Quote Originally Posted by Steve View Post
But when the discussion gets to be all about height ... that's what I'm questioning and challenging. Design, design, design, design ...
I completely agree. I would trade 5 of this project's 16 floors for the design quality and execution of Devon Energy Center. Height is important. From a distance, tall buildings impress people. They look good on TV during basketball games. But it's vastly more important for a building to have substance than flare. Tall isn't enough to add significant value to the community and the surrounding properties. Tall isn't enough to make people like living, working, eating, or playing in the area.

The focus should be on good design. Rainy Williams shouldn't be pressured to spend more money on more floors. He should be pressured to ensure that whatever he builds is beautiful, functional, and enjoyed by those who use it, not just those who look at it in a sunset skyline photograph. There's no reason a 15-story tower on this property can't be an incredible, "world class" addition to downtown.