With all the new restaurants, this area of Midtown needs more parking.
And so it begns...

A lot of the people who will be eating in Midtown can walk there. When the streetcar is done, anyone living downtown will be able to ride there. If the city wanted to put a parking garage somewhere vaguely in the vicinity that would be OK, but there's no need to add parking in the immediate area, IMO.

FYI - skyline was only joking about the parking.

While walking back to my office from Louies tonight after dinner we walked down 11th street and noticed a parking lot that says it is for patrons of Plaza Court and the Walker shops. This is directly south of the Palo Duro complex. I never noticed this before and am sure that it is not utilized much. Maybe someone should put a sign in the grass lot to direct traffice there before construction begins on the Edge this summer.

FYI - skyline was only joking about the parking.

I was waiting to see if anyone would get that or not. Yes, I was only joking, trying to bring a little Bricktown humor to Midtown. I would like to see more bicycle racks in this area of Midtown. Each restaurant should have at least one bike rack and the plaza court needs to have multiple.


While walking back to my office from Louies tonight after dinner we walked down 11th street and noticed a parking lot that says it is for patrons of Plaza Court and the Walker shops. This is directly south of the Palo Duro complex. I never noticed this before and am sure that it is not utilized much. Maybe someone should put a sign in the grass lot to direct traffice there before construction begins on the Edge this summer.

That parking lot has been there for at least a few years with designated signs for Plaza Court and shops parking. You are right it is not utilized that much, not yet.

The more of a parking problem mid-town develops, the better. Not just because it means it's doing well, but because it means all of the property that will gets walked by suddenly gets more valuable. There is a TON of blank space in mid-town and as traffic, both pedestrian and auto, begins to expand out around plaza court, what was once an unnoticed empty lot on a side street off walker suddenly becomes a good location.

Cool neon sign for "Leggo" building at 1100 N. Broadway:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1100broadway41312.jpg

I know this has already been posed, but when will there be more investment in housing on AA? It's such an ideal location for downtown living. It would be great if the upper floors of all AA buildings would be turned into residential. This is a no-brainer!

AA would be one of my choices for living downtown. I know some people live on the 2nd floors. I believe one of the employees of the Bluewater Divers lives upstairs in an apartment.

A Wine & Palette is what I believe you've heard about and it will be in The Packard I'm pretty sure.

I had someone tell me about a wine bar opening soon in Midtown.

Didn't give specific location or the actual name, so consider this more a a rumor until hearing more details.

Yes, that is correct

This isnt one of those wine and paint things is it? I thought I remember hearing about one of those opening in midtown.

But if its a wine bar, well great. OKC is lagging on good wine bars

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=29179&highlight=wine

What do people think will happen when all of midtown's vacant or abandoned buildings have been renovated? Will older buildings that are currently occupied be renovated or will new ones be built? That time is quickly approaching

I think development will continue to accelerate and that we are only getting started.

Seems like all these projects -- especially the apartments -- have been very successful so that will not only encourage more development but make it easier to get financing.

And once the streetcar project starts in earnest, that will be even a bigger catalyst.


There are still tons of empty lots between the CBD and 13th.

http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=29179&highlight=wine

So its not a wine bar then. Bummer

I am also hoping that the continued development encourages existing businesses to take a little more pride in their buildings. I am thinking specifically of the auto repair shop at the southwest corner of 10th and Harvey with its borded up windows. It really is an interesting building architecturally if it were fixed up a little. That is just one example of many. I think other people mentioned Brown's Bakery as another. I know these owers were there, just minding their own business and enjoying the low overhead of a rundown neighborhood. I can feel the pain and am not sure what the answer to this problem is. As to the vacant lots, I looked up the price of the vacant lot at 9th and Hudson and I believe they were asking somewhere around $700k. Really, how is that economically feasible for anyone to develop?

I am also hoping that the continued development encourages existing businesses to take a little more pride in their buildings. I am thinking specifically of the auto repair shop at the southwest corner of 10th and Harvey with its borded up windows. It really is an interesting building architecturally if it were fixed up a little. That is just one example of many. I think other people mentioned Brown's Bakery as another. I know these owers were there, just minding their own business and enjoying the low overhead of a rundown neighborhood. I can feel the pain and am not sure what the answer to this problem is. As to the vacant lots, I looked up the price of the vacant lot at 9th and Hudson and I believe they were asking somewhere around $700k. Really, how is that economically feasible for anyone to develop?

