Boathouse Row

[Snowman]

Yeah, I don't understand the hold-up on the OU Boathouse. Perhaps they are waiting until after the big events this weekend... Everything else on the capital projects priority list is either complete or under construction.

I know UCO still needed to raise some money for theirs, even though they've already raised several million.

Maybe they want to start them at the same time and OU is waiting on UCO?

Since they have been using the future foundations for athletic staging areas, waiting to break ground is likely if it is ready to go or not and most of the projects they have done were influenced by activities/events held their. Though at least two months after the funding was in they were still talking about finalizing design and getting approvals of that design from OU, so another one or two months of planing out phasing, getting permits and signing contracts likely would have taken some time anyway, though neither the OU rowing team, the Boathouse foundation have announced when all the approvals went through and no further updates have been brought to OKRRA.

Their are a few reasons would not expect it being held to be built at the same time, neither building has much impact on the other and serve different groups. What reason would OU want to wait on another school to get funding it should increase their costs, delay benefits and annoy the donors. The boathouse foundation likes showing that development is progressing to any rower/paddler interested, our community and the collegiate organizations & national federations that award larger events. From a logistic standpoint it seems better to have at least a slight difference in start times since you will either introduce delays or have to hire more workers.

[ljbab728]

There is a lot of good imformation on updated plans for the area here:

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/cache/2...1112624696.PDF

I thought the creative playground area sounds very interesting.

[mcca7596]

There is a lot of good imformation on updated plans for the area here:

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/cache/2...1112624696.PDF

I thought the creative playground area sounds very interesting.

The link doesn't work for me, is it under the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority?

[ljbab728]

The link doesn't work for me, is it under the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority?

You're right. It doesn't work after a copy and paste of the link. Here it is:

September 21, 2011
To: Chairman and Trustees
OCRRA
From: Pat Downes
Director of Development
Subject: Director of Development Report
August -- September 2011

The KaBOOM Foundation of Washington, D.C. has approved the
grant application by the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation to
construct a creative playground in the Boathouse District. The
Foundation is working with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma,
which has provided the local capital matching funds. Design work is
underway and the plans will be presented to OCRRA trustees at the
October 2011 meeting. The KaBOOM organization partners with
local entities and national sponsors to design and build creative
playgrounds in urban areas as a primary component of its
fitness/wellness initiative. Blue Cross Blue Shield is a national
sponsor of KaBOOM. Parks and Recreation, Public Works and
Planning Department staff have been made aware of this initiative.
Plans are underway for Oklahoma City to host the 2012 U.S. Olympic
Training Site Conference. The fact that Oklahoma City will host this
conference in an Olympic year (London 2012) presents a significant
opportunity to strengthen Oklahoma City’s relationship with the
U.S.O.C. and its recognized sport national governing bodies.


The formal dedication of the Chesapeake Finish Line Tower was held
Wednesday, September 14, at 5:00 p.m. The event was well attended
and well covered by local, national, and international media outlets.
This facility was a gift to the Oklahoma City community, made last
year in conjunction with Chesapeake’s 20th corporate anniversary
celebration.
The MAPS staff keeps the Director of Development informed of the
program of work undertaken by the River Subcommittee of the
MAPS 3 Citizens Committee.

The MAPS 3 River Subcommittee, at their most recent meeting,
discussed the importance of expediting a site decision for the
whitewater center. The lighting plan has been studied, and a
recommendation has been made. The wind screen is undergoing a
series of wind tunnel tests in order to confirm the most beneficial
design and positioning. Preliminary tests suggest a positive result
from the screen installation.
A meeting to review preliminary engineering plans for the Zone G
canal extension / connection project was held August 11, 2011. A
broad stakeholder group has been invited to participate, including
Johnson & Associates, representatives of the Oklahoma City
Boathouse Foundation, Oklahoma River Cruisers, Parks &
Recreation Department, Public Works Department, Oklahoma
Centennial Commission, Bricktown interests, Urban Renewal, and
others. Additionally, the preliminary plans were reviewed and
approved by the river representative on the Mayor’s Council on
Disability Concerns. Several design suggestions were received by the
engineers, who are proceeding apace with the project.

The Director of Development has been made aware of a significant
corporate gift toward completion of the American Indian Cultural
Center and Museum. Additional commitments, and public
announcements, can be expected over the coming months. The
Director of Development serves on a committee focused on the
funding needs of the center.
An amendment to the engineering contract with C.H. Guernsey &
Company will be presented to OCRRA trustees at the September 2011
meeting. This amendment relates to the TIF-funded riverscape
improvement project adjacent to the new hotel properties, just west of
Meridian Landing.

