Absolutely. We were greatly disappointed. It has promising stuff on the menu, but it doesn't deliver like those in the Santa Fe area.

The very first Green Chile Kitchen was in Santa Fe. Then they opened another in San Francisco, then in Yukon which is the hometown of the founder.

The very first Green Chile Kitchen was in Santa Fe. Then they opened another in San Francisco, then in Yukon which is the hometown of the founder.

Yes I know the story. Me and the wife travel to Santa Fe and the surrounding area about 4-6 times per year, and what we ate at the Green Chile Kitchen in Yukon the two times we went was about half as good as anything locally there in SF, and not worth the 30 minute drive from our home. But hey, to each their own! I don't like to (and am not doing so) ridicule people about what they like or don't like, I'm just commenting on our experience of the place.

Personally think they should remove the street parking from n Olie to n Francis. Expand the sidewalks and add trees. Brick the road throughout the whole district with raised crosswalks (both to ensure that speeds lower). I found some reference pics. Adding a huge sign like this one at the beginning and end of the district will help with the speedy drivers too. Also I know no one is biking on Britton but hopefully these pics can give some inspiration.
17272
1726917270

Yeah I agree. Build a parking garage to make up for the loss of parking spaces. I become somewhat of a regular in the area and I’ll go out of my way not to park on the street because it’s really hard to back out in traffic. And there is some good congestion on this road at times.

They’re also likely going to have to grade separate the railroad tracks that go through the intersection when commuter rail happens. I don’t really think there are too many speedy drivers. Speed limit is 25 which should be 30. Traffic moves 25-35 MPH. Not a big deal.

All I can say is I really hope the quality of this development is better than Owl Court! That has to be the worst quality renovation I have ever seen!

So in the 80s there was a fabulous authentic New Mexican food restaurant just west of Santa Fe on Memorial Rd called Santa Fe Crossing. It was opened by a handful of Norman guys who had Border Crossing connections. At the time there was not much going on out there. Both the location and the concept were way ahead of their time. The restaurant was beautiful, and had sweeping views of the sunset due to unobstructed views over the lawn of Fife corporation. The guys spent lots of time and money on the interior and acquired great art from a Santa Fe artist named Tavlos. They built a beautiful raised wood bar that highlighted the space. They shipped in green and red chile and blue corn tortillas weekly from New Mexico. Their food was terrific. Flat blue corn enchiladas, green chile stew, and the epic Shed special. The drinks including the delicious Tavarita were legendary as were the characters who frequented the bar. It only lasted a few years, the timing was not the best as it opened at the beginning of the oil bust. It would kill it now!

From the Oklahoman archives:

***********

The Santa Fe Crossing even has waterfall
ANN DEFRANGE
Published: Sun, December 26, 1982 12:00 AM
The enchiladas don't look like enchiladas, the tacos are in pita bread. The tortillas are a disconcerting shade of navy blue.

Nothing is sacred at Santa Fe Crossing, but everything is heavenly.

The restaurant opened about a month ago on Santa Fe about a mile west of Broadway Extension. Six "working" owners operate the establishment with a full offering of friendly hospitality; most of them have had a previous connection with Border Crossing restaurant in Norman, and those familiar with the Norman eatery will find similarities in the menus.

New Mexico provides the theme for the decor and the food. The building, which is on the west end of a shopping center, has an open, bright feeling of adobe. Paintings in "desert colors" of pinks and purples fit the theme; a noisy waterfall on one end of the restaurant is somewhat harder to explain.

The Santa Fe cooking relies heavily on Indian traditions, explained Tom Calhoun, one of the owners, so they pick up the special green chiles and blue corn tortillas on regular trips to Santa Fe. The blue color is from non-hybrid Indian corn.

The tortillas are used in enchilada dishes, but those are not rolled in the usual manner. A couple of tortillas are stacked, pancake-style, with a generous beef filling between. Cheese and chicken enchiladas are based on plain corn tortillas, the chicken boiled in a wine sauce and combined with vegetables.

Among the specialties are the Shed's Special, a tribute to a popular Santa Fe, N.M., restaurant; chile that's thick and very rich; beef tacos that are stuffed in a pita-type bread rather than taco shells, two large ones to an order.

Outstanding is the Green Chile Stew, a combination of diced steak, corn and spices in a savory broth, either in a bowl or atop a tortilla and under cheese.

