A new grocery store is intended to be a catalyst for revitalization of the NE 23rd street corridor.

http://www.oklahoman.com/article/3946001?embargo=1


A $20 million redevelopment anchored by the first new grocery in decades for northeast Oklahoma City is set to be started later this year as Oklahoma City prepares for an aggressive makeover of the NE 23 corridor.

Ward 7 Councilman John Pettis on Tuesday is set to request creation of a tax increment finance district for NE 23 between Lincoln Boulevard and Interstate 35, along with a potential new Urban Renewal declaration, aimed to ensure investment doesn’t stop with a new shopping center at NE 23 and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

The store will be opened by the owners of Buy For Less. They will eventually build a completely new building.

I really take offense to this article, its very stereotypical. All the pictures they took of food that were featured in the article were of fried chicken, ribs, collard greens, and pigs feet. Like that is the only food black people eat, wow!

I really take offense to this article, its very stereotypical. All the pictures they took of food that were featured in the article were of fried chicken, ribs, collard greens, and pigs feet. Like that is the only food black people eat, wow!

G. Walker, I totally agree with you on that point. Love the insertion of a grocery in NE OKC, much needed, but the photos are as you stated stereotypical.

If you read the article it mentions that this location will be custom-tailored to the neighborhood similar to how Uptown Grocery in Edmond and Super Mercado are. Perhaps the photographer went a little overboard trying to reinforce that idea, or maybe he was even pointed in that direction by the marketing folks from the store. But yeah, it feels a little bit over-the-top.

Have you been to KD's cause collard greens are the main side dish..... Quit looking for racism in everything embrace the culture.

I'm very pleased John Pettis and Cathy O'Connor are working towards creation of a TIF district there. 23rd St. is a great corridor and it would be wonderful to see it continue to improve.

I really take offense to this article, its very stereotypical. All the pictures they took of food that were featured in the article were of fried chicken, ribs, collard greens, and pigs feet. Like that is the only food black people eat, wow!

Some explanation. Yes, there were photos requested of food items unique to this store, just as we would ask to have shots of food unique to a store in the Asian district (like Super Cao) or the Mercado in south OKC. But did I envision the layout as it was? No. We recently upgraded our publishing system and it has been problematic. I was traveling across the country Friday as the Sunday paper was being designed. The publishing system crashed Friday night, and the business section design was not completed until 2 a.m. Saturday, way after deadline. This caused the presentation desk to rush through completion of this story's lay-out. You will notice in the print edition that the very last paragraph cuts off in mid sentence. The headline is also completely wrong - it is not Urban Renewal building the store, it is the owners of Buy For Less. I was not happy when I saw the early edition paper on Saturday. Unfortunately, the Sunday business section is printed just once - pre-dawn Saturday, and that's it (the front section and sports are printed a second time early Sunday).
We've met, and I think you know what's in my heart when it comes to this city's diversity and different communities. A couple of photos could have shown the unique items sold at the store. The layout you saw was, I suspect, not so much an insensitivity as it was a result of very talented people struggling to overcome problems caused by software that is proving to be a bit of a disappointment in the early implementation stages.

Have you been to KD's cause collard greens are the main side dish..... Quit looking for racism in everything embrace the culture.

"Don't speak on this black reality, if you don't know this black reality!"

The layout.
Fail.

Fail.What?

"Don't speak on this black reality, if you don't know this black reality!"

The Reality of Race: Is the Problem That White People Don't Know or Don't Care?It probably would be for the best if that is kept in the politics section.

I was just driving through this area last week. So much urban development potential. Lots of remaining buildings that are pretty urban in nature, and would make a great little district.

Glad to see b4l investing in the area with a new concept.

As far as the Oklahoman article, it doesn't surprise me. The quality of their work has dropped substantially. (Not referring to Steve-- he does good work)

Er anyway. Great for B4L, I hope they do this development right and embrace the street. They need a positive beacon for development just as much as a grocery store. This project can do both.

Talked to the Buy 4 Less owners. They are awesome! Their new format at most future stores is based on the success of Uptown. I realize that it is a bit out of the way for Urbanites, but if you ever go for a "Sunday drive" up north, you should check it out! Think smaller Whole Foods concept but reasonably priced.

