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JulyWalks
04-10-2022, 02:04 PM
The library looks great!! When is it supposed to be open? The library in Moore could use an upgrade since it is old and outdated! I will have to stop by and check out the library!

I grew in Moore during the 80s/90s and remember when the Moore Library did get a renovation in the late 80s/early 90s. When they were finished, they had cool new digital LED clocks placed around and the magazine section in the middle. Since I moved away from Moore in 2000, the image of it in my mind hasn't changed a whole bunch. But yeah, that renovation would be 30 years old now.

HOT ROD
04-11-2022, 02:02 PM
It opened on Friday.

Hours:
Saturday 9AM–5PM
Sunday 1–6PM
Monday 9AM–9PM
Tuesday 9AM–9PM
Wednesday 9AM–9PM
Thursday 9AM–9PM
Friday 9AM–6PM

LOVE those hours!!

As for updates, I wouldn't mind if more/all of the libraries were updated/expanded. This should be a point of emphasis the city/metro and state should put on improving education by expanding facilities for the public. I'd love a few more libraries to be built, to serve as community centers and possible local transit hubs - Asian District is dying for this IMO, perhaps 39th Street as well.

bombermwc
04-11-2022, 08:00 PM
I grew in Moore during the 80s/90s and remember when the Moore Library did get a renovation in the late 80s/early 90s. When they were finished, they had cool new digital LED clocks placed around and the magazine section in the middle. Since I moved away from Moore in 2000, the image of it in my mind hasn't changed a whole bunch. But yeah, that renovation would be 30 years old now.

That's also Pioneer Library System, not MLS. I was in the Moore library a few weeks ago. It does look pretty dated until you go in to the actual library section. It has been redecorated in the last 10 years or so...not with color choices I would have made. Looks like rust to me. Moore is long overdue dozing the place and starting over. There's so much crap in old-town that could be bought up for this to really start doing some good there. But that's a topic for another thread and Moore would have to pony up the cash.

HOT ROD
04-11-2022, 11:20 PM
Pretty surprised Moore hasn't invested in their community infrastructure actually, given the boost they've done well with retail and other venues.

Pete
07-12-2022, 01:46 PM
They are under construction on a new sidewalk along the north side of NW Expressway that will connect the new north-bound BRT stop at Penn Square to the Belle Isle Library, which is one-half mile away.

The southbound BRT station will be on the south side of NW Ex and west of Penn, right in front of the OAK apartments under construction.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/belleisle071222a.jpg

shartel_ave
07-12-2022, 02:00 PM
Any idea if this will be fixed with the state/county handing over this stretch of NW Expressway? Seems like this area is prime for a pedestrian-friendly overhaul, especially with the Oak development being built.

sidewalks being put in as I type this. One lane shut down from Penn to about Villa going NW on the expressway.

Classen is getting some serious construction around NW36th/39th

edit: haha, Pete just posted a pic of what I'm talking about.

Pete
07-12-2022, 02:34 PM
With all that room, I don't understand why they are putting the sidewalk only a few feet from all the fast-moving, heavy traffic on NW Expressway.

And there isn't even a full curb on that stretch.

From someone who walks a ton, I can tell you I won't walk in situations like that, including the sidewalk on Penn just south of there that is literally right against the curb. Every day, I smell people smoking out in their cars and see dozens of distracted drivers jacking around on their phones.

David
07-12-2022, 05:03 PM
It would take about a half mile off sidewalk to connect to Penn and the upcoming BRT stops there. Slightly pie in the sky. but with the new sidewalk they have put in right in front of the library that might be a sign someone is thinking about them along NW Expressway.

Did I call it or what, heh.

Pete
07-12-2022, 05:05 PM
James Cooper (the city councilman for this area) also recently posted that improvements are in the works for the Villa/NW Ex pedestrian crossings.

Bowser214
07-12-2022, 09:19 PM
There's still a For Lease sign in the Pier One parking lot. Is Dollar General still going in there?

Pete
07-13-2022, 05:43 AM
There's still a For Lease sign in the Pier One parking lot. Is Dollar General still going in there?

It looks like they decided not to go forward with their plans for that site.

Bowser214
07-13-2022, 05:54 AM
Awesome! That would be a great space for a World Market or Kirkland's.

