Boulevard planned to replace Crosstown bridge, but its design, funding are uncertain

[mugofbeer]

Great pics - also, picture a modified Plaza like they have in Kansas City - obviously, it wouldn't be so far below grade. Build the foundation of things like this and the private development will pour in.

[Steve]

This is a really interesting idea and one I have not seen or heard mentioned previously. This idea deserves a chance to be considered.

Huh????
(Steve may need a vacation very, very, very soon)

[mugofbeer]

So how does one throw it in for consideration?

[Larry OKC]

Huh????
(Steve may need a vacation very, very, very soon)

Think he was talking about putting the Canal Extension as part of the median?

[Larry OKC]

From the Chamber's Breaking Through Luncheon dated 10/29, the Mayor said at the 31 minute mark, "The Boulevard IS funded from the Department of Transportation". Does anyone have confirmation of this? He might have meant to say "is SUPPOSED TO BE funded" but not sure.

[LakeEffect]

Maybe the Mayor thinks that by saying it "IS" every time he talks, ODOT will eventually believe that too and pay up.

[rondvu]

I am liking this idea too. Can you imagine the possibilities this could bring to the area. Oklahoma City the new Venice of the Southwest.

[OKCRT]

The more canal the better. It would be great if the canal ran through the new park and down the center of the new Blvd. over to the Myriad Gardens. Now that could make for a nice scenic boat ride. That would bring people in and spur all sorts of activity IMO.

[betts]

The Gazette has an article about the boulevard this week called, "Bridging the Gap." I can't find it online, or I'd post it here.

[Larry OKC]

betts, the article you are talking about is in the link that started this thread

[betts]

betts, the article you are talking about is in the link that started this thread

Well, I feel stupid now. At least I "bumped" the thread

[Larry OKC]

Hey, no problem, we all have those moments. In your defense, the cover has the title you mentioned (and the subtitle that is the one used for the story itself and in the linked article). So easy to think they may have been different articles or whatever.

[Larry OKC]

From the linked article, it begins with:

Work on the estimated $75 million boulevard — set to run between Oklahoma Avenue on the east and Walker Avenue on the west — is still at least three years away, but city officials want its construction to coincide with the planned demolition of the Interstate 40 Crosstown bridge in 2013, which the boulevard will replace at ground level.

and closes with

...the governor’s office is committed to seeing the boulevard come to fruition.
“Everyone is on board after that time to make sure the boulevard construction gets into the ODOT program and we finish the project,” he said. “It is a high priority for Gov. Henry.”
Henry’s second and final gubernatorial term ends in January 2011.

Granted, I suppose it is possible for Gov Henry to somehow manage to get it passed through the Legislature while he is still in office, but next years budget there is expected to be an even greater shortfall than this years. The recession will eventually end but in the time frame specified? Notice the time lag here. The Crosstown isn't scheduled for demolition (according to the article, that part is funded) until AFTER the relocated I-40 opens (for obvious reasons), in 2013. That is two years AFTER Henry leaves office.

Some interesting "Intent" quotes from the article (sound familiar??)

Gary Ridley, director of ODOT, acknowledged that while his agency remains committed to funding the boulevard, it has not yet been programmed into ODOT’s plan. “It is not in the eight-year construction plan because there is not funding available,” Ridley said.

and

Paul Sund, communications director for Gov. Brad Henry, said one way or another, the funding will arrive and the boulevard will be built on schedule. “Gov. Henry is absolutely committed not just to finishing the Crosstown on schedule, but he’s committed to constructing a boulevard as well,” Sund said.

Not questioning the character or the veracity of what they INTEND to do, but Henry won't be in office and it is possible Ridley may be replaced with the next administration (think his position is one of those political appointments but may be wrong about that).

Just as with the Council's Resolution of Intent, the words sound great but are essentially meaningless (and as other and the Oklahoman pointed out, are non-binding).

[betts]

I thought the most interesting thing about the article was the fact that they've got the funding to demolish I-40. I thought that was up in the air as well. I still think/hope there's time to apply public pressure to decrease the number of lanes of traffic on the boulevard. I don't think it's going to become another Champs Elysees, and so we might be wise to seriously consider it as something other than transportation for cars, when we so want people to get out of their cars downtown.