I wish they would buy the Homeland on Classen/16th, demolish it, and build an Uptown there.

And kudos to John Pettis for helping broker this deal!

...The quality of their work has dropped substantially. (Not referring to Steve-- he does good work)

Agreed!

I accept Steve's explanation, and I'm ready to move on to talk about the development.

What a win for the Eastside! I travel the NE 23rd Corridor nearly everyday, and I always talk about its redevelopment potential. I too would like to see Buy 4 Less embrace the street. Placing parking in the rear will enhance the profile of the transit at the intersection, and also slow cars down which are known for swooping in and out of the present parking lot (see image). Across the street from B4L, the Ralph Ellison Library already embraces rear parking.
7115

This is a great story! Impressed with Councilman Pettis and what he has already accomplished in his short tenure (and I realize there are more involved than just Pettis). However, Pettis shows what you can do when you roll up your sleeves and build bridges with people to get things done for your ward.

What a pleasant departure from the mindless conspiratorial rants from Shadid, which accomplish nothing.

It seems that when Pettis won it was kind of an unknown, but he's made a couple of moves since election that make me wish he was my councilman instead of Greiner. First voting for the streetcar and now this.

Nothing against Skip Kelly, but sometimes something new and fresh, with maybe the same beliefs, is not a bad idea.

Hank and Susan have a great thing going. They have fund their niche in the grocery biz and are not afraid to embrace the different cultures around the city. You won't meet a nicer family IMO they will be successful with this new store as well and they will be the first to tell you that they owe every bit of their success to Jesus Christ. Truly up standing Christian family and business owners.

It seems that when Pettis won it was kind of an unknown, but he's made a couple of moves since election that make me wish he was my councilman instead of Greiner. First voting for the streetcar and now this.

Nothing against Skip Kelly, but sometimes something new and fresh, with maybe the same beliefs, is not a bad idea.

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? He might be a good successor when Mick decides to retire.

It seems that when Pettis won it was kind of an unknown, but he's made a couple of moves since election that make me wish he was my councilman instead of Greiner. First voting for the streetcar and now this.

Nothing against Skip Kelly, but sometimes something new and fresh, with maybe the same beliefs, is not a bad idea.

I'm happy to be living in Pettis' ward right now.

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? He might be a good successor when Mick decides to retire.

You're not the first person I've seen/heard suggest this...

I was just driving through this area last week. So much urban development potential. Lots of remaining buildings that are pretty urban in nature, and would make a great little district.

Glad to see b4l investing in the area with a new concept.

As far as the Oklahoman article, it doesn't surprise me. The quality of their work has dropped substantially. (Not referring to Steve-- he does good work)

My first thought when I saw this story the other day was what kind of existing building stock do they have and is there a chance to either rebuild or create another traditional neighborhood urban cluster. I really hope there is. My fear is that will give it name which evokes urban development but can in no way deliver it (see Choctaw Town Center). As boitoirich pointed out, the library did put in rear parking even if it did keep the large setback from the street. If they go with a TIF I would love for them to rezone a large portion of this area using the Smart Code instead of sticking with segregated Euclidian zoning.

http://www.smartcodecentral.org/

My first thought when I saw this story the other day was what kind of existing building stock do they have and is there a chance to either rebuild or create another traditional neighborhood urban cluster. I really hope there is. My fear is that will give it name which evokes urban development but can no way deliver it. As boitoirich pointed out, the library did put in rear parking even if it did keep the large setback from the street. If they go with a TIF I would love for them to rezone a large portion of this area using the Smart Code instead of segregated Euclidian zoning.

SmartCode Central (http://www.smartcodecentral.org/)

The library didn't "put in" rear parking. They KEPT the rear parking...

The library didn't "put in" rear parking. They KEPT the rear parking...

Thanks. I am not up to date on my Ralph Ellison Library history :).

Thanks. I am not up to date on my Ralph Ellison Library history :).

:) Ok, I do agree, the setback is horrible.

I think the current version was built in the 60's, and then renovated through 2000 GOB funds. We tried to tie in the City's NE 23rd Street streetscape project (1995, 2000 GOB Funds and federal/state dollars) with the open area and create a plaza/gathering point. To which the then-current Council member wanted to remove it all because it was a gathering point... Bleh.

