Larry Nichols Park

[krisb]

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/cache/2...2010018475.PDF

[pw405]

Hmmm... project 180? Fact check?

[UnFrSaKn]

Is this one of those links that doesn't work after a while?

[Doug Loudenback]

Probably. Many links at the Okc City website seem to be quite temporary, particularly concerning city council matters, in my experience. If one wants to save a file he/she sees there, the best policy is to save it to your computer while it is still there and then, if desired, uploaded it to your own more permanent server, and then link to that personally uploaded location. Otherwise, some files land up in la-la land, as far as internet locating purposes are concerned.

[Just the facts]

You can't copy a city link from your browser address bar, you have to right click on the document, go to properties, and copy that value. The link posted above is in the temporary internet files of krisb's computer.

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/agdocs....a&itemid=60730

They want to rename Bicentennial Park to Larry Nichols Park.

My personal opinion of Larry Nichols was pretty high at one time but is now dropping like a lead ballon. I can't believe that the justification for doing this is because he pays property taxes - that he directed to fix up the land around HIS building. What a piece of work. With the P180 funding shortage we now know why he insisted that his area get done first.

I am not a big fan of naming things after people anyhow.

[Steve]

Another morning when online reality, real reality are so, so, far apart...

[Just the facts]

Another morning when online reality, real reality are so, so, far apart...

What do you mean? It says right in the letter that justification is for funding Project 180. Project 180 is funed by property taxes that would otherwise go to the city at-large if the TIF districts didn't exist. Devon pre-paid these taxes for the express purpose that the money would go to fix up the area around Devon Tower. If the TIF didn't exist do you think Devon would have pre-paid their property tax?

[Rover]

Did Larry ask for the park to be renamed as part of the deal? I think not.

[Bellaboo]

I wish they had 5 parks downtown that they could name after people, if those folks were as influential in a positive manner as Mr Nichols.

[Rover]

Didnt they loan the money, not prepay?

Why some people continuosly hate on people who actually substantialy aid this city is beyond belief. Larry has been super generous with his time, money and leadership. Guess that makes him despicable.

[kevinpate]

... The policy requires the Park Commission to consider, in a public meeting, any written request to rename an existing facility and to require 30 days for public comment. This item constitutes the public hearing. Following the 30-day period, the Commission may recommend action on the request to the City Council.

Recommendation: Receive the Request.

In other words, if Joe Sixpack sent in a request to rename the park after His favorite Stripper from Valley Brook, it appears this same basic process would have to be followed under the city's naming policy.

Might be a tad early for any outrage.

[Just the facts]

Didnt they loan the money, not prepay?

Why some people continuosly hate on people who actually substantialy aid this city is beyond belief. Larry has been super generous with his time, money and leadership. Guess that makes him despicable.

That is correct - he will repay himself with interest from future taxes. I am not saying that makes him dispicable - I am saying that doesn't qualify him for "park naming" status. I hope this gets rejected - or withdrawn by Larry Nichols himself.

[Rover]

Yes, we wouldnt want to name a park after someone who greatly helps the city over many years and is an outstanding citizen and business leader. Better to let them be anonomously resented anyway.

[kevinpate]

I know the name, not the man.
If the city wants to name something after him, fine and dandy.
I would prefer it not be Bicentennial Park, but that's just the simple view of a non-resident.

[king183]

What a complete non-issue. Are we seriously going to argue over Larry Nichols getting a park named after him?

[Bellaboo]

What a complete non-issue. Are we seriously going to argue over Larry Nichols getting a park named after him?

Kind of silly isn't it...

[Just the facts]

It is not just a park - it is the park between City Hall and the Civic Center.

However, let's just leave it at - opposition noted.

[BoulderSooner]

the reality is that most of the time TIF dollars go to help the project itself work ... devon could have requested all or all most all of the TIF money to go to the devon sight .IE building the garage/underground/utilities /anything else ...

devon instead requested that money to be used on entire CBD project 180 .. and that was a huge huge unpresidented deal doesn't devon indirectly benifit from p180 sure .. but so does the vast majority of OKC

[Bigrayok]

Maybe they can rename it after Garth Brooks?

Bigray in Ok

[Just the facts]

the reality is that most of the time TIF dollars go to help the project itself work ... devon could have requested all or all most all of the TIF money to go to the devon sight .IE building the garage/underground/utilities /anything else ...

devon instead requested that money to be used on entire CBD project 180 .. and that was a huge huge unpresidented deal doesn't devon indirectly benifit from p180 sure .. but so does the vast majority of OKC

I'm not arguing against TIF districts - I like them, but there was no way the City was going to vote for a TIF district specifically for the Devon Tower site. That decision was not up to Larry, it was up to the City Council. Project 180 is millions of dollar out of wack and will be years behind schedule - no one should be getting an honorable mention because of it. They need to be spreading around the blame, not the accolades.

Okay, that is my final word on the subject until after the vote.

[BoulderSooner]

I'm not arguing against TIF districts - I like them, but there was no way the City was going to vote for a TIF district specifically for the Devon Tower site. That decision was not up to Larry, it was up to the City Council. Project 180 is millions of dollar out of wack and will be years behind schedule - no one should be getting an honorable mention because of it. They need to be spreading around the blame, not the accolades.

Okay, that is my final word on the subject until after the vote.

the TIF district is ONLY the devon site .... the money is being spent all over down town .... the city would have approved it either way .. if was/is a project that is great for OKC

[Pete]

Nichols has also been involved in dozens of civic organizations and has been a tireless promoter of OKC and downtown in particular.

My issues with P180 stem from budgetary/planning gaffes; Nichols leadership and vision have been stellar.

[Rover]

That is correct - he will repay himself with interest from future taxes. I am not saying that makes him dispicable - I am saying that doesn't qualify him for "park naming" status. I hope this gets rejected - or withdrawn by Larry Nichols himself.

As an emotional and rabid supporter of downtown you should be promoting Larry instead of denigrating him for all he has done in support of OKC and, in particular, downtown OKC. Who is doing more at this time for raising the visibility and viability of downtown than Devon and LN? Why the hate? Is it resentment or envy?

[Just the facts]

OK - if people keep directing questions at me I guess I need to answer them.

No I don't hate Larry Nichols and I am not envious of him. I guess what rubs me the wrong way about is the elitism inherent in it. Nearly 600,000 people go to work in OKC every day, pay their taxes, work hard, volunteer countless hours, hold doors open for people, assist strangers with flat tires, and do their part to make OKC better. 2,500 of these people even work at Devon Energy. Bicentennial Park was constructed and maintained by the fine people of Oklahoma City - I just don't like naming public buildings, roads, or parks after people. If L.N. wants a park named after him he should by a lot, put some grass on it, and put up a sign. Public infrastructure should not be for sale.

BTW – I feel the same way about Norick Library, so it isn’t just L.N. Now, if 50 years after L.N. dies they want to name something after him I probably wouldn’t oppose it.

How would everyone feel about the new iconic boulevard being called Larry Nichols Boulevard?

[Rover]

Or a street named Gaylord? Or Lake Hefner? Or.....?