Boathouse Row

[Larry OKC]

ON EDIT: Not trying to hijack the thread, Pete, feel free to move this post to a more appropriate thread...

The Landrun Monument will certainly be visible. This is from Doug, taken in 2008:

What vantage point was the pic taken? Meaning, was it taken from "eye level" of the average passenger car? Are there not significant retaining walls (possibly indicated by the poles in that pic, see below from another thread taken by UnFrSaKn). As you can see these retaining walls are rather massive and dwarf even the large construction vehicles. Shoot, even the relatively short "concrete divider" can significantly ubsruct buildings and tall raos signage (depending on proximity to the wall). This is something that the ULI folks warned us about, to avoid it & "not let ODOT" do it.

As far as I-35, Pete may be correct, but I was speaking more about along the partially below grade/retaining wall, relocated I-40.

I know that elevated crosstowns are out of vogue now, but they serve a purpose. It gives those "pass through" drivers more of a panoramic view of the City. When you are known as fly-over or drive-through, you need to take advantage of everything you can to encourage people to stop, not put them in a ditch, ban billboards and development. In some ways we were trying to do it right (the Skydancer Bridge).

[ljbab728]

I know that elevated crosstowns are out of vogue now, but they serve a purpose. It gives those "pass through" drivers more of a panoramic view of the City. When you are known as fly-over or drive-through, you need to take advantage of everything you can to encourage people to stop, not put them in a ditch, ban billboards and development. In some ways we were trying to do it right (the Skydancer Bridge).

Sorry, but I disagree Larry. This road is being rebuilt more for local traffic than pass through traffic. It's nice to have a view from the freeway but I would much prefer that we have views for those not on the freeway who don't want to look at cars.

[Larry OKC]

I understand what you are saying and that certainly seems to be the thought process behind the trend to now build roads below grade.

But again it goes back to why does a city spend millions/billions on economic development/tourism and then does things that seem contrary to the stated objective? If you are a destination city and people are going to stop anyway, it makes some sort of sense, but when you aren't....

[jonno]

Larry,

I had the opportunity to take photos of downtown from the new I-40 pavement on Thursday. They were taken from the driver seat of a 2007 chevy pickup (a fairly typical vehicle given the large number of trucks and SUV's in OKC). I'll try and post them tomorrow in the Crosstown updates thread in the transportation portion of this forum.

[Snowman]

I know that elevated crosstowns are out of vogue now, but they serve a purpose. It gives those "pass through" drivers more of a panoramic view of the City. When you are known as fly-over or drive-through, you need to take advantage of everything you can to encourage people to stop, not put them in a ditch, ban billboards and development. In some ways we were trying to do it right (the Skydancer Bridge).

They serve a purpose to keep the street grid more intact, the panoramic effect was incidental. Elevated roads cost many times to build, decay faster, ice faster, and are harder to maintain/modify than when the freeway is below the overpasses.

Sorry, but I disagree Larry. This road is being rebuilt more for local traffic than pass through traffic.

It was stated at one point near 95% of the traffic would pass through the crosstown. Though a noticeable portion of that would be locals passing from one side of the city to the other.

[metro]

Larry,

I had the opportunity to take photos of downtown from the new I-40 pavement on Thursday. They were taken from the driver seat of a 2007 chevy pickup (a fairly typical vehicle given the large number of trucks and SUV's in OKC). I'll try and post them tomorrow in the Crosstown updates thread in the transportation portion of this forum.

Bur not a typical ride of tourists Or drive through traffic we are trying to attract while passing through the country.

[ljbab728]

They serve a purpose to keep the street grid more intact, the panoramic effect was incidental. Elevated roads cost many times to build, decay faster, ice faster, and are harder to maintain/modify than when the freeway is below the overpasses.



It was stated at one point near 95% of the traffic would pass through the crosstown. Though a noticeable portion of that would be locals passing from one side of the city to the other.

What Larry was referring to and I was responding as "pass through" drivers were those who aren't from the OKC area and are merely passing through while traveling say from Tennessee to Arizona. There is a need to balance the advantages of the road as it was built for locals and for trying to attact tourists from those traveling through. I think it was done fairly well. It's not meant to be the Talimena Skyline Drive.

[Larry OKC]

True, and isn't that what the interstate road system is all about anyway? Not local traffic (although locals will certainly use it), but those traveling from "Tennessee to Arizona"?

By the way, I hope I am wrong about the visibility of the Landrun Monument. Sadly it gets little attention (tucked away at the other end of the Bass Pro overflow parking lot). It is awesome and it is one item I go out of my way to make sure visitors don't miss. Not everyone takes a ride on the Canal and aren't even aware of its existence. Have wondered about relocating it to the MAPS 3 Park or even having it installed along the Oklahoma City Boulevard in some manner! If put back to its original 77 pieces, that could be even more impressive than it is!

