Walking tour of C2S area

[JLCinOKC]

I walked the C2S area a couple of weeks ago and took some pictures. Thought I would share them with the group.

I started at a parking lot at the river and Robinson and walked north.

Unknown construction on the Robinson Bridge:


Looking north up Robinson:


Junk billboard on Robinson:


Old building on Robinson (almost a keeper):


Lots of junkyards in the area:






View up Robinson:


Still on Robinson:


Some work over by Shields:


The rail crossing at Robinson:




I wish this underpass could be saved- I have always enjoyed driving under there with the view of downtown on the other side!

More junk:


Skyline view from SW 5th & Robinson:



Some surveying markers around:



Substation:



It was really strange seeing a For Sale sign in front of the Post Office!


Down Walker:






River signage:


You simply do not realize the scale of the proposal from the maps and great presentations from the City until you actually walk around down there. There is SOOO much work to be done with clearing the area and removing the acres and acres of junk! But it is exciting to walk and dream!

[Pete]

Thanks for all that!

It's pretty shocking that that area is even there.... Mainly because very few people ever have reason to go there.

The good news is that it should be relatively easy to acquire most that property because there are no homes and mainly empty lots and junk yards.

As good as C2S could be, it's embarrassing that this area was allowed to get into this state in the first place -- especially since it's within a couple of blocks of the CBD.

[BDP]

I wish this underpass could be saved-

IS it for sure gone? I agree with you it's a cool underpass with a great view.

it's embarrassing that this area was allowed to get into this state in the first place -- especially since it's within a couple of blocks of the CBD.

And it's interesting how many cities developed this problem in the 70s and 80s and how many were turned into assets in the 90s. Cleaning this area up would be a monumental feat and, honestly, really prove us to be a "big league" city.

[betts]

Yeah, I've been driving it lately, showing people around, and it's simply a relief that these plans are taking shape. I'm very hopeful that once the park land is identified and starting to be cleared, that developers will start working on parcels to the west of the park. This cannot happen too soon.

[JLCinOKC]

I assume the underpasses for the rail line will be taken out. Isn't the highway alignment following the path of the tracks? I can't see the bridges being wide enough for a 10 lane highway to pass overhead.

[Pete]

I don't think those overpasses are going to be saved because that's the route of the new I-40, which will be much wider than the train tracks. Plus, I think both Robinson and Walker will go over the interstate, not under it.

I agree they are really cool, though.

[Pete]

Just saw this on the ODOT website:

"Two dangerous underpasses (Robinson and Walker) will be replaced with new bridges passing over the UP line and interstate. This will provide better sight distance to minimize accident potential."

[Pete]

I thought it would be interesting to overlay the Core to Shore plans over what currently exists:

[Pete]

Here's a couple more good aerials of the area:

[soonerfever]

I hear people talking about the new "central park". I am familar with the new park but I have a question. Is the park going to be one of the first projects built? It seems like people on here are talking about it being built fairly soon.

[OKCisOK4me]

Here's a couple more good aerials of the area:

You can really tell in that second pic the vastness of the new I-40 route by noticing the swath that goes from lower center to near center left along the Union Pacific tracks. Those bridges were definitely a piece of history...now only to be history. Take as many pics as you can if you have a chance!

[Pete]

fever, I think Central Park and the new boulevard would be the first two things to be built.

As posted elsewhere, just this week the city announced plans to buy that huge postal facility that comprises a good deal of what would be Central Park.

[jbrown84]

That's too bad about the railway underpasses. I really like those. I wonder what's "dangerous" about them.

[Dustbowl]

Hey, you took a picture of my bedroom. That's an invasion of privacy. Seriously, don't stop and talk to any of the girls over there, you will end up on john.tv. That's the hookerville avenue.