A vacant diner in a prominent Midtown location is set for a makeover into an indoor / outdoor restaurant and bar.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudsone.jpg


Plans for the former Foodies building at 1220 N. Hudson show the large surrounding parking area converted to a patio complete with fire pits and shade structures.

A free-standing restroom and bar will also be added and the tiny existing restaurant building will also be renovated.

The plans also show a spot for a food truck along the south end of the parcel.

The operation will be piloted by Joe Jungmann, the owner of Sauced on Paseo and the Paseo Grill. Jungmann also worked with the Hal Smith Restaurant Group to help open KD's Southern Cuisine and Wes Welker's Sports Bar. Local attorney Dale Cazes is also a partner.

The menu is under development.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudsonf.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudsona.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudsonb.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudsonc.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudsond.jpg

That patio is huge! Glad to see this building being brought back to life, even though I miss foodies.

I miss Foodies and their Bulgogi fries!.. so glad to see this building getting some much needed love. Looks like a great spot!. can't wait to see it progress.

Yes, those fries were so delicious.

Is Foodies still in business somewhere else?

This seems like Midtown's attempt @ a Pump Bar. I like it. Screw the parking lot, make it a giant patio!

FOUR FIRE PITS???? That's ALLSOME!!!

Do you know who the chef will be?

I like that they're going with turf vs. decomposed granite.

Looks like a mixture between the Pump and BG.

Will food only be available via food truck? Or will there be a separate kitchen? If only the food truck, this is very similar to Bleu Garten.

There will be a kitchen in the existing building.

Is Foodies still in business somewhere else?

They had moved to a location next to where Pancho's used to be but only lasted a short amount of time there. I've lost track of them since then.

This would be a great place for live music!

Love it. Looks amazing.

Live music might have a tough go of it, owing to the proximity of the Seiber. Certainly it will be problematic late. Simply the size of the place will produce lots of ambient noise on its own, if it is successful, which it should be without question. For reference this is WAY closer to the Seiber than The Pump is to the homes of the individuals who have been giving them hell over noise. And The Pump is not especially noisy, in my opinion.

That said, if I were a resident of the Seiber I would be thrilled to be able to stumble across the street to and from this place, which looks fantastic. By the way, Joe was also longtime GM/Proprietor of Red Rock Canyon Grill. Can't recall if he was the first, but was there for quite some time and ran it extremely well. Not to mention that he's good people.

But, but, but, where will they all park?


I keed, I keed. Looks like a winnah.

Excellent. Stretches activity in Midtown to the north.

This will not fly without providing their own parking. It is too high volume.
If the Midtown BID fights this, it will be deaad!
Besides The Sieber, the Wesley and Palo Duro are senior housing and special need adults. Midtown Renaissance won't contribute any of their parking and The Ambassador is getting ready to gate their lot. The Sieber's parking is already gated and the doctor office is getting ready to gate. The professional offices just north of the site are very strict about parking as well.

I prefer the luxury of air conditioning and not being bitten by mosquitoes. Might be more attractive during the winter months.

Excellent. Stretches activity in Midtown to the north.

NIMBY! NIMBY! Ha ha just kidding. We love all the life and activity within easy walking distance.

But, but, but, where will they all park?


From now on when we see a traditional site plan with a parking lot we are to ask... but where will we all sit? These cars are in the way....

Louie's is much closer to a lot more residence than this is to the Seiber and they have live music. Had some friends that lived there, that building could use some excitement.

Live music might have a tough go of it, owing to the proximity of the Seiber. Certainly it will be problematic late. Simply the size of the place will produce lots of ambient noise on its own, if it is successful, which it should be without question. For reference this is WAY closer to the Seiber than The Pump is to the homes of the individuals who have been giving them hell over noise. And The Pump is not especially noisy, in my opinion.

That said, if I were a resident of the Seiber I would be thrilled to be able to stumble across the street to and from this place, which looks fantastic. By the way, Joe was also longtime GM/Proprietor of Red Rock Canyon Grill. Can't recall if he was the first, but was there for quite some time and ran it extremely well. Not to mention that he's good people.

