I'd rather this thread evolve into a constructive discussion about how we're going to better preserve our landmarks in the future, rather than devolve into tacky ad hominem attacks on Rainey Williams. The problem wasn't Rainey, but the public officials who allowed this to move forward unchecked with an inexperienced developer who had no capacity to deliver on promises. The lack of public oversight that gives a damn is breathtaking.

Between the conclusion of this episode, the Staybridge Situation, Lower Bricktown, the Boulevard, C2S suburban projects, the SandRidge Situation, and more - I'm just convinced that nobody gives a damn. People just don't really care. They can't see past Devon Tower.

Don't overthink this. Rainey Williams was definitely part of the problem.

Thankfully, both bad developments in Core 2 Shore that were proposed are likely off the table for now. Design standards are already in place for that area so its just a matter of the city enforcing them.

Other than TALK about it and blame ad infinitum, what do we need to do to keep it from happening again?....I mean ACTUAL STEPS.

I'd rather this thread evolve into a constructive discussion about how we're going to better preserve our landmarks in the future, rather than devolve into tacky ad hominem attacks on Rainey Williams. The problem wasn't Rainey, but the public officials who allowed this to move forward unchecked with an inexperienced developer who had no capacity to deliver on promises. The lack of public oversight that gives a damn is breathtaking.

And the journalists who have let this blow over...

Other than TALK about it and blame ad infinitum, what do we need to do to keep it from happening again?....I mean ACTUAL STEPS.

I'm with ya there, asked the same thing a few times, but haven't ever gotten any answers. :(

^

Talk to your City Councilperson.

Elect a major who is willing to appoint more responsible people to these committees.

Get involved in the public process when something is up for demolition.

^

Talk to your City Councilperson.

Elect a major who is willing to appoint more responsible people to these committees.

Get involved in the public process when something is up for demolition.

First two I know about, but can you (or someone else) give tips on the third? Committees to talk to, meetings to attend, etc.? I don't quite know the lay of the land here WRT that stuff and need to get more involved, but right now I just don't know which committees/offices/etc. are the ones that need to be contacted (and I know it's dependent and changes based on geographic location) and I know folks here are more knowledgeable about that and can probably rattle off a list of things/people/places to do better than I could google it and sift through all the results... :)

^

Talk to your City Councilperson.

Elect a major who is willing to appoint more responsible people to these committees.

Get involved in the public process when something is up for demolition.

Ha, so not much. The majority on this board voted for this current mayor and were very vocal toward anyone who wanted to change directions.

Any citizen can attend and speak at any of the meetings where these demolitions are considered.

One of the things I"m most proud of regarding OKCTalk is that we get the news out on this stuff as soon as it's filed then people have plenty of notice to show up, call their City Councilperson, sign petitions, etc.

Frankly, before we came along the decisions were already made before most people even knew they were in the works.

So, stay tuned here and you'll always know well in advance of any significant real estate movements. We have tons of people on top of this stuff now.

First two I know about, but can you (or someone else) give tips on the third? Committees to talk to, meetings to attend, etc.? I don't quite know the lay of the land here WRT that stuff and need to get more involved, but right now I just don't know which committees/offices/etc. are the ones that need to be contacted (and I know it's dependent and changes based on geographic location) and I know folks here are more knowledgeable about that and can probably rattle off a list of things/people/places to do better than I could google it and sift through all the results... :)

All OKC Public meetings are listed here:

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet.aspx

I believe Downtown Design Review and Board of Adjustments are the ones you want regarding demolitions. They may also go to the Planning Commission but I am not sure. Most of the committees adopt yearly schedules in December and you can check the minutes of those meetings for specific meeting dates and times.

Ha, so not much. The majority on this board voted for this current mayor and were very vocal toward anyone who wanted to change directions.

Given the options, our current Mayor was the best choice. While Ed is by far the most progressive voice on Council, and is a firm believer in many of the ideas shared on this board; he was short-sighted in several of his campaign promises and would have destroyed MAPS and the Streetcar as we know it.

I am far from impressed with Mick's latest term as he has been pretty much silent and I have not seen any leadership from him.

We need an Ed Shadid's brain with Mick Cornett's personality and calm demeanor. Mick was a safe choice in the last election to preserve our current progress and self imposed funding vehicles.

Given the options, our current Mayor was the best choice. While Ed is by far the most progressive voice on Council, and is a firm believer in many of the ideas shared on this board; he was short-sighted in several of his campaign promises and would have destroyed MAPS and the Streetcar as we know it.

I am far from impressed with Mick's latest term as he has been pretty much silent and I have not seen any leadership from him.

We need an Ed Shadid's brain with Mick Cornett's personality and calm demeanor. Mick was a safe choice in the last election to preserve our current progress and self imposed funding vehicles.

I am starting to come around on MAPS and am leaning more toward's Ed's point of view. However, its important that the city see MAPS3 to completion and that the streetcar gets built. However, I don't think MAPS 4 Neighborhoods or whatever comes next is necessary, and OKC has reached a point in its development where MAPS has outlived its purpose. Instead, I would like to see a permanent penny tax for infrastructure, which can include roads, sidewalks, and streetcar expansions.

Without going way out on a tangent, the problem is the form of municiple government we have. Trying to manage a city this size with a huge range of issues just isn't possible anymore. There are just too many one-size fits all solutions, which then need overlays, variances, and exclusions to make them fit. We should switch to some form of arrondissement based municipal government and give control at the neighborhood level.

