one would prefer "good" or even "great". Hopefully this newer, improved location is someplace in the core that will continue to enhance the walkability and curb appeal of OKC. The last thing OKC needs is yet another restaurant (or group of restaurants) that you can only get to by driving.

The location they have proposed is very much in the middle of lots of new development and redevelopment.

Would be for just a few years until this particular property was developed in a more permanent manner.

The 50th and Walnut location isn't necessarily bad just because its suburban. It's that there is pretty much nothing else of interest around it except for metal warehouses. That location would work fine in they are going for lunch only but if they are wanting it to be a destination, there are way better places, even in suburban areas if that is the direction they are wanting to go.

The location they have proposed is very much in the middle of lots of new development and redevelopment.

Would be for just a few years until this particular property was developed in a more permanent manner.

Visuals matter. Intangibles matter. If this was on Lincoln that would be totally different. Still a weird location, but it would have a place where it visually belongs. This site at NE 50th and Walnut is surrounded by nothing but warehouses. That's just a block off Lincoln but it's that block that makes all the difference here.

This is one of the best ideas I have heard! I see Paseo as the ultimate option! Midtown, Downtown, Plaza district, common guys- There has to be a better option for this kind of an idea.

I think that being able to walk to galleries, shops, local bars, and to this area all without getting in your car would be the ultimate move forward!

Regardless of where this fantastic idea finds its home in OKC I am so excited that it may be coming soon!!

They are looking at a prime spot in Midtown now; don't want to give the exact location because they asked me not to for the time being.

Still trying to finalize the lease and will need all the appropriate approvals but I think this is going to happen, and soon.

Is the spot that held the Pop Up Shops marked for any development yet?