Mayor Mick Cornett Should Adopt Downtown Housing Incentive Program For Developers

[kevinpate]

Who is Rick Dowell?

Former OU prof. who is a developer in the metro including some space in Norman.
Some find him a bit of an odd duck, but he's an ok chap.

[Kerry]

Former OU prof. who is a developer in the metro including some space in Norman.
Some find him a bit of an odd duck, but he's an ok chap.

He is also a real estate developer with a big hand in Midtown.

[Urban Pioneer]

He is also a real estate developer with a big hand in Midtown.

The problem with Rick Dowell is that he has created an exclusively 9-5 extension of the CBD with absolutely no other uses other than offices. It would be an area completely devoid of evening and weekend pedestrian activity if it were not for the Legacy apartments and Sycamore Square. His properties also lie in the transition area to SOSA.

To his credit, he stabilized the area from further structural decay although many will debate his "Trumpish" sort of architecture. He claims to be pursuing a Mediterranean theme. He always builds using stone, brick, and steel versus the cheaper alternative of ephis. There are many great and amusing stories about Rick and his escapades.

However, he vehemently opposes Project 180. He does not want to see Walker torn up again and does not appreciate the "modern" aesthetics of the new lighting, benches, etc incorporated into the design.

I disagree with him on trying to prevent the construction. 4th street is in desperate need of traffic calming and the entire area could use additional pedestrian enhancements. Also, it might help the area if it felt more connected to the CBD. Project 180 could provide some degree of continuity at least on some overall levels.

Expect to see him at the Board of Adjustment meeting in full force this Thursday opposing this project according to the Journal Record via the P180 thread..

Rick also owns the office tower across from Sandridge that is undergoing asbestos abatement.