Breaking Through

[Doug Loudenback]

From The Journal Record’s Hot Topic — Blogging what’s on the top of your mind and tip of your tongue ... Ted Streuli's blog at the Journal Record, I learned that the Greater Okc Chamber was holding a "Breaking Through" luncheon today at the Skirvin Hilton ballroom. Naturally, I asked if I could come ... got a "journalist's" comp admission! Hoo-ahh! While that's too funny, it was, indeed, a great event.

At Webcast - live feed — Skirvin Hotel OKC , a streaming video of the speech by Rick Horrow can be seen ... together with Mr. Streuli's comments. It's not a YouTube so I don't think I can imbed it in this message. My incomplete blog post is here: Doug Dawgz Blog: Breaking Through

Images are below. Click on a link for a larger view.

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It was a heck of a great speech by Mr. Horrow!

[FritterGirl]

As always, great photos, Doug!!

Was this a "preaching to the choir" speech, or do you think he made any converts?

[metro]

Good job Doug. I attended the last Breakthrough luncheon and got to sit with McDermid and his group. Speaking of which, we sure haven't heard much about McDermid lately.

[Doug Loudenback]

As always, great photos, Doug!!

Was this a "preaching to the choir" speech, or do you think he made any converts?

The choir was in good attendance ... no one to "convert," probably, but if there were any of those, this speech would likely have done the conversion! Mainly, it got people pumped ... to be sure to vote, to take others to vote, to put up multiple yard signs, and so on. I've already got 2 up ... shortly it will be 4! Got my neighbor covered, too, and have given out about 8-10 others.

[Doug Loudenback]

Here's a direct link to the video ... Ustream.tv ... move the slider to about 45% through to pick up where the speech by Rick Horrow occurs ... I've embeded it in my blog post but don't think that can be done here since it's not YouTube.

[Patrick]

Ain't the Skirvin a beauty?

[Doug Loudenback]

Ain't the Skirvin a beauty?

Oh, yeah! Edward Gaylord wanted to raze it ... and it only survived in a dormant way and then arose like a Phoenix once again because ... David Glover, Steve Hunt, whoever, please fill in the ... "because" part, below ...

The answer is ... you pick:

1. Because of inappropriate Okc government involvement/interaction with private business
2. Because of appropriate Okc government involvement/interaction with private business

I guess that all of you know that the City (that's you and me) acquired the Skirvin property, and its back tax and other debt, in the hopes of keeping this 1911 Oklahoma City icon from the oblivion that E.K. Gaylord would have had for it. EK also thought that the Bricktown canal was idiotic and he wanted any new sports arena to be built in the Fairgrounds well away from downtown. As for Bricktown at the time of MAPS, he thought that it was just a bunch of useless decaying buildings and that the city would be better served by just razing them. Instead of building a new building downtown when OPUBCO needed to expand (which could have been done just south of its historic Broadway & 4th Street location), he opted to build on the Broadway Extension instead, abandoning downtown altogether. Mayor Norick bucked that monied sentiment and said, "No. This is what downtown Oklahoma City needs." And he has been more than proven to be right about that.

So, as for me: Thanks from Doug Dawg to Mayor Ron Norick for your inspired leadership during difficult times without which this "perfect storm" potential would not exist 5 days from now on March 4 ... and to Mayor Humphreys, for what you did in getting "MAPS done right" and without which we would have no "Ford Center" to be voting upon on March 4, and also for the Skirvin, and thanks, Mayor Cornett, for what you are trying to do when all these historic events come to a climactic focus on March 4.

We are (and I know this sounds overly dramatic but I truly believe it to be so) on the precipice of greatness as an American city. That's so because of a convergence of several events ... like Rick Horrow said at today's Chamber's meeting, it's as though we at the point of "a perfect storm" with the convergence occurring on March 4.

