I emailed Randy Hogan and asked him about all of the surface parking on the canal. Unfortunately, the response I got wasn't pleasing. You know, I still don't like the way Moshe Tal went at things, but I think he was partially right. Seems like Hogan is just scrambling and throwing things together.....he's just putting it together as new proposals hit his table. Whatever he sees out there, and whoever comes to him with an idea, he just goes with it. Who cares whether it will fit in or not. He could really care less about creating an urban atmosphere in Lower Bricktown. As someone else said (I believe it was BG), all he cares about is the grand American dollar. If it's a solid proposal, go with it.....it's an automatic cash flow. He is right....structured parking is expensive.....but it seems like the theater should realize they're in the middle of a downtown area, and they need to build their own parking garage. You know, John Q. Hammons must actually have a brain in his head. He understands the concept. That's why with all of the hotels he is developing, if there isn't a parking garage nearby, he's building one. And for his hotel patrons, parking is included in the price. Why can't Harkin's do the same? I think I'll email him and ask. Randy thinks the way the rest of our city thinks.....he just doesn't put a lot of planning into any of this.

You know, he always ends his emails the way he ends this one...."I'm busy, have to run." What in the world is this guy busy doing??? He sure doesn't have a lot of development to vouch for how busy he says he is.

Anyways, here's his email:

"Dear Mr. Horn, We are reserving the west end for the possibility of structured parking …but please note we are committed to free parking for visitors to Lower Bricktown specifically for the theatre therefore structured parking[ at $10,000 per space +/- ] is a little bit of a challenge. For example 500 spaces will cost $5,000,000 which requires either TIF financing or people paying lots of money to park. We are for added density when possible but can’t get into a parking problem which in turn damages our tenants. Retail will hopefully follow the success of the next waive of development which is typically the last piece to fall into place and must be earned by the success of Lower Bricktown and the balance of Bricktown as a whole. We are scrambling to get permits and improvements in place by mid next week therefore must run. Jim Couch asked that I forward to you this update."



Sincerely, Randy "