https://oklahoman.com/article/5650129/dog-park-and-bar-planned-for-oklahoma-river-front

Very interested to see the terms on this deal; what the city is paying for and getting in return.

I have a pretty healthy skepticism regarding anything coming from the Boathouse Foundation, both financially and how the Oklahoman functions as their PR arm without even mentioning the foundation has been losing millions, despite more and more civic investment.


Having said that, looks like a cool concept.



THE STORY
Bar K is a facility built to foster community for dogs and dog lovers alike. Located in Berkley Riverfront Park, a strip of land along the Missouri River undergoing a renaissance of residential development, Bar-K is a destination for Kansas City’s newest residents and their furry companions. Taking advantage of “found” space under the Heart of America Bridge, Bar-K breathes new life into a derelict site by providing the ultimate backyard experience. The expansive park is complete with a restaurant, bar, coffee shop, beer garden, live entertainment, rooftop patio and 2-acre dog park. Referencing the industrial nature of the surrounding site (bordered by road, river and rail) this project is fabricated from an industrial building block – the shipping container. By creatively stacking 14 recycled high cube containers, the result carefully balances its raw industrial appearance with its welcoming and playful interior experience. The stacked containers create a unique double height food hall with lots of natural daylight, connecting to a beer garden, 2nd floor container lounge and open-air roof deck that provides great views to the surrounding dog park and to the skyline beyond.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark1.jpg

A profitable revenue stream for the BHF such as alcohol seems like a good thing to stave off future funding shortfalls. I hope it works.

Maybe we can get a pooch friendly Great Clips down on the river now!

A profitable revenue stream for the BHF such as alcohol seems like a good thing to stave off future funding shortfalls. I hope it works.

As I said, I want to see the terms of the deal. Everything we do down there has been costing the city over and over.

They’ve been looking at the OKC market for over a year. We love the concept when we go to KC to visit our in-laws with our dogs. Certainly thought this might go to a Chisholm Creek. Interested to see more about this deal.

As I said, I want to see the terms of the deal. Everything we do down there has been costing the city over and over.

This is the first private deal in the District and must be approved by City Council, so color me optimistic. If successful, it could lead to more private development and more overall traffic, which is a good thing for all of the venues down there.

^

After the river was built, almost every amenity down there was privately funded. The Whitewater facility is an exception.

Are we giving the land away or offering a big discount? Will there be TIF funds or other tax dollars used? We'll find out eventually as any arrangement will have to be approved by public bodies (the boathouse foundation does not operate openly) since the property is owned by the city.

Press release:

********************

Bar K extends paw-print with new location in Oklahoma City
Award-winning dog-friendly business selects the Boathouse District for its next location

OKLAHOMA CITY – (Dec. 17, 2019) – Bar K – an innovative, dog- and people-friendly concept that is part dog park, bar, restaurant and event space – will open a new location in Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District on the banks of the Oklahoma River. Pending approval by the City Council and other local authorities, construction of the new 2-acre facility is expected to begin shortly and is slated to by late 2020 or early 2021.

Bar K opened its first location in Kansas City, Missouri, in August 2018 and already has hosted more than 200,000 humans and 150,000 dogs at its 2-acre riverfront facility. Bar K offers a healthy casual menu of tasty, affordable food, gourmet coffee, juices and smoothies and a wide variety of locally brewed beers and craft cocktails. Surrounding the bar and restaurant is a thoughtfully designed, fully staffed, 2-acre off-leash dog park, with one-of-a-kind play structures and comfortable seating areas. Bar K offers its dog-friendly services on a daily-fee basis or as part of an annual membership. Humans without dogs are always welcome to visit for free.

“We scouted a lot of markets and properties for our next Bar K location, and as soon as we visited the Boathouse District, we knew we had to be here,” said Leib Dodell, founding partner of Bar K. “Our unique dog-friendly atmosphere will be the perfect addition to this part of the city, and we can’t think of a better place to spend a day with your dog.

“Securing this location wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Boathouse District and local leaders,” Dodell added. “We can’t thank them enough for supporting our vision of bringing Bar K to Oklahoma City.”

The new facility will operate seven days a week and feature indoor and outdoor dog parks, a full-service restaurant and bar, as well as private event spaces. Bar K’s staff of Dogtenders keep a watchful eye on canine guests to ensure a safe and joyful experience; their humans can hang out with the pups in the park or explore Bar K’s people-focused amenities.

