They will be seriously recessed and strange-looking if they keep them in their current places. Hopefully there is a way to pull the ornamentation forward and flush with the new facade material. There is/was some really nice-looking detail on that building. Unfortunate about the Philistine refacing done back in the day.

During my Main Street days I used to see buildings that were mistreated like that all of the time. The happy times are when you can spend a couple hundred bucks, remove a bunch of tin from the 60s, and uncover a jewel. It happened on Automobile Alley a number of times, and has happened throughout the state. The before/after pics on stuff like that is often amazing. You scratch your head when you consider the fact that someone must have stepped back from their newly-applied plastering or tin facing job and said "MAN! That looks WAY better!"

I have recently heard a very good Midtown housing rumor.

The Rumor .... Another Midtown housing project is in the works with 150+ rental units and will be in direct competition to the (Mercy) "Edge" project. This project could be announced very soon and the developer wants to beat the "Edge" project to the finish line (I know that may not be difficult to do).

Now after reading the Steve Lackmeyer article @ newsok, this project is probably more than just a rumor.

Survey shows demand is strong for downtown rental housing in Oklahoma City
A new analysis being delivered this week to the Oklahoma City Council shows demand remains strong for rental housing downtown, while for-sale units are not faring as well.

BY STEVE LACKMEYER slackmeyer@opubco.com Comment on this article 4
Published: September 27, 2011

Read more: http://newsok.com/survey-shows-demand-is-strong-for-downtown-rental-housing-in-oklahoma-city/article/3607894#ixzz1ZALazQcy


Lots of land available in Midtown for a project of this size.

Hope it proves out!

There is plenty of room and demand for multiple Midtown housing projects.

I'm sure it's the Marva Ellard team

I'm sure it's the Marva Ellard team

I have no knowledge of her resources, so obviously it's possible for her to simultaneously be working on multiple developments. However, remember that she has an announced project of modern homes at 6th and Hudson (Anyone remember what that was called or have an update on them?). Of course, it would be minor compared to a 150+ unit apartment development.

With the latest study suggesting that 26% of OKC residents have some level of interest in living downtown, expect a lot more development. We are talking 125,000 people interested in living downtown. That is a lot of people.

When the streetcar creates a very simple connection between Midtown, the CBD and Bricktown I think you will definitely see residential development increase muti-fold. It's already great living downtown, but having simple, understandable mass transit will make it even easier and more fun.

Everything becomes additive. The more people living downtown, the more services and the more housing, dining, retail (I hope!) options exist, the more appealing it is to live downtown. Hopefully that will create a less than vicious cycle.

When the streetcar creates a very simple connection between Midtown, the CBD and Bricktown I think you will definitely see residential development increase muti-fold. It's already great living downtown, but having simple, understandable mass transit will make it even easier and more fun.

Everything becomes additive. The more people living downtown, the more services and the more housing, dining, retail (I hope!) options exist, the more appealing it is to live downtown. Hopefully that will create a less than vicious cycle.

I am with you on that Betts. I wish I could sell this dang house here in Florida so I could get back to OKC and open one of the business ideas I have so I can be in on the ground floor when downtown OKC really takes off. The development taking place today is chicken feed compared to what will be going on 10 years. I would be willing to sell our house for what we owe on it (and we are not underwater).

Has anyone done a survey of unused and under-used buildings in Midtown?

I drive through almost daily and I'm astounded by a select few buildings in the area with great character and seemingly good bones that are sitting vacant and nearly vacant, many with realty signs on display. I'm thinking about making a small project out of taking a few photographs of each one, posting them on here and starting a short (mostly pointless but entertaining) discussion on potential usage, history, current use (if any).

First up would have been the City Church building on NW 10th and Robinson, but I'm told a new congregation is moving in soon. So I think I might start this week with two buildings at NW 11th and Robinson (NE corner and SW corner). Any other suggestions?

I have recently heard a very good Midtown housing rumor.

The Rumor .... Another Midtown housing project is in the works with 150+ rental units and will be in direct competition to the (Mercy) "Edge" project. This project could be announced very soon and the developer wants to beat the "Edge" project to the finish line (I know that may not be difficult to do).

Now after reading the Steve Lackmeyer article @ newsok, this project is probably more than just a rumor.


Lots of land available in Midtown for a project of this size.

wow .. i would love for this to be between 10th and 11th east of harvey

Noticed grand opening sign for the restaurant across from The Sieber on 12th and Hudson.

