you've been in la too long
lol

Remind me what is going on at NE corner of 13th and Walker, some dirt work going on there currently.

They are just removing some trees, resurfacing / re-striping the parking lot, and adding new landscaping.

KFOR reporting a car jacking/robbery/beating Saturday afternoon in Midtown. They didn’t give a specific location but it showed the area around The Garage on video.

Does anybody know what this building is going to be after the renovation? I saw it from Downtown Development's twitter feed:

https://goo.gl/maps/ZqB5RzNJoCT2

^

Law offices.

The building at 9th and Harvey that houses La Fuente Prosthetics that has been undergoing renovations to add ground floor retail has a sign advertising a new cannabis dispensary as one of their first tenants.

Didn't want to start a new thread for this, but NewsOK is reporting that a Neighborhood Jam is opening in Midtown! It isn't an exclusive from them, so I figured it was ok to share.

https://newsok.com/article/5628937/okcs-midtown-to-get-new-boulevard-restaurant

Yes, I've know about this for a while but didn't have access to the plans.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevardcaf011319.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/boulevardcaf011319b.jpg

Now if we could get something done with the EMSA lot...

So half of me likes this but the other half feels like it should be more. I was hoping for a midrise residential building (8 floors) something with shops underneath. Feel like this lot should have something impactful. IMO

nm, didn't see the article

I'll have all the images and details in a bit.

So half of me likes this but the other half feels like it should be more. I was hoping for a midrise residential building (8 floors) something with shops underneath. Feel like this lot should have something impactful. IMO

Yeah, I don't worry about height too much because there's so much infill still needed in OKC's core, but it does seem like 3-4 stories would be more appropriate for this fantastic location than two.

2 places in Midtown that need a crosswalk:

1)9th street Starbucks at SSM Hospital connecting the parking lot on the south side of the street with the Starbucks entrance

2) the jaywalk path between Fasslers and Kong's Tavern, this one goes thru the streetcar path.

I'm sure there are others, list them if you have noticed.

Now if we could get something done with the EMSA lot...

Seconded. Please.

Yeah, I don't worry about height too much because there's so much infill still needed in OKC's core, but it does seem like 3-4 stories would be more appropriate for this fantastic location than two.

When I went to look at the plans for Villa Teresa last year, Marva told me she had been working with the Midtown Renaissance guys to make sure the height was kept to 2 stories so as not to overwhelm the VT development or block views.

im sorry but it is this small time stuff that I absolutely HATE about OKC. She wants to stop or hault everyone elses development unless you agree not to exceed her views? I'm sorry but this is the downtown core, if she's worried about view protection then she should build taller herself instead of forcing everyone to adopt to her wishes. In most other big cities this is decided at the city government and not behind closed doors with threats of protest.

Whie I agree we shouldn't put up a highrise here, nobody is proposing that anyway. And I feel a 5 or 6 floor building is completely appropriate for that gateway corner. At this rate OKC wont see any more mid or high rises so that small time developers can retain equity in their obviously subpar/substandard work. Most other cities developers push the other to do better - I await the day that happens in OKC and we get quality designs that are appropriate for the core and within Design standards regardless of what's nearby.

Yes, seems like this city all to often favors protectionism and favoritism over competition.

im sorry but it is this small time stuff that I absolutely HATE about OKC. She wants to stop or hault everyone elses development unless you agree not to exceed her views? I'm sorry but this is the downtown core, if she's worried about view protection then she should build taller herself instead of forcing everyone to adopt to her wishes. In most other big cities this is decided at the city government and not behind closed doors with threats of protest.

Whie I agree we shouldn't put up a highrise here, nobody is proposing that anyway. And I feel a 5 or 6 floor building is completely appropriate for that gateway corner. At this rate OKC wont see any more mid or high rises so that small time developers can retain equity in their obviously subpar/substandard work. Most other cities developers push the other to do better - I await the day that happens in OKC and we get quality designs that are appropriate for the core and within Design standards regardless of what's nearby.

