Wheeler District

[AP]

Blighted? It was only abandoned and left sitting there ~*because*~ they did nothing with it when they bought it. They closed the airpark in mid-2005 and it was sold in early 2006....

[Bellaboo]

Blighted? It was only abandoned and left sitting there ~*because*~ they did nothing with it when they bought it. They closed the airpark in mid-2005 and it was sold in early 2006....

Should have clarified, the general area being blighted, not necessarily just the air park.

[AP]

Gotcha.

[UnFrSaKn]

https://twitter.com/bdhumphreys/stat...56969415340032

[Plutonic Panda]

Renderings are on Wheeler District Housing Twitter account. Only one rendering though. Are there any more?

[John Knight]

All floor plans and prices are now up on their website.

https://www.wheelerdistrict.com/home/

[hoya]

I'm not loving any of these designs.

[catcherinthewry]

So I could sell my 3300 sq ft house in one of SW OKC's most prestigious neighborhoods at market value buy one that is 1/2 the size in the Wheeler District?
I'm sure I'm not the demo they're looking for but I have a hard time seeing this be successful at those prices. Also, weren't there supposed to be some affordable options?

[BG918]

All floor plans and prices are now up on their website.

https://www.wheelerdistrict.com/home/

Where are these homes located within the Wheeler District? I would like to drive by to see what context they will be in. Is there a site plan or map?

[DoctorTaco]

So I could sell my 3300 sq ft house in one of SW OKC's most prestigious neighborhoods at market value buy one that is 1/2 the size in the Wheeler District?
I'm sure I'm not the demo they're looking for but I have a hard time seeing this be successful at those prices. Also, weren't there supposed to be some affordable options?

I know the long-time Oklahomans still can't grasp this, but under $200K is an affordable option, especially in this neighborhood.

[AP]

nm

[riflesforwatie]

I know the long-time Oklahomans still can't grasp this, but under $200K is an affordable option, especially in this neighborhood.

I was struck by the 'especially in this neighborhood' part of your statement. It seems to me the question is the following:

Could you buy a house at, say, SW 12 and Douglas, on the west edge of the Wheeler District, gut it, and rebuild to the standards of the eventual Wheeler homes, all for under $200K?

I don't know the answer, but my guess is 'maybe'.

[Pete]

I was struck by the 'especially in this neighborhood' part of your statement. It seems to me the question is the following:

Could you buy a house at, say, SW 12 and Douglas, on the west edge of the Wheeler District, gut it, and rebuild to the standards of the eventual Wheeler homes, all for under $200K?

I don't know the answer, but my guess is 'maybe'.

A big part of what you'll get at Wheeler are the amenities, which also have to be factored into the cost equation.

[Jersey Boss]

While not looking to move or purchase in the foreseeable future , I am surprised that metal roofs are on these homes.

[Timshel]

A big part of what you'll get at Wheeler are the amenities, which also have to be factored into the cost equation.

Have they announced any firm plans regarding the amenities, retail, etc. that will be going in? Have to imagine having more than conceptual plans for this part of the development will be critical in getting "early adopters" to buy houses, as would conformation that at least a portion of the amenities will be complete alongside the initial housing stock as opposed to a year or more after the initial residents move in.

[Pete]

^

They plan to have a restaurant / cafe in the old terminal building early on, plus bike and pedestrian paths and parks, then much more mixed use as the project develops.

[riflesforwatie]

A big part of what you'll get at Wheeler are the amenities, which also have to be factored into the cost equation.

I agree. I guess my other question is what's to stop someone from walking across the street, so to speak, to access (some of) the amenities? I mean the mixed-use and trail aspects of the development are going to be public, I assume?

[AP]

Please don't use logic on 'em.

[Pete]

I agree. I guess my other question is what's to stop someone from walking across the street, so to speak, to access (some of) the amenities? I mean the mixed-use and trail aspects of the development are going to be public, I assume?

Yes, but you could say that about any development.