Blu is not any further away from the Klein then this is the sieber. As well as another development. I don't think it will be a big issue


This will not fly without providing their own parking. It is too high volume.
If the Midtown BID fights this, it will be deaad!
Besides The Sieber, the Wesley and Palo Duro are senior housing and special need adults. Midtown Renaissance won't contribute any of their parking and The Ambassador is getting ready to gate their lot. The Sieber's parking is already gated and the doctor office is getting ready to gate. The professional offices just north of the site are very strict about parking as well.

Actually. They don't have to address parking at all. Like specificly. Don't even have any need to provide 1 spot.

If they are smart they will get a property attorney to rep them and he/she could shut down any conversation about parking as it is not relevant given the current city code.


And as a nearby resident. I could not be more excited for this project

This will not fly without providing their own parking. It is too high volume.
If the Midtown BID fights this, it will be deaad!
Besides The Sieber, the Wesley and Palo Duro are senior housing and special need adults. Midtown Renaissance won't contribute any of their parking and The Ambassador is getting ready to gate their lot. The Sieber's parking is already gated and the doctor office is getting ready to gate. The professional offices just north of the site are very strict about parking as well.

These are always interesting 1st posts...You may be a completely normal, uninterested party, but if you signed up on a forum to specifically point out why something can't or shouldn't succeed, it's a bit suspicious...

Anyway, as Bouldersooner said, there are no parking requirements in downtown...so it's not a big a deal at all.

NIMBY! NIMBY! Ha ha just kidding. We love all the life and activity within easy walking distance.

No, you're right. I will be shocked if there isn't protest from HH.

No, you're right. I will be shocked if there isn't protest from HH.

Well it sure won't be coming from us, or from any of the HH neighbors we know--who all enjoy the nearby amenities. We weren't residents here when the Edge debacle happened. Maybe, just maybe, people in HH have now realized that the new development is *good* for the neighborhood and helps keep our property values high. Maybe.

What kind of effects do projects like this have on the few condos in the surrounding blocks in terms of property value?

Moreocer, just in general, what kind of effect do all of the midtown projects in addition to all the proposed and currently under construction condos have on those that have owned condos in midtown before all of this boom?

This is a great, adaptive reuse of a parking lot.

I wonder if this means we're very close to redevelopment of Blue Gardens? To me, this development seems like a temporary new development to replace the previous outdoor temporary gathering spot (that is/was BG).

Is Foodies still in business somewhere else?

Not sure what this might mean but I spotted a truck parked behind the China Queen Express at SE 29th and I-35 last night that had Foodies Asian American Food painted on it.

Crossing my fingers that maybe they are going to renovate that run down Chinese takeout into a new location..... I miss those bulgogi gyros!

Project goes before the DDRC tomorrow with a slightly revised site plan:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudson072016.jpg

This was continued to the next meeting after Marva Ellard (Seiber) and a few others in the area expressed concern about noise and crowds.

That's quite annoying.

A lot of worries about "big crowds".

Heaven forbid we actually bring more people into these urban neighborhoods.

It's the drawbridge syndrome... As soon as I cross I want to remove access for others.

I wonder if her tenants are complaining about crowds? I know for me, and a majority of people who are moving to this area, crowds are to be expected, and desired. That seems strange, this should be a draw for the area, not a deterrent.

Marva wasn't the only one with concerns.

I'd recommend watching the video to form your own opinions.

This was continued to the next meeting after Marva Ellard (Seiber) and a few others in the area expressed concern about noise and crowds.

Oh ffs move to the suburbs.

I think they should worry more about the housing for the mentally unstable next door more than this. The more foot traffic and presence of life makes the area safer in my opinion.

Slower service: DDRC gives more time for Foodies redevelopment

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record July 21, 2016

OKLAHOMA CITY – Restaurant developer Joe Jungmann and his business partner, Dale Cazes, said they are not building a food truck park around the old Foodies diner building in Midtown.

Cazes said they are trying to build a park at NW 12th Street and N. Hudson Avenue. It will have a restaurant in the existing diner building, a permanent barbecue food truck and another alternating food truck. Alcoholic beverages will be available, and the plan includes four shipping containers housing amenities.

The design idea came from Madison Square Park in New York City.