HOT ROD
07-15-2022, 05:35 PM
Long overdue.

rte66man
07-17-2022, 08:05 PM
With all that room, I don't understand why they are putting the sidewalk only a few feet from all the fast-moving, heavy traffic on NW Expressway.

And there isn't even a full curb on that stretch.

From someone who walks a ton, I can tell you I won't walk in situations like that, including the sidewalk on Penn just south of there that is literally right against the curb. Every day, I smell people smoking out in their cars and see dozens of distracted drivers jacking around on their phones.

Pete, I believe it has to be there for drainage issues. I've noticed the "bridges" seemingly lifting the sidewalk over runoff channels for the WB lanes. If you moved the sidewalk any farther north, you would have to raise it up a bit or it would just be another runoff channel.

Pete
07-18-2022, 05:41 AM
Pete, I believe it has to be there for drainage issues. I've noticed the "bridges" seemingly lifting the sidewalk over runoff channels for the WB lanes. If you moved the sidewalk any farther north, you would have to raise it up a bit or it would just be another runoff channel.

That makes sense. Thanks.

TheTravellers
08-04-2022, 06:27 PM
Went in yesterday for the first time since the remodel, and it's nice inside, but seems like less books because the shelves are shorter, and I think the inside space for shelving is pretty much the same as before (the bumped out parts are mainly study rooms and elevator/stairs, and a few chairs). The outside is great, though, and sooooooooo glad they finally made the parking lot and entrances/exits so much smarter than they were before.

bombermwc
08-05-2022, 07:35 AM
Pretty surprised Moore hasn't invested in their community infrastructure actually, given the boost they've done well with retail and other venues.

Me too. The Moore library is structurally fine, but it's outdated and they've put bandaids on it to make it "work" for the various changes in needs over the decades. I'm continually frustrated by the lack of available materials in the Moore library. I can go over to Del City or MWC in the MLS system, and they have what i need. DC is about the same size, but MWC is a little bigger.

Boop
08-06-2022, 02:58 PM
Has the Norman library have been updated or is it still the same? I have not been there in years

dankrutka
08-06-2022, 05:30 PM
Has the Norman library have been updated or is it still the same? I have not been there in years

Norman opened a new central library in 2019 (https://www.oudaily.com/culture/norman-central-library-to-hold-grand-opening-ribbon-cutting-on-nov-3/article_ffd45e1c-fe62-11e9-a979-df0b0cf3e124.html). It's very spacious and nice.

Boop
08-07-2022, 12:19 AM
Norman opened a new central library in 2019 (https://www.oudaily.com/culture/norman-central-library-to-hold-grand-opening-ribbon-cutting-on-nov-3/article_ffd45e1c-fe62-11e9-a979-df0b0cf3e124.html). It's very spacious and nice.

That is huge! I never heard of a library having 3 floors! I will have to visit sometime

ABryant
08-07-2022, 01:41 AM
That is huge! I never heard of a library having 3 floors! I will have to visit sometime

You should try to do research in a University library.

Rover
08-08-2022, 08:28 AM
That is huge! I never heard of a library having 3 floors! I will have to visit sometime
Then you need to visit the downtown OKC library.

Timshel
08-31-2022, 12:33 PM
They are under construction on a new sidewalk along the north side of NW Expressway that will connect the new north-bound BRT stop at Penn Square to the Belle Isle Library, which is one-half mile away.

The southbound BRT station will be on the south side of NW Ex and west of Penn, right in front of the OAK apartments under construction.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/belleisle071222a.jpg


I hope there's more to the story/they're not finished, but it appears that there was a typical OKC-type miss when it comes to finishing this sidewalk. Rather than connecting to the library's sidewalk they appear to have cut it short on the other side of the street, not connecting it to the crosswalk and requiring a fair walk through the grass to get to the library's sidewalk. Hopefully there's more to the story, but if not, a true :doh: moment!

17640

Pete
08-31-2022, 12:35 PM
^

James Cooper told me they plan to completely rework the Villa/NW Expressway intersection to add appropriate crosswalks and other pedestrian-friendly improvements.

Not sure of the time frame but I'm sure they'll tie in the new sidewalk during that project. It's desperately needed. It may be the worst pedestrian crossing in the entire city.

Timshel
08-31-2022, 12:37 PM
Couldn't agree more and good to hear.