“There’s nothing quite like Bar K – you have to see it to believe it,” said Mike Knopp, executive director of the OKC Boathouse Foundation. “The pet- and people-friendly concept will be a perfect complement to the existing amenities in the District. Athletes, families and visitors to the city will have the opportunity to include their dogs as part of a full day of fun in the Boathouse District.”

“I’d like to be the first person to officially welcome Bar K to Oklahoma City,” said Mayor David Holt. “Investing in the Oklahoma Riverfront through important local programs such as the Metropolitan Area Projects Plan (MAPS) has allowed us to attract exciting and unique concepts like Bar K which benefits the people — and in this case the pets — of Oklahoma City. It’s an exciting time in our city, and I’m thrilled Bar K will be part of our landscape.”

In 2019, Bar K was named America’s Coolest Pet Business by Pets + Magazine. The contest highlights the best examples of independent pet businesses throughout the United States. Entries are judged by a panel of retail experts based on business practices, history, online presence, traditional advertising, interior decor and curb appeal. Bar K has also won other regional and national awards for design and sustainability.

About Bar K
Bar K is a unique new destination combining a thoughtfully designed, fully staffed dog park with a modern bar, restaurant and event space. Bar K brings engaged, community-minded people and their dogs together to share connections with their pups and each other in a joyful and creative atmosphere. The first Bar K opened in August 2018 on the riverfront in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. More locations are planned around the country. To learn more, visit barkdogbar.com.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark4.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark5.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark8.png


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark9.png


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark10.png

In Oklahoma law, if a property taken by Eminent Domain is utilized for a non-public use, the property owner it was taken from has the first right of refusal. Basically, the City will have to buy out the previous owners option to buy the property back in order to sell the property. Not that it will likely make much of a difference at the end of the day. It's just interesting.

Where exactly is this supposed to go in the Boathouse District? I didn't see that info...

Where exactly is this supposed to go in the Boathouse District? I didn't see that info...

Somewhere next to the Whitewater Facility.

Thanks! Well, aside from the questions about land, getting private business and activity down there is really key to the longterm success of the area. They need a lot more... hopefully some mixed use projects with some combination of hotel/residential/retail are next.

Thanks! Well, aside from the questions about land, getting private business and activity down there is really key to the longterm success of the area. They need a lot more... hopefully some mixed use projects with some combination of hotel/residential/retail are next.

Do you think the city should be providing heavy subsidies for such businesses while other direct competitors have built nearby without the same sort of free money?

At what point do we let the billions in public money already spent on these areas generate the private investment we were told they would bring?


How would you feel if you owned Social Capital and just spent a fortune and took a big risk to open up in Core to Shore, then the city gave a competitor a ton of money? (And I've been told there are city incentives involved) Or if you were a private developer with a project that had interest from a business who instead went to a city-owned parcel due to the government-provided incentives (I've been told this as well).

I wasn't commenting on the city's role in subsidizing/incentivizing private business, which is why I said "aside from the land." That was my attempt to acknowledge your concern that you'd already brought up. Yes, I share all your concerns.

I wasn't commenting on the city's role in subsidizing/incentivizing private business, which is why I said "aside from the land." That was my attempt to acknowledge your concern that you'd already brought up. Yes, I share all your concerns.

But it's probably not just land. There is TIF and all other types of things that are likely to be included.

But it's probably not just land. There is TIF and all other types of things that are likely to be included.

I apologize. I officially amend my post to read "aside from land, TIFs, and all other types of things that are likely to be included." ;) Again, my post was not even about this issue. I was simply conveying that the Boathouse District has long needed activity to succeed. I agree with all your concerns about the city's role.

The Boathouse District is the city. And at what point do we stop throwing tax dollars at this district when at every turn, they just keeping losing more money?

In Oklahoma law, if a property taken by Eminent Domain is utilized for a non-public use, the property owner it was taken from has the first right of refusal. Basically, the City will have to buy out the previous owners option to buy the property back in order to sell the property. Not that it will likely make much of a difference at the end of the day. It's just interesting.

This is not entirely true

The Boathouse District is the city. And at what point do we stop throwing tax dollars at this district when at every turn, they just keeping losing more money?

