They get how to make retail look like retail. This seems like a really good infill project.

Man think about if the BOK building had something like this on the ground floor of all the garages they built around that building. Would be spectacular and easier to accept a block of 80% garages.

Frustrating that they're only building to 2 stories in the urban core here...

Frustrating that they're only building to 2 stories in the urban core here...

https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45033&p=1072456#post1072456

Frustrating that they're only building to 2 stories in the urban core here...

Well, putting a 15 story building in an area surrounded by 1 and 2 story buildings seems dumb, as well.

Yeah but a 3 or 4 story, even up to 5, would have been welcome and well utilized.

People here would probably be surprised at how many low rise buildings there are in Manhattan (and not the Kansas one)

People here would probably be surprised at how many low rise buildings there are in Manhattan (and not the Kansas one)

And that the areas in Manhattan full of tall buildings are the worst parts of Manhattan....

Landscaping is in; this whole project is very nice in person.

2nd photo is the Nieghborhood Jam space.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevlard082320a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevlard082320b.jpg

That really looks good. Can't wait to see what other business they can attract.

It looks even better in person. The street level retail is very inviting and is clearly retail. Midtown is really developing nicely. Can't wait to see if something can go into the EMSA area that will be equally appropriate as Boulevard.

^ Pete riding/supporting the tram. :)

^ Pete riding/supporting the tram. :)

Haha... No, was just standing on the tracks to get a good photo.

Adventures as an Oklahoma City pedestrian. This misplaced crosswalk is a leftover from when the N Dewey streetscape/traffic lanes from NW 13 down to NW 10 were redone in 2015-2016. The best part is that no one bothered to even move the painted stop lines on Classen Dr. Someone literally had to go out there, look at the ADA curb cuts, and then think "Yeah, let's paint the line into the exact center of the sidewalk. Looks good to me."

Anyway, this has survived for almost 5 years now; here's to another 5. Maybe we'll get it fixed in the next GO Bond. God help those among us who get around on their own two feet.

And The Boulevard looks great!

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevard092720a.jpg

great picture

It's easy to forget how different than this area was just 10 years ago. Most of the buildings in this picture did not exist. Really great infill.

It's easy to forget how different than this area was just 10 years ago. Most of the buildings in this picture did not exist. Really great infill.

And think how different this area of midtown would be without the Edge. Cant believe Heritage Hills residents fought it so hard.

It wasn't that long ago that even Plaza Court was boarded up.

Literally, there were zero commercial businesses in Midtwon other than Saint Anthony in the 90's.

The area was Detroit-bad even though it was surrounded by great neighborhoods all around. Hard to believe.

Good thing Saint Anthony's stayed, them leaving would have been a disaster.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGH4sm59eEc

And think how different this area of midtown would be without the Edge. Cant believe Heritage Hills residents fought it so hard.

Heritage Hills didn't fight. A very few residents didn't want certain types of retail businesses. As it turns out, neither do the people who own the retail properties that exist there. LOL. There are always a few in every neighborhood that don't want change of any kind, but it is the same all over. Shouldn't paint with a broad brush to negatively paint a picture of everyone in the area.

Shouldn't paint with a broad brush to negatively paint a picture of everyone in the area.
You should take your own advice, js.

Any update on other tenants in this space? How many retail spaces are available?

I love this project, but I'm concerned that it's going to sit relatively empty for a while until we have more certainty with how this pandemic plays out.

Any update on other tenants in this space? How many retail spaces are available?

I love this project, but I'm concerned that it's going to sit relatively empty for a while until we have more certainty with how this pandemic plays out.

It might, but at least it got built, they can always get tenants once things are better. I would be very surprised if we don't see new construction slow to a trickle over the next few years.

With online shopping becoming the normal way to shop -I wonder if retail space will ever make a come back. I hate, hate to see so much abandoned retail space.

There have not been building permits for finishing anything other than Neighborhood Jam.

I think there's still value in shopping in-person, especially for boutique/specialty stores. The question is, are people really going to be motivated to open new boutique shops after the pandemic, given how poorly small businesses have fared and how little aid they've received to help them stay afloat. It would seem to be a big risk, but I'm admittedly a risk-adverse person.

You should take your own advice, js.
So, what neighborhoods do I paint with a broad brush? Or is this just a childish reply?

I think it’s the mix of retail that will change going forward. Perhaps local stores will focus on the truly unique and local, and on impulse items people don’t want to wait on. On on products that people need personal help with.

Most of the space in this project is upstairs office.

And BTW, retail -- especially the local variety -- was hurting even before the pandemic and now things are particularly dire.

I'm sure they'll find some good tenants for the ground floor but not necessarily pure retail. And as I've been saying the last two years, developers in the core are not going to have many takers for retail/restaurant space as we go forward. Way more supply than demand.

So, what neighborhoods do I paint with a broad brush? Or is this just a childish reply?
You just feel like arguing today, huh? Try again later.

