Can't wait for the "where do we park?" crowd on social media posts...

This sounds promising. The trees are indeed a nice touch; will make it less State Fair and more of a permanent space with an Austiny-type feel, which is probably what they are shooting for.

Can't wait for the "where do we park?" crowd on social media posts...

kinda amazing how many people just admit to drinking and driving tbh

Can't wait for the "where do we park?" crowd on social media posts...

What? This is literally the exact same thing that was there before. No parking is being lost.

They should put in a shooting range for the Kong's crowd.

lol

they should put in a shooting range for the kong's crowd.

oh lawdy!

They should put in a shooting range for the Kong's crowd.

great cross-promotion... it's the shots and shots saturday night special!

. . . love the "this ain't my first rodeo" signs!! :D

Hilariously, I saw someone on the FB post bemoaning these improvements, saying, "I want Bleu Garten." WHY?

People are ridiculous.

The signage in the pictures is from Howdy Burger in Tulsa. Could that mean they will be one of the permanent concepts?

I wonder if they'll have live music to compete with The Truck Yard?

The signage in the pictures is from Howdy Burger in Tulsa. Could that mean they will be one of the permanent concepts?

I believe they are considering it but haven't 100% decided.

https://howdyburger.com/

It looks like this is open this weekend, beginning today with St Paddy activities. However, I don't believe there is any of the proposed changes in place. So it is basically just the old Bleu with the new ownership.

Ride by it all the time. Nothing has changed yet.

great cross-promotion... it's the shots and shots saturday night special!

Do you know why they call shots of whisky “shots”? It actually has an origin from ammunition.

It looks like this is open this weekend, beginning today with St Paddy activities. However, I don't believe there is any of the proposed changes in place. So it is basically just the old Bleu with the new ownership.

I suspect they just opened as-is to catch overflow from their St Patrick’s Day street celebration and to further monetize the big day they have there. I’m sure the changes will take place, likely with another brief shutdown, between now and Memorial Day most likely.

It looks like this is open this weekend, beginning today with St Paddy activities. However, I don't believe there is any of the proposed changes in place. So it is basically just the old Bleu with the new ownership.

I believe a little further up thread Pete reported this would be the case. They bought it but would leave it alone to do a one time St Patrick’s day open before tearing into it to have it ready for summer.

^

Yes, that is what Elliot Nelson told me.

They are planting the trees now. Good to see they are making this place more bearable during summer. Misters + shade = :)

Just talked to them this morning and they are shooting for a May 19th opening.

As with everyone else, they've had delays in the supply chain.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/citygarden043022a.jpg

I wish that could be done more often at developments (planting of mature trees). The unfortunate irony of this site is that in 5 or 10 or 20 years when the site finally gets redeveloped these mature trees will likely be torn down and discarded.

City Garden opens today (Thursday). They had a small soft opening last night.

They plan to have at least one permanent food truck of their own (not ready yet) and then rotate trucks from other vendors.

Hours are TH 3 – 11 PM; FR 3 – midnight; Sat 10 AM – midnight; SUN 10 AM – 11 PM.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/citygarden051822b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/citygarden051822c.jpg

What's the consensus now that they've been open for a while? Went a couple times back in June and didn't care for the vibe and then haven't been back because of the heat.

What's the consensus now that they've been open for a while? Went a couple times back in June and didn't care for the vibe and then haven't been back because of the heat.

Pretty much like Bleu Garden but with more tables and chairs, umbrellas, new trees and seems like better bar offerings IIRC. I'd say its definitely been upgraded. Hours seem more limited though.

Pretty much like Bleu Garden but with more tables and chairs, umbrellas, new trees and seems like better bar offerings IIRC. I'd say its definitely been upgraded. Hours seem more limited though.

Popped in about 8PM Saturday...place was dead. Went across the street to The Collective and had to circle several times to find a seat (the patios are smaller).

Food options will be key for this place I think.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/citygarden082822a.jpg

A Howdy Burger (also owned by the McNellie's group) trailer is now a permanent food option at City Garden.

Obviously the weather has been terrible for patios the last month, but this place looks deserted even in the evenings after sunset. I don't think they ever installed the cooling fans. It is sad to see, but I think there is just too many options now.

Obviously the weather has been terrible for patios the last month, but this place looks deserted even in the evenings after sunset. I don't think they ever installed the cooling fans. It is sad to see, but I think there is just too many options now.

I have tried to go and eat at Howdy Burger during the hours they have listed and it has never been open. I feel like this place just needs to go away and that square block needs some development!

I really thought McNellies was going to do something better with this

There’s been very little apparent effort. I pass by many times a week, all variety of days and times. It’s almost never open during times when you’d expect it to be; times when Collective immediately across the street is packed, inside and out. I see so much revenue potential being left on the table that it’s honestly a bit painful to see. The only thing I can figure is that there must be a labor issue. And by that I mean they must be having a difficult time finding crew who are willing to work outside during hot weather.

^

And work unpredictable and very sporadic hours.

That's a short-term issue. McNellie's group a professional team. They will reinvest in the space - something that hasn't been done previously - and as soon as they can get up to reasonable staffing levels you can bet that they will be open during any hours in which they could be turning a profit. Lack of ongoing re-investment and unreliable/non-aggressive operating hours were the main downfall of Bleu Garten.

Seems they were never able to staff. Place has been dead every time I walk by, even with the nice weather. The other night there was a DJ playing 90s hip-hop and there looked like 15 people in the entire place.

Shame since it's a great area but can't see how they stay in business at this rate.

I guess they are closing and...a dog park is taking their place. There are times when I really hate some of the stuff allowed in this city. A dog park on a busy intersection, where they can easily get out and get hit.