I agree, when somebody like Social Capital does this as a capitalist, bowered business, and they succeed or fail on their choices, service, product, okay, but when someone knows how to shake the tree, or grease the palms with the TIF money, then let’s know why. And how will that benefit boathouse row, and for how much? I’d rather see better health care!

This is not entirely true

It depends, often, this is the case.

This is not entirely true

You're right. I was too definitive about the City having to buy out the right of first refusal. There are a handful of ways it could be handled. They could just refuse to buy it and move on down the road. I was just thinking "worst case scenario", someone wants to be a stick in the mud.

Took me a minute but finally picked up on the name Bar K....Bark as in dog bark. I need more coffee in the morning apparently.

My opinions on the city's role in this aside...

Booze + dogs, huh? This all sounds fun, but it doesn't take much of an imagination to see where things could go wrong. There are plenty of bad pet owners out there.

A ton of people on my social media have been sharing this. The hype is real.

I do think they will need more shade structure items. That is a very large footprint of bartop etc. This will be successful if they accommodate all weather condition (Heaters, Shade, Misters).

Reading the Kansas City reviews it looks like they have staff that make sure the dogs are not being aggressive and things like that. I think that makes it a much better space and idea. I originally thought it was more of a bring your dog place and eat but seems to be much more structured. $10 per dog isn't too bad to let them run around.

My opinions on the city's role in this aside...

Booze + dogs, huh? This all sounds fun, but it doesn't take much of an imagination to see where things could go wrong. There are plenty of bad pet owners out there.

You should check out any brewery

Maybe we can get a pooch friendly Great Clips down on the river now!

Sounds like there’s an agenda with this. No one else has ever as butt hurt over something as you are with great clips in NH.

You should check out any brewery

I'd check one out that has an attached dog park to it, otherwise it would be a waste of my time as that is not at all the same as Bar K.

A ton of people on my social media have been sharing this. The hype is real. I do think they will need more shade structure items. That is a very large footprint of bartop etc. This will be successful if they accommodate all weather condition (Heaters, Shade, Misters).I think shade is illegal in that district

I think shade is illegal in that district

Correct. No shade or trees allowed, all buildings must be triangles and sidewalks must be located in nonsensical places.

Talking about comparisons to social capital-

Kinda like the new deal at the arena.

I'm not a dog person, so someone help me out. Is the appeal of this dog owners hanging out together, or owners' dogs hanging out together?

I'm not a dog owner but I've noticed other dog owners stressing out about being out because they need to let their dog out. Probably not the full issue, but I'm sure it helps not having to worry about being out because your dog can be with you...

I'm not a dog owner but I've noticed other dog owners stressing out about being out because they need to let their dog out. Probably not the full issue, but I'm sure it helps not having to worry about being out because your dog can be with you...

Haha... As a dog owner/lover my whole life is "I've gotta get home". And that's with a big backyard.

Always something; need to be fed, weather is bad, you've left them alone all day, etc.


Plus dogs are like kids. Really makes it easier to socialize.

I'm not a dog person, so someone help me out. Is the appeal of this dog owners hanging out together, or owners' dogs hanging out together?

For many people dogs are their family. So whether it be guilt, love or logistics, taking your dog on a social outing is appealing to many.

They are getting $750K in TIF money.

They are getting $750K in TIF money.

Not a fan of that. As mentioned above, its kind of a slap in the face to people like Social Capital who took a risk with no help. Also, I feel like the lack of financial success from the boathouse activities probably led to throwing more money at the district. If the city is giving this money, hopefully it will at least help with everything down there and the maybe get things to break even.

But maybe the worst part of it is this, having to pay $10 to bring your dog there. Or $225 for a membership.

Dog owners are able to join as members, paying $225 for the first dog and $25 for each additional dog, or visit as a guest for $10 for the first dog and $5 for each additional dog. The fee helps with maintenance of the park but also allows Bar K to make sure visiting pets are vaccinated and can be matched with their owners quickly.
There is no entrance fee to visit the facility’s restaurant and bar, which is open to the public.

Not a fan of that. As mentioned above, its kind of a slap in the face to people like Social Capital who took a risk with no help. Also, I feel like the lack of financial success from the boathouse activities probably led to throwing more money at the district. If the city is giving this money, hopefully it will at least help with everything down there and the maybe get things to break even.

