Stockyards City

[Larry OKC]

Not my cup of murky liquid, but is there a mass of people, anywhere, who are truly clamoring to:
live next to,
dine outdoors nearby to,
shop and cart purchases around and through open air lifestyle centers near

functional and active stockyards?

The Fort Worth one comes to mind. Haven't been down there in a couple of years (since gas went over $2, $3 and approached $4), but there are several restaurants, shops (don't know about residential). There is the unmistakable aroma from the stockyards as well. Depending on which way the wind is blowing... It is a compact area but packed with people.

[betts]

I had lunch at Cattleman's today, and there were a lot of people there. An astounding number considering the fact that OSU was playing at the time and OU was going to kick off in less than an hour and a half. I saw people out shopping, and the game was being played over a loudspeaker. I would like to see some of the buildings spruced up a bit, but I was actually fairly impressed. I would think there would be some sort of stockyard activity taking place there, because when I ride my bike along the river on the south side, there is a definite aroma as we approach Villa that I assumed was related.

The arch is looking good, by the way. Will there be signage on it?

[betts]

Ah, just noticed a very timely and interesting article by Steve. Apparently the aroma I'm smelling while on my bike is indeed "the smell of money" (per my mother, who grew up on a cattle farm).

NewsOK

[gen70]

Ya'll shoulda been by that area in the 60's.

[Patrick]

Yeah, although a nice though, I don't think moving the Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is doable. They've invested millions into their current facility. That being said, that doesn't mean a museum in the stockyards area is a bad idea. Could always put the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel down there and create a small amusement park called "Stockyards City." I'm not advocating for moving Frontier City, because that would be also costly, but a smaller amusement area with a western theme might add a tourist flair to Stockyards City. Something similar in size to Pacific Park, where the ferris sheel used to be, but not necessarily the size of a large amusement park.

[kevinpate]

.oO(wonder if HBO might surplus off the props from Carnivale)Oo.

[lasomeday]

The Stockyards does not need the Western Heritage Museum. I like the quaintness of the Stockyards, it just needs a few western art galleries. Just imagine two or three local artists that paint western themed art located down there. That would be better for tourists because they can buy the art and take it home with them.

I think more commercial things that tie to the boot and hat stores will add to the area as a shopping area. It is a cool area that could attract a lot of people during rodeo or horse events at the fair.

That being said what do those people like? Just imagine a Horse themed hotel between the fairgrounds and the stockyards. Then a BBQ place, a few country western bars that have local music. I think that the wormy dog could relocate to there or open a wormy hog location in stockyards. The stockyards does sell hogs too.

Just a few ideas.

[betts]

I like your ideas for galleries selling western art. That would be cool, especially if there was a range of affordability. It would be interesting to know how many people do business in that area, and if it would indeed support a hotel. The concept may be similar to what has worked with MAPS. Improve one thing, or change a few things and it pulls other businesses in. It may be that if there were a hotel there, then that would increase the number of restaurants, perhaps clubs or bars and increase the diversity of the retail already there. It is a unique place, and a draw for tourists that should not be discounted. It would be very nice (and probably not possible with phase one) to have streetcar access from downtown, and that too would stimulate some development, both in Stockyards City and probably along the route.

[jbrown84]

move the National Cowboy/Western Heritage Museum into the district

I think we should move downtown. I know it's been there forever and cost billions to build all that, and its history and character is irreplaceable, but I just think it would be better if it were over by Lake Hefner. It would just really turn that area into a bigger destination. We could always find something else to go where downtown is. Maybe move Frontier City there...?

[kd5ili]

I think we should move downtown. I know it's been there forever and cost billions to build all that, and its history and character is irreplaceable, but I just think it would be better if it were over by Lake Hefner. It would just really turn that area into a bigger destination. We could always find something else to go where downtown is. Maybe move Frontier City there...?

Hey, we can move OU there as well!

[jbrown84]

Oh yeah! Excellent idea.

[Platemaker]

Platemaker. No need to be a smart ass.

WOW...

I didn't mean any part of that to sound smart assish... I had to read my 'you should walk around' line out loud (using inflection) to notice the unintentional offensiveness.

[HOT ROD]

guys, it was just a suggestion. jeez

[jbrown84]

Sorry. I just hear a lot of ridiculously impractical suggestions on here involving moving major attractions across town.

I see no reason why our western heritage needs to be confined to one small area, especially by forcing it into that area. Kind of like a ghetto...

I guess some on here would like to do just that.

[kd5ili]

Something like this would possibly be a good tourist draw for that area...

Wild West City -

-Chris

[OKC@heart]

I think that carefully placed performance venue taken from historically significant country mecas like Gruene Texas Performance hall would be fantastic there and would serve to support the idea of the western heritage site, then bring in some western antique shops as well as some more restaurants and a good ice house, and a well crafted horse themed hotel (thinking auto porte Cochere as well as a horse drawn one with tie stall and you have the makings of something that will create its own momentum. The entire area needs some branding and marketing work that would play through the details of the district such as district unique lighting and signage planting and public art installations etc... to create a cohesive feel to the strong start that we have there. Just my thoughts though...Go OKC!!!

[jbrown84]

The Rodeo Opry already has a performance venue there. I like the idea of a western themed hotel but I'm not sure a replica would have the same appeal of an actual historic hotel, which doesn't exist that I'm aware of. I agree better branding and signage will help.

[Platemaker]

I took this pic on Friday. I have to say I'm shocked this has gone all weekend without being reported.

[kevinpate]

A right fine lookin' sign. Thanks for sharing!

[Doug Loudenback]

Yeah, very nice!

[Platemaker]

I wonder if the other side will have a 'Ya'll come back' or something.

[kevinpate]

Nah, the other side oughta say
Welcome to MAPsVille

[Luke]

The other side says "ytiC sdraykcotS"

[okyeah]

I took this pic on Friday. I have to say I'm shocked this has gone all weekend without being reported.

don't worry, the local news will probably have a story on it tomorrow or sometime later this week....after they've read this thread..

[Steve]

Um, had the story two weeks ago guys.