As you may have read in the Oklahoman or in downtownguy's blog, developer of the Legacy Summit at Arts Central, right next to Syacmore Square (home of our very own, Midtowner), will begin next month. There will be 300 units, and guess what? Parking will be in a 5 story garage. This is purely urban! Now why couldn't Randy Hogan do this for his Bricktown development?????? I also like the fact that the parking garage will be built BEHIND the residences. This means the residences will be buitl close to the street. Hmmmm....doesn't that fulfill downtownguy's requirement for being urban? Yup!

Anyways, I'll be looking forward to keeping up with this development. It's great to see all of these residences built downtown. One can only hope that these residences will attract more retail downtown. I've always been told, retail follows rooftops! I believe that!

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"Downtown apartment plans win approval


By Steve Lackmeyer
Staff Writer

Oklahoma City Urban Renewal commissioners approved final construction plans for a $26 million downtown apartment complex, clearing the developer to start building within the next month.
Planning for Legacy Summit at Arts Central has been under way for two years, with the site at Robert S. Kerr and Walker avenues cleared for housing by Urban Renewal more than 25 years ago.

JoeVan Bullard, the agency's executive director, said developer Mike Henderson is close to obtaining a building permit from the city.

"Technically, he could be moving dirt today," Bullard said.

Commissioners also were told financing for the project is complete.

Plans include construction of a 300-unit complex facing Robert S. Kerr, Walker and NW 4, with a five-level garage to be built behind the residences.

The deal also calls for the city to reopen Dewey Avenue between the development and Sycamore Square -- a condo and apartment complex built in the early 1980s.

The first floor of the new residences will include space for small retailers with parking spaces to be added along Walker Avenue.

The project, once complete, will join a half dozen new downtown residential projects that include lofts along Automobile Alley, apartments in Deep Deuce and the upscale Montgomery.

"We'll be closing in on our goal of 1,000 new units downtown," Commissioner Fred Hall said. "This is great."