Drove by again today, and I can say as someone who already has two retail operations downtown that I would welcome a chance to put something into that retail frontage, in light of the impending changes to that neighborhood. Well, I would welcome it if I had the time or resources. While the step-up was a bad idea, I really do see retail happening in those storefronts.

Seems inevitable really with restaurants and and grocery just down the road.

I know men could go to the salon that opened up, but it would be cool if a retro type men's barber shop opened up down there. That and a pharmacy should be the next service type stores that go downtown.

Seems inevitable really with restaurants and and grocery just down the road.

I know men could go to the salon that opened up, but it would be cool if a retro type men's barber shop opened up down there. That and a pharmacy should be the next service type stores that go downtown.

There is a pharmacy downtown in FNC. Pretty small though. Nothing like a CVS or Walgreens if that is what you were thinking.

Also a great old-school downtown barber (Jack Jenkins) in the Underground. His former shop is now also open as a barber shop and salon on the 14th floor of the First National Tower, if you're looking more for a cool old barber shop feel instead of a cool old-school barber. That space is mostly untouched since the early 1930s.

There is a pharmacy downtown in FNC. Pretty small though. Nothing like a CVS or Walgreens if that is what you were thinking.

That's good to hear. I was just talking about an independent pharmacy, nothing big.

Also a great old-school downtown barber (Jack Jenkins) in the Underground. His former shop is now also open as a barber shop and salon on the 14th floor of the First National Tower, if you're looking more for a cool old barber shop feel instead of a cool old-school barber. That space is mostly untouched since the early 1930s.

Awesome!

Here's a photo of the barbershop on the 14th floor of First National, which looks almost exactly the same 80 years later. That said, if you want an old-school BARBER - with hot foam neck shaves and shoeshines, etc. - I recommend Jack in the Underground below BancFirst.

http://media.merchantcircle.com/28048208/barbershop_full.png

Last week it was reported that the Hefner Company was moving out of First National after 60 years, due to neglect of the building.

Today they were issued a building permit to improve 5,555 square feet at Maywood Lofts.

The permit lists the suite as #208 but I believe they are taking most of the 2nd floor of the west end of that complex.

http://www.priceedwards.com/properties/media/com_hotproperty/images/ori/1942_100_1620%20(Small).JPG

Awesome!

John Hefner is a first-class guy. I had many enjoyable conversations with him when I was with the Automobile Alley Main Street program and during my short time at Downtown OKC Inc. He loves downtown. Glad to see him staying downtown and making an impact east of the tracks. That's a good thing for that neighborhood.

Great for that area, but stinks for First National.

I know someone who works for the CLO there and they too are seriously considering bailing on FNC because of all of the backlogged maintenence.

BTW, just for my own curiosity, but I think I'm confusing the Hefner Company for GMX Energy, which is owned by Robert Hefner. These are not the same, correct?

How many employees will occupy this space?

There will be 4 to 7 people there, depending on the day of the week and other factors. We're going to move in as soon as possible, but we think it will probably be March or April. And adaniel, you are correct -- different companies. The Hefner Company, Inc. is owned by John Hefner. (I'm with the company, as you no doubt determined.)

What is the deal with the street lights off in front of The Lofts at Maywood Park and along 2nd Street from EK Gaylord until Walnut. It is ridiculously dark and dangerous at night. I just moved in and frequently feel uncomfortable when I have to take my dog to go to the bathroom or walk home from Thunder games, restaurants, etc when it's dark out. Absurd. I've called the City, OG&E, my HOA and emailed the city council woman all to NO avail. The best answer I can get is from my HOA and they say it's from construction on LEVEL and the ALOFT hotel. If that is the truth then those developers NEED to put in temporary lighting until the construction has advanced beyond a point where the city street lights need to be off.


Anyone know about this? Have an opinion? I am VERY frustrated about it and would like some insight please.