The Finance Department staff continues its work to identify potential
funding mechanisms to finance the balance of the Meridian Landing
facility plan, as submitted by Triad Design Group. Funding
opportunities are also being identified to address the Stockyards
Landing, which remains a priority project of the trustees.

Staff continues to work with various river stakeholders interested in
development of a signature equestrian venue on the Oklahoma River.
The last meeting, involving officials from the State Fair of Oklahoma,
was held in mid-August 2011. Results will be presented to OCRRA
trustees, when appropriate.
The OCBF has purchased, and will operate, a parking lot shuttle
within the Boathouse District. The initial service has begun and was
very effective during the dedication ceremonies for the Chesapeake
Finish Line Tower. Details, such as hours, pricing, and event
coordination, will be incorporated into the Boathouse District
Operating Agreement, now under final negotiations.
The Director of Development continues to work with a significant
holder of private property in the Aero-Meridian District regarding
potential development along the SW 15th corridor.

The Director of Development continues to work with representatives
of Leadership Oklahoma City, Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation,
OKC Parks and Recreation Department, and the OKC Arts
Commission regarding the placement of the “Compass Rose” art
piece to be donated to the City by LOKC. The OCBF has agreed to
the proposed site along SE 6th Street, in the proposed parking lot
access traffic median; the OCBF lease is being amended to
incorporate the site within their leasehold area, to allow for ongoing
maintenance.
The Director of Development continues to work with owners of a
hospitality industry venue currently considering relocation to a site
along the Oklahoma River.
Staff is working with representatives of the OKC Disc Golf
Association regarding a possible course development on river
property south of the Overholser Dam. Staff is researching ways in
which to replace a pedestrian bridge which was damaged in one of the
more serious flooding incidents. If the loss was claimed as part of the
disaster relief funds provided by the Federal government, funding
should be available. The replacement of the bridge and a portion of
the pedestrian trail will be necessary in order to provide access and
safe escape routes in the event of future flooding in this area.

The Director of Development met with the Assistant City Manager, Parks and
Recreation Department staff, and Public Works Department staff regarding the
future disposition of the OKC Police Equine and Canine Center, at approximately
SW 12th Street and Portland.

[mcca7596]

Ah, yes, the same one I posted last night about the funding for the Indian Cultural Center; I just skimmed through it and didn't notice the info about a playground.

I should have made sure my link worked as well, sorry.

[Snowman]

The link doesn't work for me, is it under the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority?

The city's content management system seems to generate all PDFs links as temporary links, from the url structure it looks like it was either designed as a way to make documents that with a lot of hits concurrently to be served more quickly or they have more files than will fit on the web servers memory allocated to the project, somewhere like 6 to 12 hours later it assumes their is not enough interest to keep the file cached and the link goes bad.

[Pete]

Hadn't seen this but it's very good news:

Vicki Clark • Fri, Apr 18, 2008
Devon Energy CEO Larry Nichols picked the Olympic Kayak and Canoe Trials VIP party Friday night to quietly tell Oklahoma City University (OCU) President Tom McDaniel that he would donate the $5 million necessary to begin construction on the OCU Boathouse on the Oklahoma River.

OCU Rowing Coach Mike Knopp was also present. The Boathouse will cost $10 million and be designed by Oklahoma City Architect Rand Elliott. Knopp said he had already raised the other $5 million.

Knopp began the OCU rowing program in 2000 as a club. Knopp is president of the Oklahoma Association for Rowing and executive director of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation, which will manages the Chesapeake Boathouse, a recently completed facility that houses OCU rowing. He is a graduate of Oklahoma State University. He holds a juris doctorate degree from the University of Oklahoma. Knopp has been instrumental in growing the sport of rowing in Oklahoma.

Nichols and his wife Polly attended the party where the two new Devon river boats were tied at the pier.

The Devon Discovery, Devon Explorer and soon to be deliveed Devon Pioneer are Oklahoma City’s newest attraction. The Devon River Boats will provide tours along a seven-mile stretch of the Oklahoma River. Each boat holds 35 passengers and can be boarded at Regatta Park Landing or at the Meridian Landinng on SW 15th street. The 90 minute cruise one way through two locks is $9 or $12 round trip.

[Bellaboo]

??? almost 3 years old, am I missing something ?

[Pete]

Oops!

I didn't realize the date.

I wonder what happened to this pledge by Nichols? Or perhaps it was just poor reporting.

[Steve]

They donated the $5 million. The OCU boathouse opened as as the Devon Boathouse

[Pete]

Right... I was confusing this for the UCO boathouse.

