A group of local investors is planning to renovate a 1950's era building at 616 NW 5th Street into a restaurant and bar.


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


Dubbed the Union @ SoSA, the unique structure would feature two levels of intimate indoor seating and a large patio and deck to the south, featuring a bar fashioned from a converted 1971 31-foot Airstream trailer.


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

The building was constructed in 1956 for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, including a small 'speakeasy' in the basement level complete with a hidden door which will remain as part of the remodel.

The 2,000 square foot stained-wood patio would have excellent skyline views to the southeast.

The Downtown Design Review Committee will consider the plans on August 18th.


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


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union2ndfloor.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union1stfloor.jpg

I've been inside this building and it's super cool. Going to be a unique spot.

Also, there is an experienced bar and restaurant operator who will be involved here.

that explains why all the party buses are gone from the parking lot

(although I didn't think SOSA extended down this far?)

This has the potential to be a grand slam. Very neat, but kind of out there on its own, it seems.

I love how almost every new project has incorporated a large patio. 2 years ago we had very few options, and realistically there are only a few months out of the year that the weather will be a deterrent.

Lots of NIMBY pressure to not allow this.

Lots of NIMBY pressure to not allow this.

What are their reasons?

Lots of NIMBY pressure to not allow this.

Right but the concerns are the typical noise and parking stuff that are already addressed through ordinances and codes.

The only thing the DDRC should be ruling on is the design but you can be sure the discussion will go off on all types of tangents.

Lots of NIMBY pressure to not allow this.

Based on the screengrab upthread, where the hell are the NIMBY's even coming from? lol

I love how almost every new project has incorporated a large patio. 2 years ago we had very few options, and realistically there are only a few months out of the year that the weather will be a deterrent.

I would say that outdoor patios can succeed for over more than half of the year if set up well. While summers are unbearably hot, once the sun goes down, the patios still fill up. Generally, patios can do pretty well from March to November. The Pump provides a great example. Also, shade, misters, and heaters can help salvage some nights that might otherwise be a bit too hot or cold.

^Deep Deuce Grill does a great job at that with the heaters and fire pit.

I would say that outdoor patios can succeed for over more than half of the year if set up well. While summers are unbearably hot, once the sun goes down, the patios still fill up. Generally, patios can do pretty well from March to November. The Pump provides a great example. Also, shade, misters, and heaters can help salvage some nights that might otherwise be a bit too hot or cold.

That's what I meant by my post... "only a few months out of the year the weather will be a deterrent" as in a majority of the year here patios are great.

Yes with heaters and misters and retractable awnings all and the newish fun stuff, outdoor space is infinitely more usable than not that long ago.

The outdoor area at Barrios should be open almost every day of the year.

The great thing about being outdoors is that it invites you to stay and hang out, critical to the bar biz.

That's what I meant by my post... "only a few months out of the year the weather will be a deterrent" as in a majority of the year here patios are great.

Yep, sorry I somehow misread it. So, yeah, I agree. ;)

Really excited for these guys! I represented them in this transaction after touring the building with another client about a year ago. When I walked in I knew it could make a very cool bar with the history of that building being an old electrical workers union. They totally took to the concept and ran with it and I am super excited about the concept. There is not much yet in the immediate area, but drive just drive around.. Construction is going on everywhere in a 3-4 block radius and buildings (both commercial & residential) are selling for record SF prices. This project will be a homerun.

Pete is right. One of the partners is currently a successful operator, and the two additional partners are really sharp guys that bring a lot to the table. They really know what they are doing & this won't be their only successful venture.

Not super close but The Flea, Sunnyside Diner and Revolucion are in the area.

From a commercial real estate leasing perspective patio space is great for bars because it's usually space that you don't have to pay per SF for. In this instance their patio will be almost as big as their inside footprint, but they are only paying a per SF price to lease the inside. In essence they have cut their rent overhead in half. It's a really smart move. OKC is not a market (yet..) that is charging per SF for patio space.. Except for the new SideCar @ Chisholm Creek..

^

That Sidecar CC will have a fantastic patio.

The stakes keep getting raised, which is a good thing for all of us.


And while I'm thinking of it, Cultivar is moving forward with their plans for a rooftop deck, and it should be killer.

Looks like a great concept, and I'm sure it will be a hit. I'm always down to go somewhere new, especially since they are starting to build up that area! ��

The views on the patio should be second to none. I am guessing this will be a smash.

After several surrounding property owners voiced strong concerns about parking, noise and light pollution, the two sides decided to continue the decision of the DDRC until the next meeting in September.

BUT... After all those complaints and Lisa Chronister from the Planning Department reminding everyone that 1) there are existing city ordinances to address those issues and that the applicant had already stated they planned to follow them; and 2) this was a permitted use under planning guidelines and the only thing the DDRC is there to determine if the design met it's own guidelines...

STILL committee members talked about not 'liking' the size of the back deck and other things that seem to be out of their purview. They also suggested the rear deck be decreased in size, although it wasn't clear how that would begin to fit into their own guidelines.