Rice and beans, of course, come with the dinners. The rice varies at different times from dry to too dry, but it's coated with an excellent tomato sauce. The beans they don't mess with; they're the plain brown variety.

Appetizers include guacamole (a bit lemony); tortilla soup, a thin beef-vegetable soup floating with chips; artichokes, chili, salad and nachos. The nachos are a possible meal in themselves. Eight toppings are available, including the stew; the toppings are welded to the chips with a chewy cheese, and the result is some of the best nachos east of New Mexico.

Lunches range in price from $3.75 to $6. After 5 p.m. a dinner menu goes into effect and includes several mesquite-grilled items trout, shrimp, chicken. Dinners are from $11.25 for steak asada to $6 for broiled chicken breast with verde sauce.

If you haven't eaten yourself into some kind of Mexican madness already, there are desserts, and the best is a Dobos Torte. It's six thin layers of cake, divided by chocolate icing and pleasantly reeking of brandy.

(Story continued below...)
The kitchen at Santa Fe Crossing is open every day from 11:30 a.m. until 10 week nights, 11 weekends; the bar keeps later hours.

From the Oklahoman archives:

***********

The Santa Fe Crossing even has waterfall
ANN DEFRANGE
Published: Sun, December 26, 1982 12:00 AM
The enchiladas don't look like enchiladas, the tacos are in pita bread. The tortillas are a disconcerting shade of navy blue.

Nothing is sacred at Santa Fe Crossing, but everything is heavenly.

The restaurant opened about a month ago on Santa Fe about a mile west of Broadway Extension. Six "working" owners operate the establishment with a full offering of friendly hospitality; most of them have had a previous connection with Border Crossing restaurant in Norman, and those familiar with the Norman eatery will find similarities in the menus.

New Mexico provides the theme for the decor and the food. The building, which is on the west end of a shopping center, has an open, bright feeling of adobe. Paintings in "desert colors" of pinks and purples fit the theme; a noisy waterfall on one end of the restaurant is somewhat harder to explain.

The Santa Fe cooking relies heavily on Indian traditions, explained Tom Calhoun, one of the owners, so they pick up the special green chiles and blue corn tortillas on regular trips to Santa Fe. The blue color is from non-hybrid Indian corn.

The tortillas are used in enchilada dishes, but those are not rolled in the usual manner. A couple of tortillas are stacked, pancake-style, with a generous beef filling between. Cheese and chicken enchiladas are based on plain corn tortillas, the chicken boiled in a wine sauce and combined with vegetables.

Among the specialties are the Shed's Special, a tribute to a popular Santa Fe, N.M., restaurant; chile that's thick and very rich; beef tacos that are stuffed in a pita-type bread rather than taco shells, two large ones to an order.

Outstanding is the Green Chile Stew, a combination of diced steak, corn and spices in a savory broth, either in a bowl or atop a tortilla and under cheese.

Rice and beans, of course, come with the dinners. The rice varies at different times from dry to too dry, but it's coated with an excellent tomato sauce. The beans they don't mess with; they're the plain brown variety.

Appetizers include guacamole (a bit lemony); tortilla soup, a thin beef-vegetable soup floating with chips; artichokes, chili, salad and nachos. The nachos are a possible meal in themselves. Eight toppings are available, including the stew; the toppings are welded to the chips with a chewy cheese, and the result is some of the best nachos east of New Mexico.

Lunches range in price from $3.75 to $6. After 5 p.m. a dinner menu goes into effect and includes several mesquite-grilled items trout, shrimp, chicken. Dinners are from $11.25 for steak asada to $6 for broiled chicken breast with verde sauce.

If you haven't eaten yourself into some kind of Mexican madness already, there are desserts, and the best is a Dobos Torte. It's six thin layers of cake, divided by chocolate icing and pleasantly reeking of brandy.

(Story continued below...)
The kitchen at Santa Fe Crossing is open every day from 11:30 a.m. until 10 week nights, 11 weekends; the bar keeps later hours.

Yay! Now I am so hungry. It was so long ago we still had to write names on the liquor bottles! And we got busted a few times by the booze cops. Oh good times.

From the Oklahoman archives:

***********


Among the specialties are the Shed's Special, a tribute to a popular Santa Fe, N.M., restaurant; chile that's thick and very rich; beef tacos that are stuffed in a pita-type bread rather than taco shells, two large ones to an order.