All this will definitely benefit those living adjacent but there is a pretty big difference in living in the development rather than near it, especially since that neighboring area is pretty rough.

The big issue with that type of neighborhood is that they change very slowly (due to hundreds of separate owners) if at all. There are plenty of people who want to live in a new, clean, controlled environment. For those who don't care about those things, then that neighborhood to the west would be a good option and I'm sure you'll start to see some redevelopment over there.

[DoctorTaco]

^

They plan to have a restaurant / cafe in the old terminal building early on, plus bike and pedestrian paths and parks, then much more mixed use as the project develops.

Also they've been pretty vocal about their desire to build a bilingual school (most likely a charter, I think) in the new development.

[shawnw]

If you didn't know and wanted to talk to someone in person, Wheeler has a booth up at the pop up shops in midtown with hard copies of all the plans and someone there to talk to you about the vision.

[riflesforwatie]

All this will definitely benefit those living adjacent but there is a pretty big difference in living in the development rather than near it, especially since that neighboring area is pretty rough.

The big issue with that type of neighborhood is that they change very slowly (due to hundreds of separate owners) if at all. There are plenty of people who want to live in a new, clean, controlled environment. For those who don't care about those things, then that neighborhood to the west would be a good option and I'm sure you'll start to see some redevelopment over there.

Definitely, and I think that's something great about Wheeler -- I genuinely hope (and believe) it will kick-start redevelopment just to the west of the old Airpark, as well as further south and east in and around Capitol Hill. And I think you probably could sacrifice amenities, quality of streets/trails, etc., and live near Wheeler for less or much less money, while still benefiting from the slower adjacent redevelopment.

[Pete]

Definitely, and I think that's something great about Wheeler -- I genuinely hope (and believe) it will kick-start redevelopment just to the west of the old Airpark, as well as further south and east in and around Capitol Hill. And I think you probably could sacrifice amenities, quality of streets/trails, etc., and live near Wheeler for less or much less money, while still benefiting from the slower adjacent redevelopment.

You could but I've scouted that neighborhood and to call it rough is being kind. Some of the streets are barely paved with no curbs, very small houses without garages, small lots.

Keep in mind there is Rotary Park immediately to the west as well, so it's not like there aren't already amenities. There are some newish homes on both 17th and 18th but the lots are very narrow, which is why there are no garages for the existing homes.

Also, at least for now, there is a fence all along the shared boundary with Wheeler.

[Timshel]

They plan to have a restaurant / cafe in the old terminal building early on, plus bike and pedestrian paths and parks, then much more mixed use as the project develops.

Also they've been pretty vocal about their desire to build a bilingual school (most likely a charter, I think) in the new development.

I suppose this is in some ways reinforcing my point, as this is essentially what I've heard from the beginning. At least the restaurant in the old terminal is reasonably specific, but if I were considering moving to the Wheeler District (which I may be if I hadn't bought a house a short time ago) I would expect detailed site plans by phase for the entire development before taking such a big chance in an otherwise questionable housing area, even acknowledging such plans would be subject to change. I'm assuming those plans are not yet public because they are at least partially letting housing interest drive the overall development design, but it would still be nice to see. I think and hope Wheeler District will be successful but I won't be surprised if they have trouble selling a significant number of homes prior to providing a greater level of detail.

[dankrutka]

I think some people are underestimating the psychological difference of living in a neighborhood with mixed-used amenities and next to that neighborhood. When you can walk out your door and there's a continuity in design and infrastructure to a cafe or coffee shop, you tend to feel like its your coffee shop which can lead to spending more time there and building deeper relationships through those public/private spaces. When you live next to the neighborhood, you might be just as likely to jump in your car to try a different place. Some people have to be initial investors and people buying into Wheeler are committing to a neighborhood, not just a home. Yes, they won't see all the benefits until the development grows, but there's no other way to do it. Heck, Hill residents waited 10 years for their community center to be built. So, yes, you can try to live somewhere else for cheaper and then stop by the Wheeler District when you want, but you'll just be a visitor, not a resident.