It should be worth noting that at one time, families had one vehicle, not multiple vehicles. Even making it possible for people to reduce the number of vehicles they own would add another dimension to OKC's quality of life.
Owning a car is expensive. Car payment, insurance, upkeep, and fuel really add up. If you are live closely to most of the services you need, you could limit your ride share rides and bus fares and save a ton of money. Even a weekly trip to the grocery store could be done via ride share for about $30 round trip.
Historically, Neighborhoods like the Paseo, Edgemere, Jefferson Park, Linwood Place, and S&S grocery still exists in Las Vegas, Pennville, and Youngs-Englewood. It is appalling to me how many people never spend time in the old urban core neighborhoods. Some, like the Plaza District, used to be such places. Those neighborhoods also have sidewalks and large parks. It is Suburban and Rural parts of the US that decided not to build such things.
The Town of Sweeney was renamed Harrah after Frank Harrah, a man who owned a dry goods and grocery store. It survived the Great Depression because of the Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company's electrical generating station. Most who lived there likely walked to the grocers every day. A simple look at the history of Harrah would have told you that.
This has been a very interesting discussion for me... we have a pretty diverse group of people here. I appreciate the feedback.
I grew up an a very small town (probably the size of some neighborhoods here). While I am sure some people did walk to the local grocery store, I don't remember anyone ever doing so. We had to drive about 30 miles to get to the nearest Wal-Mart and about 75 miles to get to the nearest McDonald's. As a kid, we rode I bikes to the convenient store (so we could get cokes and candy without our parents knowing, but that's back when it was safe to play outside). I even remember my granddad taking a trip to The City (that's OKC in small town talk) to go to Sam's Club. I still go to Sam's and then the WM Supercenter right by it, weekly... my entire trunk is full most weeks (I like buying in bulk, normally cheaper). I couldn't imagine going to the store more than once a week.
The no car idea so just so odd to me (probably based on the way I grew up). After reading here, I can definitely see how/why some people would like to minimize their car usage in these work-live-play areas, though... just not probably for me.
I'm curious, why don't they keep the garage unless it's structurally damaged, so they can develop around it later?
It is expensive to maintain and insure. It doesn't have any tenant, so it would be a cavern for the homeless and unruly element. It probably doesn't fit in the future layout. It is probably worth more if it is removed and attached as part of the overall property damage amount. They might need someone to guarantee there is zero structural damage before it could be occupied.
^
I bet they were getting heat from the surrounding businesses and the City in general because the site looks terrible. Big investments have been made in all immediate directions and for a couple of years now, you have a charred concrete parking garage and weeds and mud.
This. Family of 5 in Edmond (downtown/central) and one WFH parent. Car insurance and following the false belief the cars need to both be new, even the non commuter one. Granted the location and WFH is a huge advantage, all our amenities are within walking distance, I’m also a cyclist that can get anywhere I need via that, walking or city link. Once you start alternative transportation you’ll start framing a different POV and differing ways to utilize resources and suddenly those car insurance premiums, tagging, maintenance, gas for multiple vehicles just aren’t missed after awhile. I realize everyone has different needs but in this economy if I was single living alone car dependency locations would still be a turn off.
Then don't respond. Have a nice day!
It is insane how many people think small towns were filled with cars. Walking to the grocery store happened on the daily. Yes, some used vehicles, especially if they were on a farm just outside of town. Those who lived within the city limits likely walked or had them delivered. I do not understand anyone who thinks that cars were the only way people got around.
We could learn a lot from the way Denver creates Living Retail zones. Most people I know who live there either want to be in a zone or live close to a zone. An excellent example of this is Cherry Creek North. This place has hotels, apartments, wellness studios, restaurants, coffee shops, event venues, etc. If the company behind Classen Curve brings housing to this location, it would make for one of the most desirable places to live in the city.
^^^
I wish Oklahoma City had more development groups capable of creating neighborhoods like that. Some areas in OKC, such as the Lower Scissortail Park neighborhood, would benefit more from a master plan rather than being left entirely in the hands of private developers.
Cherry Creek North is very walkable and you easily could live there without a car. That being said, it's also one of the most expensive neighborhoods in an already very expensive city so out of reach for most people to live there. And it's not very well-connected to the rest of the city via transit - bus lines only in a city with hundreds of miles of light/commuter rail.
Denver is costly, but I am talking about design and function over price, considering we are far from that type of pricing here. Taking ideas from this development to make the ones we already have can make ours even better. Classen Curve is connected to transit; it has two grocery stores, retail, restaurants, a hotel, and room to grow. It also has multiple established neighborhoods surrounding it. Will the location and amenities be a little pricey? Yep.
I agree with you - as far as being able to walk to grocery, restaurants, retail and central location within OKC the Classen Curve area cannot be beat. Hopefully more companies make the CHK campus home so there are more jobs in the area too. I’m bullish on residential at Classen Curve as well as the area just east of Nichols Hills Plaza (east of Western and north of 63rd). Add in a commuter rail stop at 63rd and you could easily have one of the largest TOD’s outside of downtown.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Bookmarks