It’s been a long week, but I thought there had been some other projects that were set to start right as the economy would start to turn south (OAK and Covid, a Milhaus project, etc.).

I have full faith in the Chickasaws and Okana, but I was particularly curious about the chances of Convergence and Dream/Bricktown project.

OAK had never set a starting date and just this week began utility work.

It's amazing how many things got done even during the pandemic and how we have a bunch of new very big projects getting ready to start.

I didn't even mention all the MAPS and civic projects (big improvements to Paycom, Civic Center, finishing Scissortail Park, State Fair Arena, multi-purpose stadium, senior centers, youth centers, golf course clubhouses, etc.)


I've been working on a summary and it's a very long list. And two huge downtown projects will be wrapping up very soon: First National and BancFirst.

I can't remember a time when we've had so much finishing and so much starting up... And that's saying something given everything we've seen in the last 10 years.

The next few years are going to really change OKC. No doubt about it.

Shockingly, TIF will be used

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2021/12/20/innovation-district-development-get-13-75-million-assistance/8907969002/

OAK had never set a starting date and just this week began utility work.

It's amazing how many things got done even during the pandemic and how we have a bunch of new very big projects getting ready to start.

I didn't even mention all the MAPS and civic projects (big improvements to Paycom, Civic Center, finishing Scissortail Park, State Fair Arena, multi-purpose stadium, senior centers, youth centers, golf course clubhouses, etc.)


I've been working on a summary and it's a very long list. And two huge downtown projects will be wrapping up very soon: First National and BancFirst.

I can't remember a time when we've had so much finishing and so much starting up... And that's saying something given everything we've seen in the last 10 years.

Right as another two HUGE projects launch.

Okana and Bricktown towers

Innovation Hall approved. Goal is that the office building, hotel, and hall get built at the same time. Groundbreaking is in April:

https://journalrecord.com/2022/01/18/okc-council-approves-deal-for-innovation-hall/

MAPS 4 money being injected in to this project. $10 million to jump start.

Not maps money going into convergence per se, into innovation hall, which has always been on the maps 4 project list, just being incorporated into the convergence site

I guess it's all symantics

here's a tweet

https://twitter.com/OKCinnovation/status/1483840023002640385

Yesterday, the Oklahoma City Council approved the Master Development Agreement for Convergence to build MAPS 4 Innovation Hall! The development is set to be constructed in parallel with Convergence’s office tower, a 107-key hotel, underground parking and public green space.

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Wish this is what was being built instead. FSB is a lousy architecture company that shouldn't have been chosen for something like an innovation district, we have better architecture firms that are more creative and ambitious in okc. The language of the building screams cheap and all the panels throughout the development scream combustible. There's no harmony or balance, I mean you literally have a piece of the building that looks like it's being held by scaffolding. Why are there three TV screens on top of another? Why are there no trees throughout the plaza? Why grey and yellow, is that somehow supposed to look "modern". It's all kitschy honestly. I'm all for uniqueness in the urban fabric but I would have rather seen the bland glass look versus this crap. This isn't going to age well at all. Some firms need to stick to hospitals and schools.

^^^

Yes, I've been waiting for months to see if someone agrees with me that we can have nicer buildings than these. Some firms from Kansas City, Nashville, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, etc. can come up with designs that will blow this one out of the water.

Btw, in you opinion, which firm in OKC the best one to work with? I can't afford Rand Elliot and AHMM (they start repeating themselves recently and charge a 15% fee).

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Wish this is what was being built instead. FSB is a lousy architecture company that shouldn't have been chosen for something like an innovation district, we have better architecture firms that are more creative and ambitious in okc. The language of the building screams cheap and all the panels throughout the development scream combustible. There's no harmony or balance, I mean you literally have a piece of the building that looks like it's being held by scaffolding. Why are there three TV screens on top of another? Why are there no trees throughout the plaza? Why grey and yellow, is that somehow supposed to look "modern". It's all kitschy honestly. I'm all for uniqueness in the urban fabric but I would have rather seen the bland glass look versus this crap. This isn't going to age well at all. Some firms need to stick to hospitals and schools.

I don't know. Those look way too boring and bland compared to what we're getting.

I was never a fan of FSB, but this design works and is good. I always liked Bockus Payne & Miles Architecture. Which I am surprised they didn't tap Miles, because they have designed most of the buildings in that area.

Am I missing something? The designs for this development look amazing.

