Quote Originally Posted by betts View Post
I can only speak for what I think are construction costs at the Maywood Brownstones, because I saw mine built from the studs. I suspect build-block construction is very expensive, with all that concrete and rebar. Then, there are slate roofs, solid brick and cast stone veneer, copper guttering, wood floors throughout, granite countertops even in the laundry room. The HVAC person who worked on a problem with my geothermal system told me the builders had installed the cadillac of systems, and the sound system certainly is as well. I actually think the prices there were quite "realistic" when I bought over 2 years ago. If the prices at the Hill are still comparable to the Brownstones, then I think they're overpriced, because they're stick-built and I don't think the interior finishes are that nice. The Maywood Lofts have underground parking, which I suspect was expensive to build, but again, I have no idea what costs for those types of developments would be. I've only been in one of the Block 42 townhouses, but it was very nice. Again, sometimes you get what you pay for, and I don't know if we've got any data suggesting developers downtown are inflating prices way above their costs. Several builders here have commented that it's more expensive to build in these locations. If you all hold out until the current developers have to sell at fire sale prices, it's going to do the opposite of encouraging new development, as all builders will stay the heck away from the area. Or, we'll get shoddy construction at prices people are willing to pay, and in 5 to 10 years it will all look like crap and where will your investment be? Again, it would take someone other than me to tell you for certain prices aren't inflated way above costs on all these developments, because I just don't know.
Excellent post with accurate information and astute conclusions.

In my opinion there are far too many in Oklahoma City, including some who post on this forum, who award first place to cheap prices in nearly everything including housing. When something is built to exceptional quality standards the complaints about price are the first and loudest.

This attitude of "cheap, cheap, cheap" above all else is one of my most significant, and thankfully few, complaints about my home state and city. It is just pervasive in everything across the spectrum including politics, education, work, shopping, travel, and entertainment. If someone buys a new car the first thing bragged about is what a deal he or she got. If someone buys a home it is a good deal if it was cheap. Even in groceries I hear people everyday comparing prices at stores on things that to me are just silly like the price of distilled water at Walmart compared to Homeland.

I would be much happier if we would strive for the best we can build instead of always looking for the cheapest. I'd like to see us building stuff now that will last a while and be of usable service to many future generations. Most of the stuff we are doing now will be lucky to make it 50 years and it will be junk even then.

I really don't know why it is this way here. I've speculated on it a great deal. Perhaps it is because we are such a young place or maybe it is the fact that our state was settled by those who were willing to live on the edge. Probably there are other reasons I've not even considered.

But there is not going to be quality development in general until there is some major shift in attitude to make quality the greater ethic.

Perhaps in my family it was different than in many but when I was a child we had few things but they were very good things. There was pride not in the quantity of things but in the quality. And it was apparent to me even then that the thing of greater quality was always at a greater cost. That didn't apply just to price but to time and effort as well.

Whoops. I realize I've fallen into rant mode. Excuse me while I exit.