Boathouse Row

[Larry OKC]

Ah, didn't know there was a bridge there. Call me ignorant and dumb then!

So, the section of canal going under the bridge will NOT be connected to the Bricktown Canal? So this will be more like a green swimming pool under the bridge?

I am glad to see they have moved the plan up by about 8 years.

Steve is correct (there was a rendering in the Oklahoman a while back, maybe he can repost). But I consider an "extension" that doesn't physically connect (requiring yet another "transfer") a serious design flaw. If it doesn't connect (where you have to get off one water taxi and board another), what is the point? Seems like a waste of money. Mayor Norick pushed (and continues to do so) that the connectivity of the Canal with the Convention Center/Bricktown/River) was critical. If it doesn't connect...

[Steve]

Larry, there is a pedestrian link to be considered here. To be blunt, it is pretty much impossible to physically link the water segments without a very expensive lock system.

[ljbab728]

I agree, it's not a design flaw at all. It's just a realistic way of handling that area without making it extroardinarily expensive. I don't see the big deal of having to get off a water taxi there and boarding another one if that is what you want to do. Probably a lot of people would elect to just return to Bricktown but that extension option will be available for those who don't. It's also a good option for those taking the river boats from the Meridian area to get to Bricktown. They now have to take a bus after getting off the boats or it's a very long walk.

[SkyWestOKC]

I wish the water taxis actually were water taxis instead of tour boats. Too bad they don't operate to take people from one place to another. Buy a one ride, day, night, week, month, year pass -- whatever. Get to ride to where you need to go. Instead of getting off where you stepped on. If you could take the river boats to the canal and then take the canal taxi to where you need to be, and in the future the streetcar to wherever else the streetcar goes. You might not even need a car during your stay if you stay, for example on Meridian and 15th. We talk about transit...we have potential for actual WATER transit, which will cost the city nothing. The infrastructure (river and canal) is already built and sustainable, the boats are already running. Why not?

It'd also tie in to the transit hub, if it were to be built at Santa Fe Station.

[ljbab728]

I wish the water taxis actually were water taxis instead of tour boats. Too bad they don't operate to take people from one place to another. Buy a one ride, day, night, week, month, year pass -- whatever. Get to ride to where you need to go. Instead of getting off where you stepped on. If you could take the river boats to the canal and then take the canal taxi to where you need to be, and in the future the streetcar to wherever else the streetcar goes. You might not even need a car during your stay if you stay, for example on Meridian and 15th. We talk about transit...we have potential for actual WATER transit, which will cost the city nothing. The infrastructure (river and canal) is already built and sustainable, the boats are already running. Why not?

It'd also tie in to the transit hub, if it were to be built at Santa Fe Station.

I agree that some kind of connected ticket would be ideal. You can currently buy a one day unlimited use pass on the water taxis and eventually adding the river boats to that pass would be great. Even better at some point in the future would be to add the street cars to the pass. The river cruise does currently include trolley transportation but that can be iffy. Please note that the river cruises have another departure point now at Exchange Avenue in the Stockyard area.

[stdennis]

Maybe two types of boats for the canal. Some that are like the current ones where its a tour and Some that are more like taxi/buses where you can get off at different stops. I would also love to see some type of transit pass. You can spend a certain amount for say a year and you can ride all buses, canal boat buses, river boats, future commuter trains, future street car, and maybe even discounts for other forms of transportation like the heartland flyer, maybe a taxi company, and other future forms of transit we can develop for the city.

EDIIT: Also maybe you can buy different "bundles" or mix and match where you pick the forms of transportation you want and maybe offering a discount for more transit types.

[Platemaker]

I agree... what a great way for a (future) visitor arriving at WW to experience OKC... light rail from the airport to Union Station... streetcar along Central Park to Santa Fe... and the "Canal Line" to Boathouse Row.

