https://newsok.com/article/5609049/development-proposals-being-sought-for-two-prime-spots-in-core-to-shore

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Are all of these lots vacant currently? I am guessing these are currently zoned for residential?

I'm sure the property would have to be rezoned.

But, the winning bidder can be guaranteed a smooth process because OCURA and the city will have already approved their conceptual plan as part of the RFP process.

I'm sure the property would have to be rezoned.

But, the winning bidder can be guaranteed a smooth process because OCURA and the city will have already approved their conceptual plan as part of the RFP process.

That's all already part of the DTD zoning, so a rezoning shouldn't be needed.

I drove down Robinson earlier this week, and noticed almost every building on the East side of the road is for sale now.

I drove down Robinson earlier this week, and noticed almost every building on the East side of the road is for sale now.

That's been the case for a while and the fact none of them has sold tells you a lot about the prices being asked.

Pete will there still be some ROW land north of the new boulevard between Robinson and Hudson that they do a RFP for?

Pete will there still be some ROW land north of the new boulevard between Robinson and Hudson that they do a RFP for?

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44579

I'm meaning the area just north of the new park. Would be adjacent to the where the convention center was going to go or where the double streetcar stop is.

I'm meaning the area just north of the new park. Would be adjacent to the where the convention center was going to go or where the double streetcar stop is.

The likely scenario is that that property will be sold to Midtown Renaissance and become part of their larger development, as they own the parking lots to the north.

That's been the case for a while and the fact none of them has sold tells you a lot about the prices being asked.

I hadn't been down that way in a very long time, so wasn't surprised to see this. I figured they were asking a ton, you can always lower it. Of course once the actual park is done, interest may change.

Pete will there still be some ROW land north of the new boulevard between Robinson and Hudson that they do a RFP for?

I don’t think so. Basicly. Land owners “own” the the middle of the street adjacent to their property. (With the city /utility whomever having right of way).

So in the case with the rfp land next to the Blvd. that row was returned to the city In the case of land between Robinson and Hudson. The land north of the streetcar row will likely be returned to that property owner

Do they have anything planned for that eyesore between the Myriad Gardens and Scissortail Park??

Humane Society proposes ambitious new facility near Scissortail Park (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=572-Humane-Society-proposes-ambitious-new-facility-near-Scissortail-Park)

Last September, the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority (OCURA) issued a request for proposal to develop 2.3 acres at SW 10th and Harvey, adjacent to what will be the lower portion of Scissortail Park.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/humane4.jpg


The Oklahoma Humane Society, which owns two small lots in the middle of the block otherwise controlled by the city, was the only respondent.

Architect is Butzer Architects and Urbanism.

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The following text and images are from their application. At its next meeting, OCURA is expected to formally approve this project and the final redevelopment agreement would ultimately require approval of city council.

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Executive Summary
Where animals fare well, people fare well.

In a recent study, Oklahomans listed strong animal cruelty laws as a top indicator of a good place to live.1 In his recent State of the City address, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt noted that new facilities for animal welfare were among those items citizens of Oklahoma City said were important to them. Developing the prominent location at the corner of SW 10th and S Harvey Avenue into the new Oklahoma Humane (OK Humane) Campus will signify to community members and visitors that animal welfare is a top priority in Oklahoma City.

Conceived by a local yet nationally recognized and award-winning architecture and urbanism practice, the landmark and pedestrian-friendly architecture of the OK Humane Campus will be a destination in Oklahoma City. Its alluring public presence will attract attention to this emerging district, inspiring new development along lower Scissortail Park. The OK Humane Campus will embody the Oklahoma City community’s commitment to the compassionate and respectful treatment of animals and will symbolize the energy of this city and the strong connection between Oklahomans, their animals, and the land.

The new OK Humane Campus will not only provide a larger and healthier environment for the animals in our care, but will also significantly improve the experience of adopters, volunteers, and community visitors. In addition to blending animal comfort with the adoption of pets, the new OK Humane Campus will provide the opportunity for robust community involvement, education, and enrichment for years to come. The new OK Humane Campus will serve the community with a civic forum for the “8 to 80” crowd, making it for everyone to enjoy.