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? He might be a good successor when Mick decides to retire.

Hope nobody judges me too much, but I thought the same thing about ES about two years ago. I liked how he challenged the Shoe and brought up interesting points other people hadn't thought of. Then he went off the deep end and we all know how that ended. It will be interesting when it comes down to it what he will support and won't support. In general, I like him and what he has done is such a short time but would need to know where he stands on the issues when put under the spotlight.

No one should judge you for that. He's still pretty new to elective office. Lets see what he does over the next couple of years.

Oklahoma City Council approves moving forward with NE 23 redevelopment study | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-council-approves-moving-forward-with-ne-23-redevelopment-study/article/3946988)


The Oklahoma City Council unanimously approved starting a review proposed by Ward 7 Councilman John Pettis on creating a new tax increment financing district along NE 23 between Lincoln Boulevard and Interstate 35.

Awesome!

That's great news! I hope that the Institute for Quality Communities has a seat at the table. There needs to be a strong voice for planning and design to make sure the impact of redevelopment efforts are maximized.

I can tell you the former executive director of the OUIQC has been consulted with on this project.

That's good to know and reassuring. An integrated plan will go a lot further than a series of silver bullets in this area.

That's good to know and reassuring. An integrated plan will go a lot further than a series of silver bullets in this area.

Completely agree. I managed the NE 23rd Street Streetscape project when I worked for OKC Public Works. The project was putting lipstick on a pig, so to speak. A streetscape improvement project needs to be part of an integrated program to revitalize everything, not just the street. Hopefully the TIF and other programs can really help that along.

An update by Steve.

Uptown Market to anchor northeast Oklahoma City development | News OK (http://newsok.com/uptown-market-to-anchor-northeast-oklahoma-city-development/article/4746477)


Plans being released this week show an Uptown Market will anchor the recently announced $30 million King’s Crossing development at NE 23 and Martin Luther King Avenue, while other tenants will include at least one national retailer and a medical complex.

Susan Binkowski, who runs Esperanza Real Estate, the property division for Buy For Less, Uptown Market and Super Mercado, will provide an update on the project Wednesday at the annual Mayor’s Development Roundtable.

This is just tremendous. Makes me LOL about Homeland's proposal. If they can build an Uptown Market at 23rd and MLK, surely Classen Blvd. next to Heritage Hills can attract a decent grocer.

Kudos to the efforts of Councilman Pettis and the Buy For Less folks.

That "UPTOWN MARKET" sign looks a lot like the Midtown Plaza Court sign.

Congrats to the NE side, Uptown market, and kudos to Pettis for his strong leadership. Glad the northeast side of town has a strong, sensible, and effective voice in city government now.

I love this for the Northeast and glad to have my councilman working so hard for his ward.

Hopefully their next step will be them putting one of these in Midtown or somewhere else in the core. Surprised NE 23rd and MLK is getting an Uptown Grocery concept. That goes to show that Buy for Less is committed to the brand and not just in upscale, suburban areas.

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

Agreed.

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

Don't we have a poster that works for Studio on here? Perhaps they can address your concerns.

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

And, Blair Humphreys is involved on the design. Thought he was a new urban champion.

And, Blair Humphreys is involved on the design. Thought he was a new urban champion.

I mean really? They couldn't even put the parking in back so the actually attractive facade could front the street. I hope they get some creative criticism on this. If it wouldn't fly on the Westside of I-235 it should fly on the Eastside.

I mean really? They couldn't even put the parking in back so the actually attractive facade could front the street. I hope they get some creative criticism on this. If it wouldn't fly on the Westside of I-235 it should fly on the Eastside.

Urbanists need to pick their battles. NE 23rd and MLK is very auto-centric and is nowhere close to being an urban district and won't be in the next 30 years. The suburban office complex going up in Core2Shore is a battle worth fighting. This grocery store isn't.