Am I missing something? The designs for this development look amazing.

If this were built in Austin, Nashville, San Francisco ect. it would be amazing. Being built in Okc usually means the same building is lacking in at least one area that every other city would've hit out the park 100% of the time.

If this were built in Austin, Nashville, San Francisco ect. it would be amazing. Being built in Okc usually means the same building is lacking in at least one area that every other city would've hit out the park 100% of the time.
Like I said I’m not sure what I missing here. The renderings that I’ve seen look absolutely incredible in something straight out of Nashville or Austin minus the height. I see no issue with this not sure what the complaints are about.

Believe you me I’m not one to be shy when complaining about Oklahoma City.

Haven't seen any project proposed or built in OKC where someone didn't find something to complain about--see that as a good thing.

"Its got too much glass... It really needs more brick and mortar... There won't be enough seats... Why doesn't it match the Devon Tower... Why didn't they build a quadruple decker... "

The project is a design for a building; not a three layered strawberry pineapple birthday cake for a two year old toddler.

My point, it's not going to amount to a hill of beans. We all see and evaluate differently from our own rose colored lenses about what we want our city to become and at the same time drawing images from what we've seen in other cities. It's the same as ordering eggs from the menu, do you want 'em boiled, sunny-side up, poached, hard or soft scrambled eggs.

Let me get out of the sandbox, now I know what that dog was doing over here and he wasn't burying a bone.

:D Have a nice day posters.

Beans

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Wish this is what was being built instead. FSB is a lousy architecture company that shouldn't have been chosen for something like an innovation district, we have better architecture firms that are more creative and ambitious in okc. The language of the building screams cheap and all the panels throughout the development scream combustible. There's no harmony or balance, I mean you literally have a piece of the building that looks like it's being held by scaffolding. Why are there three TV screens on top of another? Why are there no trees throughout the plaza? Why grey and yellow, is that somehow supposed to look "modern". It's all kitschy honestly. I'm all for uniqueness in the urban fabric but I would have rather seen the bland glass look versus this crap. This isn't going to age well at all. Some firms need to stick to hospitals and schools.

lol, AHMM does grey and yellow in the UK all the time. this design is absolutely fine and will age perfectly.

17291 17292
Wish this is what was being built instead. FSB is a lousy architecture company that shouldn't have been chosen for something like an innovation district, we have better architecture firms that are more creative and ambitious in okc. The language of the building screams cheap and all the panels throughout the development scream combustible. There's no harmony or balance, I mean you literally have a piece of the building that looks like it's being held by scaffolding. Why are there three TV screens on top of another? Why are there no trees throughout the plaza? Why grey and yellow, is that somehow supposed to look "modern". It's all kitschy honestly. I'm all for uniqueness in the urban fabric but I would have rather seen the bland glass look versus this crap. This isn't going to age well at all. Some firms need to stick to hospitals and schools.

Not sure what you are whining about, but this style happens all over the world. It is definitely modern, and will last.

The design is functional and meets all the stated goals. I think there are come constructive criticisms that can be made about some of the flourishes, such as the weird "scaffolding corner" on the east building. Maybe it will look better in person, but it looks like a lot of effort to look industrial/modern that ends up looking dumb. The three screens might be a bit much. I'm curious what they will display on a typical day.

Overall though the real discussion is what a huge impact this will have on keeping the city completive nationally by attracting major business.

Construction has started at Convergence.

It's a bit hard to see but there are tons of utility markings all over the property and a permit was filed to place a construction trailer.

It's pretty amazing how fast this is moving.

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation040322a.jpg


HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation040322b.jpg

awesome thanks pete

Nice, I was wondering about this project. Good to see if finally breaking ground!

are they still going to put a cap over I-235?

How many vehicles do you think we could fit under a highway cap during severe weather and plug up the interstate? Joking aside, the cap the City of Dallas did over Woodall Rogers Freeway is absolutely incredible.

Is the exhibition hall still included in this project Pete?

Is the exhibition hall still included in this project Pete?

Yes, but funded through MAPS as a separate development.

If we're talking about the same thing, the hall is part of MAPS 4 and so will be required to get done.

(sorry we posted at the same time it looks like)

are they still going to put a cap over I-235?

i believe just a small expansion of the 10th street bridge with paths and parks on each side .. .

someone please correct me if i am incorrect

i believe just a small expansion of the 10th street bridge with paths and parks on each side .. .

