Is there a back story here or was it just a shady move? https://newsok.com/article/5604988/parking-tension-continues-in-plaza-district?earlyAccess=true

I don't know, but lack of parking is the main reason I don't go to Plaza anymore. Coming in a close second is the absurd wait times at Empire, Goru, and The Mule.

I've never had trouble finding parking unless there is a special event going on..

The "lack of parking" is that people don't want to park 1/2/3 blocks away and walk.....I've never had trouble parking in the neighborhood and just walking to the district.

The "lack of parking" is that people don't want to park 1/2/3 blocks away and walk.....I've never had trouble parking in the neighborhood and just walking to the district.

That's exactly right. "Lack of parking" almost always equals "I want front door parking and don't want to walk a minimal amount." I've gone to the Plaza multiple times on super busy nights and have never had trouble finding parking as long as I was willing to walk 1 or 2 blocks.

As it pertains to the story linked above, I hope the Strubles aren't turning into the Plaza counterparts of Bricktown surface parking lot money grabbers. They've done a lot for the development of the Plaza, but they sure have been focused recently on securing paid parking income. My concern is not necessarily paid parking, but the resulting hesitancy to develop paid parking lots into a higher use.

The "lack of parking" is that people don't want to park 1/2/3 blocks away and walk.....I've never had trouble parking in the neighborhood and just walking to the district.

I have no problem with walking, I just don't like parking on neighborhood streets in front of houses, especially when I am not visiting said house. I prefer to park in a lot or spaces for the businesses in the district. My wife and I will usually park over by Clarity Coffee just to walk to Bricktown since it is easier to find an open spot and I don't have to deal with tight traffic.

Also, I hate having to pay to park when there are no other good alternatives to getting to places. If we had a good network of bus/streetcar/train transport that ensured me I had a way back to wherever I parked, then I would see why there would be paid parking at the destination.

My post was mainly going to the issue of them buying this strip of parking in the middle of Lyric's parking lot. If I am reading the story right....they paid $30 k for it and offered it to Lyric for $485k.

My post was mainly going to the issue of them buying this strip of parking in the middle of Lyric's parking lot. If I am reading the story right....they paid $30 k for it and offered it to Lyric for $485k.

I can't read all of the story due to the paywall, but that seems a bit ridiculous.

I love parking one or two blocks away in Gatewood and walking. I've been doing it for 8 years whenever I visit the Plaza District. It's second nature and well worth it in my opinion.

My post was mainly going to the issue of them buying this strip of parking in the middle of Lyric's parking lot. If I am reading the story right....they paid $30 k for it and offered it to Lyric for $485k.

That's correct. Struble bought it from the owner for $30,000 and then offered it to Lyric for $485,000 when Lyric inquired about purchasing it to continue using it for their operations. For context, the owner of the parking lot died, so his family was the one who sold it to Struble and, allegedly, no one else knew it was up for sale. Had Lyric known it was for sale, they likely would have purchased it. One of the Plaza merchants in the story says he believes it was offered to Struble because that was the only contact the family had from when Struble led the Plaza's association many years ago.

That's correct. Struble bought it from the owner for $30,000 and then offered it to Lyric for $485,000 when Lyric inquired about purchasing it to continue using it for their operations. For context, the owner of the parking lot died, so his family was the one who sold it to Struble and, allegedly, no one else knew it was up for sale. Had Lyric known it was for sale, they likely would have purchased it. One of the Plaza merchants in the story says he believes it was offered to Struble because that was the only contact the family had from when Struble led the Plaza's association many years ago.

That's just bizarre - why wouldn't the owner's family ask the Lyric (literally right next door to the lot and who owns the rest of the lot)? Just seems like a totally obvious thing to do. :doh:

I have no problem with walking, I just don't like parking on neighborhood streets in front of houses, especially when I am not visiting said house. I prefer to park in a lot or spaces for the businesses in the district.

Can I ask, why? Is it the perception in your mind that the residents own the public street? Honestly curious.

That's just bizarre - why wouldn't the owner's family ask the Lyric (literally right next door to the lot and who owns the rest of the lot)? Just seems like a totally obvious thing to do. :doh:

The article implied they only knew of Struble. Perhaps they aren't local or they aren't well aware of the Plaza constituents.

Can I ask, why? Is it the perception in your mind that the residents own the public street? Honestly curious.

No, it's not that I think they own that space or have first rights to it. I just feel out of place parking in front of someone's house that I don't know and then walking a block or two away. I am not sure why I have this feeling around the Plaza district, when I don't have a problem parking anywhere in Downtown. It is difficult to explain through typing.

The article implied they only knew of Struble. Perhaps they aren't local or they aren't well aware of the Plaza constituents.

Still seems weird. If it was me and I wasn't local or only knew of one guy that I had contact with a long time ago, I'd use google maps to see things and investigate, but maybe they just wanted to get rid of it quickly and didn't care about anything else, but now it's created a completely stupid situation...

If he eventually puts a 2-3 story retail store fronts up against the sidewalk with a 4-5 story garage in the back (2 under ground, 2-3 above ground, completely hidden by the store fronts) it will be totally worth it. If not, jury is out.