I've been looking at that auto repair shop too, hoping that someone will see its potential. The other building that I think could be cool is the building on the northwest corner of 10th and Hudson. It's a storage facility now, I think. But, it's got that big overhang and garage doors that could be glass garage doors. It would make a great location for a restaurant with a built-in covered patio.

I am still waiting for a hardware store. But I love hardware stores. I did notice that the for sale sign is gone in front of the old printing place at 11th? and Harvey. Not sure if that is sign of things to come or not.

I am still waiting for a hardware store. But I love hardware stores. I did notice that the for sale sign is gone in front of the old printing place at 11th? and Harvey. Not sure if that is sign of things to come or not.

good printing is still in business and moving along ... they would/will sell the building for the right price ...

There are still tons of empty lots between the CBD and 13th.

So true. The best part is that the configurations of the lots make it very hard to screw it up, unless someone did something crazy, like close streets and create super blocks. In a few years, the Mercy development will probably stick out like a behemoth as the lots to the east and southeast of the Plaza court fill in. It has so much potential to one day be OKC's true urban enclave. Even more so than Deep Deuce, imo.

[QUOTE=wschnitt;530326]What do people think will happen when all of midtown's vacant or abandoned buildings have been renovated? Will older buildings that are currently occupied be renovated or will new ones be built? That time is quickly approaching[/QUOTE

In a simplistic sense, when supply decreases in the face of rising demand, the land becomes more valuable. New projects are built, and typically will be built higher as the cost of land exceeds the cost of added height. If it becomes a more dense and preferable living neighborhood, we should start to see some mid or even high rise residential in a few years.

Better Block in Midtown update.

http://newsok.com/midtown-oklahoma-city-street-set-to-become-a-better-block/article/3667892

Midtown Renaissance to renovate OKC’s Mayfair apartment building
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Record
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 04:41 PM Tuesday, May 1, 2012

OKLAHOMA CITY – Developer Midtown Renaissance is gearing up to begin renovations on the historic Mayfair apartment building near NW 13th Street and N. Broadway Avenue.

Contractor Lingo Construction applied for a $1.5 million building permit in April to begin renovating the early 20th-century building into 18 apartment units, according to city records.

Midtown Renaissance purchased the building in April 2011 from United Way of Central Oklahoma for $550,000. The building once served as United Way’s headquarters.

Midtown Renaissance is also applying to have the building placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The four-story Mayfair at 1315 N Broadway Pl. was built in 1931 by attorney George E. Swisher and his son, architect George F. Swisher, who designed the building.

Part of the ground floor of the building was initially used as offices for both Swishers’ respective businesses.

The building was a haven for singles who wanted an apartment in a nice part of town, said Tulsa-based architectural historian Cathy Ambler, who prepared the National Register of Historic Places nomination for the Mayfair building.

“There were a lot of single women and widows who lived there,” Ambler said. “It gave them a luxurious apartment with a good address that provided respectability.”

The majority of the building retained its use as apartments up until the 1980s, when the upper floors were vacated, according to Ambler’s research. United Way moved into the Mayfair in 1992, using the building as offices until 2009.

Attempts to reach Chris Fleming and Mickey Clagg, partners in Midtown Renaissance, were unsuccessful on Tuesday.

Pontiac sign going up at 1100 N. Broadway (photo courtesy Urban Pioneer):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/pontiac.jpg

love it

Building permit today for the new Saturn Grill going in next to Gogo Sushi (is this open yet??) at 1012 N. Walker.

They are taking 1,970 square feet.

Building permit today for the new Saturn Grill going in next to Gogo Sushi (is this open yet??) at 1012 N. Walker.

They are taking 1,970 square feet.

gogo looks very very close to opening i might stop by on the way home from work .. and ask

Building permit today for the new Saturn Grill going in next to Gogo Sushi (is this open yet??) at 1012 N. Walker.

They are taking 1,970 square feet.

Can't wait!!! There are so many things on their menu I love.

Building permit today for the new Saturn Grill going in next to Gogo Sushi (is this open yet??) at 1012 N. Walker.

They are taking 1,970 square feet.
So the space directly south?

So the space directly south?

i believe the space to the east .. where he rehab facility is now

i believe the space to the east .. where he rehab facility is now

Actually, I believe Saturn is taking the space to the south. The rehab facility isn't going anywhere and is actually expanding. The tiny space directly to the east of it is also their space, and I saw them remodeling it a couple of weeks back.

There is a separate space directly south of Gogo sushi along Walker.

Not much parking back there but perhaps the plan is to expand it.