Yes, this is the latest plan:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation080119a.jpg

That park space as pictured reminds me a little bit of the High Line in NYC.

That park space as pictured reminds me a little bit of the High Line in NYC.

I had the exact same thought. Obviously way smaller, but would be a much-welcomed change. That is separate from the Convergence project though, right?

I wish I was 21 instead of 46 so I could see what OKC will be like in 40 years

I had the exact same thought. Obviously way smaller, but would be a much-welcomed change. That is separate from the Convergence project though, right?

Yes, separate.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation041722a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation041722b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation041722c.jpg

So this article is next to worthless but it mentions how Stiles Park(a park I’ve never heard of) is the oldest park in OKC and was built before the state of Oklahoma was even an official state. A search on Google takes me to where the picture above is located, The Beacon Hope. Assuming all of these things to be true, if anyone more knowledgeable than me can chime in, selling the oldest park in the city to a private developer doesn’t seem like the best move.

Here’s some world class journalism:


OKLAHOMA CITY —
The Oklahoma City Council debated selling the city’s oldest park at a meeting.

Stiles Park in northeast Oklahoma City is the city’s oldest park and has been around since before statehood.

Though it’s not exactly a park, with walking trails or swings and slides, it is public land.

On Tuesday, the OKC City Council voted whether to hand the land over to a private developer. The private company, BT Development, has an idea of what it will look like and with all of this unfolding, in what is called, the innovation district.


https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-city-council-debates-selling-oldest-park/39959695

Edit:

Well it looks like they did sell it. Not sure about anyone else but it seems like to me keeping the oldest park in the city in the hands of the city is a no brainer but I guess not.


The Council also approved the sale of Oklahoma City’s oldest public park to a private developer. Stiles Park, established in 1901, will now be sold to BT Development, LLC who is building a hotel and “innovation center” around the site in the so-called Innovation District on Oklahoma City’s near-Northeast side.

More information here: https://freepressokc.com/council-approves-water-park-resort-investment-sells-oldest-public-park/

Having been to that park several times for Pokémon Go related reasons, in my opinion it's largely useless as a park compared to every other park in the city that I am aware of and have spent time in. It's a postage stamp that these days serves no meaningful purpose other than containing the Beacon of Hope and associated lighting fixtures.

It's literally just this circle of grass around the Beacon:
http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation041722c.jpg

Yes, this is the latest plan:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation080119a.jpg

I will be obscenely happy if the ultimate project looks anything close to this lush rendering. Trying to withhold my deeply ingrained skepticism based on years of following this forum. Renders with verdant trees and landscaping in them often end up quite barren in the end in OKC.

Why would all those people hang out on the side of a highway between a 5 lane road? Lol. I am not at all against the landscaping, but no one is walking on those multicolored sidewalks to the edge of that bridge over the highway. Hopefully will use it as a pedestrian route though.

Because of a bus mishap I ended up there and had to walk downtown. It really was not difficult, but this will make it pleasant.

I will be obscenely happy if the ultimate project looks anything close to this lush rendering. Trying to withhold my deeply ingrained skepticism based on years of following this forum. Renders with verdant trees and landscaping in them often end up quite barren in the end in OKC.
This proposal is already disappointing and you’re worried it could be worse!? Lol OKC needs to get a grip. Seriously this needs to be rethought. An entire park cap could be more feasible now with the recent infrastructure funds for projects like this.

Why would all those people hang out on the side of a highway between a 5 lane road? Lol. I am not at all against the landscaping, but no one is walking on those multicolored sidewalks to the edge of that bridge over the highway. Hopefully will use it as a pedestrian route though.

Agreed.

Why would all those people hang out on the side of a highway between a 5 lane road? Lol. I am not at all against the landscaping, but no one is walking on those multicolored sidewalks to the edge of that bridge over the highway. Hopefully will use it as a pedestrian route though.

The noise would be so much that yes, it'd be ridiculous for any pedestrian to stay on that bridge for any longer than absolutely necessary.

The noise would be so much that yes, it'd be ridiculous for any pedestrian to stay on that bridge for any longer than absolutely necessary.

When I lived in Seattle I would walk from my apartment in the Capitol Hill neighborhood to downtown crossing over I-5 and at first I thought it was noisy during the day but after a few months I never noticed the noise from the traffic.

I was so use to living in the city center every time I would go camping the silence was almost to much I was so use to urban noise.