What is the deal with the street lights off in front of The Lofts at Maywood Park and along 2nd Street from EK Gaylord until Walnut. It is ridiculously dark and dangerous at night. I just moved in and frequently feel uncomfortable when I have to take my dog to go to the bathroom or walk home from Thunder games, restaurants, etc when it's dark out. Absurd. I've called the City, OG&E, my HOA and emailed the city council woman all to NO avail. The best answer I can get is from my HOA and they say it's from construction on LEVEL and the ALOFT hotel. If that is the truth then those developers NEED to put in temporary lighting until the construction has advanced beyond a point where the city street lights need to be off.


Anyone know about this? Have an opinion? I am VERY frustrated about it and would like some insight please.

That's pretty routine. You're encountering the same problem with street lights existing but not being turned on, Deep Deuce has faced it before, Film Row faced it before, none of the Oklahoma River bridges are ever turned on, and the list goes on and on..

That's pretty routine. You're encountering the same problem with street lights existing but not being turned on, Deep Deuce has faced it before, Film Row faced it before, none of the Oklahoma River bridges are ever turned on, and the list goes on and on..

Any idea how to remedy it?

I wish I knew, sometimes getting this city to do something is impossible. In Film Row it took a lot of pressure being applied by Lackmeyer:
http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2011/09/06/film-row-still-dark-months-after-streetscape-completed/

I wish I knew, sometimes getting this city to do something is impossible. In Film Row it took a lot of pressure being applied by Lackmeyer:
http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2011/09/06/film-row-still-dark-months-after-streetscape-completed/

Just called OG&E to follow up on my work order and they said they were out there at 10 a.m. fixing it and turning them back on - I guess the light bulbs were burnt out. So we shall see...I'll update you tomorrow.

I moved in over a year ago right as construction on The Level began, and have never seen these street lights on. Myself and most of the residents were calling the city and OGE regularly those first six months or so. The answer has always been the construction. Most of us had given up on it I imagine, but probably a good time to start chasing again now that The Level is wrapping. Good luck!

I moved in 5 months ago and I have assumed the lights were off due to the construction at LEVEL and the Aloft. Unfortunately, since construction seems to be the reason I guess we are looking at no lights until next year the Aloft is finished. It seems like the lights could be turned on between E.K. Gaylord and Oklahoma since there is no major construction on that block, although I would be happy just having the lights on under the railroad overpass. A few outdoor light at the retail spaces at LEVEL when they open would help that end somewhat.

I currently avoid 2nd Street between Oklahoma and Walnut after dark, so I just cut across the parking lot on the old rail yard since it is lit, although I could understand somebody else not wanting to cross it given how isolated it seems behind buildings or walls on every side.

I bet if you got other residents together and held signs outside OG&E's HQs you could shame them into fixing the problem. I'd go with something like, "I pay taxes and OG&E hasn't lit my street in a year" or something like that. Anonymous calls won't make them do anything. Public pressure might though.

I would try to get Urban Neighbors involved.

Having street lights completely off in an urban area with lots of residents is totally unacceptable, especially for any significant length of time.

You should also contact your city councilperson: Meg Salyer 405 297-2402.

I would try to get Urban Neighbors involved.

Having street lights completely off in an urban area with lots of residents is totally unacceptable, especially for any significant length of time.

You should also contact your city councilperson: Meg Salyer 405 297-2402.


i'm sure meg would help .. but i believe that deep deuce is in ward 7 the same as bricktown ... so Skip Kelly is the councilperson

I would try to get Urban Neighbors involved.

Having street lights completely off in an urban area with lots of residents is totally unacceptable, especially for any significant length of time.

You should also contact your city councilperson: Meg Salyer 405 297-2402.

Update: Even though OG&E said that the lights were fixed, they were NOT on last night. Go figure.
Have already called Meg's office - to no avail. I will try again. Any idea who to contact at UN?

Here's a count of the lights that do not work at night on NE 2nd Street Downtown:

6 lights under the bridges (4 under the working railroad bridge and 2 under the abandoned railroad bridge)

10 street lights (with black poles) on the South side of 2nd Street from EK Gaylord to Oklahoma Ave (including the Maywood Park area lights)

3 tall security lights (with wooden poles) also on South side of 2nd Street

at least 2 more street lights (with black poles) on the South side of 2nd Street from Oklahoma to Walnut.