It is our aspiration that the OK Humane Campus and its varied uses be viewed as a happy partner to Scissortail Park and the adjoining neighborhoods. OK Humane has taken steps throughout the design process to address potential concerns such as odors and noise. OK Humane also intends to employ sustainable ecological design and innovative housing equipment and practices in an effort to be the best of neighbors.

As this project moves from concept to reality, OK Humane plans to engage an owner’s representative with extensive experience to oversee all aspects of the development. The proposed design of the OK Humane Campus encompasses the entirety of Block 8 of the South Park Addition to Oklahoma City, including lots 23 and 24 which are not included in the request for proposal. OK Humane, through its wholly owned subsidiary 23 & 24, LLC, has previously acquired lots 23 & 24 and, if selected as conditional redeveloper, will agree to subject those lots to the same covenants as the lots to be acquired from OCURA.

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if that is what it actually ends up looking like. i'm very okay with this project

Humane Society being right next to Cusack Meats seems kind of creepy and ironic, doesn't it? Just sayin.

Humane Society being right next to Cusack Meats seems kind of creepy and ironic, doesn't it? Just sayin.

haha... i didn't even think of that...

Well, it does add a certain urgency to adoptions...

I like animals as much as the next guy ... and this is a nice looking facility.

But...at the risk of being a "downer," I have to say that it seems a disappointing use of that land. Right there on the corner, with parkland on two sides as well as the potential for downtown views from a taller structure...seems this is probably the choice location along the whole southern half of the park. Kind of wish it was going to be something else.

But...if they were the only respondent, they were the only respondent...

I like animals as much as the next guy ... and this is a nice looking facility.

But...at the risk of being a "downer," I have to say that it seems a disappointing use of that land. Right there on the corner, with parkland on two sides as well as the potential for downtown views from a taller structure...seems this is probably the choice location along the whole southern half of the park. Kind of wish it was going to be something else.

But...if they were the only respondent, they were the only respondent...

OKC has way more great development sites than a city our size can easily or quickly absorb. Ergo, we have less than optimum utilization.

That said, next to a park is probably an excellent place for a pet oriented business.

There is an animal rescue group called Potcakes in Turks and Caicos that lets tourists take dogs out for a couple of hours. Helps socialize the dogs and helps increase and promote adoptions. Would be nice if you could check a dog out for 2-3 hours for a walk

http://www.potcakeplace.com/home

If there is real interest in capping a highway, it's here, not I-235.

Personally, I think this looks incredible.
I realize that this whole area is going to change with the park being built, but I don't think development around the lower park is going to be near as rapid as some seem to expect.
I'd encourage anyone to drive the loop around the perimeter of the lower park and then come back and say they seriously think we will have 8 story developments surrounding the lower park even proposed by 2030. I would think developments like this humane society proposal on a prime lot would act as a catalyst, helping to speed up interest in the other south park lots.
Love to see myself be proven wrong, I just think I-40 barrier is going to be pretty daunting to developers without other anchor tenants in the area.

This group does such fantastic work.

They don't really keep dogs at their facility unless they are recuperating. They have a massive foster system (of which I'm a part) whereby volunteers keep the animals at home and bring them up for adoption events, while they are promoted through their website.


As an aside, they will need to raise tons of money before this ever happens, and that's a big hurdle to clear.

I was very surprised how quickly Oklahoma Contemporary raised their funds for that giant building. These guys might surprise us as well.

There is an animal rescue group called Potcakes in Turks and Caicos that lets tourists take dogs out for a couple of hours. Helps socialize the dogs and helps increase and promote adoptions. Would be nice if you could check a dog out for 2-3 hours for a walk

http://www.potcakeplace.com/home

That’s such a fantastic idea. Considering it would be right by a park would make it an ideal candidate for something like that.

If there is real interest in capping a highway, it's here, not I-235.

Totally agree with this. Not sure how many people bothered walking over Skydance Bridge before they closed it temporarily to work on construction of the park, but it is fairly unnerving. There are 12 lanes of highway in total, plus a set of railroad tracks, and the railings on the sides of the bridge are not as high as you'd think.

