OKC Boulevard

[Pete]

[OUman]

What's that building under construction in the lower left of the photo?

[Pete]

What's that building under construction in the lower left of the photo?

Fairfield Inn

[jedicurt]

What's that building under construction in the lower left of the photo?

the Fairfield inn.... I believe

[PaddyShack]

What are the plans for the small strip between the Blvd and the Peake? I assume it could be another "Thunder Alley" or pedestrian plaza?

[Pete]

What are the plans for the small strip between the Blvd and the Peake? I assume it could be another "Thunder Alley" or pedestrian plaza?

In the near term, it will be parking.

Longer term plans show retail.

[bradh]

In the near term, it will be parking.

Longer term plans show retail.

of course it will be

[mugofbeer]

In the near term, it will be parking.

Longer term plans show retail.

I think it's about right for an extension of the canal.

[stile99]

I think it's about right for an extension of the canal.

There should be a sky bridge linking the area to Tulsa there.

[rte66man]

In the near term, it will be parking.

Longer term plans show retail.

How sad. The Thunder Alley suggestion or just about any other pedestrian-friendly option would be better than parking at that location.

[_Cramer_]

I like Thunder Alley where it is. With Reno closed during games, we'll need another large thoroughfare open on game day! I like the idea of a mix-use project with retail and a couple of stories of housing. Possibly low income. Parking could be used across the boulevard at the new garage...

[Pete]

[Ross MacLochness]

I... just don't understand

[jedicurt]

I... just don't understand

what's not to understand? have they destroyed Crosstown I-40 bridge that was basically a barrier between downtown and the river, they had to come up with something to replace that barrier! otherwise the new construction south and Downtown would be comprehensively walkable and bike and pedestrian friendly...

[David]

Never have people who exclusively build highways build a road that you don't want to be a highway.

[HangryHippo]

never have people who exclusively build highways build a road that you don't want to be a highway.

This right here!

[Anonymous.]

So so sad. We will need Vegas-style pedestrian bridges over this monstrosity "boulevard".

[Rover]

So so sad. We will need Vegas-style pedestrian bridges over this monstrosity "boulevard".

Champs Elysees is 10 lanes of busy traffic and Parisians cross it all the time. I think it depends more on what is built on the other side and if people want to go there.

[Buffalo Bill]

So so sad. We will need Vegas-style pedestrian bridges over this monstrosity "boulevard".

I guess we will need them over Sheridan, Robinson, Reno, et. al. as this is the same width.

[Rover]

Let’s all worry early and get it out of the way. Smh

[kevin lee]

Preach!!

[Geographer]

The primary problem with the boulevard, IMHO, isn't really near the park...it's west of the park and how the boulevard comes into downtown as a freeway and then cuts across and disrupts what could have been a re-stitching of the street grid. That has been and will always be the boulevard's worst and most egregious flaw.

[HangryHippo]

The primary problem with the boulevard, IMHO, isn't really near the park...it's west of the park and how the boulevard comes into downtown as a freeway and then cuts across and disrupts what could have been a re-stitching of the street grid. That has been and will always be the boulevard's worst and most egregious flaw.

Agree wholeheartedly. The highway portion coming into the Farmer's Market area sucks.

[LakeEffect]

The primary problem with the boulevard, IMHO, isn't really near the park...it's west of the park and how the boulevard comes into downtown as a freeway and then cuts across and disrupts what could have been a re-stitching of the street grid. That has been and will always be the boulevard's worst and most egregious flaw.

Yep. That's why many people argued for a form of ODOT's Alternate D, that essentially blended the east and west approaches into the existing street network.

[Urban Pioneer]

I think it is important to keep in context that what was originally planned was far, far worse. There are substantial changes in reductions of what was planned to aerial and what is now at-grade.

With that stated, it is important to ensure that it is retrofitted by the city once the keys are turned over to be closer to what it should be. It needs bike lanes, strategic sidewalks, transit stops, landscaping, working lighting, etc. “D” was interpreted by ODOT as a “no build” option. It was never politically viable.

We could have ended up with a better “C”, but the “gridders” ignored the political futility of the situation. In the end, we saved taxpayers over $80 million dollars and helped subdue even worse negative impacts. This Boulevard can be fixed with parts of it even removed.