John Rex Elementary

[HOT ROD]

I want to see Central return as OKC's High School or perhaps some advanced high school similar to Classen or OSSM, and there be more than one small but very well built/designed elementary school downtown (maybe one in C2S later, and one in Deep Deuce now, maybe one in Midtown also later). Central is such a beautiful grand building, with great teaching - should motivate students to be all they can be and perhaps could rub off on the other schools in the city. ....

We need Oklahoma City Central High School - A downtown incubator for the rest of the city, sound familiar?

[Spartan]

No it doesn't. What are you talking about?

[Pete]

An elementary school would not only encourage more young families to live and stay downtown, it will also be a place where the community can be built up through interaction of the kids, parents and teachers.

Schools are always great places for people to come together and bond.

[Spartan]

I think the bonding factor will be bigger down the road with people who have memories growing up going to the downtown elementary school, and that's definitely something to be excited about... for 2030.

[CaseyCornett]

This is a prime opportunity to make an iconic school downtown. I wish we could get some old-school throw back design like this.

My granddad went to this high school in the mid/late 1930's, and I would love it if my (future) kids got the opportunity to go to school there too.

I hope to move downtown in the next two years but I am doing so knowing I will need to relocate in another 5 years after that for schooling...unless this school gets completed.

I fall into that large group of 20-somethings that is holding back "taking the plunge" and moving into downtown (to buy, not rent) unless better schooling is provided. This will definitely a project that will have my full attention until it is built.

[Nextlevel]

Has anyone heard if the downtown elementary school has made any progress? Have they picked a location? Do they have a projected opening date? Are they planning to move into an existing building or build new?

[Spartan]

There are 5 sites being evaluated, no decisions made yet. Someone will be able to correct me, but I think these are some of the sites being looked at:

1 Core to Shore
2 Walker/Sheridan
3 Old Central High School bldg
4 Deep Deuce
5 Forget on the 5th

I understand that they will be looking for a combination of factors. The streetcar is going to be a consideration, because that could be a great, safe method for parents to drop their kids off, which schoolkids were once a major part of OKC streetcar ridership back in the day. Also, they'll be looking for available land and proximity to residential density, or where they see that developing in the next 10 years.

I think they'll probably build new, but if they use an existing old building it will be the old Central High, which is one of the options.

[Nextlevel]

what is number #5?

[Spartan]

I don't know, my memory runs short on all the sites being considered but it must not have been a priority site. I can also say that McDermid was selected as the architect of record and that it will be phased as the very last MAPS for Kids project, so probably 4-5 years from now, it will be built.

My personal thought is that it needs to be in a residential area that is currently eminent. Not to throw all our eggs in one basket that doesn't even exist yet, Core to Shore. First preference is Sheridan/Walker on the empty block just west of the Stage Center, surrounded by the Arts District (residential density), Film Row, and the Myriad Gardens. Second preference would be Deep Deuce..

[Rover]

How about the area between about 10th and 13th on Broadway, east side of the street. Run the streetcars past it for the kids to ride. That would service downtown and Heritage Hills quite nicely.

[ljbab728]

I think they'll probably build new, but if they use an existing old building it will be the old Central High, which is one of the options.

I just can't imagine using Central High unless it's just a small portion of the building. It's much too large for a grade schoool. I also think the building has much more value used for something else.

[betts]

My friends who live in Heritage Hills are very happy with Wilson as an elementary school, and they're saying they'd like a middle school. I don't know what size area Wilson serves, and if we'd need a second elementary for downtown. If not, I will echo them and say perhaps we need a middle school instead.

[Larry OKC]

I don't know, my memory runs short on all the sites being considered but it must not have been a priority site. I can also say that McDermid was selected as the architect of record and that it will be phased as the very last MAPS for Kids project, so probably 4-5 years from now, it will be built.
...

Thought I read recently that the last of the MAPS 4 Kids projects were in the finishing stages (with completion expected by the end of 2012)???

[Spartan]

Thought I read recently that the last of the MAPS 4 Kids projects were in the finishing stages (with completion expected by the end of 2012)???

I ran into McDermid at the Thunder game last week and he said they were still evaluating sites, for what it's worth.

[Larry OKC]

Spartan, thanks for the info, what I saw earlier and when the Mayor stated in his recent state of the city speech that they were in the "final stages of completion"... guess it depends on definition of that phrase but if they are still selecting a site and an architect hasn't been chosen for the last project (administration building), guess you could say that the MAPS 3 projects are in the "final stages of completion" too...LOL

[Urban Pioneer]

I just watched the city council meeting video for yesterday. Sam Bowman mentioned impressive progress and innovative ideas coming out of the most recent dt elementary meeting.

Does anyone know what locations they are "zeroing in" on?

[Snowman]

I just can't imagine using Central High unless it's just a small portion of the building. It's much too large for a grade schoool. I also think the building has much more value used for something else.

That is what makes me wonder if an already built up area might be better than planing to have every one their now along with everyone in C2S's kids go to the same school. If we do start getting denser neighborhoods we could stand to have a second elementary school that close and not lock ourselves into guessing terribly wrong either way on student body size.

[Reno and Walker]

City Arts is going in on Walker and Sheridan

[Steve]

Naughty, naughty. You're not supposed to say that in public. Now I'll have to make some folks unhappy.

[krisb]

That would be awesome if it's true.

[Spartan]

City Arts is going in on Walker and Sheridan

Who are you?

[Pete]

City Arts is going in on Walker and Sheridan

Meaning City Arts Center is moving from the fairgrounds to the OCURA-owned parking lot at the SW corner of that intersection?

[BoulderSooner]

that would be great

[Reno and Walker]

I thought City Arts out in the fairgrounds is going in at Walker and Sheridan..

[Reno and Walker]

Spartan go back and check my profile I revised it and maybe you will get an idea of who I am. Love your name by the way Spartan, hint hint your name . a few of my relatives were spartans