Reminder that this is a tiny building on a small lot, so without significant outdoor space I'm sure this venture would not be economically feasible.

So, the applicant graciously agreed to meet with the property owners and discuss these matters, although I know that has already happened once.


BTW, there was tons of talk about how this use isn't appropriate for the neighborhood. Of course, bars and restaurants are expressly allowed and in fact you don't even have to apply for ABC-2 (which is what this will be).

This is going to an on-going battle between people who live downtown and others who want to do commercial infill and a huge amount of those complaints are completely mute, and for good reason. The whole point of an urban neighborhood is to have a mix of uses and not isolated residential like you have in the 'burbs.

This is going to an on-going battle between people who live downtown and others who want to do commercial infill and a huge amount of those complaints are completely mute, and for good reason. The whole point of an urban neighborhood is to have a mix of uses and not isolated residential like you have in the 'burbs.

Exactly. If you want urban, then you're going to have to deal with stuff other than houses. Just like if you move into a residential area in, say, Edmond with a huge undeveloped tract of land behind you, then you better get ready for the possibility of a Walmart Supercenter.

People always ask us how we can stand living directly across the street from a major church with stuff going on pretty much every day of the week and people parking on the street in front of our house. My response is that we moved down here BECAUSE we love the life and constant activity that midtown/downtown have to offer. We're super-excited to be within walking distance of so many great things, and always excited at the prospect of more.

^

Well said.

With downtowners, so many want to live and work there because you can walk to great places but then they draw the line if any of them are *too* close to their own property.

Of course, every single place is next to the property of others, but somehow that's their problem.

I will also add that I totally understand people not wanting drunks loitering around their yards, or music so loud you can hear it through your walls, etc., but there are ordinances in place to prevent that. The mere *existence* of a new bar and grill on what was an empty lot or vacated building doesn't make those bad things happen. Bad people make those things happen. Good corporate management coupled with enforcement of ordinances if things get out of hand can ensure that the new neighbors are a benefit to the area.

Also, the whole reason all those homes and properties are so valuable now is precisely because of places like this.

it's not because people are building more homes and small office buildings. Those things are important but are not amenities for the neighborhood or community as a whole.

I'm just keeping my fingers crossed for a traditional grocery store somewhere on Broadway. Then about the only time I'd take the car out would be to commute my child to school way up north. If she wasn't so invested in her school already, then I'd transfer her back here to Wilson or John Rex in a heartbeat. But it's a good school, and she's beginning her sixth year there.

OK, so as not to derail the thread, I'm glad to hear that Lisa Chonister reminded everyone of the DDRC's limitations. Will holding off to the September meeting cause major delays on this project?

It's real easy for those of us who are a little more informed and aware to look down on "NIMBYS" but if you've lived in Oklahoma your whole life, and aren't really engaged, it's not unreasonable to be surprised when you suddenly have a new noisy neighbor or a walmart next door.

I know that when I moved into my current house 16 years ago, a lot of my decision was driven by two factors. Close access to Broadway extension, and low traffic/quiet area. The neighborhood was small. 33rd/150th was 2 lane, with stop signs. There was no retail, etc. Now it's all 4/5 lane, lights, retail, gas stations, offices, and the neighborhood is 3 times bigger. In retrospect I should have expected it, but as someone buying my second house in my early 20's, it's not the type of consideration which comes to mind.

All this being said, once my youngest moves out, we're planning on relocating to midtown/downtown/somewhere more urban. So our needs have definitely evolved.

After several surrounding property owners voiced strong concerns about parking, noise and light pollution, the two sides decided to continue the decision of the DDRC until the next meeting in September.

BUT... After all those complaints and Lisa Chronister from the Planning Department reminding everyone that 1) there are existing city ordinances to address those issues and that the applicant had already stated they planned to follow them; and 2) this was a permitted use under planning guidelines and the only thing the DDRC is there to determine if the design met it's own guidelines...

STILL committee members talked about not 'liking' the size of the back deck and other things that seem to be out of their purview. They also suggested the rear deck be decreased in size, although it wasn't clear how that would begin to fit into their own guidelines.

Reminder that this is a tiny building on a small lot, so without significant outdoor space I'm sure this venture would not be economically feasible.

So, the applicant graciously agreed to meet with the property owners and discuss these matters, although I know that has already happened once.


BTW, there was tons of talk about how this use isn't appropriate for the neighborhood. Of course, bars and restaurants are expressly allowed and in fact you don't even have to apply for ABC-2 (which is what this will be).

This is going to an on-going battle between people who live downtown and others who want to do commercial infill and a huge amount of those complaints are completely mute, and for good reason. The whole point of an urban neighborhood is to have a mix of uses and not isolated residential like you have in the 'burbs.

Have you been able to attend any meetings and point out this stuff? Just curious if you've been able to get more involved since coming back. *starting Pete for mayor rumors*

There aren't even any of these SOSA homes nearby! What on earth are these people thinking? Please, stop placating them and focus on real design / planning problems.

Short version: This project was approved today.


Longer version: Several nearby property owners protested at length; one even hired an attorney to speak at today's hearing.

