https://www.casino.org/news/fremont-street-experience-canopy-upgrade-approved-by-city-council

Just a friendly conversation. What if OKC had a video display board like Fremont Street in Vegas? Where would it have the most impact? Ideas?

This seems like the kind of thing that might be a good fit for whatever development replaces the Cox Center. I can't think of where it could go in today's OKC.

With the way things are going with big screens at both Owen Field and Boone Pickens, you could guess someone has this already on the drawing board. ;)

If something like this was built, I imagine a re-vamp of the Myriad Gardens Crystal Bridge with a in the round video display, or make it a part of the new downtown park. Events like New Year's or Thunder watch parties could take place with more interactivity on a giant video screen.

Put a ring around the top edge of Chesapeake Arena. Can be seen from all points. OKCs bulletin board.

It would be best in an area with mainly pedestrian traffic and limited motor vehicle access. It can be quite dazzling and distracting to go under it. If they tear down the Myriad, they could make it a covered multi use outdoor facility. If they put in plenty of large steps, that could be used for seating also, outdoor events there could be fun. Mood lighting for Shakespeare in the Park and more exuberant lights for smaller outdoor concerts.

Over the rail tracks facing east and west?

Turn Harvey between Reno and the Boulevard pedestrian only and slap this over the top, opening onto whatever development goes on those surface parking lots.

Before we start talking about a sign, let's define, brand or re-brand a new nickname or slogan for Oklahoma City:

Here are some current descriptons: The Big Friendly, The City, OKC, The Cinderella City, Horse Show Capital of the World, Capital of Soonerland. Do we need a slogan other than OKC...

There's obviously City restrictions on the height of signs, video boards and the like in regards to private businesses & commercial establishments; does this apply to the City itself?

https://s3-media4.fl.yelpcdn.com/bphoto/YRBD-hPaRuSBPmQ7_cz-xw/o.jpg

A City financed promotional iconic video sign that promotes our city; something in the vicinity of The Land Run Monument, new convention center complex or something more eye-raising than NY Times Square, Vegas Fremont video board; let's not forget Reno, NV:

https://stadiachurchplanting.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/Reno.jpeg

To be continued . . .

These are great, but be cognizant of how bright lights directly affect others (Colcord Hotel guests facing the Oklahoman’s bright reader board), and light pollution that goes for blocks (throughout downtown from the Chesapeake Arena).

Nah. I don't want to resemble Vegas. Our city will organically develop its own feel. The current MAPS III developments and private development and subsequent developments will combine to give us that feel. We don't need this as much as we don't need to reconstruct a 1:1 replica of the Eiffel tower thinking that's going to turn OKC into the Paris on the plains.

I think "OKC" is the best nickname for us at the moment. It's our airport code and it's short and catchy. I've heard people on ESPN using it, and I think we should try and stick with that. Anything else seems forced, like we're trying too hard, and that's not good. None of the other nicknames (particularly the Big Friendly) are good at all. Blech.

At some point, someone will come up with a slogan or a nickname that just clicks, and it will catch on. But that hasn't happened yet. "Heartland of America" seemed to be getting pushed for a while, and that was okay, I guess.

Nah. I don't want to resemble Vegas. Our city will organically develop its own feel. The current MAPS III developments and private development and subsequent developments will combine to give us that feel. We don't need this as much as we don't need to reconstruct a 1:1 replica of the Eiffel tower thinking that's going to turn OKC into the Paris on the plains.

I'd say that OKC needs to have at least half a dozen locations that attract tourists. I'm talking about places where people gather together to take great photos, that are distinct and that we can build our brand identity around. New York City has Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Plaza, the top of the Empire State Building, Central Park, the New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, and a ton of other places. Even if you've never been to NYC, you know what it looks like because you've seen photographs from these places over and over again.

Right now, OKC has the bombing memorial, and maybe (you could make an argument) the Myriad Gardens. I'm not saying that we need a giant video board, that doesn't really feel like it fits OKC's personality to me. But we need to start establishing some iconic views of the city, and set them up so they're easy and convenient for visitors.

I would include the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in that list. Also American Indian Cultural Center and Museum once it's open. Devon Tower as well. I'm sure there's more that folks can come up with. I

Too bad the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame is no longer in the basement of FNC :(((((

Right now, OKC has the bombing memorial, and maybe (you could make an argument) the Myriad Gardens. I'm not saying that we need a giant video board, that doesn't really feel like it fits OKC's personality to me. But we need to start establishing some iconic views of the city, and set them up so they're easy and convenient for visitors.

How about this one?14800

I'd say that OKC needs to have at least half a dozen locations that attract tourists. I'm talking about places where people gather together to take great photos, that are distinct and that we can build our brand identity around. New York City has Times Square, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Plaza, the top of the Empire State Building, Central Park, the New York Public Library, Grand Central Station, and a ton of other places. Even if you've never been to NYC, you know what it looks like because you've seen photographs from these places over and over again.

Right now, OKC has the bombing memorial, and maybe (you could make an argument) the Myriad Gardens. I'm not saying that we need a giant video board, that doesn't really feel like it fits OKC's personality to me. But we need to start establishing some iconic views of the city, and set them up so they're easy and convenient for visitors.

I don't think those places were built with the express purpose of being excellent venues for photo ops. The things which breathe character to a city should happen organically, it shouldn't be forced. Historically, when it has been forced, we end up with some half-ass public art like the scissortail sculpture which was originally supposed to be much larger.

I don't think those places were built with the express purpose of being excellent venues for photo ops. The things which breathe character to a city should happen organically, it shouldn't be forced. Historically, when it has been forced, we end up with some half-ass public art like the scissortail sculpture which was originally supposed to be much larger.

