What are new uses for the Union Station building as part of our new Central Park?

[Urban Pioneer]

I was in a planning meeting and a question was asked that kinda took me by surprise.

The consultants on the new Central Park are soliciting ideas as to what Union Station could be as it becomes revealed as a major architectural land mark within the southern border of the new park.

It is my understanding that COTPA may eventually remove their build out in the Grand Hall and move upstairs to more efficient spaces.

If you haven't experienced the building itself, it is an incredible structure with all of the amenities of a former train station and truck transfer hub.

Doug, do you have any interior pictures or space diagrams that might glean an idea of how big the building actually is?

And just as a disclaimer, were talking shops and rental- not the rail yard debate or re-using part of the station for possible transit ticketing. There is plenty of room if those issues were resolved.

[Pete]

You can see lots of photos (inside and out) in the first two pages of this mega-thread:

http://www.okctalk.com/okc-metro-are...n-station.html

This is a floor plan I photographed (it's framed and hanging inside the building) and color coded:

[Pete]

As far as new uses, many were also mentioned in that thread.

I'd like to see a nice restaurant in the 'colored' waiting room and loggia, as they would afford great views across the park and to the skyline.

I think the main waiting room should be left open for events and perhaps used as a museum, with movable displays.

The old lunch room in the back could be a gift shop or another meeting space.

[Urban Pioneer]

In talking with COTPA, apparently they would like to lease a great deal of the space. It seems that the park consultants think that the reinstatement of the building to the public would benefit the park project greatly.

[Pete]

There is absolutely no reason for COPTA to remain there. When the city bought US back from Thurman Magbee in the 80's, I believe they were going to make it the location for the bus transfer station. But then that was built on the north side of the CBD.

Thurman Magbee put up a platform in the main waiting area to give it a second floor but it and the drywall seem to be on top of the original floors, so it should be easy to remove. As of now, it's not used by anyone, with a lot of junky office furniture and boxes laying around.

That's pretty much the condition and use of the entire space. COPTA uses some of the offices but it's pretty junky. I was told the old tunnel is being used for storage; don't know what's in there.

Also, the old mail docks are not shown on that floor plan and they are considerable.

[Steve]

Doug and I both know how that space could be used. But we're not talking yet, right Doug?

[westsidesooner]

I think I mentioned this in the other thread but here it is again. I'd like to see an indoor outdoor restaurant with outside dining on the north side overlooking the park. Much like the Prado in Balboa Park.

[Urban Pioneer]

The Prado is amazing. The archways up front certainly would facilitate a similar atmosphere. Kudos to you for making the connection!

[Doug Loudenback]

Doug and I both know how that space could be used. But we're not talking yet, right Doug?

Steve, you are an impossible tease.

Anyway, Urban Pioneer, Pete already showed, above, more than I have. The pics that I have readily accessible are in this article, Doug Dawgz Blog: Okc Trains Part 2 and scroll down to Ed Birch, but are repeated below:

Click on the pics for larger views.










I've got some others somewhere, but I can't remember where!

[Pete]

I would estimate the main waiting room is about 100' x 100'; around 10,000 square feet with about 40' ceilings.

It's magnificent with the original marble walls, colorful terrazzo floor, bronze art deco light fixtures, coffered plaster ceilings, ticket windows and great arched French doors everywhere.

Like the Great Banking Hall, I feel strongly this space should be used in the most public of ways.

[Doug Loudenback]

Pete, seeing the "Tunnel" in the map you posted made me remember (and wonder if it is still there) the tunnel in which people walked under the tracks to get to their trains. I'd sure love to see some pics of that!

[Pete]

Doug, it's still there and in tact, just filled with old boxes (just beyond the doors):

[Luke]

I think I mentioned this in the other thread but here it is again. I'd like to see an indoor outdoor restaurant with outside dining on the north side overlooking the park. Much like the Prado in Balboa Park.

Very cool looking!

[Doug Loudenback]

Great, Pete! Where did you get the pic? I'd like to get a hi-res.

[Pete]

Doug, I took that along with a ton of others that I posted on the original Union Station thread. I was in there a couple of years ago.

Anyone can go in and look around. Just go to the COPTA receptionist and ask nicely. They only occupy a small part of the building and no one seemed to mind my poking around and photography.

I'll email you a link to an on-line photo album that will allow you to download the originals.

[Doug Loudenback]

As fate would have it, Steve & I got a very nice photo-taking tour of the building yesterday afternoon (including a tour inside the tunnel) and I've posted a blog article showing what I took at Doug Dawgz Blog: Union Station Circa 2009.

A subset of the photos is in the Nostalgia area at this link: http://www.okctalk.com/nostalgia-mem...ca-2009-a.html.

[wsucougz]

Thanks, Doug!

That bathroom tile looks pretty 70's to be original, but what do I know. What do you think?

[Pete]

I believe all that tilework is indeed original. It's art-deco style in keep with the rest of the station.

And there is similar tilework on the perimeters of some of the rooms.


Thanks for sharing Doug! Didn't you mind just go crazy with possibilities while touring? It's an incredible building and pretty darn well preserved.

BTW, the wrought iron on the ticket windows was added by Thurman Magbee when they also erected that platform in the main waiting area.

[Pete]

Also, in that back room that round fireplace is definitely not original.

When it opened, that area was a newstand and lunch counter (the area in yellow labeled "C" above). It was reconfigured sometime later.

[Doug Loudenback]

I believe all that tilework is indeed original. It's art-deco style in keep with the rest of the station.

And there is similar tilework on the perimeters of some of the rooms.

Thanks for sharing Doug! Didn't you mind just go crazy with possibilities while touring? It's an incredible building and pretty darn well preserved.

BTW, the wrought iron on the ticket windows was added by Thurman Magbee when they also erected that platform in the main waiting area.

Perhaps you noticed, at the end of the blog article, I said,

Well, there you have it, Union Station Circa 2009. In many ways and notwithstanding its COTPA occupants who are caring for it well by everything that I observed, the building is already a museum . . . it is already a museum ... it is already a museum ...

Say that often enough and just maybe it will come true!?

[kevinpate]

Maybe they could set aside some portion of the place as a site for railroad hobby folks to set up mini-tracks and train models.

[LakeEffect]

Maybe they could set aside some portion of the place as a site for railroad hobby folks to set up mini-tracks and train models.

Love it!

[Doug Loudenback]

Hey, why not? In the museum there could be a large Train Room specifically set aside for that purpose with models, photos, memorabilia, and hands-on stuff including models made by local folk showing off Oklahoma City's train history spanning back to the earliest days and extending to the latest.

You may have been kidding, kevinpate, but I think that's a great idea!

[betts]

I'd like to see a Tavern on the Green type restaurant there, and I'd like to see space set up so people could have weddings, receptions and events. A train museum and museum shop would be cool.

[kevinpate]

FWIW, I was being serious. I know, not my most common approach.
It's just the comments that it is already a museum resonated.

We have a banjo museum elsewhere. We've had, until recently, perhaps still in play, a photo museum, though we're losing it as I understand. We have the fire museum up north.

This structure was after all once a grand station and it is situated for the new park.
To set aside an area as a tribute to rail seems not only appropriate, it seems down right natural.

So yeah, I'd like to see it.