NW Expressway

[ddavidson8]

How is the NW Expressway corridor holding up? Specifically west of the Lake Hefner Parkway? When I lived there about 10 years ago it seemed like more and more buisnesses were closing. Now that I'm in Houston I'm curious if it's made any sort of resurgence.

[Steve]

I'd say it's still shaky

[jbrown84]

I'd agree. Although a lot has been added in the last 10 years as well. It's patchy. A lot has gone in at Council and the Silver Springs Crossing land has been mostly filled in.

There is also a new hotel going in where the old Guaranteed Credit Auto was across from the shopping center that housed Service Merchandise. The shopping center is pretty much empty, however.

[BB37]

I'd agree. Although a lot has been added in the last 10 years as well. It's patchy. A lot has gone in at Council and the Silver Springs Crossing land has been mostly filled in.

There is also a new hotel going in where the old Guaranteed Credit Auto was across from the shopping center that housed Service Merchandise. The shopping center is pretty much empty, however.

Yep. Market Place has had big trouble since Service Merchandise went out of business; just a few retailers have held on. Hideaway Pizza's new restauraunt in the former Chili's always seems full, but it's doubtful whether that will help out the strip.

Another perennial loser is Peppertree Square, between Wilshire and Rockwell. There are storefronts in that strip that have never been leased in the 20+ years of its existence!

Re Silver Springs Crossing, that development got caught in the 80's oil bust, and sat untouched until the late 90's. It wasn't until Wal Mart went in at Council that SSC finally took off.

[jbrown84]

Another perennial loser is Peppertree Square, between Wilshire and Rockwell. There are storefronts in that strip that have never been leased in the 20+ years of its existence!

Re Silver Springs Crossing, that development got caught in the 80's oil bust, and sat untouched until the late 90's. It wasn't until Wal Mart went in at Council that SSC finally took off.

Yeah I remember how it had these grand entrances to nothing w/ fountains and such.

Where is Peppertree Square?

[MikeOKC]

I know most of the discussion is about west of May, but one block east of May at NWX was the old 4-5 story Executive Terrace building (immediately east of the Holiday Inn Express). I just drove by today ansd noticed - it's gone! It has been razed! Anybody know what they're going to do? I know it was (is?) owned by Jim Thompson and his son (they also own the Holiday Inn next door).

Anybody know the story on this piece of NW OKC history being razed? Somebody once told me that place (ugly as it was) at one time was quite the address. The offices had balconies, etc. One of the now huge energy companies, I don't remember which one, had their very first office in that building.

[bluedogok]

Yeah I remember how it had these grand entrances to nothing w/ fountains and such.

Where is Peppertree Square?

Where Harrigan's and Black-Eyed Pea used to be. There is a Hibdon's-Tires Plus in the parking lot as well IIRC.

[BB37]

Where is Peppertree Square?

Where Harrigan's and Black-Eyed Pea used to be. There is a Hibdon's-Tires Plus in the parking lot as well IIRC.

The old Black Eyed Pea building is now an AutoZone. Peppertree Square is on the south side of the highway, about the 6500 block of NW Highway.

[progressiveboy]

Last time I was in OKC about a year ago driving down NW Expressway it appeared that the old Olive Garden was either being demolished or reconfigured. What is in it's spot now?

[mtpinto]

I think they need to bring Yuka Tan Liquor Tan back to the NW expressway, it would be a great replacement for Incredible Pizza.

[oneforone]

I think they need to bring Yuka Tan Liquor Tan back to the NW expressway, it would be a great replacement for Incredible Pizza.

Wasn't that the place were they had several shootings and I think a murder maybe two.

[ddavidson8]

It's a weird set up. From Hefner to the east it's relatively "upper crust" but it drops off again until about MacArthur where it becomes slightly upper middle class.

[edcrunk]

this is totally not what you asked about but they are tearing down the old executive terrace building at may and nwx. they are putting in a decent hotel there. there was also a new bank put in on may as well, just north of there. combined with the refurbished 360 at founders plaza... that area excites me.

[Doug Loudenback]

this is totally not what you asked about but they are tearing down the old executive terrace building at may and nwx. they are putting in a decent hotel there. there was also a new bank put in on may as well, just north of there. combined with the refurbished 360 at founders plaza... that area excites me.

I hadn't heard that. Good.

What hotel? When?

[amylynn5656]

What hotel? When?

Its supposed to be a Marriott Residence Inn - not sure when.

[ddavidson8]

I've always liked that area of May and NW Expressway.