I took a walk around the building a few weeks back and it seemed to me the only place available to put a restaurant is to the south just as SoonerMike said. I believe the rehab facility recently put up some new signage so it is highly unlikely they would be moving out.

On another note, the Packard got a new sign today that is very similar to the Pontiac sign a block to the east. It would be great if someone could post a picture. I just love working in this area and seeing all of the progress going on around me. It seems like something changes every day.

Gogo now open.

On another note, the Packard got a new sign today that is very similar to the Pontiac sign a block to the east. It would be great if someone could post a picture. I just love working in this area and seeing all of the progress going on around me. It seems like something changes every day.

From the Packard building thread...


Urban Pioneer sent this a couple of days ago and I'm just now getting around to posting it:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/packardsign.jpg
Scroll up to post #1288 for the Pontiac pic

I am looking forward to the Cline Hotel neon sign

They did a fantastic job with the remodel at GoGo. Food is good and inexpensive. Hope it succeeds.

Here are GoGo's hours:


Tuesday to Thursday
11am - 9pm

Friday & Saturday
11am - 10pm

Sunday
11am - 9pm

I went to Gogo's yesterday. It was really, really good.

Just a note. They don't have their liquer license yet. Hoping to have it soon

What's going on with the Osler?

why is the thread for the Edge Midtown closed? i tried clicking on it, and no discussion pops up at all. am i missing something?

why is the thread for the Edge Midtown closed? i tried clicking on it, and no discussion pops up at all. am i missing something?

Click on the "discussion" tab.

Click on the "discussion" tab.

yeah, just pulled it up and didnt have any issues, didnt even need to click the "discussion " tab. not sure what happened earlier. thanks.

A 10pm closing time on fri and sat for a sushi restaurant...in midtown? Would think they'd stay open later

Pontiac sign on 1100 North Broadway:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7175223447_8a908d5a37_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7175223447/)
Pontiac Sign 6.10.2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7175223447/) by dani1262 (http://www.flickr.com/people/54186309@N04/), on Flickr

I do not think that GoGo Sushi is doing that great. Already they have 1/2 certain sushi rolls beer after 4pm, and after yesterday will not be open on Saturdays anymore.

I do not think that GoGo Sushi is doing that great. Already they have 1/2 certain sushi rolls beer after 4pm, and after yesterday will not be open on Saturdays anymore.

Wow Saturdays...That can't be a good sign

Gogo is doing just fine. I've been there twice and its always been busy. It is definitely a weekday/lunch place though. I wouldn't assume that trying to gin up business during off peak hours is a sign a restaurant is struggling, rather just trying to get a feel for the area/demographic they are working with.

Seems to be more of a dinner place down here in Moore but I could see where it might be different up that way...Still Saturday is a peculiar day to stay closed

I went there last Saturday for dinner and there were only 3 other tables with customers. The sushi was pretty good though.

Irma's used to be dead after 2 pm and on weekends, and now for the last year or so it's become a popular dinner place as well. I think the dinner crowd just takes a little bit longer to develop.

They originally open Sunday. Now no weekends at all!

Friday night Pachinko Parlor was so busy it was overflowing into the street, so I doubt that downtown's not supporting sushi businesses.

They originally open Sunday. Now no weekends at all!

they have been open for over a month and they still don't have an ABC license they only have 3.2 beer

I do not think that GoGo Sushi is doing that great. Already they have 1/2 certain sushi rolls beer after 4pm, and after yesterday will not be open on Saturdays anymore.

We eat there at least once a week for lunch and the place is always packed. I think that it is so hot outside that there are less people out walking around midtown or even driving over ther for that matter. Unless of course you are headed to McNellies for a cold frosty beverage. GoGo also has a lot of outside seating which of course is out of the question when it is 100+ outside. I would gusess that they will pick up weekends again when things cool down a bit. The food there is outstanding. I am not a real big sushi guy but I have not been disappointed yet.

We eat there at least once a week for lunch and the place is always packed. I think that it is so hot outside that there are less people out walking around midtown or even driving over ther for that matter. Unless of course you are headed to McNellies for a cold frosty beverage. GoGo also has a lot of outside seating which of course is out of the question when it is 100+ outside. I would gusess that they will pick up weekends again when things cool down a bit. The food there is outstanding. I am not a real big sushi guy but I have not been disappointed yet.

1492 louies irmas kaisers all have good crowds pretty much every night

Best Sushi in OKC that is never very busy except for occasionally during the work week is Park Harvey... by far the best, imho