Most the protest was about noise, parking, traffic, and capacity. All things outside the purview of Downtown Design Review Committee.

There is a lot of obvious friction here, even though the proprietors met with these concerned citizens several times. They asked for them to reduce their outside capacity and hours, which they had no obligation to do and thus declined.

Lisa Chronister of the Planning Department does a good job of reminding everyone of the charge of this committee and what the city rules and guidelines actually say. Still, it doesn't stop very long rambling protests that are way off subject.

It seems allowing this only encourages the behavior and also leads to ill-will when those concerns are dismissed.

The only person I could see being opposed to this is the person who lives in the home directly south and east of the property as the patio would be close to their backyard and possibly be loud. Otherwise, you have a home directly across the street, Wanzer's development to the north and west and an office building on the corner to the east. There are a few homes on the south side of Sixth street, but they look like offices. Not sure where these people are coming from.

I saw that work was being done in the back of this place already.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union101616a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union101616b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union103016a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union103016b.jpg

Sneak peek:



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union111116a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union111116b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union111116c.jpg

I cannot wait for this place to open!

Did they know you were posting that third pic?

Super excited about this place!

https://www.theunionok.com/

13421 13422 13423

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union011517.jpg

Anyone know when this place will open? They are starting to advertise on social media.

One of my friends close to the group that owns this said they will be open this Friday.

Yes, I heard they will be on Friday... anyone seen their menu?

Yes, opening Friday in a pretty soft fashion.

I'm going to the official soft opening thing tomorrow night and will report back.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union031517.jpg

Stopped by briefly last night for their soft opening.

They will be open starting today, although the kitchen will not be up and running for a few weeks.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union031617a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union031617b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/union031617c.jpg

anybody been to this place yet?

anybody been to this place yet?

Yes, stopped in on Friday. I've been very excited about this place opening, but maybe it's worth a second visit before rendering a final judgment. I wasn't overly impressed with my first visit. The place felt dark inside, and I was confused with some of the style choices. Style isn't really my wheelhouse, but I was struggling to find the consistent concept--maybe others had a different experience.

The service was okay. Our group stayed for about an hour, didn't see too many people come or go, and left for Midtown. The place felt a bit dead, but that might have just been the time we went. There were maybe 15-20 people there, and my group was half of that. We later went to Kongs (which was packed on Friday), but I spoke with a friend this morning that said Kongs was slow on Saturday. There may have just been so many people out in Midtown that it pulled from other places.

I want this place to succeed, and I feel like there is a room we didn't stumble into--given the photos earlier in this thread. I think I'll give it another run soon, but it isn't in my current rotation.

The owners told me they are purposely keeping everything low key and aren't really openly promoting at this point.

They want to ease into things and not get overrun out of the gate.

"They want to ease into things and not get overrun out of the gate." This is disappointing to hear. If you really want to make a splash, you need to have a big impact when you first start out, not a "low key" one. I am looking forward to their food menu.

Kitchen won't be open for a while as they continue their soft opening.

That's too bad... I won't drop by until they publish their menu and I can look it over.

"They want to ease into things and not get overrun out of the gate." This is disappointing to hear. If you really want to make a splash, you need to have a big impact when you first start out, not a "low key" one. I am looking forward to their food menu.

The danger of your way is that the big impact might not be pretty - there were a bunch of restaurant openings in the past year or so that were quite unpleasant during the first few weeks, they don't have their systems set up right, staff trained properly, run out of ingredients, just basically don't have their sh*t together. I won't even come close to a restaurant until after they've been open a month, and if they're decent they should have it sorted out by then. It does seem like places are taking a bit more care for their openings recently, though, so maybe that trend is disappearing.

See, that's the issue. If you don't have your systems set up right, your staff trained properly, or you constantly run out of ingredients, etc.... then you shouldn't be open in the first place.

See, that's the issue. If you don't have your systems set up right, your staff trained properly, or you constantly run out of ingredients, etc.... then you shouldn't be open in the first place.

Ha, I understand this, you understand this, a lot of people understand this..... except some restaurant owners. :) But, as I said, it's looking better - less disastrous openings in the past year than there have been in the year or two before that, so maybe they're learning.

Well, they just announced their Grand Opening on March 25th... I saw advertised on Facebook. Well, hopefully they will publish their menu on that date or around that time... I am very interested in their grilled cheese choices.

Went with a group on Saturday night to hear another friend play music here. I really like this place. drinks were good and the food we had was delicious. I had chicken street tacos and chips and queso and other liked the sandwich choices. not a huge menu but good bar food.

Do they still have that weird waist high fence that cuts the size of the back porch in half?

Do they still have that weird waist high fence that cuts the size of the back porch in half?


I didn't see anything like that Saturday.

From their FB page:


As of October 30th, @theunionok will be closed for renovations. We are currently working on building a full kitchen inside and making our patio even better! Stay tuned for pictures on progress and our exact reopen date! Thank you to everyone who has supported us and especially our neighborhood! We'll be back and better than ever!

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..a couple of progress pics.