I worked on a project at OU a few years back where we created a master plan for mixed-use development along University Blvd. in Campus Corner. There is currently not much along this stretch which happens to have two beautiful landmarks at each end: McFarlin Methodist Church to the north and Evans Hall to the south. However that will be changing as In The Raw sushi will open soon in the old Harold's Outlet. I can only hope it spurs additional development.

The plan I created was fairly basic and outlined how the space could be redeveloped into an urban, pedestrian-friendly "gateway" to OU. The first phase of development would be a new 4-5 story Sooner Hotel to be built at the corner of University and White (where there is currently Box Talent and two houses). The hotel would come right up to the buildings currently on White with a restaurant at the corner and a main entrance on University. Parking would be under the building, accessible from the northside.

The second phase would be a mixed-use building on the westside of the street north of Boyd House. White would be extended to access a new parking garage with first floor retail and second floor offices fronting University. New angled or parallel parking spaces would be out front. Restaurants, stores, and a bookstore like Borders or Barnes & Noble would go here.

The third phase would be a 3-4 story residential building at the northwest corner of University and White with street level retail/restaurant space. This would be geared towards students. Additional 2-3 story residential buildings could be built further to the north along University replacing the aging apts. and houses there now. Another student had a neat proposal to also extend Park St. (to the west of University) down to Boyd and build new single-family homes there while keeping University more dense and then connecting Park to the rest of Campus Corner via White (which would run from Park to Asp).

Image of the proposed buildings looking north from just south of White (by First Pres. Church). I'll see if I can find more pics/plans later


It's modeled after Ohio State's mixed-use South Campus Gateway: