I agree with BDP. In the long run, I don't think Lower Bricktown will mean as much to OKlahoma City in the future. I think the four most critical things that have come out of this phase of the city's development have been the Ford Center, Art Museum, canal, and river.

I know Lower Bricktown isn't as urban as we'd like it to be, but it could be worse. The landscaping and trees are nice in the summer and fall, and you have people going to downtown who probably wouldn't have. Teens without much money can go there and have a night on the town just as adults with real income can. They can afford Sonic and go to a movie. To them, this is an urban experience.

The tenants filled in some gaps. Earl's brought in a much-needed BBQ joint to Bricktown. We needed an ice cream shop as well. Toby Keith's is probably as Oklahoman as what we've been able to define what an Oklahoma food experience is. I don't care for how these look, but they're there.