Wheeler District

[warreng88]

Here are the links for people interested:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...21883934_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...40037553_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...51157924_zpid/

[Jeepnokc]

Here are the links for people interested:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...21883934_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...40037553_zpid/

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...51157924_zpid/

Interesting that they list they are part of the John Rex Elementary area, I didn't think Wheeler was in the attendance zone and it doesn't show on their map. I checked with the superintendent and he confirmed it is not. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/vi...270346311&z=13

[OkieBerto]

Interesting that they list they are part of the John Rex Elementary area, I didn't think Wheeler was in the attendance zone and it doesn't show on their map. I checked with the superintendent and he confirmed it is not. https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/vi...270346311&z=13

These homes are not in Wheeler District. They are next to the expanded Scissortail Park. If you look at the map, they are definitely in the John Rex Charter School Assigned area.

[warreng88]

These homes are not in Wheeler District. They are next to the expanded Scissortail Park. If you look at the map, they are definitely in the John Rex Charter School Assigned area.

Yeah, I was including the links for the properties directly west of the south part of Scissortail park.

[Jeepnokc]

These homes are not in Wheeler District. They are next to the expanded Scissortail Park. If you look at the map, they are definitely in the John Rex Charter School Assigned area.

That makes sense. Being listed in the thread Wheeler District, I assumed they were homes in Wheeler. My reading comprehension apparently wasn't very keen at 630 am

[Pete]

[citywokchinesefood]

While I personally would not want to live in Wheeler. It seems to be shaping up to be a pretty great district unto itself. It will be interesting to see how it impacts development around it over the next 15-20 years.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think what’s even more important is how it affects future development patterns throughout the metro. It’s a walkable community case study in one of the least-walkable cites in the U.S., and it’s too big to ignore. People who otherwise might’ve NIMBY-ed this type of development near them out of ignorance now have a compelling example within easy driving distance. In the past you basically had to get on an airplane to experience something similar, and Oklahomans are not particularly well-traveled.

While Wheeler is clearly meeting existing demand, I believe it is also creating demand that previously didn’t exist. See downtown Edmond as an example. Not too many years ago something similar - though much more modest - was proposed for the area around Fink Park and absolutely CRUSHED by NIMBYs. Now Edmond has a ton of activity in this sector. People from other parts of the metro and even the wider state visit Wheeler, and inevitably many are going to say “hey, why can’t we have something like this in ____________?”

THAT’S how we can begin converting parts of our obscene level of mindless sprawl into a city which also offers a slower, more pedestrian/kid/family/senior-friendly options for those who desire them. Creates a more well-rounded (and financially-sustainable) community for all of us.

[CCOKC]

Take a drive down Western to see how the apartments are changing the landscape. It is hard to tell from the marvelous drone shot how tall the apartments that are topped out are. And those are the smaller of the two units. They are working on the elevator shaft of the larger set up apartments now.

[bamarsha]

There's no way I would ever live in Wheeler either... just not interested in 200 ft2 per floor, limited garage, minimal yard... or whatever these "goofy" houses are. However, I don't understand why people would object about them being built, even next door to them.

[LocoAko]

There's no way I would ever live in Wheeler either... just not interested in 200 ft2 per floor, limited garage, minimal yard... or whatever these "goofy" houses are. However, I don't understand why people would object about them being built, even next door to them.

What exactly is "goofy" about them? People all over the U.S. have—for centuries—lived in homes with little/no setbacks, smaller footprint, multiple floors, etc. It was, until recent decades, the norm.

[soonerguru]

What exactly is "goofy" about them? People all over the U.S. have—for centuries—lived in homes with little/no setbacks, smaller footprint, multiple floors, etc. It was, until recent decades, the norm.

Exactly.

This is the type of comment one would read from someone who has probably never been to many of our cities on the Eastern seaboard or even in the Midwest.

[soonerguru]

This is just incredible. I'm embarrassed that I was skeptical that this project would ever mass to this extent. The initial renderings were like something out of fantasy land when I first saw them. And yet, while a lot of the home design isn't my flavor of tea, the development is just a massive success.

And, one would imagine that the more it builds out the more demand will increase for people to be part of it.

[OkieBerto]

What exactly is "goofy" about them? People all over the U.S. have—for centuries—lived in homes with little/no setbacks, smaller footprint, multiple floors, etc. It was, until recent decades, the norm.

Wheeler has always reminded me of Eastern Coastal towns. There is an area near Carolina Beach that looks pretty similar with bright pastel colors on all the houses. I loved how those neighborhoods looked so cohesive.

[bamarsha]

What exactly is "goofy" about them? People all over the U.S. have—for centuries—lived in homes with little/no setbacks, smaller footprint, multiple floors, etc. It was, until recent decades, the norm.

I put "goofy" in quotes, maybe not the right work, maybe more out of place in Oklahoma. I went to look inside a couple. They are really nice, but too vertical for me... reminds me of a certain proposed 1907' tower for downtown. Cool, but not for me.

[dankrutka]

I put "goofy" in quotes, maybe not the right work, maybe more out of place in Oklahoma. I went to look inside a couple. They are really nice, but too vertical for me... reminds me of a certain proposed 1907' tower for downtown. Cool, but not for me.

Which it's totally cool if you don't like it. But many Oklahomans have a bias against urban design just because they're not used to it and don't really understand it. They've never lived in a walkable neighborhood so they don't really understand why someone would want to. For me, I can't imagine ever living in some sprawled out neighborhood again because I'd lose so much. Anyway, if you're open minded, try staying in an AirBnB for a couple days in Wheeler, or a more developed urban neighborhood in a different city, where you can walk for most things and see how you like it.