Is this when Oklahoma first met the soft taco?

Is this when Oklahoma first met the soft taco?

This is my favorite thing they had that I still make at home when I make green chile stew. I present you the Green Chile Special - flour tortilla filled with green chile stew, cheese and sour cream then put under the broiler. 17275

This is my favorite thing they had that I still make at home when I make green chile stew. I present you the Green Chile Special - flour tortilla filled with green chile stew, cheese and sour cream then put under the broiler. 17275

Sorry you can't see it! Dang.

So in the 80s there was a fabulous authentic New Mexican food restaurant just west of Santa Fe on Memorial Rd called Santa Fe Crossing. It was opened by a handful of Norman guys who had Border Crossing connections. At the time there was not much going on out there. Both the location and the concept were way ahead of their time. The restaurant was beautiful, and had sweeping views of the sunset due to unobstructed views over the lawn of Fife corporation. The guys spent lots of time and money on the interior and acquired great art from a Santa Fe artist named Tavlos. They built a beautiful raised wood bar that highlighted the space. They shipped in green and red chile and blue corn tortillas weekly from New Mexico. Their food was terrific. Flat blue corn enchiladas, green chile stew, and the epic Shed special. The drinks including the delicious Tavarita were legendary as were the characters who frequented the bar. It only lasted a few years, the timing was not the best as it opened at the beginning of the oil bust. It would kill it now!

Yum. Wish we had something like that now! Here's to hoping El Coyote does it right.

From the Oklahoman archives:

***********

The Santa Fe Crossing even has waterfall
ANN DEFRANGE
Published: Sun, December 26, 1982 12:00 AM
The enchiladas don't look like enchiladas, the tacos are in pita bread. The tortillas are a disconcerting shade of navy blue.

Nothing is sacred at Santa Fe Crossing, but everything is heavenly.

The restaurant opened about a month ago on Santa Fe about a mile west of Broadway Extension. Six "working" owners operate the establishment with a full offering of friendly hospitality; most of them have had a previous connection with Border Crossing restaurant in Norman, and those familiar with the Norman eatery will find similarities in the menus.

New Mexico provides the theme for the decor and the food. The building, which is on the west end of a shopping center, has an open, bright feeling of adobe. Paintings in "desert colors" of pinks and purples fit the theme; a noisy waterfall on one end of the restaurant is somewhat harder to explain.

The Santa Fe cooking relies heavily on Indian traditions, explained Tom Calhoun, one of the owners, so they pick up the special green chiles and blue corn tortillas on regular trips to Santa Fe. The blue color is from non-hybrid Indian corn.

The tortillas are used in enchilada dishes, but those are not rolled in the usual manner. A couple of tortillas are stacked, pancake-style, with a generous beef filling between. Cheese and chicken enchiladas are based on plain corn tortillas, the chicken boiled in a wine sauce and combined with vegetables.

Among the specialties are the Shed's Special, a tribute to a popular Santa Fe, N.M., restaurant; chile that's thick and very rich; beef tacos that are stuffed in a pita-type bread rather than taco shells, two large ones to an order.

Outstanding is the Green Chile Stew, a combination of diced steak, corn and spices in a savory broth, either in a bowl or atop a tortilla and under cheese.

Rice and beans, of course, come with the dinners. The rice varies at different times from dry to too dry, but it's coated with an excellent tomato sauce. The beans they don't mess with; they're the plain brown variety.

Appetizers include guacamole (a bit lemony); tortilla soup, a thin beef-vegetable soup floating with chips; artichokes, chili, salad and nachos. The nachos are a possible meal in themselves. Eight toppings are available, including the stew; the toppings are welded to the chips with a chewy cheese, and the result is some of the best nachos east of New Mexico.

Lunches range in price from $3.75 to $6. After 5 p.m. a dinner menu goes into effect and includes several mesquite-grilled items trout, shrimp, chicken. Dinners are from $11.25 for steak asada to $6 for broiled chicken breast with verde sauce.

If you haven't eaten yourself into some kind of Mexican madness already, there are desserts, and the best is a Dobos Torte. It's six thin layers of cake, divided by chocolate icing and pleasantly reeking of brandy.