[betts]

I just pray this passes. I'd like to know what great things all the no voters think they're going to do with their 30 cents a day for 15 months. End poverty? Build mass transit? They'll put half of it in the penny trays at seven eleven.

[bornhere]

Actually, build mass transit might not be a bad idea.

[Doug Loudenback]

Actually, build mass transit might not be a bad idea.

Bornhere, you cannot possibly begin to think that the relatively small tax amount of tax proceeds involved with this vote could even begin to finance a serious mass transit system in Okc, can you? Or do you really think that you can get a light rail system in Okc for $121M?

[SouthsideSooner]

Mass transit is going to be a much more expensive undertaking.

Portland is seen as a model for modern mass transit and they currently have over 1.6 billion invested in light rail with new lines costing over 40 million dollars a mile.

The beginning stages of modern mass transit will be addressed as part of MAPS 3.

[betts]

Mass transit is going to be a much more expensive undertaking.

Portland is seen as a model for modern mass transit and they currently have over 1.6 billion invested in light rail with new lines costing over 40 million dollars a mile.

The beginning stages of modern mass transit will be addressed as part of MAPS 3.

And then there's the issue of the need for a permanent subsidy for that light rail, to keep costs affordable for the consumer. It will be a HUGE sink for money, so we'd better do it right. That's why I don't want us to be in a big hurry. This needs thoughtful, careful consideration.

[bornhere]

As two previous posters have mentioned, light rail would cost a lot more than $121 million. $121 million would at least get us a start and it would be a better investment than getting the NBA in here to join the list of special interests trying to dictate what our priorities should be.

[BG918]

Mass transit is going to be a much more expensive undertaking.

Portland is seen as a model for modern mass transit and they currently have over 1.6 billion invested in light rail with new lines costing over 40 million dollars a mile.

The beginning stages of modern mass transit will be addressed as part of MAPS 3.

Can't wait for that to happen with MAPS III. Getting the Ford Center renovated in time for when the new blvd. opens and having the Sonics will really build a lot of momentum downtown. Then we have MAPS III to fund (potentially) the starter light rail line connecting OUHSC to the CBD and blvd. and the new convention center. The convention center is an important part because the Cox is too small and a new convention center means an adjacent condo/hotel tower and new addition to the skyline! Plus it opens up the land where the Cox sits for mixed use transit-oriented development next to the Santa Fe Depot where light rail and commuter rail will someday merge.

[betts]

As two previous posters have mentioned, light rail would cost a lot more than $121 million. $121 million would at least get us a start and it would be a better investment than getting the NBA in here to join the list of special interests trying to dictate what our priorities should be.

So bornhere, where is this light rail going to run? Who's going to use it? How can you justify a billion dollar expenditure, and millions of dollars of continuous subsidies therafter if no one's on the train? You're fine with potentially throwing $121 million away for a system no one uses? I find basketball a lot more entertaining than watching an empty train go past a line of cars waiting for it to pass.

If we're just going to throw out the "I want light rail, I don't care what it costs, and I don't care how practical it is" you'll find me voting "NO". The shoe may be on the other foot.

I want us to make sure we've got a system that is actually used, and the only way that will happen is if we increase the population density of Oklahoma City proper, IMO. That's something I think an NBA team will help do.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

....than watching an empty train go past a line of cars waiting for it to pass.

That's why you elevate it and call it a monorail.


THE MONORAIL, THE MONORAIL!


*does a monorail dance*


Mass transit won't work until we get a LOT more going on downtown. Like say...More people working down there instead the NW corridor...Or say...NBA games or something

[bornhere]

I want to be clear that I'm not part of the 'light rail über alles' group. I simply meant that spending that money on mass transit – or pretty much anything – is preferable to going out of our way to invite a spoiled, demanding child to come live with us.

[Kerry]

... is preferable to going out of our way to invite a spoiled, demanding child to come live with us.

Be careful, your class envy is starting show. You talk as if the NBA doesn't offer OKC anything in return for the investment in the Ford Center.