Kabobs, gyros, and burgers, didn't see the restaurant name it may have been covered by grand opening banner.


Yea...noticed that a few weeks ago... the old Taste of the Carribean building. I've been meaning to try it.

There is a for lease sign on this building now, restaurant is closed.

I have recently heard a very good Midtown housing rumor.

The Rumor .... Another Midtown housing project is in the works with 150+ rental units and will be in direct competition to the (Mercy) "Edge" project. This project could be announced very soon and the developer wants to beat the "Edge" project to the finish line (I know that may not be difficult to do).

Now after reading the Steve Lackmeyer article @ newsok, this project is probably more than just a rumor.


Lots of land available in Midtown for a project of this size.
I wouldn't be surprised if this is the development off broadway that bert belanger /via land owner Shannon Self worked on. Sometimes that is considered Midtown.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRte0S2a_dA

There is a for lease sign on this building now, restaurant is closed.
The out of state property owners think this property in its present state (parking area disaster) is worth $2500 a month.
I know people who have tried to buy it and say the asking price is 300+ . Very unreasonable, IMO.
I wish the City had ordinances that would crack down on this type of property owners.

City, I don't know who you are, but it's almost scary how on target you on this. By all accounts, what you're saying is the same thing I've gotten from the most credible folks I know on the inside of what's going on in MidTown.

There is a for lease sign on this building now, restaurant is closed.

What about the building directly south of there on the east side of Hudson, does that have anything in it?

What about the building directly south of there on the east side of Hudson, does that have anything in it?

it has a tattoo shop and a church ... and maybe a hair place

it has a tattoo shop and a church ... and maybe a hair place

That sounds like a verse from Ray Stevens' The Haircut Song.

City, I don't know who you are, but it's almost scary how on target you on this. By all accounts, what you're saying is the same thing I've gotten from the most credible folks I know on the inside of what's going on in MidTown.

Why is it creepy that everyday people can know inside scoop like a journalist? There arenplenty of us "insiders" on this site.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is the development off broadway that bert belanger /via land owner Shannon Self worked on. Sometimes that is considered Midtown.

That would be great news. I'd love to see development move up Broadway.

Why is it creepy that everyday people can know inside scoop like a journalist? There arenplenty of us "insiders" on this site.

xxx

it has a tattoo shop and a church ... and maybe a hair place

Thanks.

I do wish a restaurant could make it for a while in the old Taste of Caribbean building.

xxx

Oh, well thank you for gracing us with your valuable time that is not worth your time. I still don't understand why it is shocking to a veteran journalist that the public can have inside scoop.

You keep putting words in my mouth Metro.... fortunately I don't worry about your opinions.

Oh, well thank you for gracing us with your valuable time that is not worth your time. I still don't understand why it is shocking to a veteran journalist that the public can have inside scoop.

What is wrong with Metro? Are you just a jerk?

Ah, he's always trying to jerk my chain. I was simply complimenting someone on how accurate their info was, never called anyone "creepy" or suggested I was "shocked" at what others know.

What is wrong with Metro? Are you just a jerk?

metro appears to me as simply just being metro. He may seem more metro than normal metro to some, sort of like metro grande or something, but it's possibly that's just an outward sign of some sleep deprivation and all in all, he's just metro.

My apologies. I guess I didn't get Steves tongue and cheek on his original post

metro appears to me as simply just being metro. He may seem more metro than normal metro to some, sort of like metro grande or something, but it's possibly that's just an outward sign of some sleep deprivation and all in all, he's just metro.

lol

metro appears to me as simply just being metro. He may seem more metro than normal metro to some, sort of like metro grande or something, but it's possibly that's just an outward sign of some sleep deprivation and all in all, he's just metro.

Who's metro again?

Sorry metro. I never read the Newsok article on it, just the one above.

Lots of construction underway on the 9th street burger joint.

I Dont know if this will embed, but here is the vision for the Frontline Downtown campus vision...

http://vimeo.com/28580148

Spoke w/ someone today who said the Bert Belanger project is off. The Houston company backed off because the couldn't get enough tax incentives from the city. Anyone else heard anything?

Didn't seem to be a problem with The Bradshaws' new project or with Level, I wonder what the deal is?

I'm not sure Belanger's property falls within a TIF, as did the properties for Bradshaw and Level.

It would have certainly been worth it for the city though.

I'm not sure Belanger's property falls within a TIF, as did the properties for Bradshaw and Level.

Bingo.