Urbanists need to pick their battles. NE 23rd and MLK is very auto-centric and is nowhere close to being an urban district and won't be in the next 30 years. The suburban office complex going up in Core2Shore is a battle worth fighting. This grocery store isn't.
+1

The site plan was STRONGLY influenced by the wishes of the client. As an architect, there is only so much you can do in these instances. It's their money, after all. (FYI, I was not involved in this project)

I will support this development, as the Eastside needs a full-service grocer in the worst way. I'm also glad it's a B4L, but I do have some concerns. First, this is a massive amount of parking. The site is about 25 acres, and most of the layout is dedicated to parking. Second, the store does not interface with the bus stop directly in front of the current store, a stop which is often used. A bus rider would have to alight at 23rd/MLK and walk east past the existing liquor store (the white box fronting 23rd on the bottom of the site plan) and then up to entrance. One hopes there will be a sidewalk-to-store link to alleviate conflicts with automobiles, but that is not assured. Depending on where the entrance is placed, this adds a quarter-mile of walking to the transit trip. That would be fine for me, but not for, say, my grandmother. That concern could be alleviated somewhat by placing many of the buildings up to front NE 23rd, providing shade, comfort, and protection. As it is, this plan would place pedestrians in an open, hostile environment.

Urbanists need to pick their battles. NE 23rd and MLK is very auto-centric and is nowhere close to being an urban district and won't be in the next 30 years. The suburban office complex going up in Core2Shore is a battle worth fighting. This grocery store isn't.

All you do is argue against density and planning and then lambaste OKC for not being better.

I think it's offensive and ignorant to call this an auto centric area. It's also a transit dependent area.

All you do is argue against density and planning and then lambaste OKC for not being better.

Did you not read my comments in the GPHG Law Offices thread?

Demanding urban standards in a part of the city that is not urban is a losing battle, especially here. All I am saying is that urbanists need to pick their fights.

Demanding urban standards in a part of the city that is not urban is a losing battle, especially here. All I am saying is that urbanists need to pick their fights.

Like Spartan just said, it's not as auto-centric as you're making it out to be and is very transit dependent. This is a fight worth picking.

I doubt that bchris has ever been to this site before or maybe even anywhere in NE OKC. It is a very urban quadrant with great neighborhoods.

Like Spartan just said, it's not as auto-centric as you're making it out to be and is very transit dependent. This is a fight worth picking.

So write John Pettis to discuss it. He is phenomenally involved with his ward, which is hard to do, considering how far-flung it is. When we were fighting against the poor design of the Deep Deuce Springhill Suites, he was there to support us. If anything of even minor significance is happening in our ward he is there. If a problem with the bus stop is pointed out to him, he'll try to work out a solution. Yes, he is mayor material when he has a bit more experience. His father was mayor of one of our suburbs at one point in time and I think gave him guidance when he was starting out as Councilman. He's a wise and thoughtful resource for John, I suspect, but not a puppet-master.

Again, what's with the parking? ....

A large grocer, plus residential near/over a commuter education center, a medical complex, and national chain retail. That sounds like a fair bit of anticipated daily vehicle traffic. Ergo, a lot of parking unless someone is going to build a multi-level garage for the project.

It's a lot of parking that doesn't have to obscure the building from a street presence and from alternative mode access.

NE 23rd needs some quality street presence. There are good bones along that corridor that would lend well toward revitalization if it were to be activated.

NE OKC has needs and this project can meet more than just filling the food desert.

Did you not read my comments in the GPHG Law Offices thread?

Demanding urban standards in a part of the city that is not urban is a losing battle, especially here. All I am saying is that urbanists need to pick their fights.

It's not urbanists. Its just good long term design. Having good design in these areas allows for them to be relivant in 20 years. Look at the suburban design of NW Expressway. Many are struggling because of the bad setbacks and poor planning.

Just saw an outline of the whole King's Crossing development. Incredibly exciting multi-use project. Town homes, a park, live-work retail, medical office complex, school that teaches skills that can be used at an upscale market: meat cutting, flower arranging, baking. And, of course, the Uptown Market.

I'm a little surprised at the arrangement of all the parking considering who was involved in the project. Thought it would be arranged better than that.

But in the interest of not letting perfect be the enemy of good, this is a great project for that area and I hope it does well.

So let's have a public process and make this happen.

I completely agree with Hemingstein. Lets not let perfect be the enemy of good.