[bison34]

Are there plans for commercial space, like a small grocery store? Would be nice for this area to have one.

[coatesindc]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think what’s even more important is how it affects future development patterns throughout the metro. It’s a walkable community case study in one of the least-walkable cites in the U.S., and it’s too big to ignore. People who otherwise might’ve NIMBY-ed this type of development near them out of ignorance now have a compelling example within easy driving distance. In the past you basically had to get on an airplane to experience something similar, and Oklahomans are not particularly well-traveled.

While Wheeler is clearly meeting existing demand, I believe it is also creating demand that previously didn’t exist. See downtown Edmond as an example. Not too many years ago something similar - though much more modest - was proposed for the area around Fink Park and absolutely CRUSHED by NIMBYs. Now Edmond has a ton of activity in this sector. People from other parts of the metro and even the wider state visit Wheeler, and inevitably many are going to say “hey, why can’t we have something like this in ____________?”

THAT’S how we can begin converting parts of our obscene level of mindless sprawl into a city which also offers a slower, more pedestrian/kid/family/senior-friendly options for those who desire them. Creates a more well-rounded (and financially-sustainable) community for all of us.

As the would-be co-developer of the referenced Fink Park project (18 on Park Place - circa 2014), I 100% agree with Urbanized's statement. The current attitude towards and understanding of walkable, mixed-use projects is much, much different than it was 10 years ago. When we proposed that small Edmond pocket neighborhood, there was absolutely nothing we could point to locally as an example of the level of quality and thoughtfulness it would embody. There was no way to combat the irresponsibly false statements and beliefs of the NIMBY crowd. What I would have given to been able to invite some of the NIMBY neighbors (if they'd even meet with me) to lunch at Taco Nation to show them an example. Local developers can do that now. Because of the places like the Wheeler District and Carlton Landing (thank you, Humphreys family), developers in Edmond like Matthew Myers (Switchgrass Capital) and others not only have the social license to build projects like The Lark, The Ember etc., but the City (staff and City Council) generally do what they can to make it a reality.

As a recent example of the follow-on effect, you have an Edmond builder like Scott McGregor who hired the master planning firm that designed the Wheeler District (Dover Kohl out of Denver) to create Liberty Park in North Edmond. That 400+ acres would be another run of the mill Edmond cul-de-sac community otherwise. Almost more importantly, local lenders now examples they can show to their investment committees.

[BoulderSooner]

As a recent example of the follow-on effect, you have an Edmond builder like Scott McGregor who hired the master planning firm that designed the Wheeler District (Dover Kohl out of Denver) to create Liberty Park in North Edmond. That 400+ acres would be another run of the mill Edmond cul-de-sac community otherwise. Almost more importantly, local lenders now examples they can show to their investment committees.

do you know the status of liberty park??

[HOT ROD]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I think what’s even more important is how it affects future development patterns throughout the metro. It’s a walkable community case study in one of the least-walkable cites in the U.S., and it’s too big to ignore. People who otherwise might’ve NIMBY-ed this type of development near them out of ignorance now have a compelling example within easy driving distance. In the past you basically had to get on an airplane to experience something similar, and Oklahomans are not particularly well-traveled.

While Wheeler is clearly meeting existing demand, I believe it is also creating demand that previously didn’t exist. See downtown Edmond as an example. Not too many years ago something similar - though much more modest - was proposed for the area around Fink Park and absolutely CRUSHED by NIMBYs. Now Edmond has a ton of activity in this sector. People from other parts of the metro and even the wider state visit Wheeler, and inevitably many are going to say “hey, why can’t we have something like this in ____________?”

THAT’S how we can begin converting parts of our obscene level of mindless sprawl into a city which also offers a slower, more pedestrian/kid/family/senior-friendly options for those who desire them. Creates a more well-rounded (and financially-sustainable) community for all of us.

I completely agree Urban. I just wish Wheeler connected to the existing neighborhoods instead of creating what looks like a very large SPUD type 'gated community'. Wouldn't it be great of some of the build went a little bit west into the existing neighborhoods, creating a 'relatively' seamless urban fabric vs. the dramatic shift we can see at the property lines.. Not complaining, just pointing out constructive opportunity for hopefully many of these communities going forward.

[LakeEffect]

I completely agree Urban. I just wish Wheeler connected to the existing neighborhoods instead of creating what looks like a very large SPUD type 'gated community'. Wouldn't it be great of some of the build went a little bit west into the existing neighborhoods, creating a 'relatively' seamless urban fabric vs. the dramatic shift we can see at the property lines.. Not complaining, just pointing out constructive opportunity for hopefully many of these communities going forward.

It does connect... but also, had they tried to do that, the protests of gentrification would have been much greater than they already are...

[BoulderSooner]

It does connect... but also, had they tried to do that, the protests of gentrification would have been much greater than they already are...

iirc it doesn't currently connect

[OkieBerto]

It does connect... but also, had they tried to do that, the protests of gentrification would have been much greater than they already are...

It doesn't connect, unless you walk to the school via one small path. I wish it connected as well, but it doesn't make much sense consider the condition of the area to the west. There is a salvage yard and a well pump in some spots. You are asking for something that just doesn't make sense right now.

[Pete]

The plan has always been to connect north of the school:

[coatesindc]

do you know the status of liberty park??

I do not. The current interest rate environment is not supportive of large-scale residential land development (or most speculative development, for that matter).