(Story continued below...)
The kitchen at Santa Fe Crossing is open every day from 11:30 a.m. until 10 week nights, 11 weekends; the bar keeps later hours.

Ann Defrange was a great writer. The Oklahoman had a few.

Ann Defrange was a great writer. The Oklahoman had a few.

I thought her review was pretty pedestrian compared to other food writers (Gazette's Jacob Threadgill, for one recent example).

very excited about this and downtown Britton!!!

This is what Jonathan Stranger said about El Coyote when he re-grammed our story on the district and his future restaurant:


Coming later this year @elcoyotebarandcantina in the @brittondistrictokc bringing authentic straightforward plates and cocktails from New Mexico. Santa Fe is where my father was born and where we have spent many nights and dinners since I was a boy. In my mind it’s perfect the way it is and we will work hard to make sure to keep it authentic, spicy, and just damn delicious. Thank you to @okctalk for letting folks know and look forward to being apart of this community as we all grow together!

This is what Jonathan Stranger said about El Coyote when he re-grammed our story on the district and his future restaurant:

This warms my heart and stimulates my appetite. I literally cannot wait.

Pretty excited to see this area get some attention. I moved to OKC less than a year ago and it looked like Britton was on the up and up. When I bought my house on NW 97th they had difficulty appraising it because so few houses in that area has been bought or sold recently, and any that had been were in need of a renovation. Now I have 2 houses on my street alone that were recently bought and gutted.

That section of Britton is pretty nifty with the recent development and the much-needed facelift of those old buildings. But when it was a pretty dingy section of town ... it was also a pretty unique area to have a few low point beers. We were trying to remember the names of the bars that were there (on the north side of Britton Road) and I seem to remember that there were two on that same block that were both operating at the same time. One was The Phone Booth at 817 West Britton Road and I don't remember the other one. There was Foxy Nights Club at 915 (which is the now closed Venn Pizza spot) and there was an Irish pub in one of the buildings, maybe the Zero Tolerance Coffee location at 913 West Britton Road. Maybe 815 and 907 were bars ? Gerv's Golf Shop has been there for awhile at 903. Anyone here that can refresh my hazy 3.2abv memories? 18031

That section of Britton is pretty nifty with the recent development and the much-needed facelift of those old buildings. But when it was a pretty dingy section of town ... it was also a pretty unique area to have a few low point beers. We were trying to remember the names of the bars that were there (on the north side of Britton Road) and I seem to remember that there were two on that same block that were both operating at the same time. One was The Phone Booth at 817 West Britton Road and I don't remember the other one. There was Foxy Nights Club at 915 (which is the now closed Venn Pizza spot) and there was an Irish pub in one of the buildings, maybe the Zero Tolerance Coffee location at 913 West Britton Road. Maybe 815 and 907 were bars ? Gerv's Golf Shop has been there for awhile at 903. Anyone here that can refresh my hazy 3.2abv memories? 18031

Great username. My dearly departed grandpa whiled away quite a few days getting lit in those dingy lounges. He was diabetic and quite the drinker (and very knowledgeable about OU football) but his saving grace is he walked -- a lot. He would walk there all the way from near the Johnnie's on Britton. He lived to 93 years old and was still walking up until the end.

Looks like fabulous downtown Britton is getting nice makeover! Not sure but it appears the two-lane portion is being lengthened eastward and maybe diagonal parking added?

Big redo of the Britton District streetscape.

The last photo shows a new flower shop; that space was supposed to be the Osteria Diner but it looks like that project has cratered.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/britton062924a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/britton062924b.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/britton062924c.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/britton062924d.jpg

Its such a good thing they narrowed Britton down. 5000 cars a day is basically nothing!

The new bike lanes on Classen Blvd and the Deep Fork Trail will create a non stop route with bike infra from Paseo!

I hope they start planting more trees soon. It would make the area much more inviting, especially during the summer.

Landscaping will go in after the hardscape.

Streetscape concrete work is complete on the north side of Britton. The south side is more than half way done and currently at classen. They’re anticipated to be done with concrete work in October. Landscaping will start to go in once irrigation work is completed, which is happening now.

The bike lane up classen was finally approved by city council yesterday!

The bike lane up classen was finally approved by city council yesterday!

Classen all the way to the Britton District has or is going to have dedicated bike lanes?

