Downtown OKC needs to focus more on civic amenities!

[G.Walker]

With all the hype about the development of retail, condos, parks, and high-rises in the downtown area, city leaders are lacking focus on basic civic development like new fire and police stations, bus stations, schools, and clinics that will attract residents and developers to downtown. These basic civic amenities should be dealt with first before parks etc....

[metro]

You mean like the new police station the built in Bricktown and the new Fire station wrapping up? Project 180, Myriad renovations, the new DT elementary school, entral park, new transit center, streetcar. This is something I'd expect thunder to post.

[MikeOKC]

I think he's talking about how they had to re-tool police headquarters instead of building a new one because of "cost concerns." Do you have any idea how cramped they are? How outdated OKC Police Headquarters really is? It's an embarrassment. And yes, I concede, it does say something about a city's priorities.

[MustangGT]

I think he's talking about how they had to re-tool police headquarters instead of building a new one because of "cost concerns." Do you have any idea how cramped they are? How outdated OKC Police Headquarters really is? It's an embarrassment. And yes, I concede, it does say something about a city's priorities.

Fortunately that thought is rapidly changing. A certain city councilman wishes he could have his vote back on that one. He has realized his vote will actually end up costing the city money and has recanted. But there are no do overs so... Now the march is on to figure out how to get the PD a new station. You cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear. When the building engineers looked into the old PD building the came away scratcing their heads whispering to themselves.

[G.Walker]

I would rather see a state of the art downtown city college constructed downtown rather than a high-rise right now...

[ljbab728]

I would rather see a state of the art downtown city college constructed downtown rather than a high-rise right now...

How would that help more? I don't have a problem with a college but I can't see that as being better at all. There isn't a high school in the downtown core but nearby. It just can't be justified at this time. You have to have students to attend these schools that you want to build. The school district won't build schools based on speculation.

[onthestrip]

I would rather see a state of the art downtown city college constructed downtown rather than a high-rise right now...

Say what? Is this post a joke or something? So you would rather see a downtown college serving a couple thousand students than a private investment of over $700,000,000 that also gave us $180,000,000to basically rebuild every DT street...? Im not sure you realize what you are saying. Plus, college students arent the ones with a lot of disposable income. They wont be buying or renting these expensive condos/apartments that are downtown. And besides, who is going to start this college?

[G.Walker]

Say what? Is this post a joke or something? So you would rather see a downtown college serving a couple thousand students than a private investment of over $700,000,000 that also gave us $180,000,000to basically rebuild every DT street...? Im not sure you realize what you are saying. Plus, college students arent the ones with a lot of disposable income. They wont be buying or renting these expensive condos/apartments that are downtown. And besides, who is going to start this college?

What Devon is doing is great, but we can only eat on that for so long, we need something more to retain downtown residents and traffic, most people who currently work for Devon, don't live downtown. Like Kerry and I stated, dorms/condos/apartments designed for students downtown will draw traffic 24/7....OU, Devon, Chesapeake could joint venture and do it...they have the money and resources, and all would benefit...it could also be private...

[Kerry]

And besides, who is going to start this college?

That is an intesting question and while there was not much info on it, several Captains of Commerce encouraged the inclusion of a downtown university in MAPS III. Who started Harvard, Stanford, Rice? Answer, private individuals who wanted to create a legacy. I'm pretty sure there are people like this in OKC.

[OKCMallen]

That is an intesting question and while there was not much info on it, several Captains of Commerce encouraged the inclusion of a downtown university in MAPS III. Who started Harvard, Stanford, Rice? Answer, private individuals who wanted to create a legacy. I'm pretty sure there are people like this in OKC.

And Duke is the same way.

It's a shame the OCU law school didn't make downtown happen. I wish they'd find a way to make it work.

[MikeOKC]

That is an intesting question and while there was not much info on it, several Captains of Commerce encouraged the inclusion of a downtown university in MAPS III. Who started Harvard, Stanford, Rice? Answer, private individuals who wanted to create a legacy. I'm pretty sure there are people like this in OKC.

Very good point. For the skeptics: It's called 'vision'....

[jbrown84]

Plus, college students arent the ones with a lot of disposable income. They wont be buying or renting these expensive condos/apartments that are downtown.

Yeah and neither will most professors. The main problem with this idea is that you can't just make a college out of nothing. We'd be better off supporting the growth of ACM and the OBU Graduate School. Both have grown exponentially in just a few years and have potential to add a lot to downtown.

