Capitol Hill vs. Film Row

[bchris02]

These are both districts with great bones and tons of potential. They have among the most intact historical building stock found anywhere in the metro, a key ingredient for the making of a great urban district. However, so far neither has really taken off. Which one do you think has the greatest future potential and why?

[Jeepnokc]

Not sure I agree that Film Row hasn't taken off. It is coming into its own with new businesses, several buildings being remodeled, 21C, the new school, etc. I believe and heard rumor of more to come. Premiere on Film Row draws quite a crowd.

[bchris02]

Not sure I agree that Film Row hasn't taken off. It is coming into its own with new businesses, several buildings being remodeled, 21C, the new school, etc. I believe and heard rumor of more to come. Premiere on Film Row draws quite a crowd.

It's definitely in its early stages and things are starting to unfold. Capitol Hill is a bit behind but with the Wheeler District and the OCCC branch going in there, it will become more prominent in the very near future. What I meant by "hasn't taken off" is that the districts have yet to reach critical mass. I would say Film Row is where Midtown was three years ago. The potential is there, things are starting to happen, but its not quite there yet.

Personally I think Capitol Hill will require less remaking and almost no infill being that so much of the original building stock is still there. It's also a very beautiful district. I can just imagine how great a fully revitalized Capitol Hill will be. Unfortunately it has the disadvantage of currently being so close to high-crime neighborhoods and I am not sure how that will evolve as development unfolds.

Film Row has the advantage of proximity to downtown and the investment there. Also, many elements that make up good placemaking are already in place in Film Row. It will simply require a bit more infill and residential development.

[jccouger]

All Capital Hill needs is a couple million dollars worth of investment & the street car and it will instantly become one of OKCs premiere districts. Especially after Wheeler District starts to unfold.

Capital Hill has something that Film Row probably won't have for decades, or if ever, and that is developed residential. There is seriously no living space anywhere close to Film Row currently.

[boitoirich]

These are two of my favorite places. In the end, Film Row could evolve into a very nice, little destination. But Capitol Hill could become something special. Those 24 blocks between Walker and Robinson, and from SW 29th to Wiley Post Park absolutely needs a master plan.

Those fears of crime and violence are way overblown.

[jccouger]

Another thing to consider is that film row already has so much competition from nearby districts (bricktown, midtown, AA, plaza, uptown. There is absolutely no entertainment district around Capital Hill which means almost the entire southside is an unCAPITOLized market.

[turnpup]

The view of downtown from Capitol Hill is incredible. A major asset to that area.

[Spartan]

Film Row is a downtown district and it has already taken off.

Capitol Hill has the view from the outside looking in - it will require accessibility enhancements (streetcar expansion) in order to go to the next level. I would still like to see Capitol Hill retain a cultural identity, though, which is something akin to the built environment incarnation of Okie-Mex food.

[Prunepicker]

These are both districts with great bones and tons of potential. They have among
the most intact historical building stock found anywhere in the metro, a key
ingredient for the making of a great urban district. However, so far neither has
really taken off. Which one do you think has the greatest future potential and why?

I remember Mom taking us to Capitol Hill to shop at John A. Brown and Penny's.
Dad would drop us off at the Yale, Knob Hill or Redskin theaters on the weekend.

Film Row meant nothing to me, that I knew of. Not that it doesn't have any historical
value. Capitol Hill has more memories although Film Row may have had some
impact on the theaters in Capitol Hill.

I must admit that Film Row currently has better pizza than Capitol Hill will ever
imagine.