When I lived in Seattle I would walk from my apartment in the Capitol Hill neighborhood to downtown crossing over I-5 and at first I thought it was noisy during the day but after a few months I never noticed the noise from the traffic....

Right, that's pretty much what we're saying - it's going to be a pedestrian crossing, but not a place where anybody does anything other than walk across it to get from one side to the other.

I'm trying to imagine how many people will be crossing that in August at 6PM versus December at 6PM? 95 degrees and 25 MPH south wind or 30 degrees and 25MPH north wind?

I'm trying to imagine how many people will be crossing that in August at 6PM versus December at 6PM? 95 degrees and 25 MPH south wind or 30 degrees and 25MPH north wind?

People on here forget that OKC has basically the worst weather, on both ends of the spectrum, for walkability. No matter what, the weather sucks. Nothing OKC or 23rd and Lincoln can do about the weather.

People on here forget that OKC has basically the worst weather, on both ends of the spectrum, for walkability. No matter what, the weather sucks. Nothing OKC or 23rd and Lincoln can do about the weather.

People walk and bike in places with far worse weather than OKC. Infrastructure is the problem. Weather is not. You can walk in almost any weather. You just dress for it.

People walk and bike in places with far worse weather than OKC. Infrastructure is the problem. Weather is not. You can walk in almost any weather. You just dress for it.

Oklahoma has some really good cyclists, especially for how flat it is. I will give credit to the wind and we have to ride in it and it's great training for hills. We are used to riding in crap weather, others aren't.

People on here forget that OKC has basically the worst weather, on both ends of the spectrum, for walkability. No matter what, the weather sucks. Nothing OKC or 23rd and Lincoln can do about the weather.

If you line this bridge with dense foliage, then the N and S wind will be greatly reduced. But yes, the wind will be bad here.

I've averaged 4.4 miles a day for a year and a half; I document on a big spreadsheet. I may miss one day a month due to my schedule, but not the weather.

You can walk any day of the year in OKC if you dress appropriately.

For residents yes, but the heat and humidity can be overbearing for tourists (which I fully realize is a small percentage of any pedestrians in OKC). I am coming to town next week, and I can remember that the last time I was in OKC, it felt like a belt was wrapped tight around my lungs because of the humidity and air pressure. Of course, I am coming from an elevation of over a mile (6k feet) and a near-desert environment. So the relative weight of the air and humidity levels in OKC vs Colorado can feel like drowning in a pressure chamber. I was completely out of breath climbing the hill at Scissortail park on a mild 70-degree day. So, that is certainly a factor, but again I realize I am in the minority of walkers. I agree with Pete with one caveat, dressed appropriately while acclimated to the weather conditions is entirely possible to do.

And, to be completely fair to OKC I feel that this is something any out-of-towner should expect when traveling to any city in a different elevation and climate zone. I feel the same way in Chicago or Portland - the air feels like a ton of bricks on my chest.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation051122a.jpg

That's a great picture, Pete. Really makes me wish something could be done with that way-too-large highway exit ramp. That just smothers connectivity like a weighted blanket.

Really that ramp in particular should just be removed.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/innovation051122a.jpg

The one thing i wished they did for this area was build a reinforced lid over the interstate from one bridge to the other, it would've made nice for a small highrise to sit on it, that or house some commercial developments, maybe a park for this area. But i guess they'll take their queues from Atlanta prior reluctance.

The one thing i wished they did for this area was build a reinforced lid over the interstate from one bridge to the other, it would've made nice for a small highrise to sit on it, that or house some commercial developments, maybe a park for this area. But i guess they'll take their queues from Atlanta prior reluctance.

It wouldn't take a lot of imagination to build high rise buildings in the cloverleafs and open land there now. Wouldn't have to spend hundreds of millions to build a lid.

I was wondering about that exact thing, Rover. There's certainly room inside that one cloverleaf between the highway and Convergence for a building that could be connected to Convergence via a skybridge.

In St. Louis I can think of one example where an off ramp was built to encircle an existing building but I don't know if I have seen it happen the other way where the ramp came first. It would seem that the state/ODOT/whomever could make money selling that prime real estate? I don't know. May be too "out there" of an idea.

That whole Harrison Ave exit needs to be eliminated. So much land could be opened up for use along 235

Isn't that a prime entrance for emergency vehicles accessing the OU hospital? I can't remember what street the ER is on. But otherwise, I agree.