[ljbab728]

True, and isn't that what the interstate road system is all about anyway? Not local traffic (although locals will certainly use it), but those traveling from "Tennessee to Arizona"?

Of course Interstate travel was the original motivation for the Interstate system. But, if wasn't for local traffic, a four lane road would suffice nicely for downtown.
Do you not consider someone traveling from Tennessee to Arizona to be interstate? I'm not quite sure what you mean.

[OKCisOK4me]

Boathouse Row guys.......

Sorry Pete, but this needs to be moved to a new thread, all these posts about the new interstate. Way off base here.

[Larry OKC]

i agree and sorry for my involvement in getting it off track (although my original comment was related). By all means move the post to an appropriate thread. Ljbab728, sending you a PM to answer your question...

[Snowman]

For anyone interested in rowing (probably kayaking as well) they are making some new plans if you would like a more turnpike style payment plan, where you buy a set number of times to row and use them at your leisure, verses the current plans to pay for a day or month pass and row during any of the hours available. It sounded like they plan to start them at half the day rate and go lower as you buy a larger bundle of sessions.

[edcrunk]

Photos from about a week ago. Finish Line Tower to be dedicated next month:

great pix!

[Snowman]

They started a Groupon deal; Discover Rowing and Dragon Boat Rental are half off. http://www.groupon.com/deals/oklahoma-city-riversport-1

It says time is limited but I could not figure out when the time is up.

Choose between the following options:

For $17, you get a Discover Rowing class (a $35 value).
For $60, you get a dragon-boat excursion for an 11-person boat (a $125 value).
The buoyant staff at Oklahoma City Riversport inspires land dwellers to pick up paddles and explore the local waterways in rowing barges and dragon boats. During the 90-minute Discover Rowing lesson, the instructor’s shoulder-mounted parrot imparts wisdom about rowing shells, oars, and propelling techniques before pupils practice on an indoor rowing machine. When paddlers are skilled enough to navigate the briny seas, they may unleash themselves on tranquil waters atop their flat-bottomed rowing barges. Coordinate class times with friends to take advantage of the nautical carpool lane.

Corral up to 10 compatriots for the one-hour dragon-boat excursion, which sends riders off to conquer waves on a dragon-themed vessel styled after Chinese fishing boats. An onboard drum allows a shipmate to beat out a rhythm to synchronize the boat’s team of paddlers. While paddling through the lake, crews may gaze upon the shoreline at leisure or challenge dolphins to feverish races.

[BBatesokc]

They started a Groupon deal; Discover Rowing and Dragon Boat Rental are half off. http://www.groupon.com/deals/oklahoma-city-riversport-1

It says time is limited but I could not figure out when the time is up.

Usually that means there is a set number that can be sold instead of a time limit. Though often the deals employ both. Regardless my wife and I and some friends all bought the rowing deal. Looks like fun.

[dankrutka]

Any pics of the completed Finish Line Tower? I'm sure they've worked on the landscaping prior to the big rowing event this week...

[Larry OKC]

sorry wrong thread...

[OKCisOK4me]

I didn't know the river has dolphins, LOL.

[ljbab728]

Any pics of the completed Finish Line Tower? I'm sure they've worked on the landscaping prior to the big rowing event this week...

Look at Pete's pictures in post 451. It is basically finished there.

[Snowman]

Any pics of the completed Finish Line Tower? I'm sure they've worked on the landscaping prior to the big rowing event this week...

They have had grass down for at least the last week around the tower, they also put in some new sidewalks to the parking. I kept trying to remember to take pictures this week but usually by the end of a couple hours rowing the last thing I am thinking about getting photos. They started putting up tents and tables for the regatta today.

[Larry OKC]

I didn't know the river has dolphins, LOL.

I am confused as well. Had to scroll up a bit to figure out what you were talking about but it really didn't help much. Sounds like they are describing something from Disney World and a mashup of Pirates of the Caribbean, EPCOT and Sea World dolphins thrown into the mix. Are "Dolphins" a type of boat? The only non-mammal definition I could find was a buoy ("a fixed man-made structure which is not connected to shore)" How does one have a race with a fixed object?

[dankrutka]

Here are some pics of the completed (and landscaped) Finish Line Tower that is hosting the Masters Nationals this weekend:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/usrowin...7627288016449/

[Pete]

Here are some of the better ones:

[metro]

Awesome pics. Too bad they didn't get Devon in any of them.

[OKCisOK4me]

I like the dark low cloud base in the first pic! Looks nice. Gonna have to go down there and take shots for a panoramic view.