Is the parking lot built across three "lots"?

How is it they were able to sell the middle rows, that is just strange?

Sorry if this is in the article, I don't have membership.

Regarding parking on the street in front of homes, I'm with PaddyShack. I know it's perfectly legal, but I'm still not particularly comfortable doing it. At least I'm not out in the street screaming at people and egging their cars like the crazy in Nichols Hills did a while back.

Regarding parking on the street in front of homes, I'm with PaddyShack. I know it's perfectly legal, but I'm still not particularly comfortable doing it. At least I'm not out in the street screaming at people and egging their cars like the crazy in Nichols Hills did a while back.

I just try to park in front of a recently updated house. Many of them are owned by builders/flippers and so you wouldn’t necessarily be encroaching upon residents in those cases.

No one goes to the Plaza anymore, you can never find a parking spot!

I see what you did there ^^^^^^

Uber ya bums

In the book The High Cost of Free Parking (https://www.amazon.com/High-Cost-Free-Parking-Updated/dp/193236496X), the author Donald Shoup outlines an idea called a "Parking Benefit District." This type of paid parking arrangement can be put in place for any residential area around a popular entertainment destination where a lot of outside visitors park on the nearby neighborhood streets. In OKC, possible areas for this might include around the Plaza District or Uptown 23rd. Basically, the city puts metered parking in the neighborhoods for non-residents to use. The money from parking goes NOT to the city, but to that specific neighborhood for beautification or similar improvement projects. This concept, while not a slam-dunk solution, still seems like an interesting approach that might be workable in parts of OKC. You can read more here: Parking Benefit Districts Around Us (https://www.planetizen.com/node/86042/parking-benefit-districts-around-us).

No, it's not that I think they own that space or have first rights to it. I just feel out of place parking in front of someone's house that I don't know and then walking a block or two away. I am not sure why I have this feeling around the Plaza district, when I don't have a problem parking anywhere in Downtown. It is difficult to explain through typing.

I mean - ok - but my wife and I bought in Gatewood knowing full well that there would be street parkers. We're very close to the Plaza which was one of the major attractions of our house. Honestly though we've been surprised at how few people park on our street. Incredible that people are just too lazy to walk a block! It's unreal. I'd pay an arm and a leg for such plentiful street parking in Chicago. But suit yourself. Everywhere in the Plaza is so busy these days that the "lack of parking" sure isn't hurting anyone.

the "lack of parking" is that people don't want to park 1/2/3 blocks away and walk.....i've never had trouble parking in the neighborhood and just walking to the district.

exactly.

Major turmoil in the Plaza due to this. Struble took knowledge about this situation that he gained from being on the board and took advantage of this. Between this and him stealing Cope away from Mason, he's caused a major discord.

Everyone loves to talk about the NIMBYs in places like Edmond and Nichols Hills, but I have actually been scolded by homeowners near St Francis for parking in front of their house to go to church. There are NIMBYs everywhere and of every type.

The "lack of parking" is that people don't want to park 1/2/3 blocks away and walk.....I've never had trouble parking in the neighborhood and just walking to the district.

To be fair, a lot of the Lyric patrons are older and may not be able to walk a few blocks to the theater, especially if the sidewalk situation is pretty crappy, which there's a very good likelihood it is (but I'm not totally sure how good/bad it is around there).

To be fair, a lot of the Lyric patrons are older and may not be able to walk a few blocks to the theater, especially if the sidewalk situation is pretty crappy, which there's a very good likelihood it is (but I'm not totally sure how good/bad it is around there).

well. . I'm one of the "older" Lyric patrons and that (crappy sidewalks) is, indeed, the fact. . plus I'm also uncomfortable parking on the street in front of someone's house. . I know, I know. . . they don't own the street. . .just not sure they may not "need" the parking in front of their house that night for their possible guests. I know that when I host people at my house, I prefer that they can park in the "immediate vicinity" and not several blocks away.

also. . .find it strange that the middle row/lot was the only one purchased. . .looks like a little more conversation/negotiation would have been nice.

Plus. . .if my understanding is correct. . . Lyric was the among the first entities to move in/work to bring back life to this district. Not sure how far along it would be today if Lyric hadn't been an early supporter.

Rant over. . .

Major turmoil in the Plaza due to this. Struble took knowledge about this situation that he gained from being on the board and took advantage of this. Between this and him stealing Cope away from Mason, he's caused a major discord.
Unless Strubles actually lied to them about things, ultimately its the sellers fault for lack of effort on getting the most for their parking, talking with all nearby owners or even talking with a broker. And the Strubles adding needed parking (behind the Mule) to the district, does that not help?
Steal Cope away? Cope didnt have a part in the decision? Or she didnt need more space for a bustling pizza joint? Just dont see how the Strubles should shoulder much blame here. I think Mason will be fine getting something to replace Empire.


Everyone loves to talk about the NIMBYs in places like Edmond and Nichols Hills, but I have actually been scolded by homeowners near St Francis for parking in front of their house to go to church. There are NIMBYs everywhere and of every type.

I have too, just south of the Press. I simply said its a public street and walked away from my parked car and headed to lunch.