Asian District streetscaping?

[metro]

Does anyone know if the city is finally doing the "Asian-themed" streetscaping in the Asian District? I've noticed a lot of work in the medians being done on Classen between NW 23rd and about NW 30th. I know the city had a proposal for it in a bond package a few years ago, but it seems as if I read something about a bond issue selling a few weeks back that would include these improvements.

Anyone know anything more? Maybe I'll snap some pics this weekend.

[metro]

No one knows anything? Steve, perhaps we could get an article in the Oklahoman with an update?

[FritterGirl]

According to the Parks Department, this looks to be completed sometime in Fall 2008. Much is dependent upon Oklahoma weather, though, so if we get the rain we did last year, there may be delays.

They are working on preliminary ground leveling and engineering now.

[metro]

FritterGirl, can you please elaborate more on what they are actually doing? What changes shall we see?

[FritterGirl]

Here's what I know:

Each intersection corner between NW 23rd and NW 30th will be made ADA compliant. Decorative pavers will also be placed in the area. In addition, each of the area medians will be hardscaped and landscaped, with new trees, shrubs and other plant materials. The landscaping will be low-maintenance and carry as close as possible an "Asian" look in plant selection. In addition, Asian-themed elements, such as a pagoda, arch, "foo dogs," and Asian District markers will be placed along the streetscape.

The idea is to create a multi-regional Asian theme, and not one that is specific to any one Asian culture.

[CCOKC]

Thanks for answering, I was wondering as well.

[metro]

I sure hope the Asian District markers are bigger and better than the current ones. Unless you're looking for them, you don't really notice them. They are definitely an eyesore and unimpressive to locals, let alone visitors. Glad to see these changes finally coming. I could tell some of the ada sidewalks/crosswalks are already finished and some of the hardscaping has begun. I drove by and took pics tonight, I'll try to post tomorrow or this weekend.

[metro]

I drove by and snapped some quick drive by pics of the Asian landscaping (kids don't try this at home).

[metro]

anyone know anything more yet? Basically the city has it tore up for over a month now and hardly any progress has been made. In fact, I haven't seen crews out there in weeks. They've also got all of downtown and west downtown/MidTown tore up at each intersection for the new ADA compliant sidewalks. It sure would make more sense to me if they did one intersection at a time instead of tearing up 30 or more intersections and then going back and pouring concrete one intersection at a time.


I found this, but it doesn't really go into detail at all.

http://www.okc.gov/planning/planningaccomplishments.pdf

Anyhow, I'd really like to see a rendering of the final asian streetscape plan if anyone has a link. Steve, any chance we could get an article??

[metro]

Also found this:

Asian District Oklahoma City :: Home Page

[CCOKC]

Doesn't the marathon go down this stretch of Classen? I hope it looks better for next year but it is a shame that it has to look like this for this year's race.

[metro]

Yes, CCOKC, it does. Agreed, next year it might actually look like an official Asian District, that is if the city finished the work they started a month ago. I know the city has an official plan called "The Plan for the Asian District" and it was made in 2005, I have the front cover of it from the link I posted above to the city, but I can't seem to find the actual plan anywhere on the city's website. I'm going to go to city hall eventually and see if I can track some documents down if no one else here can find them online. I'd really like to see what "asian" features they are doing for the streetscaping.

[Turanacus]

i hope they have it in tip-top shape before august, i'm getting married down there this summer. . . . i wish there were strict codes for the businesses in this area, for instance, destroy that ugly taco mayo sign.

[mmonroe]

Yes, destroy the taco mayo sign!

[edcrunk]

i live behind kamp's... my buddy/landlord has a rendering of the arch/gateway that is to be built across the street at 25th. however, the only times our paths cross is either at the clubs or when he comes by my house (typically with a bang of people). i do plan on snapping a pic when i see it tho.