Here's a summary of the information I have:

Contacted the the City of OKC several times - they say it's OG&E's responsibility
Contacted OG&E several times who even said they had fixed the problem yesterday (it isn't fixed) and are now saying they are only responsible for the wooden security lights and not the black pole street lights -- but don't know who is responsible for them
People in my building say the lights have been out for about a year, some have been told due to construction of LEVEL and ALOFT hotels. Others have attempted to remedy the problem but got frustrated as they couldn't get any answers. I do not believe construction would need to have this many street light/security lights off.
Called the development company with ALOFT hotel - they said were not out due to their construction but would look into it and see if they could find out why.
Have a call into the development company of LEVEL
City Councilwoman Meg Salyer's assistant is apparently checking into the problem (that's what I was told last week - and I have followed up but couldn't get anyone on the phone who could give me an answer)
The VP of Gov't Affairs of OG&E and the City Manager have been contacted by a friend who is a state representative

Still no answers - very frustrated.

Lindsey,

I love your tenacity!

We live on third street and have many of the same issues. To add to your list, on Oklahoma between 2nd and 3rd, none of the lights are on and when we called the city, we got the same run around you are getting. In addition, several of the lights between Gaylord and Walnut on third street (ones remaining, not the ones removed during construction) are out. I also noticed a globe missing and lights out on Walnut.

Tagging, vandalism, and theft in the area has gone up substantially since the Level construction began and the lights went off.

Maybe we should put prominent signs on those poles, in hope of embarrassing the city to pay attention.

I would go to a city council meeting, sign up to be heard and make sure the entire council understands this problem.

Absolutely ridiculous.

I would go to a city council meeting, sign up to be heard and make sure the entire council understands this problem.

Absolutely ridiculous.

I will gladly go to a city council meeting and even encourage others to join me. How do I find out when the next city council meeting is?

Thanks Pete.

Soho - would you be interested in attending a city council meeting with me?

I will give my contacts a week or so to get things done and then I'm going an entire different route...

Here you go lindsey:


The City Council meets every Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in City Hall unless prior notice of a change is posted. Free parking is available at the Sheridan-Walker Parking Garage (501 West Sheridan). Parking tickets must be validated in the Mayor's/City Manager's reception area.

Addressing the Council

Citizens may address the Council during public hearings on any agenda item, such as dilapidated housing, planning, and zoning decisions, but all comments must be relevant to the item. Citizens may also address the Council on individual concerns at the end of the agenda when the Mayor announces "Citizens to be Heard." Citizens to be Heard is not provided as a forum for publicly announced or declared candidates for City public office, and they will not be allowed to speak as Citizens to be Heard. Citizens will not be allowed to campaign on any political issue during the Council meeting. Please fill out a "Request to be Heard" form located outside the Chambers. Please return this form to the Council Office at the north end of the hall. PLEASE LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO 3 MINUTES.

Citizens who wish to be listed on the agenda for comments to Council may call the City Clerk's Office at 297-2397 before 4 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the next Council meeting. Persons so listed on the agenda for comments to Council are subject to the same restrictions listed above.

Just called OG&E to follow up on my work order and they said they were out there at 10 a.m. fixing it and turning them back on - I guess the light bulbs were burnt out. So we shall see...I'll update you tomorrow.

I've gotten the "bulb burned out" line before from OG&E. Squeaky wheel gets the grease. Keep squeaking.

After Monday's shooting incident, this is a potential nightmare waiting to happen -- and a PR nightmare for the city. You should place a call to the mayor's office as well and shoot an email to Steve Lackmeyer, the Oklahoman reporter.

Also, send en email to Pete Delaney, the CEO of OG&E. Tell him that residents in downtown are being endangered due to the lack of lighting provided by OG&E.

I just called the City Clerk's Office - and they transferred me to an assistant city manager (Dennis). The City Clerk didn't think the city would be much help - sigh - but did say it was okay to come speak at the city council meeting, which I fully intend to do next Tuesday.

Left a message for the asst. city manager - will update if I hear back from him.