Agree. You cant expect every other property owner to satisfy your desires. And thats even more so in downtown area where you are going to have very different sizes, shapes, uses. I think I actually get a little pleasure watching someone complain about a project that might affect their views and then that project actually happens.

Hudson south of 10th is now almost complete.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hudson042219a.jpg

They still have another layer of asphalt to go. Almost bit it on a scooter last night because of the height difference in the asphalt and the lack of light.

I love the bulb-outs at the intersections (will make pedestrian crossings safer and more comfortable) but holy hell yet another missed opportunity to add cycling infrastructure. Cycle tracks could so easily have been incorporated in this design and at basically no incremental cost since they had the whole thing torn up anyway.

FYI - Spoke to the owner of Hacienda Mexican Restaurant this afternoon and he said he just signed a lease for a new location in the former Irma's location. Said he hopes to be open in just a couple of months and there are plans for an outdoor seating area similar to the one on the south side of the building.

FYI - Spoke to the owner of Hacienda Mexican Restaurant this afternoon and he said he just signed a lease for a new location in the former Irma's location. Said he hopes to be open in just a couple of months and there are plans for an outdoor seating area similar to the one on the south side of the building.

La hacienda? Or hacienda tacos?

La hacienda? Or hacienda tacos?

Hacienda Tacos (currently in Northpark Mall)

Hacienda Tacos (currently in Northpark Mall)

Thanks

I think it is time for OKC to take a page from "6th ST Austin" and implement weekend evening shut downs of 10th street between Harvey and the round-about @ Walker. At least for the warm season.

There is too much pedestrian traffic in this area, and with Sunset Patio Bar open now, there is regular massive lines of 40-60 people clogging up the entire sidewalk of Hudson and 10th. Collective also regularly has lines Friday and Saturday nights.

Obviously allow the streetcar through.

https://i.imgur.com/IaQFos0.png

I think it is time for OKC to take a page from "6th ST Austin" and implement weekend evening shut downs of 10th street between Harvey and the round-about @ Walker. At least for the warm season.

There is too much pedestrian traffic in this area, and with Sunset Patio Bar open now, there is regular massive lines of 40-60 people clogging up the entire sidewalk of Hudson and 10th. Collective also regularly has lines Friday and Saturday nights.

Obviously allow the streetcar through.

https://i.imgur.com/IaQFos0.png

I think this idea gets implemented for sure when the lots south of Fassler and west of Bleu Garten get developed.

^^^ The lot immediately south of Fassler should be left as green public space, but the lot south of that is crying for development.

^^^ The lot immediately south of Fassler should be left as green public space, but the lot south of that is crying for development.
I thought about that the other day. A really nice, well designed park would be a great thing here.

It’d be cool to have a nice compact urban park with a small lawn centered around a Japanese tea garden like this:

16843

With another, upgraded dog park that has a more open space to it at NW 11th and Harvey this should set midtown on parks and allow all other spaces to be developed accordingly.

@Oski Noooo!!. All of those lots need to be developed.

We have PLENTY of parks downtown and far too many (still) undeveloped lots in Midtown to keep this valuable space empty. There's a dog park LITERALLY a half block north of where we're talking about guys. ..

@Oski Noooo!!. All of those lots need to be developed.

We have PLENTY of parks downtown and far too many (still) undeveloped lots in Midtown to keep this valuable space empty. There's a dog park LITERALLY a half block north of where we're talking about guys. ..

Nope: a mid-rise there will suffocate Fassler, best option is a public square right there, sandwiched by Fassler and the (hopefully) mid-rise south of that, parks Downtown have nothing to do with good urban design in Midtown.

How exactly does a building suffocate?

Nope: a mid-rise there will suffocate Fassler, best option is a public square right there, sandwiched by Fassler and the (hopefully) mid-rise south of that, parks Downtown have nothing to do with good urban design in Midtown.

Huh?

Suffocate with potential customers maybe, assuming this theoretical mid-rise is housing.