[OUGrad05]

How is the NW Expressway corridor holding up? Specifically west of the Lake Hefner Parkway? When I lived there about 10 years ago it seemed like more and more buisnesses were closing. Now that I'm in Houston I'm curious if it's made any sort of resurgence.

I moved out to Wilshire and Council in 1989. I was 8 at the time and I remember numerous stores going out of business. Things slowly improved after 1993 or 1994 and it has been built up a fair amount since 1998 but for some reason things are still a bit questionable as you get out towards Council....but compared with 10 years ago things are better. Compared with 20 years ago things are drastically better.

[jbrown84]

What exactly was bad about it 20 years ago?

As a kid, I lived for a while at Hefner & Council in Old Windmill Estates, and went to Will Rogers Elem.

Those homes were the starter homes like you now see popping up all over the Quail Springs area and West Edmond. They were built cheap and most of the neighborhood looks very shabby. I'd say some of those neighborhoods are almost blighted.

[CCOKC]

Just North of that area is Cobblestone which are very nice houses. I also know someone who lives in Old Windmill and while it is not a huge house it is in no way blighted. My mom lives in Rock Knoll at NWE and Rockwell and it is pretty hit and miss for sure.

[Video Expert]

How is the NW Expressway corridor holding up? Specifically west of the Lake Hefner Parkway? When I lived there about 10 years ago it seemed like more and more buisnesses were closing. Now that I'm in Houston I'm curious if it's made any sort of resurgence.

I'm a little puzzled with some of the responses to your post. Since 1998 (when I last lived in that area), the NW Expressway Corridor West of the Hefner Parkway has had fairly significant growth.

The big box retailers like Home Depot, Wal Mart, Office Depot, and Sam's in the Silver Springs Crossing area have assisted in the the development of pad sites and adjoining retail. Rockwell Plaza has been completely remodeled and is anchored by a large Target...a far improvement from the days when the dingy "Venture" was the centerpiece of the shopping center.

A Six-Story La Quinta Hotel was built a few years ago just west of Meridian, and another hotel is on the way just before MacArthur in Warr Acres. Several major new car dealerships have now relocated to brand new facilities out by County Line Road.

New housing is going up fairly rapidly west of County Line from Wilshire northward. Even further west, The Kilpatrick Turnpike has seen increases of traffic that will most likely spur a 2nd area of development along this interchange in the near future.

Yes, there are still some trouble spots along the area, (like the shopping center at NW Expressway and Council), but overall the area has grown pretty well since you last lived here.

[edcrunk]

i remember when everything just stopped at council. like that book "where the sidewalk ends"

[bluedogok]

i remember when everything just stopped at council. like that book "where the sidewalk ends"

I remember when the Medco Catalog Showroom (a Service Merchandise competitor) in Springbrook Plaza just west of Wilshire was the edge of commercial development, that was right around the time that Lansbrook was first starting to be developed...but there was pretty much nothing west of that until the McCartney's Grocery store went in at Rockwell.

[BB37]

I remember when the Medco Catalog Showroom (a Service Merchandise competitor) in Springbrook Plaza just west of Wilshire was the edge of commercial development, that was right around the time that Lansbrook was first starting to be developed...but there was pretty much nothing west of that until the McCartney's Grocery store went in at Rockwell.

Yep. My folks bought a home in Surrey Hills in 1974, and you're right -- Springbrook Plaza was the 'edge of town' back then. NW Highway west of County Line was a 3-lane concrete pothole collection. At that time Surrey Hills was way, WAY out in the country. However, we're seeing commercial development starting west of the turnpike on NW Highway, with more residental development south of the highway. Another 10 years or so, I expect Surrey will be enveloped by 'the city.'

[oneforone]

I noticed that 7-11 finally built a new story in Surrey Hills. I wonder if the new store will be 24 hours. I know the old store was only open 6am to 11pm.

[yukong]

I noticed that 7-11 finally built a new story in Surrey Hills. I wonder if the new store will be 24 hours. I know the old store was only open 6am to 11pm.

Yes, it will be a 24 hour store. It will also have pay at the pump gas pumps. It will be real nice. They are also remodeling the old strip center where 7-11 is now and it will look a lot better. The businesses along NW Hwy by Surrey Hills Blvd are growing. There will be a new BBQ restaurant in one of them. The lady that is opening the restaurant is very good with BBQ. I've heard a liquor store is going in next to the new 7-11. Not sure about that, but that is what I'm told.