And don't worry Soho - I mentioned the additional lights you informed me about :)

UPDATE: Rep. Joe Dorman was able to have someone contact me from OG&E who said that the City of OKC requested that OG&E remove the underground wiring for the lights pending the completion of the construction in the neighborhood as a "preventative" measure to keep the wire from getting damaged.

I am outraged! How about the preventative measure of keeping crime down and allowing residents to see at night? Ridiculous. No way I will stand to allow the street lights to stay off until the end of construction on ALOFT hotel - which isn't scheduled to be finished until this time NEXT year...

Nice work, Lindsey! I will plan to attend the meeting next Tuesday as well.

This is all craziness.

Go get 'em lindsey!

I think people at the City are getting upset by the fact that I won't go away. I don't care. I want answers and I want them now - not next month, not next week, not tomorrow. Called the Mayor's office...same lady who took my other message for the asst. city manager answered and said to be patient. Emailed Steve. At this point, I believe the City is responsible. If I feel differently I'll email the President of OG&E - thanks for the suggestions soongerguru

Joe Dorman is our coolest legislator -- not that that's much of a competition. Although, I like Al McAffrey a lot too.

Lindsey,

The city will now go into cover-up mode. They need to be reminded about Monday's shooting and ensure the safety of resident and nonresident pedestrians in downtown OKC. God forbid we get a wire damaged!

I intend to go to the City Council meeting cool, calm, and informed. I will not forget to mention the safety issues, which is what concerned me in the first place. Even before the shooting on Monday - and obviously now. Hopefully, we will see some movement on it. I'm not concerned with changing the past or pointing fingers - only in getting it resolved quickly.

You should tell them that safe urban environments are actually quite simple to have, but involve making decisions like placing people and the street environment above using a wire that could get damaged.

I think it is outrageous the city sits idly by while a significant number of street lights are out in the core area. Very inconsistent by OKC...

Here is the most recent response which I got both from Rep. Joe Dorman and Meg's assistant, Boyd:

In response to nearly identical complaint sent to me from Boyd Fulton (see below) on Monday, I had Larry contact the engineer at OG+E who is working this area regarding the matter. On Wednesday, Larry Powers reported to me that he was informed by OG+E’s Larry McNutt that the adjacent lighting system on NE 2 Street is tied into OG+E’s system on NE 2 Street at the LEVEL Apartments which is why the existing lights are off. Larry McNutt said that OG+E should have those lights back on in about two weeks. (Just for a bit of background information, these lights are out because of the work that Richard McKown, the developer of the LEVEL Apartments, is doing on the streets that border his development, which are N Oklahoma Avenue, N Walnut Avenue, NE 2 Street and NE 3 Street. Months ago, per his request, we sent a letter to OG+E authorizing the removal of some of the decorative lighting on these streets in order to accommodate construction on his project. Other lighting in the area want out as a result owing to how OG+E’s circuits were built.)

I've set a calendar event to remind myself that they should be on around June 8. I don't know, for the life of me, why it needs to take two weeks to turn these lights back on. My concern is that the two weeks will come and go with no progress. I'm thinking about still attending the City Council meeting Tuesday - just to be heard and get on the record about the problem? What do you guys think?

Let me know...

Go to the meeting and directly address the councilors. You should get them on the record as well. This will also hold Meg Salyer's feet to the fire.

Also, it's not acceptable to merely cut street lights for a prolonged period just due to construction in the area.

Who on earth decided it was just okay to completely cut off power to city street lights for the entire duration of construction on a separate piece of property?


This policy and practice needs to be addressed from the larger perspective, not just this particular incident.

There is going to be more and more construction all around downtown and they need to make arrangement to ensure street lights stay on.

This policy and practice needs to be addressed from the larger perspective, not just this particular incident.

There is going to be more and more construction all around downtown and they need to make arrangement to ensure street lights stay on.

This. Just going off of development announcements that exist already, not on speculation or prime lots or whatnot, we know that Bradshaw's Maywood Apartments is being dragged out for a Phase 2 which will put major construction activity in this neighborhood clear up until almost 2015. Granted, that will pretty much finish out the immediate Maywood Park vicinity, but it still seems like a lifetime to go without street lighting. The city put these lights in to work, and street infrastructure doesn't last forever.