Classen all the way to the Britton District has or is going to have dedicated bike lanes?

From 63rd to Britton road up classen

Classen all the way to the Britton District has or is going to have dedicated bike lanes?

Yeah, same question. Is this from 59th to Britton District, or all of Classen? With the new bus route I can't see a bike lane going from 16th to Expressway at all!

It will run from Grand Blvd (to connect with the Grand trail (sidewalks are currently being or have been rebuilt/widened in along Grand to trail standards)) up to Britton Road.

I would assume the bike lanes will run from north of the Chesapeake roundabout all the way to Britton. With the short east-west portion being sharrows.

It will run from Grand Blvd (to connect with the Grand trail (sidewalks are currently being or have been rebuilt/widened in along Grand to trail standards)) up to Britton Road.

I would assume the bike lanes will run from north of the Chesapeake roundabout all the way to Britton. With the short east-west portion being sharrows.

So, through Chesapeake campus up Classen, over the RR tracks at Wilshire, and up Classen to Britton?

So, through Chesapeake campus up Classen, over the RR tracks at Wilshire, and up Classen to Britton?

It probably will be sharrows at the RR crossing on Wilshire. Maybe in the future they can set some funds aside to rework that later to something more safe and easy to cross.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/britton101324a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/britton101324b.jpg

Less than 2 weeks left on concrete work. Then a quick mill and overlay on asphalt. Then landscaping will start to go in.

Man, this area is ripe for mixed-use housing developments. These restaurants need residents nearby. That's why Portland, OR has so many thriving food districts (Alberta, Division, Burnside, 23rd st., etc). They have 4-5 story developments all along these areas above the restaurants.

I love that this district is walkable, but it needs apartments right in the middle of it.

imagine 1000 residents living right there. ... OKC should aim for this for ALL district "downtowns". Make them lively, urban - every district.

I love that this district is walkable, but it needs apartments right in the middle of it.

Apartments are nice when you are just starting out in life, but why not own your own home? That used to be a goal of a majority of people, home ownership. Is that not the case anymore? All I really see on this site is a push for more high density apartments.

Apartments are nice when you are just starting out in life, but why not own your own home? That used to be a goal of a majority of people, home ownership. Is that not the case anymore? All I really see on this site is a push for more high density apartments.

A lot of people, myself included, are finding out the juice of owning a home isn't worth the squeeze of having to pay exorbitant prices for everything that goes along with that. Homes aren't built to the same standards they used to be, yet cost a ton, making repairs more frequent and expensive. I know a lot of very successful people who are fine with owning, for that reason. They'd rather save their money or use it in other things.

It's a choice you have to make.

^^^
But you need a roof over your head, right? Running an apartment comes with its own costs, and those costs will inevitably be passed on to the tenants. The owners, of course, need to make an attractive profit to justify all the hassle, so more money paid from tenants. Your house appreciates in value over time, but renting gives you nothing in return.

^^^
But you need a roof over your head, right? Running an apartment comes with its own costs, and those costs will inevitably be passed on to the tenants. The owners, of course, need to make an attractive profit to justify all the hassle, so more money paid from tenants. Your house appreciates in value over time, but renting gives you nothing in return.

Again, it's a choice. Some people may want that, some may want the assurance that comes with an apartment or rental that, if something goes wrong, it's covered. And if it isn't fixed timely, there are remedies for that (depending on the contract). Plus, if it isn't fixed properly, as a homeowner, you still are on the hook, but not if you rent.

It's a give and take, for sure.

And most home appreciation in value, when you take it over that amount of time, and compare it with maintenance costs on your home, it rarely works out as a major positive for the homeowner.

Man, this area is ripe for mixed-use housing developments. These restaurants need residents nearby. That's why Portland, OR has so many thriving food districts (Alberta, Division, Burnside, 23rd st., etc). They have 4-5 story developments all along these areas above the restaurants.

I love that this district is walkable, but it needs apartments right in the middle of it.

This area is dense. Thousands live within 1 mile. I live within 1.5 miles. An old fashioned small town that the big city grew around. I don't think there is any way 4-5 story apartments in the area pencil out.

Why wouldn’t it pencil? There are examples all over the country of historic commercial districts in inner-ring suburbs seeing substantial residential infill. Plenty of folks would love to live near walkable amenities that aren’t necessarily in downtown proper.