All these O/C/U acronyms!

[Snowman]

"Knopp is president of the Oklahoma Association for Rowing and executive director of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation"

I think the Oklahoma Association for Rowing did not existed past somewhere between 2003-2006, it was what was set up in the 90's at lake Overholser and was (or at least all it's physical assets) folded into the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation since the Boathouse Foundation was a better legal entity to receive donations for the Chesapeake Boathouse to be built and work with the various organizations it was going to need to moving forward.

[MDot]

I noticed yesterday that on the South side of the Oklahoma River, directly west of I-35 "Oklahoma City University" was written in the grass. Does anybody know when they painted that in cause I never noticed it until yesterday.

[Snowman]

I noticed yesterday that on the South side of the Oklahoma River, directly west of I-35 "Oklahoma City University" was written in the grass. Does anybody know when they painted that in cause I never noticed it until yesterday.

It was probably for OCU's main regatta last weekend.

[MDot]

Also, the LED lights underneath the Lincoln bridge, do they plan on ever putting those underneath any other bridges?

[Snowman]

Also, the LED lights underneath the Lincoln bridge, do they plan on ever putting those underneath any other bridges?

The current lights under the bridge I think they are halogen, it has been mentioned with the phase one projects they are considering upgrading them to LED if they can work it into the budget. As far as other bridges, if they will it has not been mentioned, so probably would not happen in the at least the first three MAPS3 river phases. It sounds like they are leaning to have the stadium light standards along the way rigged with mounts so they can be added later but do not have it in the phase 1 budget get have the LEDs for them.

[BillA518]

I think MDot was referring to the colored strip lights on the support columns

[dankrutka]

RiversportsOKC just tweeted "The new entrance to the Boathouse District opens today! Lincoln between Reno & SE 6th will be barricaded." Has anyone seen this new entrance?

[RodH]

RiversportsOKC just tweeted "The new entrance to the Boathouse District opens today! Lincoln between Reno & SE 6th will be barricaded." Has anyone seen this new entrance?

The "new entrance" is the new bridge over I-40.

[Bellaboo]

I just drove over that new bridge.....It's big with sidewalks on both sides.

[Watson410]

HUGE PROPS to everyone involved with the development of this area... Everyone from the ideas, design, constuction workers, landscapers and everyone in-between. I just drove over the new bridge (new entrance) and this area has completely transformed in the past couple years. It looks like the playground east of the Devon Boathouse is just about finished. (hopefully it's finished before it gets too cold, so I can take my son to it this year.) When the OU Boathouse and Whitewater rapids are complete, that area will be AMAZING!!! I encourage everyone to go check out the area if you haven't already.

[Snowman]

... It looks like the playground east of the Devon Boathouse is just about finished. (hopefully it's finished before it gets too cold, so I can take my son to it this year.) ...

For anyone who had not heard about it KaBoom & Blue Cross and Blue Shield donated playground equipment and materials, the site prep for construction starting this last thursday and assembly started today, like 200 volunteers came out and assembled the whole thing in just 6 or 7 hours.

Shots from yesterday: http://boathousedistrictdevelopment....elopments.html
Shot from midmorning: http://ow.ly/i/l8Gk
Shot from just after noon: http://ow.ly/i/l9mw/original

[ljbab728]

This is really great development, particulary for the the schools in the OKC school system. They can't compete in football but it's something that can give them a sense of accomplishment and pride. Hopefully this will spread.

http://newsok.com/eight-okc-area-sch...ad_story_title

[dankrutka]

This is really great development, particulary for the the schools in the OKC school system. They can't compete in football but it's something that can give them a sense of accomplishment and pride. Hopefully this will spread.

http://newsok.com/eight-okc-area-sch...ad_story_title

It would be really cool if they got a lot of schools into this and had events at night. Unforunately, I worked at a high school in OKC and I have never heard of them approaching anyone about getting a team. I was at an event where their mobile truck was last year and I told the guy supposedly in charge of high school recruitment that I'd introduce them to the right people about getting a rowing team and I was never contacted. It doesn't seem that they're working very hard to get high schools involved.

[betts]

It would be really cool if they got a lot of schools into this and had events at night. Unforunately, I worked at a high school in OKC and I have never heard of them approaching anyone about getting a team. I was at an event where their mobile truck was last year and I told the guy supposedly in charge of high school recruitment that I'd introduce them to the right people about getting a rowing team and I was never contacted. It doesn't seem that they're working very hard to get high schools involved.

There's a team at Casady, I know, because I know someone on it. I wonder about the expense of having a team, as the lack of local teams would mean a lot of travel for the first teams.