I'm wondering if Oski means kill the view - but that's like, why you don't build 2 story buildings. If you expect a view to hang around forever in a 2 story building in an urban area, you're kidding yourself.

I'm wondering if Oski means kill the view - but that's like, why you don't build 2 story buildings. If you expect a view to hang around forever in a 2 story building in an urban area, you're kidding yourself.
This is good/current urban planning practice:
https://www.cnu.org/sites/default/files/styles/public_square_feature_image/public/Elkhart-River-District-Town-Square.jpg?itok=0VT-gvM2

This is what many on okctalk are dreaming to see in OKC, I guess:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhDHH8mGGWgdu9ZC0fXtqx4DUDA2Hfa 9eMLTwrh-8ITJ-SUAFHTLek7wY2kZvUNz7I-9o&usqp=CAU

I’d recommend this clip to those who are interested in what make a livable, walkable city:

https://youtu.be/Hy4QjmKzF1c
Just one of many sources you can find on the internet. Lots of people wish to walk around charming cities in Europe or Charleston, SC but want nothing but glass towers in their own hometowns.

Yeah, we understand walkable urban cities pretty well on this forum, Oski, but you still haven’t explained how developing empty plots in OKC’s urban core with development that would make the area more compact (a principle in the video you linked) and vibrant would be “suffocating.” I’m not trolling. I honestly don’t understand what you mean. And your examples of what you want vs what others want seems totally fabricated. Where did anyone suggest they wanted the picture you posted?

This is good/current urban planning practice:
https://www.cnu.org/sites/default/files/styles/public_square_feature_image/public/Elkhart-River-District-Town-Square.jpg?itok=0VT-gvM2

This is what many on okctalk are dreaming to see in OKC, I guess:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRhDHH8mGGWgdu9ZC0fXtqx4DUDA2Hfa 9eMLTwrh-8ITJ-SUAFHTLek7wY2kZvUNz7I-9o&usqp=CAU

I’d recommend this clip to those who are interested in what make a livable, walkable city:

https://youtu.be/Hy4QjmKzF1c
Just one of many sources you can find on the internet. Lots of people wish to walk around charming cities in Europe or Charleston, SC but want nothing but glass towers in their own hometowns.

You would really hate Austin.

^^^ Spent almost ten years living in LA and NYC, no more glass towers for me, I’m a Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Charleston, Savannah fan.

^^^ Spent almost ten years living in LA and NYC, no more glass towers for me, I’m a Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Charleston, Savannah fan.

Totally with ya on Amsterdam. Haven't made it to Denmark yet.

Red Andrews Park is also 5 blocks away. I also think there's a way to incorporate degree of green space but that whole lot doesn't need to be green. Sometimes you need a 4 block by 4 block area that is an awesome area for entertainment, and the kind of entertainment this would bring probably specifically needs to *not* have a public space in it to prevent unscrupulous behavior at night and one weekends.

I still firmly believe they need to develop the lot with a "tight" pedestrian walkway that extends the diagonal nature of Classen Dr > NW 10th down to 9th - you know, one of those old world walk ways where if you put 2 two-top tables outside a cafe against both walls that it would be hard for a family of 4 to walk hand in hand through the area without bumping the tables.

I wish to see Midtown turned into a vibrant district full of top restaurants, retail stores, offices, and probably 2,000 more apartment units. So, an urban park, which also serves as a rest area, or a gathering place that people can sit down on the lawn, or benches, and take a short “break” before hitting the next venues on their shopping lists, or just sip coffee while watching people/live music, is a must. The lot in front of Fassler is right at the center of Midtown’s business/entertainment neighborhood, so it’s natural to designate it as the “rest area”. This will be a hub of inspiration, creativity, innovation, connectedness, collisions, you name it. Since I have so much time to waste, I drew up what I hope the area will look like.

https://i.imgur.com/7NLfWTF.jpg

Some suggestions for this urban park:

https://www.sportspace.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/84_Superkilen_2_01.jpg

https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5c79/b52a/284d/d130/3000/0422/slideshow/f.jpg?1551480092

https://www.cnu.org/sites/default/files/styles/public_square_feature_image/public/sundance-square.jpg?itok=5A60QX5y