Describing it as unnerving is a little dramatic. It’s actually quite peaceful later in the evening.

Has the bridge reopened, and if so are both sides open?

Totally agree with this. Not sure how many people bothered walking over Skydance Bridge before they closed it temporarily to work on construction of the park, but it is fairly unnerving. There are 12 lanes of highway in total, plus a set of railroad tracks, and the railings on the sides of the bridge are not as high as you'd think.

I've been on that bridge multiple times and never felt unnerved or uncomfortable at all ???

Has the bridge reopened, and if so are both sides open?

No, just the south side is open currently.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lowerpark020319.jpg

It's too bad they can't somehow mirror the design of Union Station. Aerial photos would look great if the two buildings had some relationship to one another.

It's too bad they can't somehow mirror the design of Union Station. Aerial photos would look great if the two buildings had some relationship to one another.

A great suggestion that could've been followed at the streetcar maintenance and storage barn next door.

Is this moving forward?

A great suggestion that could've been followed at the streetcar maintenance and storage barn next door.

IIRC, they did use the same limestone from Arkansas as they did on the train station.

Pete, are there any updates on this project? Maybe it is smarter to wait until the park starts construction...

Pete, are there any updates on this project? Maybe it is smarter to wait until the park starts construction...

There hasn't been any movement that I've seen.

Is this project tied to MAPS funding?

Is this project tied to MAPS funding?

No, that was the animal shelter.

There hasn't been any movement that I've seen.
This project is contingent upon donations?

^

I'm sure they have to raise money, as they are a nonprofit.

They've applied to close an alley in relation to this project, so that's the first sign I've seen of it moving forward.

An update from an OCURA report:

Commenced Expected July 2022
Completed Expected July 2024

I am very excited about this.

In a recent report from the Alliance for Economic Development, it mentioned this is still project is moving forward but it will be a "scaled-down" version.

I suspect they have not been able to raise enough money for the more elaborate plan.

In a recent report from the Alliance for Economic Development, it mentioned this is still project is moving forward but it will be a "scaled-down" version.

I suspect they have not been able to raise enough money for the more elaborate plan.

Disliked "scaled-down".

I wonder if this is related to the construction inflation.

I wish they’d wait it out until they could find more money. Not excited to see what the scaled down version is like.

^^^ Agree, I’d just incorporate it into Lower Scissortail Park in the meantime, wish we can save those trees.

Tomorrow, the OKC Urban Renewal Authority will vote to sell this parcel bordering the lower section of Scissortail Park to the Humane Society.

Looks like this project will soon be going forward.

Tomorrow, the OKC Urban Renewal Authority will vote to sell this parcel bordering the lower section of Scissortail Park to the Humane Society.

Looks like this project will soon be going forward.

This is great news.

Tomorrow, the OKC Urban Renewal Authority will vote to sell this parcel bordering the lower section of Scissortail Park to the Humane Society.

Looks like this project will soon be going forward.

Wonderful. this is one of the things i'm most excited about with the lower park.

In a recent report from the Alliance for Economic Development, it mentioned this is still project is moving forward but it will be a "scaled-down" version.

I suspect they have not been able to raise enough money for the more elaborate plan.

Any updated renderings of the scaled-down version come available?

Any updated renderings of the scaled-down version come available?

They haven't submitted their plans for approval but I found this:

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The new OK Humane Campus features a dramatic front porch that invites the public and engages park-goers and neighborhood pedestrians. More than 7,500 square feet of interior space are available to the public, where they may play with dogs and cats or take advantage of the community space at the corner. A transparent glass lobby sheds views to the retail area of the OK Humane Campus.

http://www.connollyaia.com/okhs

From a recent OCURA agenda:


Closing is scheduled for October of 2022. Construction is set to begin January 2023 and should be Complete by May 2024.

This project is now on hold pending the hiring of a new executive director and completion of a capital campaign.

any updates on this? or any movement in this area related/unrelated?

I'm sure they are still trying to raise funds.

I'm sure they are still trying to raise funds.

I wonder how close they are to reaching their goal.

I'm sure they are still trying to raise funds.
Are they still shooting for the ambitious designs or is that likely completely out of the picture now?