I think it’s the mix of retail that will change going forward. Perhaps local stores will focus on the truly unique and local, and on impulse items people don’t want to wait on. On on products that people need personal help with.

Impulse items via drone delivery is becoming bread and butter for Amazon. Two hour grocery delivery. I'm thinking hypercurated and local is all that's left on the retail front. Or open a shop that specializes in really rapid delivery.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevard102520a.jpg

BTW, the property sign is a replica of the old cafeteria that was on this site:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevard102520b.jpg

wow... love it!

That is a nice touch. I hope to see physical retail stick around. I gotta say, the current model is not what I like. About 60-70% of the time when I walk into a store they don't have want I am looking for in the store, which they always point me to their website and ordering off there, but I am one who likes to touch the product I seek and want to see it in person and not some touched up photos on my phone.

I hate to say it but I'm a huge Amazon customer these days.

So incredibly easy to find exactly what I'm looking for, read reviews, then have it delivered to your doorstep. And the rare return is nearly as easy.

Even with places like Lowes and Home Depot which have very good websites, half the time I verify they have something in stock only to take what should be a quick trip to find they don't have it or that it takes forever to track it down. Then I wonder why I didn't just order it from Amazon.

Their Amazon Go grocery stores look amazing and it's just a matter of time before they completely revolutionize grocery shopping on top of everything else. You have to give them credit for constantly innovating and being in a position to keep claiming market share.


There was already a shift away from traditional retail and now it seems a big pivot has been made. I doubt things will ever be the same again.

I totally echo this.

We have Amazon Fresh which delivers fresh groceries at actually reasonable prices SAME DAY, way better than Amazon Go, imo. It is incredible how convenient Amazon is making things and I am sure once Fresh is available in OKC (if it isn't already) then you all will be forever changed.

And when I say Fresh, I mean bananas (99 cents for 2 pounds) that are YELLOW ripe, so good; ready cook entrees that vary for about $7 each, soups/salads, cereal, milk (YES, all kinds of milk and dairy) and even staples like pasta/sauce, TP, deoderant, and such - delivered to my door often within 2 hours ordering (and in Seattle area traffic no less).

Yes, Amazon really capitalized on the pandemic with Fresh and their Prime delivery initiatives. We still shop local for the boutiques but honestly up here they've gotten way too expensive (pre-pandemic even) that most can't survive.

Looks like Amazon is not anywhere finished with Oklahoma City, per this Oklahoman article (https://oklahoman.com/article/5675125/amazon-continues-okc-expansion-additional-jobs-offered-for-holidays). I'd LOVE to see an 'Amazon Go' store open in The Boulevard (and other locations in the city) and for OKC to get 'Amazon Fresh'. ..

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevard111520a.jpg

Getting a pretty decent street canyon on Dewey between this development and Villa Teresa

My favorite new area of town

I hate to say it but I'm a huge Amazon customer these days.

So incredibly easy to find exactly what I'm looking for, read reviews, then have it delivered to your doorstep. And the rare return is nearly as easy.

Even with places like Lowes and Home Depot which have very good websites, half the time I verify they have something in stock only to take what should be a quick trip to find they don't have it or that it takes forever to track it down. Then I wonder why I didn't just order it from Amazon.

Their Amazon Go grocery stores look amazing and it's just a matter of time before they completely revolutionize grocery shopping on top of everything else. You have to give them credit for constantly innovating and being in a position to keep claiming market share.


There was already a shift away from traditional retail and now it seems a big pivot has been made. I doubt things will ever be the same again.

Me too. It's crazy that you can now get same-day delivery from Amazon. The pandemic and the maskless, selfish hordes of idiots, along with local businesses's unwillingness to require masks in their stores, has driven me out of brick and mortar stores.

Me too. It's crazy that you can now get same-day delivery from Amazon. The pandemic and the maskless, selfish hordes of idiots, along with local businesses's unwillingness to require masks in their stores, has driven me out of brick and mortar stores.

I agree so much with this. When I see them with no mask or the 'chin wearers' mask I shake my head and write it off as if all the 85 IQ's are out and about again.

I agree so much with this. When I see them with no mask or the 'chin wearers' mask I shake my head and write it off as if all the 85 IQ's are out and about again.

I will say, the other day I felt really bad. I had pulled down my mask in my car to take a drink, and then walked into the store and walked about for about 10 minutes with my mask around my chin, before I realized it. I sheepishly covered my face when I realized it, but it bothered me that no one had said anything to me. I know I've pointed at a few people who had their mask down over the past few months while out and about, and most of them gave a shocked reaction and moved the mask. It's amazing how many people will just forget.

Compliance does seem to be getting worse.

At the same time, those same people are generally the ones making the most noise about businesses staying open and the "solution being worse than the problem".

But they are the people that keep many away from these businesses, especially when it's easier and far safer to order on-line.