“I don’t think that Oklahoma City has really something we are planning on doing,” Cazes said. “It will be different than Blue Garten. It will be different than things that you’ve seen in Oklahoma City.”

Some residents near the site voiced their concerns with the concept Thursday during the Downtown Design Review Committee meeting. Sieber apartments developer Marva Ellard said she thinks Jungmann and Cazes need to meet with more neighbors. She’s also concerned about the food sales versus alcohol sales. State law requires restaurants to sell more food than alcohol, but for a bar, it’s vice versa.

The DDRC gave the developers and architect Richard Starks a continuance to the August meeting so they could have more time to address those issues, as well as the committee’s apprehensions.

“I think there are discussions that need to be had with neighbors,” Ellard said. “We’d go there for lunch all the time. We just don’t know what it is and what it will be.”

John Sorenson of Bullard and Associates said his law office has had to increase its maintenance budget because the parking lot has a lot of trash and cars left overnight from people visiting Midtown already. He said they are concerned the same issues will occur at other office buildings once the park and restaurants open.

Starks said during the meeting that the site is relying on street parking. There are more than 100 free spots within a two-block radius of the park.

Cazes and Jungmann plan some renovation on the building, such as removing the front windows and putting in a more modern product. The front door will be permanently closed and covered to look like the building. The entrance will be moved to NW 12th Street.

The concrete will be covered with turf, and plants will be in planters, creating a park-like atmosphere. A large fence will encompass the site.

But moving the entrance is not within the downtown design element framework, which requires the main door to face the original street. Nonetheless, moving the door to the same grade as the concrete would make it accessible within the federal Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines.

The DDRC also had concerns with using metal shipping containers near a residential neighborhood and the design of the pergolas, which was not included in Thursday’s presentation.

Sparks said there is only a one-year lease on the metal containers. They are not permanent and would be covered to look like the Foodies building.

Ellard said there’s still work that needs to be done on the design.

“It’s still in the cake-mix stage,” she said. “It’s not in the baked cake stage yet.”

Is this the project Lackmeyer was referring to, whom came to the DDRC with incomplete designs?

Latest plans for former Foodies in Midtown (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=333-Latest-plans-for-old-Foodies-in-Midtown)

The future proprietors of what is now called Hudson Park have submitted revised plans for the former Foodies building at 1220 N. Hudson.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216a.jpg


The new plans include featuring the small metal building and the addition of a smokehouse to the northern part of the property.

Carried over from the previous proposal is the small kitchen in the original building, a restroom and bar out-building, covered pergolas and an area for two food trucks.

The previous plans met with objections from neighbors over possible noise and parking, although those areas are outside the purview of the Downtown Design Review Committee which will review these latest plans on Thursday October 20th.

The City relies on existing noise and parking ordinances when it comes to those matters.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1220nhudsonf.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216f.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216g.jpg
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/foodies101216h.jpg

Considering the neighbors have already resisted this project.... The addition of the smokehouse raises the same concern for me that I've had with Maple's but amplified. Neighbors complaining about the smell of the smoke.

It's exciting to see all this new BBQ coming to Midtown though and places like Blu's & Back Door (Possibly Iron Star) are going to possibly have to step up their games because I don't feel like the area can support that much BBQ.

Maple's stands to really raise the bar in OKC because it sounds like they are going to be attempting a concept I've wanted to see tried here since my first trip to Austin to eat at some of the Texas Monthly's Top 50 BBQ Restaurants.

I understand the noise concerns. If you're going to have residential near entertainment venues, then compromises have to be made on both sides. If I lived at the Sieber, I would be concerned about outdoor music, and crowd noise keeping me up at night. But, the Sieber was open before this venue, so Marva Ellard's concerns should be addressed.

That said, I love this development and I would think they could reach an agreement with the surrounding neighbors to limit noise after say 10:00 on weeknights and later on Friday and Saturday.

I understand the noise concerns. If you're going to have residential near entertainment venues, then compromises have to be made on both sides. If I lived at the Sieber, I would be concerned about outdoor music, and crowd noise keeping me up at night. But, the Sieber was open before this venue, so Marva Ellard's concerns should be addressed.

That said, I love this development and I would think they could reach an agreement with the surrounding neighbors to limit noise after say 10:00 on weeknights and later on Friday and Saturday.