[metro]

Okay, I finally got my hands on the 2000 and the 2005 Asian District master plans from the city planning dept. today. I will try to scan them into my computer next week. I don't have a site I can host them on (maybe I can wrangle DougDawg into helping me out on this one). The person at the planning dept. I needed to talk to about this was gone for the day, so I'm not sure if they are still following this 100% or not. To no surprise, I can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone on this issue. Hopefully, we'll have an official looking Asian District before too long.

[warreng88]

I drove by this yesterday and was impressed with the progress. Seems they have replaced several trees with Asian trees (I kept wanting to scream out "BONZAI!!!" from Karate Kid but my wife wouldn't let me.) There are several blocks of "pavers" in the median now that look like nothing I have ever seen and I like it. I think the irrigation systems were in as well. That is all I have for now.

[mmonroe]

Hey Metro, how bout those pics?

[metro]

mmonroe, I'll post pics soon, not much progress really has taken place, not like warreng is claiming. It hasn't changed much in over a month. I finally saw workers out there the last few days, but work is going slowwwww.

warreng, I ate in the Asian District tonight and drove by a few times. I usually drive by every day or at least several times a week. I still have not noticed any new planted trees yet. The pavers and a few small boulders are about all that's taken place so far, and a few sidewalks and crosswalks. I imagine if weather stays good for a few weeks, we'll start to see more progress soon. Seems like workers lately around Midtown/downtown are working on the bad weather days and are nowhere to be found on the good weather days.

[mmonroe]

I just want to see a great looking asian district, pagodas and everything.

[citizenkane]

I drove by this yesterday and was impressed with the progress. Seems they have replaced several trees with Asian trees (I kept wanting to scream out "BONZAI!!!" from Karate Kid but my wife wouldn't let me.) There are several blocks of "pavers" in the median now that look like nothing I have ever seen and I like it. I think the irrigation systems were in as well. That is all I have for now.

I noticed the trees the other day too, but I'm not sure whether or not they actually planted new trees. They might have just trimmed the trees so that they appear more "Asian-looking."

[mmonroe]

LOL, i'm curious to know how to trim a tree to look "asian", not to belittle you or anything, I just wonder how one does such a thing.

[metro]

citizenkane, I think you're dead on witht the tree trimming. I looked very carefully last night and it appears that was so. These are very old mature trees, you can clearly see the pruned branches, etc. They shaped them more like a bonzai even though they might be an elm or something. I do know the streetscaping plan originally calls for asian inspired trees and new plantings, but I have not seen any new plantings yet. This thing is really going slow, but looks like it finally might be picking up some speed.

I went down to the city planning dept. a few weeks back and got a color copy of the 2000 and 2005 Asian District Plans. They are kind of weak and seemed more lofty and "dreams" and not necessarily reality; and no one at the city planning really seems to know exactly what work is being done. I'm just glad finally some work/money is being poured into our Asian District. The city should have done this decades ago, we're losing tourist dollars over not having it branded better.

I ate at Lido last night, the concrete cinder block fence behind them they are putting up new columns and have "asian style" lanterns on top of them. On about 26th or 27th street, just one property behind Classen a new industrial building of some sorts is going up. On Classen and about 28th or so, that strip center with ZAX club or whatever, the new building on the corner has now received some Asian inspired awnings, etc. It's still under construction though so I look forward to the final product. There are plans for an Asian pagoda/plaza in Military Park across from Lido and Super Cao Nguyen. There are also plans on the drawing board for an asian archway over the street by Super Cao Nguyen. Not sure about the Sun Moon Plaza on NW 23rd that Steve reported on a year or so ago. If all this pans out, we'll have a pretty cool Asian District.

[warreng88]

Metro, thanks for clearing that up. I guess the last time I was down there before this week was about a month ago and I guess there was some progress, although not a lot like I had origianally thought. Sorry to get everyone's hopes up.

[edcrunk]

they've actually gotten a lot done here recently. at least enough that one can tell what the final design will be. but what confuses me is the midget street sign.