Wheeler District

[Larry OKC]

I guess you thought it was a really funny comment and no one over there laughed so you thought you would post it here as well trying to get at least one person to laugh at your joke ... good try.

No humor intended. There are 2 things I will always give Kirk credit for: stepping in to save the Skirvin from demolition and resigning as Mayor when he decided to run for another office (think all elected persons should do that if they decide they don't really want their current job anymore). They should also pay for the cost of the special election if one is needed to fill the vacancy (out of their own pocket, no campaign funds used). IMO

[Doug Loudenback]

No humor intended. There are 2 things I will always give Kirk credit for: stepping in to save the Skirvin from demolition and resigning as Mayor when he decided to run for another office (think all elected persons should do that if they decide they don't really want their current job anymore). They should also pay for the cost of the special election if one is needed to fill the vacancy (out of their own pocket, no campaign funds used). IMO

Larry, to that I would add as major accomplishments: (3) leadership to get the MAPS 1 sales tax extended for 6 months so that we could get the arena built; (4) MAPS 2 (for Kids).

[Pete]

Did Kirk by the land in a public auction as sort of a bankruptcy auction?

It went into foreclosure and Humphries had the winning bid, although it wasn't just a case of being the highest bidder.

There were parameters set by the judge (certain amount in cash, for one). The other main bidders wanted to put in an Indian casino, but that's not why they weren't selected.

[Reno and Walker]

I just bought 1 acre of vacant land ajoining the airpark in the far southwest corner, I hope it pays off..Zoned I-2.. anyone want to buy it..

[Spartan]

It went into foreclosure and Humphries had the winning bid, although it wasn't just a case of being the highest bidder.

There were parameters set by the judge (certain amount in cash, for one). The other main bidders wanted to put in an Indian casino, but that's not why they weren't selected.

That's right. Wow that was an interesting debate. Funny how I think that casino would have been built by now probably. I bet post-recession most of us would take the casino jobs/tourism just like Omaha and KC did.

[Larry OKC]

allegedly, the tribes can't build a casino within the OKC limits as it isn't part of any of the tribe's historical claim (the tribe that had expressed interest is headquartered up Tulsa way) but apparently that doesn't bar them from buying/operating an existing casino (Remington Park). originally the tribe had wanted to build in Bricktown but the Mayor and Council were cold on the idea. They purchased land up near Frontier City and announced plans to build a resort/hotel/casino there, with the same chilly reception (think the Chamber was in favor) but Remington Park and the Horse Racing industry lobbied against it heavily (the Oklahoma Delegation, including now Governor Fallin specifically wrote a letter to the ruling authority voicing the opposition). Think that all happened pre-recession but not sure.

[Spartan]

Sounds about right.

I remember the renderings of the proposed casino were pretty spiffy looking, too. It was going to be right off of I-35 I believe. Back then it appeared that the Adventure District (barf) was "ripe for big development" with that, the excursion train, the Remington renovations, and the potential for a big mixed-use lifestyle center project at MLK/I-44.

I don't mean to express cynicism and defeatism, but o' the difference that 3-4 years and a recession makes...and politics. That area would probably have been a bright spot had the casino moved forward. Not that I'd ever go to the casino, but what difference does one more casino make, really?

[SkyWestOKC]

I have said it before, although not a popular opinion. I would like to see one casino open up on the river. If they could limit it to one casino, let the highest bidder take the land and build a nice hotel/casino on the river. Fact of the matter, people go to casinos. They are popular just about everywhere, and putting one downtown, especially on the river, will help to anchor Core-to-Shore and draw development down to the river.

Not a cheap gaming center and bingo hall that is built with steel siding. A nice, upscale casino with a 10-15 story hotel.

[Spartan]

Yeah. I have no idea how they're going to legitimately draw big development to C2S.. a mega church isn't going to build downtown anytime soon.

[BG918]

Yeah. I have no idea how they're going to legitimately draw big development to C2S.. a mega church isn't going to build downtown anytime soon.

I think new single family homes and townhomes, along with the urban apartments and condos, will be appealing to many people. There won't be really anything else like it so close to downtown and in the center of the metro.

[Reno and Walker]

This area sits in a hole, It becomes a lake whenever it rains.They could have very easily taken dirt from the crosstown project and elevated that property. Did they ever correct the drainage issues there

[ljbab728]

This area sits in a hole, It becomes a lake whenever it rains.They could have very easily taken dirt from the crosstown project and elevated that property. Did they ever correct the drainage issues there

Reno, I don't know if any work has been done on drainage but I'm sure the owners are well aware of any issues about that. I also suspect that using dirt from a public project to benefit a private area isn't that easily done without a substantial cost in buying the dirt. I'm not an engineer and have no idea what is needed but that had been a cost effective solution they probably would have considered that.