The Frontline pastor gave different numbers to me and Bailey... can't explain that.

Is that minister lying? The Lord will smite him!

;)

I am not sure of the laws, but does anyone know if the Frontline Church will affect the Packard Building and its ability to have a restaurant that serves liquor? Living next door I was hoping that building would get some kind of cool restaurant/bar.

I am not sure of the laws, but does anyone know if the Frontline Church will affect the Packard Building and its ability to have a restaurant that serves liquor? Living next door I was hoping that building would get some kind of cool restaurant/bar.

Yes, it will affect it, but I'm fairly sure the church can grant an exemption.

It probably won't affect it any more than it already was affected. It was owned by a church when it was sold to Frontline, and has been a church for many, many years. That said, the liquor restrictions only affects BARS. If more than 50% of your revenue is food, you can locate immediately next door to a church. Hideaway has a bar. Red Prime has a bar. Both are within 300' of church property. However, a bar probably could not be licensed, even if the church wants it there. They cannot grant exemptions to the restriction.

Spoke w/ someone today who said the Bert Belanger project is off. The Houston company backed off because the couldn't get enough tax incentives from the city. Anyone else heard anything?

Which project is this again?

Is that minister lying? The Lord will smite him!

;)

Amen!

Which project is this again?

I am also curious as to what project this is.

I am also curious as to what project this is.

Apartments next to the park on Broadway between 11th and 13th. Big issue is financing and getting the "quiet zone" completed for the railway.

2 separate buildings? Which side of broadway? I cannot find anything about this online.

Knowing many of the pastors and members, Im sure the serving of alcohol will be more of a problem for the city than the church! I know MANY frontliners who brew thier own liquid joy and meet in bars for group...

I never saw the plans. I just read about them. But it is my understanding that it was going to be an apartment development on the East side of Broadway fronting the old WPA park where the "anchor monument". The big depository building was going to be incorporated into it if the Neighbors Coffee folks cooperated.

The things that stuck out in my mind as to why it hasn't happened were finances and the RR horns.

The Belanger project was tentatively called Campbell Park:

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2361/cpark.jpg

Anyone attending the Halloween Parade Saturday have any thoughts as to how it was handled in Auto Alley/Midtown?

Something new is coming to NW10th & Walker. The former location of Treasures Past is being renovated, although there are no signs as to the new business. I have seen contractors working at this location for the last couple of weeks. Anyone have the scoop?

nevermind

By the way, I was wrong when I said the proposed Campbell Park project (now seemingly not going forward any time soon) was not in a TIF as opposed to the other housing projects that have been recently started or completed.

Here is a map of TIF #2; it really encompasses all of the downtown area, although Devon Energy Center and the Skirvin have their own TIF's:

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

Anyone else see how The Block Party, benefitting Oklahoma City Educare, is being held in the Packard Building this year instead of on Film Row? It would be the first major event I know of in the remodeled Packard.

http://blockpartyokc.com/blockparty.html

Yes, I have been watching the set up for this all week. I know it is just short term, but it is pretty neat to see lights on in this building. I think these spots would be a great place for a retail shop.

It probably won't affect it any more than it already was affected. It was owned by a church when it was sold to Frontline, and has been a church for many, many years. That said, the liquor restrictions only affects BARS. If more than 50% of your revenue is food, you can locate immediately next door to a church. Hideaway has a bar. Red Prime has a bar. Both are within 300' of church property. However, a bar probably could not be licensed, even if the church wants it there. They cannot grant exemptions to the restriction.

Bars can be a good neighbor and a great business to have in a district, they add a lot to the mix. It is a shame that Mid-town can't have any bars because we're still in prohibition in Oklahoma.

Bars can be a good neighbor and a great business to have in a district, they add a lot to the mix. It is a shame that Mid-town can't have any bars because we're still in prohibition in Oklahoma.

Spartan, thank goodness due to Oklahoma Laws the district could add more child friendly organizations like "The Second Mile" instead of bars. That way we don't have to worry about any evil doings.

The City should eliminate all distance restrictions within the urban core. In fact, it should eliminate segregated zoning all together.

Spartan, thank goodness due to Oklahoma Laws the district could add more child friendly organizations like "The Second Mile" instead of bars. That way we don't have to worry about any evil doings.

State full of gosh darn sanctimonious bastard baptist preachers. That whole thing disgusts me, especially with the dimension of sanctimonious child abuse, prolonged because at least we're keeping the scourge of upscale bars out of many downtown areas and protecting...family values.