Be very glad we aren't Detroit.

http://www.inquisitr.com/242581/half-of-detroit-street-lights-to-go-dark/

"At least we're not Detroit!" is one of my favorite all-time taglines..

oZzgAjjuqZM

LOL, that's hilarious, Spartan. I will say that Detriot has a very nice airport though if that's any consolation.

Lindsey,

Sorry for the slow reply, I have been out of town. I will do what I can to support your efforts and am glad to have another "sqeaky wheel" in the neighborhood.

Got back late last night and noticed some of the lights on 3rd are back on.... good work.

Not much to report yet as far as lighting goes. However, the most recent story is that LEVEL needed to finish their street parking grading (not really sure what this is) and that should be done in the next couple of days with OG&E to be out there within 10 days...we shall see. Turns out Skip Kelly is the correct councilman, however, Meg's office has been very helpful so far...as long as something eventually gets done.

Not much to report yet as far as lighting goes. However, the most recent story is that LEVEL needed to finish their street parking grading (not really sure what this is) and that should be done in the next couple of days with OG&E to be out there within 10 days...we shall see. Turns out Skip Kelly is the correct councilman, however, Meg's office has been very helpful so far...as long as something eventually gets done.

Street grates?

Thanks for staying on that Lindsey. And, if you're out with your dog and see someone out with a corgi or two, that's likely me or my husband. I think once LEVEL is done things will be better around there, with the exception of street parking. That is, if the residents at LEVEL don't litter.

I've always wondered how responsive Skip Kelley is to his constituents in Deep Deuce, since that's kind of an odd little attachment to his ward.

There was an OG&E truck on 2nd Street this afternoon - crossing my fingers some of the lights are back on tonight - I'll let you know....

Also, it's not acceptable to merely cut street lights for a prolonged period just due to construction in the area.

Who on earth decided it was just okay to completely cut off power to city street lights for the entire duration of construction on a separate piece of property?


This policy and practice needs to be addressed from the larger perspective, not just this particular incident.

There is going to be more and more construction all around downtown and they need to make arrangement to ensure street lights stay on.
Agree with this wholeheartedly. Even when they are restored sometimes they don't get everything back to 100%. There were very public discussions on this board and elsewhere regarding Film Row and how long that district was without street lights (with some obvious extenuating circumstances). While the new streetscape-driven lights are indeed back on, there is still a two-block stretch between the end of the new streetscape and Classen (running past Sonic and Taco Bell) where the old, pre-existing lights have STILL not been restored. There is no good reason for this, as the construction is complete and new lights are lit, but it appears someone just forgot to throw the switch back on for that older stretch of Sheridan. Who's responsibility is that? And who holds them accountable? That whole process needs to be better-defined, I think.

No lights on 2nd Street still. The two-week mark in this upcoming Friday - when I fully intend to start giving city hall hell again. I will say it does look like some progress is being made (and "some" is a generous way to put it)...some of the glass tops were not on correctly and they were on correctly yesterday. There seems to be some new lighting installed around LEVEL on Oklahoma Street. Richard, the developer at LEVEL, has told me they have done everything in their power to get them turned back on and are continuing to run conduit for OG&E to help speed up the process. Like I said, Friday - all bets are off...all my contacts will know I waited the two weeks...(again).

Stay on it, lindsey!

I respect your dedication but appalled it takes this sort of effort to receive a very basic public service.

I was able to squeeze this issue into my public comment at City Council today, surprisingly, just before Mick cut me off. I was so appalled at his smarminess to suggest that I give up another grueling 3 hours just to get another 2 minutes of his time that I may just take him up on the offer if I haven't gotten over how irate the city makes me by then.

I hate those embarrassing ax grinders like that Taco Bell employee who ran for mayor who waste the public's time, but I am truly offended and appalled after the disrespect that they show to people with legitimate concerns.

What were the gist of your comments Nicks?