"Building Culture (https://www.buildingculture.com/about) has shared a storybook presentation promoting The Townsend, a coming mixed use development in Edmond's urban core at E. 3rd St. and Littler Ave." - Edmond Urbanist

Townsend (https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60d63a65fac9ff6c7e95403a/t/668e874cea68556717bc1017/1720616784857/Townsend+-+Story+Book_Final+-+DIGITAL.pdf)

Dubbed the "Park District," this area around Stephenson Park features many great restaurants and shops within a short walking distance, along with Clegern Elementary, Russell Dougherty Elementary, and of course, the University of Central Oklahoma.

Wheeler District 2.0

Holy Intentionally intentional intentionality, Batman!

In all seriousness, this is cool. I'm loving the area around Stephenson Park and it's one of the areas we're looking closely at for downsizing in a year or so.

That area is fantastic. The park, the restaurants.

Then, you have Sprouts (a full grocery store) right there, the rest of downtown Edmond, and UCO is close too.

If/when commuter rail commences, the station is right there.

Wheeler District 2.0
I said it long before ground was even broken in Wheeler District - you know, back when naysayers were complaining that ground hadn't been broken yet and suggesting that it might not even happen - that Wheeler could/should be transformational for the entire metro, showing folks who might be interested in more walkable, urbanist communities what it could look and feel like. I think I even said it won't be long before some Edmond folks in particular started asking "wait...why can't we have this in Edmond?"

I can go one step further and point out that Wheeler brought Building Culture to the OKC Metro, and that Wheeler-connected Carlton Landing is what brought them to Oklahoma to begin with. It's perfectly fine to say that neighborhoods like this aren't a person's particular cup of tea, but for hundreds (and likely thousands) of people and families it is EXACTLY what they are looking for. Healthy communities offer a diversity of lifestyle options.

I said it long before ground was even broken in Wheeler District - you know, back when naysayers were complaining that ground hadn't been broken yet and suggesting that it might not even happen - that Wheeler could/should be transformational for the entire metro, showing folks who might be interested in more walkable, urbanist communities what it could look and feel like. I think I even said it won't be long before some Edmond folks in particular started asking "wait...why can't we have this in Edmond?"

I can go one step further and point out that Wheeler brought Building Culture to the OKC Metro, and that Wheeler-connected Carlton Landing is what brought them to Oklahoma to begin with. It's perfectly fine to say that neighborhoods like this aren't a person's particular cup of tea, but for hundreds (and likely thousands) of people and families it is EXACTLY what they are looking for. Healthy communities offer a diversity of lifestyle options.That's a fairly long-winded response to a simple comment that neither condemns nor condones Wheeler District or this development, but thanks for sharing. :)

I said it long before ground was even broken in Wheeler District - you know, back when naysayers were complaining that ground hadn't been broken yet and suggesting that it might not even happen - that Wheeler could/should be transformational for the entire metro, showing folks who might be interested in more walkable, urbanist communities what it could look and feel like. I think I even said it won't be long before some Edmond folks in particular started asking "wait...why can't we have this in Edmond?"

I can go one step further and point out that Wheeler brought Building Culture to the OKC Metro, and that Wheeler-connected Carlton Landing is what brought them to Oklahoma to begin with. It's perfectly fine to say that neighborhoods like this aren't a person's particular cup of tea, but for hundreds (and likely thousands) of people and families it is EXACTLY what they are looking for. Healthy communities offer a diversity of lifestyle options.

I feel like social media, especially the OKC subreddit, had a weirdly vicious hatred for Wheeler when it was first announced and many proclaimed that it would never work/be built. Similar to the Olympic events being held here, I absolutely love when naysayers are proven wrong.

OKC and the rest of the state could use dozens of other Wheeler-esque developments.

That's a fairly long-winded response to a simple comment that neither condemns nor condones Wheeler District or this development, but thanks for sharing. :)
It wasn’t directed at you. It was directed at the MULTIPLE people here and elsewhere who initially dogged Wheeler and questioned its viability for years. Go read the first who-knows-how-many pages of that thread on this very forum and see for yourself. Or read Jake’s post, beneath your own, and go check out the subreddit he mentions.

Your “Wheeler District 2.0” post merely reminded me that I’d previously made multiple comments refuting those posts, and predicting that in the future other developments in the metro would be modeled after it.