All OKC Public meetings are listed here:

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet.aspx

I believe Downtown Design Review and Board of Adjustments are the ones you want regarding demolitions. They may also go to the Planning Commission but I am not sure. Most of the committees adopt yearly schedules in December and you can check the minutes of those meetings for specific meeting dates and times.

Thanks for the names and info...

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stagecenter030116.jpg

Man, all that effort to build a lake in downtown OKC and they just go filling it in.

Man, all that effort to build a lake in downtown OKC and they just go filling it in.

Lake Lackmeyer... it has been a pleasure.

There they go, clearing pieces of OKC history again.

Are they planning on putting the construction trailers for BOK Park Plaza on this site now?

Are they planning on putting the construction trailers for BOK Park Plaza on this site now?

Yep:

OKCTalk - Old Stage Center site to be used for construction trailers and gravel parking (http://www.okctalk.com/content/252-old-stage-center-site-used-construction-trailers-gravel-parking.html)

^^^^^

That is classic. How much money is OG&E receiving from the BOK Park Plaza developer to turn this property into a staging area (essentially, a construction parking lot)?

Highest and best use.

As much as I despised Stage Center, this whole thing is abysmal and absolutely disappointing. Pete, do note that this is not negativity. This is simply an outcry for commitment to proposing what you propose if you're going to purposefully demolish existing properties no matter how run down.

Down right utter shame...this city block...

Yep:

OKCTalk - Old Stage Center site to be used for construction trailers and gravel parking (http://www.okctalk.com/content/252-old-stage-center-site-used-construction-trailers-gravel-parking.html)

At least I predicted concrete. Gravel, that's rich.

What would be even better is if the gravel that they use is crushed up rocks/concrete/debris from the Hotel Black, Stage Center, and the Bus Station.

:p

What would be even better is if the gravel that they use is crushed up rocks/concrete/debris from the Hotel Black, Stage Center, and the Bus Station.

:p

That's nasty . . .

The beautification has begun:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stage030816.jpg

The beautification has begun:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stagecenter030816.jpg

I could be wrong, and hope I am, but by them planning on planting trees this pretty much guarantees this site will stay empty for years.

So if those trailers end up flooding because of the pre-disposition of that site will they be deemed functionally obsolete and be torn down?

Just continue to hope that OG&E decides to do some future development with the Stage Center site for their corporate headquarters. We were all so excited about plans for those north & south parcels to be developed.

Sure glad they decided to place those next to the Myriad Gardens.

The least they could do is stack them so that it looked like a progressive container development, and almost a visual hallmark to the memory of Stage Center's modularity.

The least they could do is stack them so that it looked like a progressive container development, and almost a visual hallmark to the memory of Stage Center's modularity.

The same thought came across my mind. Just leave them there/paint them and stack more on top of them.

A beautiful tribute to brutalist design.

Sure glad they decided to place those next to the Myriad Gardens.

A higher, better use than the Stage Center the owners would no doubt argue. Sad, sad, sad.

It's a park side '7 Wide' complex.

The thing that bothers me about this is that BOK Park Plaza and the OG&E Energy Center were supposed to be under construction at the same time, so obviously Hines had a plan that did not include staging on this property.

But after OG&E shelved their plans and also promised beautification, they two sides obviously agreed to dump these trailers, gravel and construction vehicles here just because it was cheap and expedient.

and convenient.

From a construction standpoint it is the best place to put it. Don't see anything controversial here. The fact that the SC is gone may sting, but it doesn't mean this is a bad location.

It's a park side '7 Wide' complex.

All that's missing is a Wal-Mart and Taco Mayo.

Actually, a Little Caesar's (or some other low-end pizza joint), a nail salon, a liquor store, a Supercuts, and a DONUT shop would be more in line...

All that's missing is a Wal-Mart and Taco Mayo.

You're gaining traction. A downtown urban Wal-Mart with a Taco Mayo instead of a McDonalds inside? Brilliant....

yup, World Class development indeed!

I guess I really don't know Rainey.

At this point a dirt track for car racing is a higher and better use.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stagecenter031016.jpg

The Villas at Lake Lackmeyer.

The Villas at Lake Lackmeyer.

Brutal

The Villas at Lake Lackmeyer.
At some point, maybe the Canal could link to Lake Lackmeyer and then they could promote cruises on the Lake. This Lake Lackmeyer thing could really take off.

Post spring rains I might get to jet ski on it.

When does the jogging trail around the lake go in?

The Villas at Lake Lackmeyer.

Know that the Lake Lackmeyer comment is all in fun. LMAO!

Let's stop killing the messenger http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/Dead_Horse.gif ; Steve does an outstanding job reporting the information given him.

He doesn't deserve the Lake Lackmeyer comments (It won't get the best of him); this is OG&E Springs. A temporary site for trailers while the BOK Park Plaza Tower is being constructed; much better alternative than closing off a street to park the trailers.

Needs a shed and breakfast.

Steve does an outstanding job reporting the information given him.

Disagree. Steve was a cheerleader in this situation, as he often is, and not a journalist. Sure, Rainey is due blame too, but Rainey doesn't have a public duty. Steve Lackmeyer does.

I do like OG&E Springs better than Lake Lackmeyer, it puts the blame on a party that is much more responsible for this.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/oge032416.jpg

I was hoping for an urban noodling park.

sickening, parkside construction trailers. Really World Class there, Rainey!

Something NO other city in the world has.

Did they pave it? WTF? Or is that gravel?

We all have been scammed! Has Rainey Williams made any public statements about this debacle?

OG&E should be forced to give this land away to anyone with a plan IMO.

Did they pave it? WTF? Or is that gravel?

Gravel.