This food truck court (same concept / ownership of the now abandoned NE 50th project) will be on the vacant lot on the NW corner of Harvey and NW 10th.

7/2/14: Officially broke ground
3/20/14: Oklahoman article (http://newsok.com/bleu-garten-aspires-to-be-midtown-downtown-community-gathering-spot/article/3944982)
3/18/14: Just filed their application with the Downtown Design Review Committee -- see renderings below.

Some quick facts (all from the main proprietor):

Signed the ground lease agreement on 2/19/14
Property owner is the Midtown Renaissance group
Term is for three years and may extend beyond that.
Seems to indicate has no immediate plans to develop that entire block; however this project could be relocated to one of their other properties if/when that time comes.
Number of trucks on any day / time will be determined by demand and ability for the trucks to make money
Full bar to be operated by proprietors with beers on tap
"Beer barn" will be troughs around existing billboard pylon for quick pop-and-go beer
Hours will likely be 10AM to 2AM.
Live music is planned but there are likely issues with the residents at Hadden Hall and The Cline (also owned by MidtownR)
May also show outdoor movies
Other ideas include featuring home brewers and other beer events
Plans to feature local artists, craftsmen and retailers as well
Originally considered 8th & Oklahoma but was aced out by the Metropolitan development
Hope to have plans considered by design review in April
Construction will take 2-3 months
Hope to open by July 2014
Visited many other similar projects in other cities and expects the same pattern where this type of facility is a catalyst to growing the number of trucks in the area.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bleugarten1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7054d1395168550-bleu-garten-bg1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7055d1395168551-bleu-garten-bg2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7056d1395168552-bleu-garten-bg3.jpg

I was just about to post about this. Beat me to it.

This is the food truck court originally proposed for NE 50th.

I'll have details soon.

This is the food truck court originally proposed for NE 50th.

I'll have details soon.

Well, this seems like a much better location. Where exactly is that building?

I updated the article above to reflect the correct location.

MUCH better location IMO.

Great Location! Walkable from Auto Alley, Midtown, and the historic neighborhoods. Some more retail would create an amazing atmosphere. Keep it up OKC!

MUCH better location IMO.

I agree. This will be a great location for this concept.

The only downside to this is that we now know Midtown Renaissance won't be developing this block for a while -- at least a couple of years.

We tore down the Red Cross bldg for this?

^

This is temporary until they do their big, permanent development.

Oh I see...

We tore down the Red Cross bldg for this?

I would rather see some more of this than more mid rise apartments. There are plenty of those in progress at the moment and plenty of empty lots laying around. As someone who works and lives in this area, it desperately needs more things to eat on the quick and cheap but not fast food. We have seen a lot of upscale development (Packard's, Broadway 10, Stella's, etc.) which to me doesn't fit the desire of the age group working and living in this area. Packard's has not been that busy for a restaurant still in its honeymoon period and Broadway 10 could see the same thing happen. Bring on Food trucks! We have seen the success of h & 8th and delicious cheap eats such as Waffle Champion, S&B and Go Go Sushi. So for now and at least the next couple years this should work well.

Yes, this will be essentially H & 8th in a permanent location.

Will be interesting to see their hours.

I would rather see some more of this than more mid rise apartments. There are plenty of those in progress at the moment and plenty of empty lots laying around. As someone who works and lives in this area, it desperately needs more things to eat on the quick and cheap but not fast food. We have seen a lot of upscale development (Packard's, Broadway 10, Stella's, etc.) which to me doesn't fit the desire of the age group working and living in this area. Packard's has not been that busy for a restaurant still in its honeymoon period and Broadway 10 could see the same thing happen. Bring on Food trucks! We have seen the success of h & 8th and delicious cheap eats such as Waffle Champion, S&B and Go Go Sushi. So for now and at least the next couple years this should work well.

I would hardly call Waffle Champion cheap eats.

On the one hand, this is a very cool development. On the other, it's a bummer to have confirmation that whatever is planned for that block is still years away from getting started.

I would hardly call Waffle Champion cheap eats.

I was thinking something better than delicious and low key. Cheap may not be the word of choice. Waffle Champion is pretty slammed around lunch time and on weekends. More options like this with evening hours would be amazing.

I love the location too. However, I do wonder if this will be the death knell for H&8th. Are the H&8th peeps involved in any way?

I was thinking the same thing. Really hope it doesn't kill it.

I am good friends with the people who started h&8th and they always wanted it to spur the community and demonstrate what is possible. I think they would be happy to see this, even if they do not have a hand in it.

I would hardly call Waffle Champion cheap eats.

Kind of what I thought too.

Yeah, one of my good friends was a founder of H&8th too. I just texted him and they are not involved.

H&8th is not involved in any way and was never even consulted...but this is far from a death knell, don't you worry.