Well, the future is here. This despite Wheeler still being years from full completion. It’s the most consequential residential development here certainly in the past 50 years, probably more like 75, simply based on its form.

I feel like social media, especially the OKC subreddit, had a weirdly vicious hatred for Wheeler when it was first announced and many proclaimed that it would never work/be built. Similar to the Olympic events being held here, I absolutely love when naysayers are proven wrong.

OKC and the rest of the state could use dozens of other Wheeler-esque developments.

Social media tends to react harshly toward any new housing project.

People tend to lash out against anything they don't understand and/or can't afford.

I guess I need to go back and read the early pages of the Wheeler thread. I thought everyone was on board and loved the idea. I know I certainly did. I was familiar, from a distance, with Carltons Landing and was excited about everything they wanted to do with Wheeler. I thought it was the bees knees. I thought it'd be cooler than the other side of the pillow.

The great success of Wheeler and even The Lark in downtown Edmond shows the demand for smaller homes on smaller lots with access to lots of amenities.

Other developers are starting to see the untapped potential.

Speaking of these types of developments is anything happening with Liberty Park in Edmond?

I guess I need to go back and read the early pages of the Wheeler thread. I thought everyone was on board and loved the idea. I know I certainly did. I was familiar, from a distance, with Carltons Landing and was excited about everything they wanted to do with Wheeler. I thought it was the bees knees. I thought it'd be cooler than the other side of the pillow.
I wouldn't bother reading much before page 20 unless you have lots of time to kill. Tons after that, and then it has peaks and valleys of negativity over time, much of it (somewhat) understandably driven by very little (and often no) visible activity on the site during planning phases. The dude from San Antonio who routinely shows up here to bag on OKC projects did indeed reliably show up to bag on this one, saying it would never happen or if anything did that it would only be a greatly watered down version of the master plan. But PLENTY of other ugly comments from various nonbelievers and committed wet blankets. Plenty of snide personal attacks on the developers, too. Lots of comments about how OKC homebuyers would never be interested in the home type, the density, the price points.

I do take this project a bit more personally than others, in part because I'm friendly with the developers (and many others involved with the project) and I believe in them, in part because I participated in the design charettes and also in a smaller and later planning group dedicated to siting and programming the Ferris wheel and surrounding plaza, in part because I'm still a bit astounded that OKC is home to a faithful Dover-Kohl planned development, and in part because I hope (and strongly believe) that it will fundamentally change residential and commercial development expectations for many people who live in the OKC metro.

Speaking of these types of developments is anything happening with Liberty Park in Edmond?

There was some zoning stuff recently but actual dirt moving, no. Nothing has started. When they announced they seemed like they would have things started by now but then interest rates went up so that probably slowed down their plans

There was some zoning stuff recently but actual dirt moving, no. Nothing has started. When they announced they seemed like they would have things started by now but then interest rates went up so that probably slowed down their plans
Thanks for the update. It would be cool to see this happen.

I live in a “Wheeler District 2.0” around DT Edmond and love it. They’re building more behind us, and many around chitwood park (west of the Lark) have already been constructed and existing homes with “future new xxxxx construction” signs in front where they will be as well. This will essentially go from the new apartments all the way west to Kelly and south of 2nd.

I was unaware of this one and it looks fantastic, there’s also the Ember on NW corner of Boulevard and 9th under construction:

https://www.edmondember.com/

I really hope all these investors are also donating or helping with the downtown boom.

That is absolutely awesome that they are going to preserve a grove of trees. I love that.

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

Maybe advocate for safer, more pedestrian friendly sidewalk, bike lane, and street designs to your city. But the downtown area of Edmond should absolutely have dense housing.

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

I mean, times change. Either adapt, or move somewhere else.

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

I echo what Dan said. If you want to have a walkable, ridable Edmond, support initiatives that expand bike lanes, sidewalks, mass transit, etc. The Edmond of the past is, well, past, but we can shape an Edmond of the future that still has that character and feel while adding in more people.

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

Lotsa drama in this one.

Edmond downtown is developing into a nice urban setting. It is retaining a small town feel but with more urban amenities. Need to throw away a bunch of stereotypes. Edmond is starting to offer lots of alternatives for life styles.

Though Maybe Not the area that is being talked about, this is interesting and discusses Downtown Edmond and How it could improve a little bit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZK2bdIS3EQ&t=64s

^^^
Great video! Wonderful to see young Oklahomans trying to placemake in areas like downtown Edmond.