[BigD Misey]

I would rather see a state of the art downtown city college constructed downtown rather than a high-rise right now...

G,
About a year ago, when the C2S/ Convention Center discussions were flying high, I wanted to throw the College idea out there too.
I was thinking what institution would 1st of all want to be in the metroplex and what institutions could use a shot in the arm right now.
Imagine if...just for instance...a unique and historical college like Langston were to add an average Musical & performing Arts program as a Graduate curriculum? A newly built performing arts center by Devon, the new performance stage at Myriad Gardens, the civic Cener as well as their own State of the art facilities for performances by students who want voices heard and their names to be announced. The C2S plan included a new performing arts center anyway; it could be a joint venture by the school and the City. They could name it after professor Tolson. Add to that the McCabe program, and you could seriously attract some students. I mean what student says...'I can’t wait to go to this school with old bldgs and in the middle of nowhere?'
In any case, it would certainly give Langston Univ. a shot in the arm. The growth could provide funds for improving the fast deteriorating bldgs at Langston, most of which are older that I am. Building a modern branch, where students not just in the metro area would want to go to, but would be a national player could generate those funds. They have just enough students to move a couple of programs down here and start with 500 or so students. Langston may still have enough of a name to draw enough students to make it happen, and the metro could be part of the equation.
Some schools already have their fingers in the works of downtown. OU for instance with the Boat house. Can they open a small branch for one to two thousand students? The campus could house the rowing team. All of OU’s performing arts programs and are really good. All the locations I mentioned earlier could be useful. Then the Architecture program could not only design the bldgs but be housed in it themselves and would have the knowledge and experience of watching it all transpire.
But, then I snapped out of it realizing most all the suggestions I’ve ever posted have been shredded on this board. Unfortunately I merely browse here occasionally to see if anything new is up and rarely offer an opinion.
But, as far as your idea of a small college, I think it would be a great catalyst because it includes 4 key elements for growth…work, education, property development, proximity (river and boat house and performing centers). Additionally, many students would choose to live in campus housing if any. But it would only be a catalyst, not a large part of the equation and the Universities would no doubt expect the city to follow thru on the commitment...which in the end would probably squash the idea anyway.

[G.Walker]

I know of new civic amenities in bricktown, but south and west of downtown are lacking amenities, one elementary school will not do it, you forget about daycare centers, high schools. A downtown city college would be good to...

[bombermwc]

OCC and Rose are not far from downtown. Redlands is a bit farther out. What does putting one downtown get you? No one that lives downtown would go there...right now all you have are more upscale places and those folks already got their degree. Same goes for the schools....no one there to use them. Just as jibjab says.

In all actuality, I'd say we need to spend more time focussing on NON-downtown projects. All things MAPs focusses on the core and really forgets the rest of the city. How about a Maps for Roads to repave the craptacular streets? Maps for Infrastructure...the unsexy neccessities of everyone's life. Maps for Timing the Streetlights Properly. Maps for Sidewalks (residential roads and main streets). You know, that sort of thing.

[G.Walker]

OCC and Rose are not far from downtown. Redlands is a bit farther out. What does putting one downtown get you? No one that lives downtown would go there...right now all you have are more upscale places and those folks already got their degree. Same goes for the schools....no one there to use them. Just as jibjab says.

In all actuality, I'd say we need to spend more time focussing on NON-downtown projects. All things MAPs focusses on the core and really forgets the rest of the city. How about a Maps for Roads to repave the craptacular streets? Maps for Infrastructure...the unsexy neccessities of everyone's life. Maps for Timing the Streetlights Properly. Maps for Sidewalks (residential roads and main streets). You know, that sort of thing.

For both you and jibjab:

Building a premier college downtown would draw major traffic downtown to support commercial and residential development. For example, students/professors attending the college would be temporary, but would come from all over the world to attend. This would keep condos/apartments full year around, and students living in that are would support local business downtown.

Developers would not have to worry about leasing spaces because there would be constant traffic. Now I am not talking about your regular city college, but more like a tech school, or institute of energy science and research. This would also attract high-tech jobs to that area also, that is the perspective that I am looking at if from.

West of the new 70 acre central park would be a great location, just south of the new boulevard...