Yeah, one of my good friends was a founder of H&8th too. I just texted him and they are not involved.

What were his thoughts on this?

On the one hand, this is a very cool development. On the other, it's a bummer to have confirmation that whatever is planned for that block is still years away from getting started.

I'm kind of okay with this. It would be nice to see more development, but I would really like to see most of everything already proposed to come online first and let it sink in so that we can 1. Learn from our mistakes 2. Have development that can address issues/needs that don't exist downtown at the moment but will exist after this current slew of block-scaled apartments 3. Give Midtown Renaissance more time to bankroll a fantastic development. If this can announce something in 2016 and have it finished by 2019, that trails the street car only a little bit.

What were his thoughts on this?

That it was far from a death knell.

^

Just spoke with the main proprietor of Bleu Garten and he very much wants to work with the H & 8th people. Urbanized, I'll send you a PM about getting contact so we can put both groups in touch.

The most important aspect is that the food trucks make money, otherwise everything collapses. So, Bleu Garten will have the ability to accommodate as many as nine trucks, but on weekdays (and when other special events are on, like H & 8th) they will scale back to 2 or 3.

They said they toured similar operations in Atlanta, St. Louis and San Francisco and found that after the first food truck park opened, the number of trucks started to grow. Said that in Atlanta then went from 40 trucks to 80 in a short period after their first park opened.

There are currently about 40 trucks in the OKC metro area.


Will share much more of our conversation in a bit.

Hey guys,

I have been working on the Bleu Garten project.
Love to hear that most of you are engaged with our concept going in at this location.

We have a pretty flexible space that is going to allow us to highlight lots of local business, retail, and artist. Would love to hear any ideas that you may want to see at this space.

As far as H&8TH goes, they have been doing an amazing job growing the OKC food truck scene. We look forward to working with them and help them grow their function. H&8th has done so much for the food truck scene, we want them to be around for many years after we are gone.

So is the Bleu Garten taking up the Transmissions R Us space and the space across the street? That is how I perceive it from looking at the map.

So is the Bleu Garten taking up the Transmissions R Us space and the space across the street? That is how I perceive it from looking at the map.

No, the Transmissions place has nothing to do with this project.

No, the Transmissions place has nothing to do with this project.

Thanks for the clarification Pete. I guess I was just reading the map wrong. The first line of the summary at the top of the page says, "a "local eatery and marketplace" for food trucks going in to the Transmission R Us building in Midtown this year." You might want to change that for stupid people like me to not get confused...

Hey guys,

I have been working on the Bleu Garten project.
Love to hear that most of you are engaged with our concept going in at this location.

We have a pretty flexible space that is going to allow us to highlight lots of local business, retail, and artist. Would love to hear any ideas that you may want to see at this space.

As far as H&8TH goes, they have been doing an amazing job growing the OKC food truck scene. We look forward to working with them and help them grow their function. H&8th has done so much for the food truck scene, we want them to be around for many years after we are gone.

Can't wait to see this get going. What is the timeline for this project?

They have to go through the approval process; hope to make that happen by mid-April. Then need about 2-3 months for construction and to get everything organized.

Hoping for a July opening.

Thanks for the clarification Pete. I guess I was just reading the map wrong. The first line of the summary at the top of the page says, "a "local eatery and marketplace" for food trucks going in to the Transmission R Us building in Midtown this year." You might want to change that for stupid people like me to not get confused...

Yep. That's my bad. I pulled that description from their website and a tweet yesterday, which was apparently incorrect on the location.

I edited the article atop the page to reflect the most current and complete information.

Update: my friend texted me that he got a very nice e-mail from Mr. Wheat and looks forward to discussing with him how this project and H&8th can peacefully co-exist if not outright benefit one another. Hopefully they can get it all figured out.

^

Really think it's a case of critical mass helping everyone involved.

The rising tide lifts all ships!

Yep. That's my bad. I pulled that description from their website and a tweet yesterday, which was apparently incorrect on the location.

No worries, just trying to make sure all the information is correct.

The Bleu Garten application was just filed with the Downtown Design Review Committee.

Looks like a really slick development, especially since it's only guaranteed a 3-year run, after which Midtown Renaissance has the option to take the property back for longer term development.

The full bar will be operated by the proprietor, will beers on tap. The "beer barn" are just troughs around the existing billboard pylon for quick pop-and-go service.

Quite a bit of covered seating, too.



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7054d1395168550-bleu-garten-bg1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7055d1395168551-bleu-garten-bg2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7056d1395168552-bleu-garten-bg3.jpg

Sweet. I wish I had something more profound and mature to say about it, but really, in the emphatic, "Sweet!" says it all. Can't wait.

Man, that's really cool. I can not wait to go here. My girlfriend lives next door so I'm sure we'll frequent this place.

