North Canadian River Development

[TStheThird]

What are your thoughts on the Oklahoma River? How is the progress going down there? I have been out of the country for six months and would like to know how things are shaping up.

What are some of the development ideas that are being tossed around? What would you like to see happen to this area to make OKC a better place?

[Patrick]

The dams are complete and the river is full. Landsaping is ongoing. The new wetlands and trails look great, but it will definitely take time for the trees to grow. I can't wait until they start on the new skate park.
There are talks now of stocking the Oklahoma River with wish. The state is all ready, the city just doesn't want to jump too quick into things yet.
There are already proposals for developments on the river, but the river trust hasn't started accepting any yet. They want the project to be complete first, and want the proper planning to be done. They just don't want to allow any and every developer to develop along the river. They want to be picky and I don't blame them.
They're wanting apartments, but even more than that they're wanting condos that people can buy. That's the missing link in downtown and the surrounding area. Also, several restaurants, marinas, etc. have proposed plans.

The Native American Cultural Center Phase I is now funded and ground should be broken soon.....on the south banks of the river just west of I-35. Also, ground should be broken soon on Oklahoma Rowing Association's "Chesapeake Energy Boathouse." That will be an exciting project as well.

The Oklahoma River isn't quite as nice as the Arkansas in Tulsa, but then again, we didn't have quite as much to work with. The Oklahoma River will be an ongoing project, probably never-ending.

Oh yeah, Watertaxi plans to start running boat rides (using larger boats than those on the canal) on the Oklahoma River sometime in 2005.

It's going to take time, but it's slowly but surely coming together.

[TStheThird]

I also like that they are being picky about the developers that they allow to build on the river. I would like to see them build an ampetheatre near the river. I am a big fan of music and another venue to attract music artist to OKC would be great.

Do you know of what types of condos and apartments are being proposed? Will they be low rise or high rise?

[Patrick]

I agree.....I'd like to see an amphitheater as well. I think for now though, they're focusing that on Bricktown.....have you seen the new amphitheater in front of the Sonic Building (canal-side). It's pretty nice.

In regards to the condos and apartments, they're proposing more low scale structures (2 to 4 floors) more like what's along Riverside Dr. in Tulsa. There's plenty of land along the stretch of the river, so I don't have a problem with that.

The city definitely needs to focus on building more quality parks along the river though. I definitely think MAPS III needs to include money for more parks on the Oklahoma River.

[TStheThird]

I have been out of the country for six months, so I have not seen the new amphitheater in front of the Sonic building. How big is it?

I would like to see us evenutally get one near the river that has 10,000 chairbacks and a grass area that holds close to another 10,000. That would be a great place for concerts.

It will be cool to see condos and apartments stretch down the river. I agree that the city needs to continue to pump money into parks and landscaping. I also like that they are building that boat house.

[mranderson]

All of the North Canadian should be renamed the Oklahoma river, not just seven miles of it. Then get Rand-McNally in gear and have them change the name on their maps.

What should be along the river? C-A-S-I-N-O-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Another Las Vegas like strip! Tourist dollars would flow... Well... Like the Oklahoma River!

[Patrick]

The amphitheater on the canal isn't too large. It's more for smaller events. I'd say it will proably seat 100 at max.
But there's plenty of space around it. I guess it's about the sizeof the water stage at the Myriad Gardens.

I agree that we need to build a much large amphitheater on the Oklahoma River.
That would be nice. I don't think there's a plan for that though.

By the way, the landscaping on the middle segment on the canal south of Reno is lookig nice. Most of the bridges across the canal are all in place, the sidewalks and lamp posts are installed, and the new plaza in front of the theater is complete. Both the building around the theater and the building next to the Sonic Building (will house a Sonic Restaurant and Marble Slab) are looking nice. They're bricking all of them, including the theater. It's looking sharp!

I agree...we need riverboat casinos on the Oklahoma River. That would give it a distnct flavor. But it will never happen in this conservative state.

I'm looking forward to all of the condos and apartments on the river too, but I'm afraid I'll be an old man by the time that's all completed.

[HOT ROD]

All of the North Canadian should be renamed the Oklahoma river, not just seven miles of it. Then get Rand-McNally in gear and have them change the name on their maps.

I totally agree with this statement. What was the point to rename 7 miles of it?

[Luke]

I just wanted to post a link to future development proposals from the Mayor's Roundtable.

http://www.okc.gov/planning/roundtab...iles/frame.htm

Don't know if it's been posted yet, but I just saw this thread and wanted to make sure you saw all the great ideas that are in the works for the Oklahoma River.

[Patrick]

Hey Luke....this actually hasn't been posted yet. I think I've seen it before on the Cityhall website, but it's always cool to look at again! Thanks for posting it for us to see! Boy, don't the pics of the river look great? I noticed that several of the pics of the new proposed school are on there as well. The new high schools are going to look great!

[Patrick]

I don't think the state would've been opposed to renamin the entire river. I think it was more a matter of cost. I mean, think about it...would be rather spend more money on replacing old signs marking the "North Canadian River" or on education? That's the point the legislature was trying to make, and thus the reason for only renaming a 7 mile stretch.