[Snowman]

This area sits in a hole, It becomes a lake whenever it rains.They could have very easily taken dirt from the crosstown project and elevated that property. Did they ever correct the drainage issues there

As city streets and storm drains are the core of large scale rain/flood water collection and removal for an area I doubt a little dirt on top of the properties would be that effective. Dirt work could help with flooding on an individual property in as much as get water into the storm drain system or elevate properties more from the street (partial solution at bet as you then may have block islands), it will have little affect on the entire area flooding. Some real work on the streets, inlets, piping and/or outlets removing water from the area may have to be addressed.

[Spartan]

I think new single family homes and townhomes, along with the urban apartments and condos, will be appealing to many people. There won't be really anything else like it so close to downtown and in the center of the metro.

Deep Deuce? Mid-town? Arts District? Heritage/Mesta? Bricktown (if housing ever gets going there)? I don't understand what makes Core2Shore "unlike anything else."

[bluedogok]

Reno, I don't know if any work has been done on drainage but I'm sure the owners are well aware of any issues about that. I also suspect that using dirt from a public project to benefit a private area isn't that easily done without a substantial cost in buying the dirt. I'm not an engineer and have no idea what is needed but that had been a cost effective solution they probably would have considered that.

It really depends on the project, if they are paying for storage of removed fill, then they can stipulate in the contract to relocate the fill to a private location as a no cost way of fill removal. In most cases ODOT stores the fill elsewhere for use on other projects, that is why there was the big mound for a long time around the I-44/I-240 interchange.

[betts]

They should get dirt from Chesapeake. They have an incredible amount of dirt left over from all their projects. It's parked south of 63rd and east of Western.

[Spartan]

Or there's the church on SW 119th with the sign out front: "Dirt for sale." I mean, they might want to support the southside economy if they're looking draw many customers from the south metro.

[BG918]

Deep Deuce? Mid-town? Arts District? Heritage/Mesta? Bricktown (if housing ever gets going there)? I don't understand what makes Core2Shore "unlike anything else."

Those districts offer higher density urban living. Core to Shore, in theory, offers more traditional neighborhood development with single family homes and townhomes. There will be nothing like it on that scale in any of the other urban districts and nothing else like it in the metro offering new homes and entirely new neighborhoods adjacent to the downtown core.

[Spartan]

But, the new single family homes (which I imagine will be replicas of the new construction in places like Mesta and J.Park) will be confined to a relatively small area WEST of Walker. When people think Core2Shore, I think that most people think of what will be the higher density areas at the heart of it, from Walker eastward.

I would be waaaaaaay more pro-C2S if it was going to be more single family.

[metro]

They should get dirt from Chesapeake. They have an incredible amount of dirt left over from all their projects. It's parked south of 63rd and east of Western.

Betts actually theyve been leveling it out as f late and will continue to. Chesapeake will need that dirt.

[BG918]

But, the new single family homes (which I imagine will be replicas of the new construction in places like Mesta and J.Park) will be confined to a relatively small area WEST of Walker. When people think Core2Shore, I think that most people think of what will be the higher density areas at the heart of it, from Walker eastward.

I would be waaaaaaay more pro-C2S if it was going to be more single family.

Maybe it will. No one really knows what it will be at this point. Still lots of time to develop more concrete plans.

[Spartan]

Well consider that the central park will be 2 blocks wide. There will be a few blocks of medium/high-density residential bounding the park on at least the west side, and hopefully the east side as well. West of Walker, SW 3rd already has the urban fabric in place to make an awesome historic district all the way to Western. That leaves a corner south of 3rd and west of Walker.

[earlywinegareth]

After reading about the 2010 census figures, it occurred to me this location would be ideal for a major league soccer stadium. I mean, it's on Latino OKC's doorstep. I think MLS would do very well here appealing especially to a fast-growing segment of the city's population.

[Reno and Walker]

Awesome idea. Humphreys properties just south of Reno and Walker and stop by with your idea. I love it..

[Spartan]

After reading about the 2010 census figures, it occurred to me this location would be ideal for a major league soccer stadium. I mean, it's on Latino OKC's doorstep. I think MLS would do very well here appealing especially to a fast-growing segment of the city's population.

I like the idea a ton. I don't know if that would be considered a big enough victory for the chamber to put effort into pursuing it. Hell, Mayor Mick is apt to block it... "for so many reasons."