Core To Shore Area Definition

[Doug Loudenback]

This isn't meant to be a pro/con anything thread, just definition of terms.

Three questions:

1. Have the precise boundaries of Core To Shore been formally defined by any official group? If so, what are they?
   
2. If they haven't been formally defined, have the boundaries been informally defined? If so, by whom and what are they?
   
3. As to the park, I read this in an article at the Journal Record website:

   The future park area is bordered on the north by what is now Interstate 40, which will become a boulevard. The park area is bordered on the south by what is to be the realigned I-40 crosstown, on the west by Hudson Avenue and on the east by Robinson Avenue.

   Is that accurate? If not, what is?

I've looked around at the city's website and a couple of places, but I'm not finding what I'm looking for, above.

Thanks in advance.

ON EDIT: I have this but it is a bit dated and I don't know how to interpret it (e.g., whether we will be asked to vote on the entire area or just a part of it) , etc.

Click on the image for a larger view:

[warreng88]

This isn't meant to be a pro/con anything thread, just definition of terms.

Three questions:

1. Have the precise boundaries of Core To Shore been formally defined by any official group? If so, what are they?

1. My understanding of the boundaries of C2S is Boulevard on the north, River on the south, Western on the west and Lincoln on the east.
   
   

2. If they haven't been formally defined, have the boundaries been informally defined? If so, by whom and what are they?

[Doug Loudenback]

Thanks, Warren.

[Steve]

I'm asking questions I've not heard anyone else ask in my latest post at OKC Central

[Doug Loudenback]

The reason that I asked the questions starting this thread was to be able to thereafter identify what buildings are in harm's way. I didn't take many photos south of the railroad tracks since I wasn't sure of the defined area but I did take a few.

The photos below are of the old Riverside School and the old church building west of it, both east of Walker on SW 11th. Whether they would be demolished, I don't know.



Click for larger ...

[Doug Loudenback]

I've downloaded the "Final Report" (2008) from the City's Core to Shore Website: City of Oklahoma City | Core to Shore ... at 152 MB, it may take some time to download, at least it did for me.

I've extracted the graphic files from that document and show 3 files which show boundaries below.

Click on any map for a 1200 px wide view.







I also located the following text with respect to (a) historical preservation issues and (b) the Cotton Producers Cooperative Oil Mill that some have expressed an interest as to a proposed convention center location:

Final Report and Presentation to Council

(From Page 30 of the PDF File, Page 22 of the Report)

BUILDINGS AND HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE

The Core to Shore district's building stock is a mixture of industrial buildings, brick warehouse structures, storage yards, and older residential structures interspersed with vacant land. Many structures are in poor condition. Two buildings in the district, Union Station and Little Flower Church, have special historical and architectural significance.

Union Station, opened in 1931 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is located directly south of the US Postal Service building that blocks a clear view of its historic, Mission Revival facade. The former depot currently houses the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority (COTPA) and a small business, but it is not used for public events. Little Flower Church, at 1125 South Walker Avenue, was established in 1926 to serve the large Mexican immigrant community that lived in the Riverside neighborhood at the time.

While no other buildings have the architectural significance of Little Flower Church and Union Station, several notable older buildings, such as the Latino Community Development Agency building, contribute to the character of the area and could be incorporated into development projects if economically feasible. (Emphasis supplied by me)
--------------------------------------
(From Page 44 of the PDF file, Page 70 of the Report)

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SITES

The Cotton Producers Cooperative Oil Mill and a car parts storage yard currently occupy the industrial land west of Shields Boulevard. The areas will increase in value as the Core to Shore district develops. Their redevelopment will depend on future market forces. Possibilities may include business parks, sports facilities, or other special uses. Future redevelopment here will require greatly improved access.

(From Page 78)

LONG-RANGE DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVE

● Redevelop land when opportunities arise so that it is integral with other plan elements.

The Bridgewater site and the Cotton Oil Producers' Cooperative are likely to redevelop as markets mature. Advantages of these sites include access to the freeway and the downtown core, proximity to Bricktown, and high visibility. These sites also have consolidated ownerships and enough land for large, single-purpose uses such as an office or sports campus. Projects could include special features that reinforce the patterns of adjacent development, such as extending the Bricktown Canal or creating a riverside lagoon. However, redevelopment of these sites faces significant hurdles, including relocating existing industry and providing adequate access.

ACTION FOR LONG-RANGE DEVELOPMENT

● Continue to evaluate options for development of the Oil Producers' Cooperative site and the Bridgewater site.

[hoya]

Have we seen any cost estimates for redeveloping the Mill site? The last few weeks I've been having thoughts similar to what Steve posted in his blog, namely that there are a lot of buildings in the C2S area that appear as though they could be redeveloped into something cool. These buildings may be worth saving, especially since I have seen no definitive, set-in-stone plans for C2S. I've just seen a dozen different concept drawings, all of them different from one another.

Is the city proceeding with the plan to put the convention center in the area south of the Ford Center, simply because they believe it will cost less than buying out the Mill? The Mill seems like an ideal place to me. Extend the canal down to the area, create some walking paths, and it will be within easy walking distance to Bricktown. I understand if the costs are considered too high to do that, but I haven't seen any real estimates of cost.