I live across the street from Bleu Garten and some of my windows face the west. They have music every Wednesday that goes until around 10:00 which has never bothered me, and is actually kind of nice to open the windows and hear the music. Like has been mentioned, that is part of what comes with living in an urban area and something I expected when moving here. The weekends aren't really any worse.

I imagine there is some pushback from Sieber residents since they've been able to live in an urban area without a lot around it for awhile, and may be worried about the noise. You would hope that would be an amenity to them instead of a burden.

If you move into an urban environment, you have to accept the possibility that developments like Hudson Park and Union at SoSA could arise on the property across the street. To me, that's actually why you move to an urban environment. It's okay if others don't see it that way, but you can't control developments that meet existing laws regarding noise levels and such. These new developments should develop a working relationship with their neighbors, but in the end, they're under absolutely no obligation to do so. If that is a big problem for some people, living in an urban area just might not be for them. OKC has plenty of quiet, residential-only neighborhoods even in the core.

This is all funny to me personally because all I want is for developments like these to open near where I live. It's why I always choose to live in the core in whatever city I live in. If they're a little noisy then I just turn on a noisy fan when I go to sleep. ;)

^^^^^

Well said. One should know going into a downtown core environment that there will be people, sounds, trains, cars--in other words, life. We live 4 blocks from this development and are looking forward to it opening back up. In fact, I think there might just be more neighbors down here who are excited about all the new things coming into the area than there are NIMBYs. Perhaps the nay-sayers are just more vocal. And, as you said, there are already noise and other ordinances in place that must be complied with. So long as they are within those parameters, then it's fair game.

Hudson Park finally passed the DDRC today as long as they re consider the fencing. There was a lot of opposition because of noise and lack of parking. Surprisingly, the parking opposition came from Midtown board members. I would have thought that they would be thrilled to see an infill development that did not include a parking lot. The developers mentioned that they were negotiating with the law firm near by to use their parking during non office hours which I really appreciate. Maybe I'm too Idealistic, but I'd like to see parking limited as much as possible in the area to promote walking and future streetcar use. Midtown is an exciting enough neighborhood that people would be fine parking a bit further away and walking more than they are used to in order to get to their destination. People don't visit awesome places because of great parking and I think that Midtown would be hindered if every development had an attached garage or surface parking lot.

Hudson Park finally passed the DDRC today as long as they re consider the fencing. There was a lot of opposition because of noise and lack of parking. Surprisingly, the parking opposition came from Midtown board members. I would have thought that they would be thrilled to see an infill development that did not include a parking lot. The developers mentioned that they were negotiating with the law firm near by to use their parking during non office hours which I really appreciate. Maybe I'm too Idealistic, but I'd like to see parking limited as much as possible in the area to promote walking and future streetcar use. Midtown is an exciting enough neighborhood that people would be fine parking a bit further away and walking more than they are used to in order to get to their destination. People don't visit awesome places because of great parking and I think that Midtown would be hindered if every development had an attached garage or surface parking lot.

As in no fence? Or change to fence material?

As in no fence? Or change to fence material?

There were concerns expressed about the 6' fence; that some would like to see more interaction with the street.

But, the fence is relatively open in terms of being able to see in/out.

They passed approval except for the fence, which will allow this to move forward while they work out a compromise.

Hudson Park finally passed the DDRC today as long as they re consider the fencing. There was a lot of opposition because of noise and lack of parking. Surprisingly, the parking opposition came from Midtown board members. I would have thought that they would be thrilled to see an infill development that did not include a parking lot. The developers mentioned that they were negotiating with the law firm near by to use their parking during non office hours which I really appreciate. Maybe I'm too Idealistic, but I'd like to see parking limited as much as possible in the area to promote walking and future streetcar use. Midtown is an exciting enough neighborhood that people would be fine parking a bit further away and walking more than they are used to in order to get to their destination. People don't visit awesome places because of great parking and I think that Midtown would be hindered if every development had an attached garage or surface parking lot.

Today, if one were to park "a bit further away", where would that be? Are there public lots specifically designated for Midtown parking? Not trying to be snarky, but I'm not as familiar with the area as some. My experience with trying to go to McNellie's, Irmas, etc during lunch has been one of hustling to find non-restricted parking.