Wonder if this means the end to H&8th? Hope not - the two should be able to coexist and support the other.

Wonder if this means the end to H&8th? Hope not - the two should be able to coexist and support the other.

The two groups have spoken and are working together.

I'm quite sure H&8th will continue to thrive.

Wonder if this means the end to H&8th? Hope not - the two should be able to coexist and support the other.

I see no reason they can't coexist. H&8th is one just night a month.

This is very impressive.

I would like to see how well this will do in the winter, but I think with an idea this creative, they will find a way to make it work out. This will be an experience unlike any development in Oklahoma City.

One more from their application to the Downtown Design Review Committee.

Shows the large shade structure to supplement the two areas of covered seating along the perimeter:


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7057d1395172204-bleu-garten-bg4.jpg

I know I might get hosed for this but where are people expected to park for this? The open fields to the west and north?

The two groups have spoken and are working together.

I'm quite sure H&8th will continue to thrive.

'Like' - a lot. I hoped, and assumed, that was the case.

Pete is on top of his game!

I am heading this project on this location. I love hearing that most of you are engaged with this.

Everything submitted here is what we have submitted for approval by the Downtown Design Review Committee.

We are on inside of the DBD, which does not require us to show any parking.

I have put some contacts out with the H&8th crowd. Haven't had a meeting yet. H&8th is a wonderful institution for local food trucks. We want to work with them to make sure they are around long after us.

If we get approved by the Committee, would love to get some local insight. What do you all want to see out of this space?



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Now *THAT* is a biergarten!!!!

Pete is on top of his game!

I am heading this project on this location. I love hearing that most of you are engaged with this.

Everything submitted here is what we have submitted for approval by the Downtown Design Review Committee.

We are on inside of the DBD, which does not require us to show any parking.

I have put some contacts out with the H&8th crowd. Haven't had a meeting yet. H&8th is a wonderful institution for local food trucks. We want to work with them to make sure they are around long after us.

If we get approved by the Committee, would love to get some local insight. What do you all want to see out of this space?

Welcome to the site and good luck as this proceeds. Looks fantastic and I predict a homerun.

Perfect location and timing... Can't wait to see it up and running.

Pete is on top of his game!

I am heading this project on this location. I love hearing that most of you are engaged with this.

Everything submitted here is what we have submitted for approval by the Downtown Design Review Committee.

We are on inside of the DBD, which does not require us to show any parking.

I have put some contacts out with the H&8th crowd. Haven't had a meeting yet. H&8th is a wonderful institution for local food trucks. We want to work with them to make sure they are around long after us.

If we get approved by the Committee, would love to get some local insight. What do you all want to see out of this space?



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Dog friendly is a must, please.

This is a fantastic project. I could see live music (maybe acoustic so as to not be too loud) fitting well on some nights.

I have a few questions. What will the hours be? Will they be consistent or dependent on weather/season? Will there be any outdoor heaters or misters to help deal with weather?

That was my suggestion. Misters are a must, IMO.

This is a fantastic project. I could see live music (maybe acoustic so as to not be too loud) fitting well on some nights.

I have a few questions. What will the hours be? Will they be consistent or dependent on weather/season? Will there be any outdoor heaters or misters to help deal with weather?

Some of your questions are answered in the article at the top of the page.

Some of your questions are answered in the article at the top of the page.

Thanks! My bad. It's easy to forget to check the article, which usually has a ton of information.

Dog friendly is a must, please.

We would love for this project to be dog friendly. I am a little nervous of it getting out of hand. As long as the dog owners keep the dogs on the leash, and consciously be aware of the dogs manners, should be fun.

I found this stuff call Bowser Beer, it's dog "beer". It's basically non-alcoholic chicken, and bacon based broth. Would be fun to possibly enjoy the Midtown dog park, then walk your K9 friend to Bleu Garten... And both enjoy a beer outside!


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We would love for this project to be dog friendly. I am a little nervous of it getting out of hand. As long as the dog owners keep the dogs on the leash, and consciously be aware of the dogs manners, should be fun.

I found this stuff call Bowser Beer, it's dog "beer". It's basically non-alcoholic chicken, and bacon based broth. Would be fun to possibly enjoy the Midtown dog park, then walk your K9 friend to Bleu Garten... And both enjoy a beer outside!


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Perhaps just pet-friendly hours or a particular day of the week. Probably not the best idea at 1am.

Perhaps just pet-friendly hours or a particular day of the week. Probably not the best idea at 1am.

That's a really good idea!


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Perhaps just pet-friendly hours or a particular day of the week. Probably not the best idea at 1am.

Good idea.

I love dogs more than anyone but there are lots of people who don't and there are unfortunately a bunch of idiot dog owners.