Highest use, OKC. Come on.

I guess they are closing and...a dog park is taking their place. There are times when I really hate some of the stuff allowed in this city. A dog park on a busy intersection, where they can easily get out and get hit.

Highest use, OKC. Come on.

It's because Midtown Mutts is giving way to the big new Palomar building, plus a parking garage and more housing.

With the Collective right across the street which is better in every way, there really isn't much demand for City Garden and I'm sure they've found it almost impossible to get staff given their erratic, weather-driven hours.

https://citygardenokc.com/


City Garden Customers,

City Garden has permanently closed in order to make way for the impending relocation of Midtown Mutts dog park, which will soon move from its long-time home north of Fassler Hall due to the construction of the MAPS4 Palomar building.

Change can be bittersweet, but we want to assure you that this decision was made with careful consideration for the future of our beloved neighborhood. The Midtown Mutts dog park has become a cherished part of this area, so we were happy to make sure it will continue to have a home in our community.

This transformation is a testament to the continued evolution of Midtown OKC, and we are grateful to be a part of this journey. As we bid farewell to City Garden, we want to express gratitude for your support over the last 2+ years.

We are actively exploring new opportunities within the community and look forward to keeping you updated on our next chapter. In the meantime, we invite you to celebrate the growth and positive changes happening around us. Midtown OKC is thriving, and we are excited to witness its continued success.

We look forward to seeing you at the new Midtown Mutts dog park when it opens in the spring of 2024.

Warm regards,
Your Friends At City Garden

It's because Midtown Mutts is giving way to the big new Palomar building, plus a parking garage and more housing.

With the Collective right across the street which is better in every way, there really isn't much demand for City Garden and I'm sure they've found it almost impossible to get staff given their erratic, weather-driven hours.

I didn't realize the new Palomar building was going there. Nice!

Just wish a dog park wasn't going into a prime corner. Plus, I lean towards caution, and I know dogs will get out and run into traffic. I know my dog got out and ran to Fassler from their current location.

I didn't realize the new Palomar building was going there. Nice!

Just wish a dog park wasn't going into a prime corner. Plus, I lean towards caution, and I know dogs will get out and run into traffic. I know my dog got out and ran to Fassler from their current location.

Fences, 6 ft high, limited gates and doubled, not hard, been done thousands of times.

Both Midtown Mutts and Bleu Garten/City Garden were always intended to be temporary uses of their respective lots. Once Midtown R is ready to develop that entire lot, Midtown Mutts will once again move or be removed altogether.

I wouldn't be surprised if Midtown R offered to release City Garden from their lease and the offer was taken due to lackluster performance this past summer.

Both Midtown Mutts and Bleu Garten/City Garden were always intended to be temporary uses of their respective lots. Once Midtown R is ready to develop that entire lot, Midtown Mutts will once again move or be removed altogether.

I wouldn't be surprised if Midtown R offered to release City Garden from their lease and the offer was taken due to lackluster performance this past summer.

and the last thing standing in the way of that entire block is the new Palomar being built and the old one being closed

They were tearing down the fences completely today, will post a picture tomorrow of the progress

Yeah, it looks like this place is being completely dismantled and by tomorrow no sign of its existence will remain.

Front and center in CVB and Downtown OKC marketing efforts only a few years ago. End of an era.

Moving along to convert this site to the new Midtown Mutts dog park.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bleugarten112324a.jpg

While i love dog parks, this is not a great use of this corner. Hopefully it helps out The Collective, though.

What exactly was wrong with the old dog park? I agree this is a very poor use of this corner.

What exactly was wrong with the old dog park? I agree this is a very poor use of this corner.

They are moving it to develop that entire block.

The new dog park will just be a temporary use.

What exactly was wrong with the old dog park? I agree this is a very poor use of this corner.

the old location is getting developed ..

They are moving it to develop that entire block.



Has the project already been announced or are they just maneuvering?

Work is set to start soon on the new MAPS/Palomar building, which is why they are moving the dog park.

Not sure of the timing of the rest of the current Midtown Mutts block, but there are plans for more housing and a parking garage.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/palomar042223f.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/justice083123a.jpg

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47563

Has the project already been announced or are they just maneuvering?

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47563

Reminder of everything owned by Midtown Renaissance (in green):

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/midtown112524aa.jpg

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=47563

Thanks

I love this chart above, but there are a few adjustments needed:
- The building east of the Collective, called the Cline, is also owned by them.
- The box labeled the Marion should be on the Southwest corner of Broadway and 10th, it's currently a bit too far west.

I love this chart above, but there are a few adjustments needed:
- The building east of the Collective, called the Cline, is also owned by them.
- The box labeled the Marion should be on the Southwest corner of Broadway and 10th, it's currently a bit too far west.

Thanks, I made the corrections.

I see. So then it would make sense if they would just develop the rest of the space north of where the new dog park is going to be into a big new park for Midtown. Sorry if my memory is fuzzy, but does Midtown even have a real park?

I see. So then it would make sense if they would just develop the rest of the space north of where the new dog park is going to be into a big new park for Midtown. Sorry if my memory is fuzzy, but does Midtown even have a real park?

No it doesn't. It could really use something like that. Seems like it may be difficult to incorporate it into this block but it's huge so maybe they'll get creative if that's on their radar?

No it doesn't. It could really use something like that. Seems like it may be difficult to incorporate it into this block but it's huge so maybe they'll get creative if that's on their radar?
Yeah, that’s surprising. Midtown doesn’t have a real park. I don’t know what the actual population is there, but it seems like building a nice central Park for the area would be good.

There is Red Andrews Park at 8th & Shartel.

The City recently spent a bunch of money to totally rework it. It's a nice little park with a very active gym.