Your ideas are awesome, however, in my humble opinion OKC leadership, business community, and the States continued penchant for absurdity etc does not reflect the bold, visionary leadership to elevate OKC beyond average

Yeah, OKC leadership would, for example, never transform the urban core by convincing citizens to tax themselves to build public amenities like great urban parks, concert/sports arenas, baseball fields, streetcars, libraries, a canal, and more. They'd never do something like that, dcsooner. lol

I appreciate the ideas, Oski. A lot of great examples. I travel to Sundance Square in Fort Worth often and it's really well done and not that difficult. Unfortunately, Fort Worth has (against all epidemiological and medical advice) shut down the plaza so people cannot hang out outdoors. Instead, people are pushed into restaurants in the area. Still, it's a well done plaza that is often busy.

I believe a well-designed urban park with transformative landscaping, and innovative/interactive amenities will kickstart the rapid development of empty lots Midtown, park is the heart and soul of a community. Instead of totally relying on the vision of city administrators, I think Midtown residents and business association can create something by themselves, probably a MAPS: Midtown Area Projects Plan. Midtown is rich, they can definitely make changes come faster.

Downtown and midtown were about as packed as I can ever imagine last night—it was crazy. Everywhere we went, even the CBD, had people all over the place going to various events. I know there was a big concert at Jones, PrideFest, Festival of Arts, a concert in Wheeler, and probably more. It was great to see the city so alive.

^

Everywhere is packed today as well.

Great to see.

^

Everywhere is packed today as well.

Great to see.

True. We parked across the street from Neighborhood Jam today to catch the streetcar at the Dewey stop. There was a line out the door. When we got back to the car a couple of hours later there was still a line out the door.

Heard there was a shooting near fasslers

Heard there was a shooting near fasslers


Police told KOCO 5 one victim is in critical condition, and the other two are recovering at a hospital.

https://www.koco.com/article/the-village-vice-mayor-calls-for-change-after-being-at-midtown-bar-when-gunfire-rang-out/36856572

https://www.koco.com/article/the-village-vice-mayor-calls-for-change-after-being-at-midtown-bar-when-gunfire-rang-out/36856572

There are only two "bars" between Walker and Hudson on 10th Street: Fassler Hall and Sunset. The news reporter seems to be going out of his way to keep those bar names out of the report.

Any guess in front of which bar this incident occurred?

My understanding is the gunshots were fired outside but the argument started in Sunset.

My understanding is the gunshots were fired outside but the argument started in Sunset.

Thanks for the info. Both of these places need to be doing a better job.

Must be at the food hall?

308 NW 10th
https://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/fbh/d/oklahoma-city-hiring-management-for-new/7351903032.html
Hiring Management for New Midtown Pizza Kitchen (Midtown OKC)
compensation: 17.50 and up depending on experience plus bonuses
employment type: full-time
Mozz & Mari's in Midtown Oklahoma City, OK is looking for one manager for small locally owned pizza kitchen to join our team.

^

Yes, that's the address for The Collective.

I apologize if this has been discussed elsewhere. I did a few searches and couldn't find anything.

Anyway, the old Rene Apts at NW 13 and N Francis Ave (1312 and 1316 N Francis) have been fenced off for the last month or so and are being actively worked on. I believe the plan is to call them The Flats on Francis. As recently as last summer these were on the City's unsecured structures list so this is a positive development. (It is no exaggeration to say that these buildings were, indeed, unsecured last summer.) The changes were administratively approved through DDRC last month and the building permit looks like they're really just renovating the interior but leaving the exterior of the building intact with some clean-up.

It looks like paid street parking in Midtown and Auto Alley will be converted to paid parking. I’m not entirely against that but not a fan of extending the late hours for paid parking to 10pm. Even in Hollywood commercial parking becomes free after 8.

https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/05/17/parking-meters-may-soon-pop-up-midtown-and-automobile-alley-oklahoma-city/9799424002/