[OKC@heart]

I agree with the sentiments posted above, what a wonderful way to show a commitment to trully multi-modal transportation and like was mentioned the infrastructure is there, why not make use of it and capitalize on the opportunity? Seems like it would be a boon to the hotel operators in the meridian area to be able to advertize interconnectivity via the river to Bricktown and downtown. Great forward thinking idea so long as it is marketed right and there is a sound business case with enough demand to make it viable.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Larry, there is a pedestrian link to be considered here. To be blunt, it is pretty much impossible to physically link the water segments without a very expensive lock system.

Try getting to the river from Bricktown without a car...it should be a fun adventure...

[Steve]

Even without a car, right now, it's a challenge. Lincoln is closed; won't be reopened until the fly-bridge over the highway is built and opened.

[kevinpate]

Even without a car, right now, it's a challenge. Lincoln is closed; won't be reopened until the fly-bridge over the highway is built and opened.

Thanks for that! I thought Lincoln/Byars was open south of Reno.

[Steve]

Not anymore...

[Martin]

hmmm... must've just closed it as i drove that way saturday, 9/18. -M

[Steve]

You drove Lincoln south of Reno to the river bridge on Saturday?

[Watson410]

You must have came from the south side, You can only get to the area from 15th street now... that away people can still get to the Chesapeake Boathouse and construction areas. Like Steve said, the stretch from Reno to Boathouse Row is now longer open.

[iMAX386]

With the OCU regatta happening in like 2 weeks, what's the status of the Devon Boathouse?

Anyone have any recent pictures?

[joseph]

It is actually open again now. It was closed for a couple weeks to make may for utility infrastructure work in the Boathouse District. You can drive again to the river south on Lincoln - as this will be the main entrance for the big regatta October 7-10 and the new 6th street and parking areas should also be nearing completion. You can get the info from the Riversport online newsletter you can subscribe to at www.riversportokc.org.

[Watson410]

Yeah, it was a couple weeks ago when I tried to go that way... So I was just going by that. I'm sure this has already be answer somewhere in this thread but i'm too lazy to go back and read every post, If someone could just answer it for me that would be great. Is the OU boathouse a 100% for sure deal? and if so, when are they suppose to break ground on it. Is there any other boathouses in the works for a ground breaking?

[ljbab728]

Yeah, it was a couple weeks ago when I tried to go that way... So I was just going by that. I'm sure this has already be answer somewhere in this thread but i'm too lazy to go back and read every post, If someone could just answer it for me that would be great. Is the OU boathouse a 100% for sure deal? and if so, when are they suppose to break ground on it. Is there any other boathouses in the works for a ground breaking?

This is from the riversportokc website:

University of Oklahoma Boathouse – Construction drawings are being finalized on this university boathouse which will be home to OU Women’s Rowing.

University of Central Oklahoma Boathouse – Each boathouse has a unique personality, and the UCO boathouse will bring arts to the river with the addition of a Jazz Lab and art space. Drawings are being finalized.

[Martin]

you drove lincoln south of reno to the river bridge on saturday?

sure did. went south on lincoln from reno, past the boathouses and then west on 15th. it looked like the barricades had been rearranged since i was last that way around a month ago, but it was open. -M

[kevinpate]

sure did. went south on lincoln from reno, past the boathouses and then west on 15th. it looked like the barricades had been rearranged since i was last that way around a month ago, but it was open. -M

sweet. I tend to prefer this route to slip out of BT and enjoy a short stroll around the river spur.

[okclee]

I went this route today, no barricades and the traffic was moving along.

The finish tower frame is up and really gives this area some height definition.

[SoonerLakers]

Larry, there is a pedestrian link to be considered here. To be blunt, it is pretty much impossible to physically link the water segments without a very expensive lock system.

Something like this would work. The Falkirk Wheel cost $22.5 million in 2002. Man, should have added it to MAPS3.

[Platemaker]

Holy crap!!!! I want one I want one!!!!

[kevinpate]

What platemaker said!