But maybe the worst part of it is this, having to pay $10 to bring your dog there. Or $225 for a membership.

Dog owners are able to join as members, paying $225 for the first dog and $25 for each additional dog, or visit as a guest for $10 for the first dog and $5 for each additional dog. The fee helps with maintenance of the park but also allows Bar K to make sure visiting pets are vaccinated and can be matched with their owners quickly.
There is no entrance fee to visit the facility’s restaurant and bar, which is open to the public.

Is there one of these in Dallas? I've been to a dog park/bar where I had to pay a friggin cover charge for my pup.
That being said it was a cool concept- seemed like a place to see and be seen and was nice being able to let him run around free instead of having his leash tied to a table leg.

Is there one of these in Dallas? I've been to a dog park/bar where I had to pay a friggin cover charge for my pup.
That being said it was a cool concept- seemed like a place to see and be seen and was nice being able to let him run around free instead of having his leash tied to a table leg.

There is something very similar, called MUTTS in Dallas that you are probably referring to. I think the only other location is KC and it doespretty well.

But it's probably not just land. There is TIF and all other types of things that are likely to be included.

Yeah, granting TIF status to a new construction bar development is stretching it about as far as you can, imo.

I don't really know the ins and outs of how these things come to be in the city, but it seems that requests for TIF designation are almost always associated with a project / development that is adjacent to or very near a completed publicly funded improvement project, usually a MAPS one, and that seems, to me anyway, about as backwards as it can be.

Honestly, the Bar K concept seems like a great one and I imagine it will be very successful ( I would probably be asking my dog owning friends if I could take their pup out for a trip to Bar K). One of the things, probably the biggest thing, that will make it successful is the location. And THE reason it's a desirable location for this concept is entirely because of public investment. The river wasn't even a riverfront, at least not one that included water, until MAPS money filled it back up with water. That's what makes this a potentially good project in the first place.

And so, why, in theory, did we vote to spend all that money to create locks to fill up the river? Hopefully, it was mostly about improving civic life in our home town, but also, a big selling point for many was that it would make the city and, more specifically this area, attractive to private development. That's where the ROI logic kicks in. That is, public investment in infrastructure improvements will generate a multiplicative return in public revenue. I know 'tax' can be a dirty word around these parts, but the direct return on investment in this equation comes in the way of taxes, specifically sales and ad valorem taxes.

The justification of TIF incentives, in general, is to kick the increase in ad valorem taxes down the road, as far as I understand it, to help mitigate the risk of private investment in a development located in a neglected part of the community ( please correct me, if I'm wrong. ), one that the collective community feels needs the boost. Its intent is to basically bridge the gap that can exist between civic intentions and market conditions.

So, really, why do they need more incentives? We already spent millions in public money making the location attractive to their concept. If this actually worked the way it was supposed to, they should actually be paying the city a premium for the location, right?.

I don't fundamentally disagree with the concept of TIF, but we really seem to be doing it wrong, from a civic economic stand point.

A TIF strategy makes sense on its own. MAPS strategy makes sense on its own. But I don't get the 'MAPS then TIF' strategy that we seem to be doing now. And giving TIF to a bar in a MAPS improved district is about the best example I can think of to illustrate my confusion.

Is there one of these in Dallas? I've been to a dog park/bar where I had to pay a friggin cover charge for my pup.
That being said it was a cool concept- seemed like a place to see and be seen and was nice being able to let him run around free instead of having his leash tied to a table leg.

FYI, The PAW Park near Lake Hefner (the only large dog park in OKC) started charging $10/month or $110/year back in July of 2019. Will be interesting to see how this place affects them.

FYI, The PAW Park near Lake Hefner (the only large dog park in OKC) started charging $10/month or $110/year back in July of 2019. Will be interesting to see how this place affects them.

They're 11 miles apart. Both are dog-friendly, but only one offers food & drinks. Don't think Bar-K will affect the PAW Park.

https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/bar-k-operators-excited-about-future-site-in-boathouse-district/?back=super_blog

I haven't seen any movement on this (no permits of any kind have been filed) and not sure if it's still going to happen:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark070720a.jpg

I haven't seen any movement on this (no permits of any kind have been filed) and not sure if it's still going to happen:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/bark070720a.jpg

Is Covid going to cancel plans for this?