[ljbab728]

For both you and jibjab:

Building a premier college downtown would draw major traffic downtown to support commercial and residential development. For example, students/professors attending the college would be temporary, but would come from all over the world to attend. This would keep condos/apartments full year around, and students living in that are would support local business downtown.

Developers would not have to worry about leasing spaces because there would be constant traffic. Now I am not talking about your regular city college, but more like a tech school, or institute of energy science and research. This would also attract high-tech jobs to that area also, that is the perspective that I am looking at if from.

West of the new 70 acre central park would be a great location, just south of the new boulevard...

As I mentioned in my post I'm not opposed to a downtown college but didn't agree with your comment that is would be preferrable to the Devon Tower and associated development. I just don't currently see any demand for this and with all of the colleges and universities in our metro area it doesn't sound like a financially viable proposal at this time. How would this be funded and would it be private or public? What could be provided that students couldn't already get elsewhere to justify a large development? There are just too many questions about this even if it sounds like a nice idea.

[Larry OKC]

...In all actuality, I'd say we need to spend more time focussing on NON-downtown projects. All things MAPs focusses on the core and really forgets the rest of the city. How about a Maps for Roads to repave the craptacular streets? Maps for Infrastructure...the unsexy neccessities of everyone's life. Maps for Timing the Streetlights Properly. Maps for Sidewalks (residential roads and main streets). You know, that sort of thing.

Many of the things you mentioned are theoretically taken care of with the 2007 general obligation bond issue.

From the City's website: http://www.okc.gov/bonds2007/

$835.5 million Bond Issue to improve or replace our City’s infrastructure.

Projects include the repair of hundreds of miles of residential and arterial streets, repairing bridges, improving parks, addressing drainage systems, constructing sidewalks and trails, building new police and fire stations, replacing busses, updating libraries and providing incentives for economic development.

More than half of the bonds are allocated towards street repair. ...

As stated on the site, nearly half a BILLION is being spent just on Streets ($497.5M) more than any single project in MAPS 3. The revenue equivalent of 5 years of MAPS 3 taxes.

http://www.okc.gov/bonds2007/BondInf...ffic%20Signals

Proposition 3
Install traffic improvements for the purpose of interconnecting and synchronizing traffic signals for the following street corridors and areas...

There is $10M in MAPS 3 for Sidewalks (this is in addition to the hundreds of miles in the 07 bond (see below).

More than 70 miles of sidewalks will be strategically constructed along major streets throughout the City and connect public buildings such as schools and libraries.

Also, the Council has reversed policy and is building sidewalks whenever they have a street widening project

Walkers will also benefit from the construction of 350 miles of sidewalks and trails.

along with requiring sidewalks in new developments.

Fire Stations

Proposition 6
As the City grows, so must our public safety infrastructure. This proposition funds the recommendations of a fire station relocation study for three new fire stations in south Oklahoma City and the rebuilding of two 30-year-old stations.

How quickly will those bond issue projects be completed? it is a 10 year bond issue and just like MAPS projects are spread out over a period of years (a fire station funded with the 2000 bond issue was just completed, 10 years later). Have to let your Council person know your concerns so they will stay on top of things.

[flintysooner]

OU Health Sciences Center does not count?

[Kerry]

G.Walker - it is called Oklahoma City Polytechnic. I think it will happen someday.


(btw - did you guys forget about OCU)

[G.Walker]

G.Walker - it is called Oklahoma City Polytechnic. I think it will happen someday.


(btw - did you guys forget about OCU)

I am aware of OCU, but thinking more in the core, something exclusive to downtown/core to shore...I have seen great architecture done for downtown city colleges that add great value to downtown...

[CaseyCornett]

Is the ACM@UCO not considered a "downtown college" to you?

[G.Walker]

Is the ACM@UCO not considered a "downtown college" to you?

Yes, that is a downtown college, but I was thinking something more on a grand scale, not a school where you can commute day to day, but something that would establish long term researchers/professors/students, to live,work,eat, shop downtown...I will post examples of what I am talking about shortly...

[Kerry]

I know exactly what you mean G.Walker. Georgia Tech is an urban university but it has more of a traditional campus. However, Georgia State is located right in the midst of the downtown highries.

Here some of the dorms at Geogia State (2,000 beds)





Here is their Science Center

[G.Walker]

My reasoning is that this would provide constant traffic of people, that will stimulate the economy of downtown OKC, when the NBA season is over, and not relying on Bricktown to draw people...