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

IIRC you live outside edmond city limits .... how does a downtown development do any of this to you??

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

All those things that made you want to live in Edmond and such? They appeal to other folks. I certainly think landowners should have input when land use around their property changes (such as going from single family to multifamily or single family to retail, industrial, etc). But, outside of that, there's no expectation that infill isn't going to happen. The east half of Edmond has been residential for decades, by and large. Just because there was empty land doesn't mean it was going to remain empty. When I bought my house 2.5 decades ago, Santa-Fe and 33rd was a 4 way single lane stop sign, with empty fields all around. Edmond has had tremendous growth over the past 2 decades, and it's probably not going to slow. That ship has sailed.

It's better for a city to be growing that to be stagnant. If you want an area that might remain unchanged for decades, find a dead city or a place no one wants to live - that's about the only way it will happen. It's also important to understand that land is a shared/community resource, regardless of who owns it. There's a finite amount of it, there won't be "new" land (outside of places where they are creating land on the water). No one has the absolute right to complete control of their land, because we're all part of a society.

These developments are a problem for some of us who moved here years ago. I hate the traffic i hate the traffic by my place. I want to still drive the roads and ride the roads on horse back or a cart. Its where you cannot even ride a bike safely or me check my mail box at the road. What about us who dont want to move and stil enjoy our life style????? I guess we dont count and will just be road kill. I am last few times at Sam's club I almost got hit while walking in the parking lot up to the store.

I'm not going to be as rude as to say adapt or get out of the way, but I do think Dan makes a good point. More of us need to get together and make this happen in Edmond.

I know Edmond is developing more bike and walking trails which is good. There also needs to be a standard for sidewalks. Many are good but some are right up next to the road with no buffer. Where there is no bike trail or safe way to get where you need to be, there should be protected bike lanes. Putting up a sign to share the road is not good enough.

And I'm gonna say for the thousandth time, get rid of a lot of the stoplights and design the roads better. Having a 6 or 7 lane road but making the speed limit 35 and putting up a lot of stoplights that are out of sync doesn't work.

It's possible to make traffic flow smoothly at lower speeds and make it more pleasurable and lower stress for drivers just by having good road design. Thinner roads, tree lined medians, roundabouts, tree lined shoulders etc.

Still this does not answer the problem of me being able to drive the roads with people driving so fast. They dont watch for riders horse or bike. They dont watch for older people walking. They dont watch for people in parking lots walking to the store entrance. Some ever try to scare people walk to and from the store entrance. I had one jerk drive his big track right up behind me about one to two feet from me in a parking lot while i was pushing my shopping cart to my truck. I am older and cannot run, With very little gray hair people think i am alot younger. Just asking how am i to ride the roads or drive the roads with a horse. how to I adapt to the traffic???Also just driving I am run off the road by some jerk coming into my lane on a two lane road playing chicken. I drive a small pickup and I am tired of having to take the bar ditch to avoid a head on.

Still this does not answer the problem of me being able to drive the roads with people driving so fast. They dont watch for riders horse or bike. They dont watch for older people walking. They dont watch for people in parking lots walking to the store entrance. Some ever try to scare people walk to and from the store entrance. I had one jerk drive his big track right up behind me about one to two feet from me in a parking lot while i was pushing my shopping cart to my truck. I am older and cannot run, With very little gray hair people think i am alot younger. Just asking how am i to ride the roads or drive the roads with a horse. how to I adapt to the traffic???Also just driving I am run off the road by some jerk coming into my lane on a two lane road playing chicken. I drive a small pickup and I am tired of having to take the bar ditch to avoid a head on.

this is a down town edmond development .. and either way maybe edmond is not the place to "drive the roads with your horse"

I was getting caught up on this thread and genuinely thought that was a satire/troll poster. But looking at their comment history, I think it is legit - which is scary. Lady you are going to get yourself and your horse killed if you expect to ride it on any road in Edmond. Keep that activity to your own land and neighborhood.

I have a friend who has a horse... Guess where they ride it? At the stable area where they keep the horse. A bike is another thing and OKC could use better bike infrastructure, but I see a lot of bike lanes that are used as sidewalks or parking.