If OKC truly leaned into densification in and around historic commercial areas with preexisting baseline density it would solidify the tax base, allow City services to exist within an easier-to-deliver scale, leverage existing civil infrastructure, and drive better transit. These things all bring advantage to taxpayers across the entire city. This includes benefiting the ones who prefer to live elsewhere in low-density suburban, exurban and even rural areas within the city limits.

The housing to the east of Western and north and south of this district is really rough.

In fact, there are still some dirt roads in the neighborhood to the north.

Apartments are nice when you are just starting out in life, but why not own your own home? That used to be a goal of a majority of people, home ownership. Is that not the case anymore? All I really see on this site is a push for more high density apartments.

I owned a home and it came with a ton of hassle that I didn't want. I've been renting for the last 20 years and plan to for the rest of my life. There are a ton of advantages, including flexibility with moving, no hassle regarding up keep, great location (more apartments are in dense, walkable spaces), etc. I absolutely love the place we've been in for the last decade.

I owned a home and it came with a ton of hassle that I didn't want. I've been renting for the last 20 years and plan to for the rest of my life. There are a ton of advantages, including flexibility with moving, no hassle regarding up keep, great location (more apartments are in dense, walkable spaces), etc. I absolutely love the place we've been in for the last decade.

Im starting to agree. The main caveat is you still need to be saving and investing in order to not end up broke and old. I've been putting money towards my retirement accounts instead of towards a down payment.

Especially since I am still trying to figure out if OKC is where I want to settle down. But i do like this area. Even if its a little run down rn it will certainly improve over the next 15 years as more people say no to long commutes and chose to live closer to downtown.

Higher density and more apartments in a city is what we like to call "good."

I owned a home and it came with a ton of hassle that I didn't want. I've been renting for the last 20 years and plan to for the rest of my life. There are a ton of advantages, including flexibility with moving, no hassle regarding up keep, great location (more apartments are in dense, walkable spaces), etc. I absolutely love the place we've been in for the last decade.

I lived in apartments starting in college until my mid 30’s. I loved it, but it did get old having people stomp on your roof or always walking upstairs (bad knees) or loud sounds at all hours of the night. I do miss not worrying about repairs and especially the lawn work. But I love having an entire building to myself (well, the family) and having a garage for our cars. Plus, my house counts as an additional retirement account.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have choices, but it’s just odd that 99% of the participants on this site (ok, maybe not that high, but it sure seems like it) are for high-density apartments (and against cars). I could be wrong, but I would think the “real world” is closer to a 50/50 split (unless times have changed that much in this regard). It is fascinating (and educational) to hear all the other points (sides), though.

I lived in apartments starting in college until my mid 30’s. I loved it, but it did get old having people stomp on your roof or always walking upstairs (bad knees) or loud sounds at all hours of the night. I do miss not worrying about repairs and especially the lawn work. But I love having an entire building to myself (well, the family) and having a garage for our cars. Plus, my house counts as an additional retirement account.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to have choices, but it’s just odd that 99% of the participants on this site (ok, maybe not that high, but it sure seems like it) are for high-density apartments (and against cars). I could be wrong, but I would think the “real world” is closer to a 50/50 split (unless times have changed that much in this regard). It is fascinating (and educational) to hear all the other points (sides), though.

Again, you're conflating OKCTalk with OKC as a whole. OKC as a whole disagrees with this forum, hence all the sprawl and subdivisions being built out near Piedmont and Mustang or Edmond, and apartment developments being at a premium.

Again, it's a choice. Some people may want that, some may want the assurance that comes with an apartment or rental that, if something goes wrong, it's covered. And if it isn't fixed timely, there are remedies for that (depending on the contract). Plus, if it isn't fixed properly, as a homeowner, you still are on the hook, but not if you rent.

It's a give and take, for sure.

And most home appreciation in value, when you take it over that amount of time, and compare it with maintenance costs on your home, it rarely works out as a major positive for the homeowner.

Agree with this, plus it's risk management.

I rent my house in El Reno. The risk of major repairs has been shifted from me to the landlord. My rent hasn't increased in ten years, even with a landlord change, partly because I do take care of the minor preventative maintenance. Prior to renting this house, I owned my house and learned the joys and perils.

That said, I also own rental property in Yukon.

