yeah, but two weeks ago, the sign was just the framework, now it's purdy.
FWIW, it was a truly good article you put out there.
yeah, but two weeks ago, the sign was just the framework, now it's purdy.
FWIW, it was a truly good article you put out there.
Hmmm.....ya know, I'm not sure they did their math. I don't think a semi-trailer will fit under that sucker. Hmmmm?!!!
Obviously it's tall enough... jeez.
I agree. It looks like a larger semi in the outer lane might not clear. Sorry Plate.
Don't Edmond My Downtown
I was driving down Agnew today and watched a semi go under the arch. It came nowhere near it so there is no problem at all.
The sign on the arch is now lit up at night. Haven't seen it myself - someone forwarded me a picture.
There are numbers circulating that put that sign at $189,000. Frankly, I can't see it cost that much. Does anybody know where I might get official numbers?
I think that money spent that way is wasteful, if that sum is correct.
Also, I don't think that buildup of the area is really possible without cosiderable strain. All the stuff that we here at the station speaks to the issue that while stockyards would like to expand, they're meeting opposition concerning Grace Rescue Mission and the like. Really an area that would like to attract more public cannot have homeless/ and paint huffers literally strewn about its streets.
It is a shame, because inside the stockyards proper are some relatively cool flats for lease, (kinda warehouse shiek). Of course the areas surrounding are ramshackled houses that were built for stockyards employees back several decades ago, this would be quite an eyesore for visitors as well (though I happen to love the dirty history of it).
At anyrate, I love working in the stockyards. The City has recently and rightly renovated and reopened old station 8 as the offices for OCFD Special Operations. She is a pretty little building even without her old hay lofts and horse stalls. This is a very good move for the FD as it gives Station 8 a place to house its dive van, allowing room for more heavy rescue equipment in its rig room.
Went to cattlemens last eve, you would not believe the sign at night. Did not get a pic, but look forward to someone posting one.
Sorry for the poor quality - didn't have my tri-pod last night, so it's too blurry, but hopefully you get the picture (no pun intended).
The $180,000 is around the correct cost. This was an ODOT (Federal) grant project, so the City's total cost was only a small portion of that (which I don't know off the top of my head).
I've often wondered, after seeing so many semis sitting around down there throughout the week and especially on Mondays, if a small hotel with some great conference space would be viable? The conference space could be used for a lot of things and the hotel could take some tired drivers off their feet, start building up the area as a destination point (and it is right off the interstate for those weary travelers), and help keep people in the area more - CAN WE SAY SALES TAX REVENUE? I love the idea of what was pictured in one of these posts photos of shops and more. There area some great things there now. There is also a lot of unique history in the area. I wouldn't want to see that detracted from, but rather incorporated into the overall feel. The core of the district is no doubt Exchange and Agnew. There seems to be a bit of activity just south and there have been some new businesses open up this past year.
If someone with some serious money and the willingness to have patience while investing it were to come along - the potential for some serious money making would be had - not to mention that whole destination point aspect again.
I love the stockyards - well, except on those days when you can smell it more than see it. A friend once told me that the smell was the smell of money. LOL!
- Bradley Wynn
Oklahoma City Film Exchange District
Bradley, if you were around before the packing houses closed, you know that it was not money you were smelling! Ooh-eeh! The smell ranked in my top 3 worst city-smells when growing up. In order of worstness, they were:
- Camden, Arkansas, when I worked in that area one summer while in college: Source of worst smell: Paper plant
- Cyril, Oklahoma, when driving to Okc from Lawton as a kid: Source of smell: Oil refinery
- Oklahoma City, ditto the above time: Source of smell: Wilson & Company and Morris & Company (later Armour).
The smell from the area today is nothing compared to what it was. Of course, the businesses are also gone, along with the smell. I did an article on Stockyards City a couple of years ago ... Doug Dawgz Blog: Stockyards City ... and am tinkering with another now, the rail and businesses in the vicinity.
Having spent an occasional night or four in Guymon, I canna see any appeal in the thought of living, overnighting or or parking relatives for an overnight, let alone a multi-day, stay near the stockyards. Well, one brother excluded.
I could park him there and forget where I left him.
Visit, shop, eat, sure. Stay? Haven't ever seen an air filter that great.
LOL - Here is the difference between the Stockyards in OKC and Ft Worth. The OKC stockyard is still a working stockyard. And that is one huge difference.
I'm not an expert at construction costs, but how the hell does that sign cost $180,000?
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