Of course it has to happen organically. But it won't happen at all if we're totally haphazard with our development. Every place I listed was planned to have a strong visual impact. Not necessarily for photo ops, but they were absolutely intended to attract the public's attention.

I agree and believe an over the street screen would be amazing. A really valid site for it would the plaza between the new convention center and the Omni hotel (and just across from the busiest part of the new park) that is currently s. 4th street. It would be maximum foot traffic and minimal car traffic, after all, you can’t fire up a 2 block long zillatron while people are driving around and not expect collisions and liability.

It would also be a pretty awesome opportunity to bring back the thunder games for live & outdoor viewing. Mayor Mick, in one of his bizarre tangents, shut it down after a shooting where no one was injured happened in brick town, closer to the ballpark actually, after one of the events.

I would also advocate for some allocated spots for busking and performance art like in Vegas, London, and manhattan. I believe the park should have these too in designated areas.

It’s a shame it couldn’t be added to the budget, projects like these take an act of congress.

Also OKC is fine. It could have an unofficial nick name like “the big easy” or “city of angels” but OKC is fast, rolls off the tongue, as someone mentioned it’s the airport code, and thanks to the thunder, it’s the chant, the monicker used by sports casters, the logo, and it’s print media 3 letter identification code.

I don't think those places were built with the express purpose of being excellent venues for photo ops. The things which breathe character to a city should happen organically, it shouldn't be forced. Historically, when it has been forced, we end up with some half-ass public art like the scissortail sculpture which was originally supposed to be much larger.

And it was supposed to be an integral part of the support structure for the bridge, too... This is what it should have looked like:

http://imaginativeamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/imagi_dougdawg_bridge_model.jpg
http://imaginativeamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/imagi_butzer_bridge_01.jpg

(from http://www.imaginativeamerica.com/tag/skydance-bridge/)

The Skydance Bridge was neutered mostly thanks to demands from ODOT that caused the projected costs to inflate massively (to just about double the budget). It would have been much cooler and made more sense if it had been built as designed.

If anything, I think a giant screen like the one in Vegas would fit in well in the Paseo District. It's quirky, fun, artsy. It would definitely draw a large crowd.

And it was supposed to be an integral part of the support structure for the bridge, too... This is what it should have looked like:

http://imaginativeamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/imagi_dougdawg_bridge_model.jpg
http://imaginativeamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/imagi_butzer_bridge_01.jpg

(from http://www.imaginativeamerica.com/tag/skydance-bridge/)

The Skydance Bridge was neutered mostly thanks to demands from ODOT that caused the projected costs to inflate massively (to just about double the budget). It would have been much cooler and made more sense if it had been built as designed.

That’s one sexy model

And it was supposed to be an integral part of the support structure for the bridge, too... This is what it should have looked like:

http://imaginativeamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/imagi_dougdawg_bridge_model.jpg
http://imaginativeamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/imagi_butzer_bridge_01.jpg

(from http://www.imaginativeamerica.com/tag/skydance-bridge/)

The Skydance Bridge was neutered mostly thanks to demands from ODOT that caused the projected costs to inflate massively (to just about double the budget). It would have been much cooler and made more sense if it had been built as designed.

Good recall pics, Baralheia, also agree, you are correct in that they should have stayed with the original design. The bridge itself cost $6 million, the cables would have accounted for about $2 million more IIRC.

Hoya, has some great ideas about carving our own identity. We don't have to have the bright lights of Vegas; however focus on the attractions we do have like the AICCM, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Boathouse District and our well funded OKC Zoo.

Did I miss something on the reason the cables were left off the pedestrian bridge in relation to ODOT?

Did I miss something on the reason the cables were left off the pedestrian bridge in relation to ODOT?

Found a few related articles:

Skydance Bridge to be redesigned: Skydance Bridge to be redesigned

Cables cut for planned Skydance Bridge: https://newsok.com/article/3508772/cables-cut-for-planned-skydance-bridge

Good recall pics, Baralheia, also agree, you are correct in that they should have stayed with the original design. The bridge itself cost $6 million, the cables would have accounted for about $2 million more IIRC.

Hoya, has some great ideas about carving our own identity. We don't have to have the bright lights of Vegas; however focus on the attractions we do have like the AICCM, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Boathouse District and our well funded OKC Zoo.

Did I miss something on the reason the cables were left off the pedestrian bridge in relation to ODOT?

ODOT demanded changes to the structure as they wanted the ability to drive maintenance vehicles onto the bridge when work was necessary. This caused the design change from a light suspension bridge to a heavier truss bridge. Along with other design change requirements, a structure that was originally expected to only cost $5.2MM soon ballooned to an estimated cost of $12.8MM. That caused more changes needed to significantly reduce the cost back down to the assigned budget of $6.8MM.

https://newsok.com/article/3508495/skydance-bridge-to-be-redesigned

EDIT: Oops, didn't read the entire thread before replying. Laramie, yep, that's the article I referenced for the "double the budget" claim in my post.

I like the bridge. I have had to explain the backstory to out of state co-workers. I do prefer the original design.

The orig. rendering looks great. What we ended up with is just ok but nowhere near as neat as the orig. They should have spent the money and did what needed to be done to keep orig. design IMO.

Seems as though they recently reinforced Skydance because of some flaws. Could the city redo Skydance in the future to meet original design features?

Seems as though they recently reinforced Skydance because of some flaws. Could the city redo Skydance in the future to meet original design features?

Sadly, that never happen.

The orig. rendering looks great. What we ended up with is just ok but nowhere near as neat as the orig. They should have spent the money and did what needed to be done to keep orig. design IMO.

Still looks like a chicken foot when you drive underneath it.