Today, if one were to park "a bit further away", where would that be? Are there public lots specifically designated for Midtown parking? Not trying to be snarky, but I'm not as familiar with the area as some. My experience with trying to go to McNellie's, Irmas, etc during lunch has been one of hustling to find non-restricted parking.

There is the garage just to the west of the buick bldg on 10th, lots behind waffle champion, stella, loui's and fassler hall. Lots next to gogo sushi, giggles and across from Packards and next to the memorial. There is ample street parking all over midtown and surrounding areas on Park Pl., Hudson, Robinson, Harvey, Dewey, 9th st, 8th st, 7th st, 6th st, 5th st, in Heritage Hills/Mesta Park. Granted, some of the street parking could be a bit farther away than many around here might want to walk (especially if you are in a rush for lunch), but if there is too much parking dotting the area we could sacrifice what will make Midtown great which is dense, mixed used development that is walkable.

Granted I live in Midtown and usually walk, but I've never had an issue parking, if I did drive, for any event of any size in Midtown. You can always find something.

The only time there is a real parking problem is on Saturday nights when Fassler Hall and Bleu Garten are raging.

The only time there is a real parking problem is on Saturday nights when Fassler Hall and Bleu Garten are raging.

True which will likely get worse when this opens...which is a good thing. At some point it will make economic sense for MidtownR or someone else to build a garage on one of those empty lots, especially with the streetcar line running through the middle of midtown. I think one reasonable sized, public use garage in that area would handle the bulk of midtown's visitor parking needs for a long time, though I don't think one is necessary yet.

There is a parking garage on 10th between Broadway and Robinson.

It is about 3 blocks from Fassler.

There is a parking garage on 10th between Broadway and Robinson.

It is about 3 blocks from Fassler.

That is an option, but certainly not big enough to handle the future growth. Bob Howard also uses the garage for storing vehicles from the Mercedes dealership.

It's worth mentioning that continuing the build garages for every area will set limits on urban development and transportation diversification. For example, why is anyone going to ever take the new streetcar if there's a parking garage close to every place you want to go?

It's worth mentioning that continuing the build garages for every area will set limits on urban development and transportation diversification. For example, why is anyone going to ever take the new streetcar if there's a parking garage close to every place you want to go?

Exactly. For every garage or parking lot built, that's one less lot available for interesting development and incentivizes driving over walking or other modes of transportation. I understand that we live in an extreme car culture at the moment, and it seems like we should be doing everything we can to make it convenient for people to drive and park, but we must begin to get away from that culture, especially in our downtown area, for the sake of economic sustainability, cultural development and the health and safety of future generations.

Even in the midst of our auto culture there is evidence that having dedicated parking isn't always a necessity. Have any of you ever been to a festival in a small town or district where there are no parking garages and few parking lots? Thousands of people can descend on these areas despite a lack of parking simply because they want to be there. When people really want to go somewhere, they make it work.

The issue isn't so much parking be built. Or anything for that matter.

The real problem in downtown OKC development is that so much of what is being built is on a scale that is simply too large. Most of the "little" development is rehabbing of old buildings, which is great. But what we need 10x more of are the buildings built on Walker between Louie's and the other building I can't remember right now.

Similarly, you can build a garage that is 6 to 10 stories tall that holds 50+ cars on a plot of land the size that Louie's sits on. It just doesn't fit the economy that people want.

Really what OKC needs is to sit down and revisit entirely urban ordinances, and figure out exactly how far reaching the scope of these sort of urban ordinances will be (i.e. where they apply: within the Interstates, only to Uptown/Capitol Hill, or whatever). Within those ordinances needs to be one that says "If your development (especially parking garages) has a footprint of X-by-Y then you must incorporate other uses into the design."

More revisions for this project. Hopefully once approved they start to move forward.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hudsonpark071017a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hudsonpark071017b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hudsonpark071017c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hudsonpark071017d.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hudsonpark071017e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hudsonpark071017f.jpg

I guess they are going to build a tree?

I guess they are going to build a tree?

Ha, yeah its the same company that did the pre-fab for AC. Once the branches are assembled, the inner rings go rather quickly.