Still this does not answer the problem of me being able to drive the roads with people driving so fast. They dont watch for riders horse or bike. They dont watch for older people walking. They dont watch for people in parking lots walking to the store entrance. Some ever try to scare people walk to and from the store entrance. I had one jerk drive his big track right up behind me about one to two feet from me in a parking lot while i was pushing my shopping cart to my truck. I am older and cannot run, With very little gray hair people think i am alot younger. Just asking how am i to ride the roads or drive the roads with a horse. how to I adapt to the traffic???Also just driving I am run off the road by some jerk coming into my lane on a two lane road playing chicken. I drive a small pickup and I am tired of having to take the bar ditch to avoid a head on.
I think you just need to really come to terms that Edmond isn't the small town you were used to and the east side is eventually going to be built up just like it is close to the center. That is happening. No way it doesn't. You might want to think about relocating to a smaller town somewhere further out.

I am older and it would take an act of congress for me to move after 41 years. i dont want to be far away. By the way I dont board at a stable. They are way too expensive. i have my own horse barn and arena. I just want to get back into driving. The other issue about moving is that i spent 41 years building up my place. i am retired so dont have the money to start to build up a horse place from scratch. just not real do able on my pension. I dont think you understand the cost of building pipe and cable fence and horse barns. Then one has to find a house that does not need to be un updated. Its so hard to find ones with golden oak. I hate what is in style right now. yes i am a picky old woman.

Every time I see this thread has an update and hoping it has to do with the actual development, but all I get is a person who is so out of touch with their surroundings. Then multiple people either dunking on them or others trying to reason with them. I am sorry oklip955, but there is no fixing your problems. Change is inevitable and living so close to a major metropolitan area you will always be swallowed up by the big city. I am sure there are plenty of people in the surrounding small cities next to Dallas that feel the same way.

Can we move this discussion to a board about downtown Edmond or something?

Every time I see this thread has an update and hoping it has to do with the actual development, but all I get is a person who is so out of touch with their surroundings. Then multiple people either dunking on them or others trying to reason with them. I am sorry oklip955, but there is no fixing your problems. Change is inevitable and living so close to a major metropolitan area you will always be swallowed up by the big city. I am sure there are plenty of people in the surrounding small cities next to Dallas that feel the same way.

Can we move this discussion to a board about downtown Edmond or something?

The only thing they can do it advocate with their city council person for better "horse lane infrastructure" to better accommodate their needs.

The only thing he can do it advocate with his city council person for better "horse lane infrastructure" to better accommodate his needs.

I believe @oklip955 is a lady.

I believe @oklip955 is a lady.

Thanks. I changed the post to make it gender neutral.

its me. I am an older retired senior lady the ok lip comes from in Oklahoma with Lipizzan horses. I used to be very active in our horse registry.

Getting back on track!!!! Here are a few of the homes Building Culture has built.

https://www.buildingculture.com/projects/wheeler-1040-6

https://www.buildingculture.com/projects/1900-oso

https://www.buildingculture.com/projects/franklin-1-f

I missed this either in the thread or in that picture book that had lots of inspiration and stock photos of happy people in their happy lives, but where is this planned? I see around Stephenson Park, but where? Thanks!

I missed this either in the thread or in that picture book that had lots of inspiration and stock photos of happy people in their happy lives, but where is this planned? I see around Stephenson Park, but where? Thanks!

It looks like the same LLC owns the land in Green. I believe this will be where it will be located.

19086

^^^ thank you for posting that.

^^^ thank you for posting that.

You are welcome. I think I accidently added Bella Salon there on 4th street. They don't own that part, but they own that little corner on 4th street.

Thanks OkieBerto!

From Edmond Urbanist: "This is one we've been excited about for a while - the City Council approved the final site plan for The Townsend Phase 1 & 2 mixed-use development in Edmond's urban core.

The Townsend by Building Culture will bring a mixed-use development to Littler Ave. between E. 3rd St. and E. 4th St. in the Stephenson Park District. Phase 1 includes 12 townhomes, two live-work units, and three mixed-use buildings, all of which are 2.5-stories tall. Phase 2 includes six townhomes, each 3-stories tall.

Building Culture is Oklahoma's preeminent structural masonry designer & builder and has done beautiful work in The Wheeler District, Carlton Landing, and many historic neighborhoods in Oklahoma City and Tulsa."

19425 19426 19427 19428 19429

Wow - Edmond is going to mess around and end up with the downtown core Norman should have. The Building Culture people do great work. I wish I had met them before we started building our house.

This is going to be a great project and will completely change the feel of the area. I’m very excited for downtown Edmond’s future. I just wish they would get going on commuter rail.