Pete
01-02-2023, 07:13 AM
Work has started on new pedestrian crosswalks at NW Expressway & Villa:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/villa010123a.jpg

Brett
04-22-2023, 12:04 PM
Crosswalk signal lights have finally been installed at NW Expressway & Villa.:)

rte66man
04-23-2023, 12:29 PM
I was disappointed to see there's no BRT stop in front of the library.

HOT ROD
04-27-2023, 01:04 PM
I was disappointed to see there's no BRT stop in front of the library. That's not the point of BRT.

Pete
04-28-2023, 11:51 AM
The pedestrian crossing signals have been installed at this intersection but they have yet to create a crosswalk and it's going to be a challenge to get cars to stop behind where the new crossing will need to go:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/belleisle042823a.jpg

TheTravellers
04-28-2023, 12:18 PM
Going to need extra signage: "Stop here -> on red light", "Do Not Block Crosswalk", "Yield To Pedestrians" Great to see this finally happening, even though it's decades after it should've been done...

Urbanized
04-29-2023, 08:40 AM
Surely Public Works will lay down a wide continental crosswalk there. Proper striping will make it intuitive to stop before the crosswalk.

BoulderSooner
05-04-2023, 11:15 AM
Surely Public Works will lay down a wide continental crosswalk there. Proper striping will make it intuitive to stop before the crosswalk.

i would think it they were going to do that the would have made the curb cut ins round the entire corner .. which seem like what they should have done ..

Pete
05-20-2023, 09:08 AM
Nice job by the City to restripe and complete the crosswalks at NW Ex & Villa:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/belleisle052023a.jpg

Mott
05-20-2023, 10:25 AM
Nice job by the City to restripe and complete the crosswalks at NW Ex & Villa:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/belleisle052023a.jpg

Reminded of Dirty Harry, ‘do you feel lucky?’

HOT ROD
05-21-2023, 01:27 AM
interesting sidewalk pattern on the NW corner. just one crosswalk to the other, nothing going down the block. ...

Oski
05-21-2023, 06:09 AM
interesting sidewalk pattern on the NW corner. just one crosswalk to the other, nothing going down the block. ...

It'll take time.

Dob Hooligan
05-21-2023, 09:38 PM
interesting sidewalk pattern on the NW corner. just one crosswalk to the other, nothing going down the block. ...

I think that is the SE corner. And it looks like the east-west sidewalk is set up on the north side of the expressway and the north-south runs along the west side.

Urbanized
05-22-2023, 03:58 PM
It's a good start, but those crosswalks would be much better if they were 2-3 times deeper. Would have required a bit more investment in the ramps (crosswalks and ramps are supposed to essentially match in width) but would have been far more safe for persons crossing the street. With the speeds on NW Expressway routinely approaching 55 or even 60 mph you need to have a physical environment that makes slowing down and stopping more intuitive for drivers. I drove over these crosswalks just yesterday, and they appear and disappear quickly at even the posted 45 mph. The faster you go the shorter and more narrow your field of vision.

Pete
05-22-2023, 04:26 PM
Notice they've added sharrow markings on both sides of Villa.

I know the plan is to have a continuous bike route along Villa but since it doesn't go through I-44 to the south, it will have to job over to Youngs in order to get underneath the interstate.

Mississippi Blues
05-22-2023, 05:52 PM
It's a good start, but those crosswalks would be much better if they were 2-3 times deeper. Would have required a bit more investment in the ramps (crosswalks and ramps are supposed to essentially match in width) but would have been far more safe for persons crossing the street. With the speeds on NW Expressway routinely approaching 55 or even 60 mph you need to have a physical environment that makes slowing down and stopping more intuitive for drivers. I drove over these crosswalks just yesterday, and they appear and disappear quickly at even the posted 45 mph. The faster you go the shorter and more narrow your field of vision.

All of this. I drive this stretch pretty much everyday and if I’m in a flock of traffic just moving with the flow, I’ll look down and be at 55 mph with a few people passing me at 60+ mph. When on my own or being faithful to the posted 45 mph, there might be one or two cars that I can see going the same speed as me but there’s always a group of cars that pass me by like I’m on a lawn mower.

Villa is the only light between Independence and Penn (1.5 miles) so it always feels like it’s a race to try to beat the light at Villa, especially when heading westbound as Villa and Penn are closer together. (0.5 miles Penn-Villa; 1.0 miles Villa-Independence)