[Karried]

is preferable to going out of our way to invite a spoiled, demanding child to come live with us.

Ever have a two year old?

I guess I'd rather have a 'spoiled' child than an empty barren joyless life without one.

Many children are spoiled but you wouldn't get rid of them because you love them and they bring much joy and happiness to your life, regardless if they are a tad demanding.

[Karried]

On March 4 Oklahoma City has a great opportunity to truly become a big league city. Voting YES to fund improvements to the Ford Center will give us one of the best arenas in the nation for sports, concerts and conventions.

And it will put us at a competitive advantage to attract an NBA team, which will boost our worldwide image and our economy. (In the short time the Hornets played in Oklahoma City, they added hundreds of jobs and more than $130 million to our economy.)

The planned Ford Center improvements include many fan-friendly amenities, such as additional restaurants, clubs and concession areas, rooftop gardens, and a 12,000-square-foot family fun zone. All of which will be owned by the City.

A YES vote on March 4 will not raise taxes. The temporary penny sales tax won’t go into effect until the existing tax expires.

Vote YES March 4 to help Oklahoma City take the next step in its historic rise and become a big league city!

[Doug Loudenback]

Here's my latest ... Doug Dawgz Blog: Can It Fail?

I'll omit some of the text here ... I've tried to blend in a little humor ... here are the images ...



I discuss and compare the recently failed (October 9, 2007)Tulsa River vote ...



Campaign tactics were fairly similar to those here ...





I summarize our differences from Tulsa's "Vote No" history with our "Vote Yes" history and where we are because of it ...

Since 1993, Oklahoma City has had a different history, and it's a history made possible by saying, "YES!" By saying "Yes" in the past, we (that's you and me, all Oklahoma Citians) got ...

* A DOWNTOWN PLAN ... MAPS ... which has served us well

* The Oklahoma River Project by reason of which Oklahoma City is fast becoming a center of United States attention for its national AND international rowing competition, not to mention the River Trails, water parades and other festive events for all Oklahoma Citians to enjoy, and with much more development to come down the line

* A beautiful new downtown learning center, named after its principal benefactor, the Ron Norick Downtown Library and Learning Center

* The Bricktown Canal which has spurred the development of Bricktown as the premier entertainment venue in the state

* The Bricktown Ballpark which helped a lot with that, too

* The present Ford Center by reason of which it became possible to attract major entertainment people, bands, etc., and other organizations to select Oklahoma City to visit, not to mention the 2-year extended stay of the New Orleans Hornets

* MAPS FOR KIDS which we enthusiastically supported after seeing the success of MAPS

* A $500 Million bond election to improve our city's streets, parks, and bridges

* Hundreds of millions, maybe billions, of private investment spurred by the success of a revitalized downtown

* A revitalized city of which we are all justly proud which is seen by many outside our horizons as the model of what a city can do to help itself become a great place to live, work, play, and visit

Might this virtually miraculous chain of civic progress be broken? Might we turn our backs on what we know because of our history and adopt the "Vote No" perspective of our cousins in Tulsa?

I mention the 3 who are public in their opposition (this pic is in jest)



And since David has taken himself into the media and makes himself a public figure, he becomes fair game for poking fun at, too (with a "Me too" by Steve who is not as visible in the media)



My conclusion is ...





And there you are!

[bornhere]

Getting somewhat off the track, but Tulsa's riverfront was pretty spectacular at one point, and was being used for walking, biking and other recreation. The east shore was especially attractive. I haven't been there in a few years, but the last time I saw it, development had begun to undermine its natural beauty. Then-mayor Jim Inhofe, appalled by the evil trees and green spaces he saw, did a lot to get the ball rolling on that.

[julieriggs]

Thanks so much, Doug, for posting your pics and a link to the video! I have high res video available for viewing. The program is in three parts - very informative stuff for those that are interested in the details of MAPS and professional sports campaigns.
~Julie
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