Why wouldn’t it pencil? There are examples all over the country of historic commercial districts in inner-ring suburbs seeing substantial residential infill. Plenty of folks would love to live near walkable amenities that aren’t necessarily in downtown proper.

If OKC truly leaned into densification in and around historic commercial areas with preexisting baseline density it would solidify the tax base, allow City services to exist within an easier-to-deliver scale, leverage existing civil infrastructure, and drive better transit. These things all bring advantage to taxpayers across the entire city. This includes benefiting the ones who prefer to live elsewhere in low-density suburban, exurban and even rural areas within the city limits.

I was figuring the 4 and 5 story apartments in town being build nowadays are like The Canton, or Chisolm Creek. Bunch of units in a purpose build area. Looking at Pete's drone shots from upthread, I can't find space and an attractive location.

IF - and big if - the RTA ever gets commuter rail up and running, this area would be perfect for a stop if it isn't already templated. That would change the analysis of suitability for density in this area immensely.

IF - and big if - the RTA ever gets commuter rail up and running, this area would be perfect for a stop if it isn't already templated. That would change the analysis of suitability for density in this area immensely.

Im pretty sure the proposed stops are at NW 63rd and the JKT (park and ride). However, there is the 018 and the 003 bus routes which could be reconfigured to connect to these stations. Also the planned bike lanes on Classen Blvd could allow for ebike users to get to the station in minutes.

Again, you're conflating OKCTalk with OKC as a whole. OKC as a whole disagrees with this forum, hence all the sprawl and subdivisions being built out near Piedmont and Mustang or Edmond, and apartment developments being at a premium.

Nah... just surprised at the concentration in OKCTalk vs the city as a whole. I guess I just wrongfully assumed a little more even distribution here. This site is a primary example of how polls (or stats) can be very misleading.

Apartments are nice when you are just starting out in life, but why not own your own home? That used to be a goal of a majority of people, home ownership. Is that not the case anymore? All I really see on this site is a push for more high density apartments.

apartments don't always mean rentals, they can be owned. when we say 'apartments', we mean high density/multifamily structures whether they're leased or owned.

Buying on the principal of appreciation requires you buy in the right area.

Just like buying GM stock in 1990 seemed like a good idea, turns out it hasn't kept up at all with many other equities. If you don't choose the right area, probably better to rent until you find it. And to find it, you probably need to do a lot of research.

apartments don't always mean rentals, they can be owned. when we say 'apartments', we mean high density/multifamily structures whether they're leased or owned.

I didn't know people owned their individual apartments (never seen that before). What's the difference between those and condos?

I didn't know people owned their individual apartments (never seen that before). What's the difference between those and condos?

It is technically a condo, but a good example of Condos that feel like Apartments is Sycamore Square (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sycamore+Square/@35.4710967,-97.5239094,317m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x87ad8a547ef8d281:0x 33a21274d14f3a9d!2sOklahoma+City,+OK!3b1!8m2!3d35. 4675602!4d-97.5164276!16zL20vMGZ2emc!3m5!1s0x87b217a4753a4eb1 :0x57d2fcd24906542a!8m2!3d35.4715603!4d-97.5231378!16s%2Fg%2F11mw8lwb24?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). They are still owned and all owners work like an HOA. Right next door is The Haven which use to be the other half of Sycamore Square. The Haven is all apartments run by Greystar. Each side has the same layout. Three stories with a pool and workout facility in the middle.

It is technically a condo, but a good example of Condos that feel like Apartments is Sycamore Square (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sycamore+Square/@35.4710967,-97.5239094,317m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m15!1m8!3m7!1s0x87ad8a547ef8d281:0x 33a21274d14f3a9d!2sOklahoma+City,+OK!3b1!8m2!3d35. 4675602!4d-97.5164276!16zL20vMGZ2emc!3m5!1s0x87b217a4753a4eb1 :0x57d2fcd24906542a!8m2!3d35.4715603!4d-97.5231378!16s%2Fg%2F11mw8lwb24?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAxNi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). They are still owned and all owners work like an HOA. Right next door is The Haven which use to be the other half of Sycamore Square. The Haven is all apartments run by Greystar. Each side has the same layout. Three stories with a pool and workout facility in the middle.

Ok, thanks. I know condos... just never heard of calling them apartments.

Is road construction done in this area? Anyone have any photos?