I will say, the other day I felt really bad. I had pulled down my mask in my car to take a drink, and then walked into the store and walked about for about 10 minutes with my mask around my chin, before I realized it. I sheepishly covered my face when I realized it, but it bothered me that no one had said anything to me. I know I've pointed at a few people who had their mask down over the past few months while out and about, and most of them gave a shocked reaction and moved the mask. It's amazing how many people will just forget.

Let's face it - we are creatures of habit. It will take time and planning for us to wear masks for the sake of humanity.

Thanks to the many places like Walmart, Best Buy, CVS, Walgreens, Crest, Winco, OnCue and a host of others who require masks before you enter.

Let's face it - we are creatures of habit. It will take time and planning for us to wear masks for the sake of humanity.

Didn't take me any time. Didn't take much effort at all.

Didn't take me any time. Didn't take much effort at all.

Literally started wearing masks the second I realized they helped prevent spread. It’s been an incredibly easy change in my life.

Even if it took time, I've been wearing a mask since late March. How much time is needed?

I'm glad everyone else is adjusting so well. At least once a week I still drive all the way somewhere before realizing I left my mask at home and have to turn around and head home to get it. You'd think after 8 months it'd be easy... but no. I even tried keeping masks in my car, but they end up walking inside with me eventually and not being out there. :D

^

I bought a bunch of disposable masks at Sam's and keep a good supply in my glove compartment.

my mask pretty much lives in my car so that i never forget it... but i also keep a spare in the glove box just in case.

^

I bought a bunch of disposable masks at Sam's and keep a good supply in my glove compartment.

My main mask I keep in my vehicle; however, like you--purchased a ton of disposable masks to give out to those who don't have them (close circle of relatives, friends & a stranger or two). The mask wearing (like it or not) will soon become as common as wearing clothes; this pandemic has gotten so 'out-of-control' it may take at least a decade before society can get a handle on it to wipe it out.

At this time there's limited information or tracing to predict the future with any kind of accuracy.

I will say, the other day I felt really bad. I had pulled down my mask in my car to take a drink, and then walked into the store and walked about for about 10 minutes with my mask around my chin, before I realized it. I sheepishly covered my face when I realized it, but it bothered me that no one had said anything to me. I know I've pointed at a few people who had their mask down over the past few months while out and about, and most of them gave a shocked reaction and moved the mask. It's amazing how many people will just forget.

I am religious about wearing my mask everywhere, but a few weeks ago I walked into Stitch while talking on a work call and forgot to put it on. Fortunately almost no one was in there at the time I went in, but as I was standing in there talking, I noticed one of the employees trying to get my attention. He was holding up a box of masks, politely asking if I needed one. At that point, I scrambled to get mine on and apologized profusely to the Stitch team. I had thought mine was on because I'm so used to automatically putting it on when I get out of my car. I feel bad for the employees of these places who have to deal with assholes who refuse to wear a mask or think they're being Mr. Don't Tread On Me. The staff at Stitch handled it politely and quickly, and I really appreciated that.

I am religious about wearing my mask everywhere, but a few weeks ago I walked into Stitch while talking on a work call and forgot to put it on. Fortunately almost no one was in there at the time I went in, but as I was standing in there talking, I noticed one of the employees trying to get my attention. He was holding up a box of masks, politely asking if I needed one. At that point, I scrambled to get mine on and apologized profusely to the Stitch team. I had thought mine was on because I'm so used to automatically putting it on when I get out of my car. I feel bad for the employees of these places who have to deal with assholes who refuse to wear a mask or think they're being Mr. Don't Tread On Me. The staff at Stitch handled it politely and quickly, and I really appreciated that.

lot of places in edmond have a unofficial policy of don't bother the customer if they don't have a mask on ... even though they have the sign posted

lot of places in edmond have a unofficial policy of don't bother the customer if they don't have a mask on ... even though they have the sign posted

Or, they have a sign where they specifically tell people they won't be enforcing the law, like Big O Tires...

16581

That sign is so bizarre. I mean this comes down to the lunacy of this whole thing.

As a society, it doesn't seem to bother us if a place requires shoes and a shirt, I don't recall ever seeing anyone protest that in the name of "freedom" but requiring a mask is big deal? Honestly, I'd rather see someone without shoes in a place of business than without a mask.

That sign is so bizarre. I mean this comes down to the lunacy of this whole thing.

As a society, it doesn't seem to bother us if a place requires shoes and a shirt, I don't recall ever seeing anyone protest that in the name of "freedom" but requiring a mask is big deal? Honestly, I'd rather see someone without shoes in a place of business than without a mask.

i wear a mask (when required) but it bothers me 0.00% for people to not have a mask on ..

I have gotten in the habit of carrying a mask in a baggie that I carry in my back pocket. It has saved me many times.

Or, they have a sign where they specifically tell people they won't be enforcing the law, like Big O Tires...

16581
So, the law and order group is now advocating ignoring government mandates? So, we all get to pick and choose what laws/orders we choose to follow? Great... think I’ll ignore stop signs today. Who does the govt think they are trying to take away my freedom to drive however I want.