Dang, that would be a huge bummer

Is Covid going to cancel plans for this?

There has been no movement that I have seen.

No design applications, no permits of any kind.

So where does it stand exactly, they have purchased the property and been given TIF funds but no movement on their end?

So where does it stand exactly, they have purchased the property and been given TIF funds but no movement on their end?

No, have not purchased anything or been paid any funds by the city.

TIF payments usually only happen after certain milestones.

At least the plan doesn't seem to be dead!
"Thanks for the question. Yes, plans are still moving forward with our OKC location. In fact, if you want to come say “Hi,” we’ll be down at the Boathouse District for Dogtober on October 3rd. We can field any questions you may have about the concept!

Best,
The Bar K Team"

From the Outdoor in October press release:


Saturday, Oct. 3 “Dogtober” will feature a full day of dog-friendly activities. Bar K, the new dog park and bar slated to open in the Boathouse District in 2021, is coming from Kansas City to create a popup version of their concept which will include a dog yoga class, an adoption event, SUP with your PUP, an off-leash dog park area and beer tasting provided by Coop Ale plus live music.

The Economic Development Trust is set to vote on approving $750K in TIF money for this project.

Also, they are leasing the land from the Boathouse Foundation (which in turn is leasing from the city of OKC) but the agreement does not stipulate the amount.

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Found the ground lease; $1K / month for the first 10 years:


Minimum Rent. During the first ten (10) years of the Initial Term, Sublessee
covenants and agrees to pay to Sublessor, without notice or demand, minimum rent in the amount
of Twelve Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($12,000.00) per year (“Minimum Rent”). Minimum
Rent shall increase by Four Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($4,000.00) following the completion
of the first ten (10) years of the Initial Term and every ten (10) years thereafter until the
completion of the Initial Term up to a maximum rent of Twenty-Four Thousand and No/100
Dollars ($24,000) per year.

seems like a steal

Super cheap land deal. $750,000 in TIF going to the construction and almost free land, helluva deal for them. Not necessarily saying its wrong (although I'd like the land lease to be tied to some kind of percentage rent) but it has to be frustrating for guys like Social Capital to see something like this.

Press release:

************

Join us this Saturday, Oct. 3rd, for “Dogtober” featuring Bar K’s popup dog park + DOGA dog yoga + SUP with your PUP + free COOP Ale beer sampling + live music + doggy portraits + axe throwing + great food + bikes, scooters and one wheels in the bike park + nature trail + fire pit and s’mores!

Admission is free • Parking is $10

Outdoor October will include pop-up shops, food trucks, authentic German food and family-oriented experiences on four Saturdays in October, each with a different focus.

https://www.riversportokc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/BarK-FontOnly-250x86.pngFeatured events include a special “pop-up” dog park presented by Bar K, a dog park, bar and restaurant coming to the Boathouse District in 2021; Oktoberfest food and beer; a screening of the BMX cult favorite movie “Rad;” and a Thrive Outside weekend offering ‘how to’ mini seminars for those interested in learning about camping, hiking and cooking outdoors.


The Bike Park will be open each weekend with scooters, One Wheels, and bikes available to rent – or bring your own. RIVERSPORT’s Basecamp Nature Center allows families to see 30 different native Oklahoma species of frogs, turtles, spiders, snakes and lizards. A new urban nature trail offers a great walking experience and food trucks and pop-up vendors will be on hand to round out the activities. Be sure to check out Urban Tomahawk’s axe throwing and All the Rage’s mobile rage room.

German food and Oktoberfest beers will be featured all month, and leashed dogs are always welcome.

Visit our website or document attached for more information and schedule of events.

I understand that they're getting to lease this land for cheap and it sounds like a favorable deal for them top to bottom, but I just do not understand how this is a desireable location. Yes its technically "riverfront" but its more of a technicality. If we're being honest, this inlet is more of a trash/debris collector. I mean at the end of the day its a dog park with a bar I don't think its going to make a big difference one way or the other but the outdoor space with be filled with barking and highway noise. Not meaning to be a hater I hope this place kills it but.

https://www.barkdogbar.com/oklahoma-city

Could be wrong but there appear to be a few updated renderings.