Level Apartments

[Just the facts]

Are you advocating forcing out the church or do you mean the empty lot north of the church?

I think the church said they wanted to move and put the land and building up for sale.

[mcca7596]

I think the church said they wanted to move and put the land and building up for sale.

That's right, I remember that now. Thanks.

I really do think that would be a shame for it to move. The church puts a different set of users (eyes) on the street at a different time and just makes the area have that much more lasting value. Urbanism is all about an area being different things for different people at different times. Hopefully, whatever does replace it is a concept that Deep Deuce hasn't seen yet.

[Pete]

The old Calvary Baptist Church is for sale for $1.2 million. The former occupants have said it needs at least $2 million in repairs.

It is registered as a historical building so whoever buys it would have to renovate and keep the current building.

[mcca7596]

When was the last time it had regular services? (I thought it was still active, pardon my ignorance.)

[Pete]

Oops! I assumed they had moved out but it looks like they are still holding services there.

It's called Covenant Life now.

[Urbanized]

The old Calvary Baptist Church is for sale for $1.2 million. The former occupants have said it needs at least $2 million in repairs.

It is registered as a historical building so whoever buys it would have to renovate and keep the current building.

That is simply not true. I'm not calling you out at all Pete, as almost everyone makes the same mistake, but the only thing that National Register status ensures is that a building may not be demolished as a part of a federally-funded project. Even then there have shown to be ways around it.

Now, would an owner have an easy time tearing that specific building down? Absolutely not, as downtown urban design would (or at least should) correctly and aggressively fight that move. Also, I would think there would be a major public outcry on that building considering its ties to the civil rights movement, and I would think anyone trying to tear it down would risk pariah status in the community.

But National Register status offers no real protection other than peer pressure. National Register buildings are torn down every day in this country.

[Rover]

Are you advocating forcing out the church or do you mean the empty lot north of the church?

Empty lot. I like the church there. Should be more than bars in the area.

[dankrutka]

Empty lot. I like the church there. Should be more than bars in the area.

Yep. People usually need somewhere to go after Saturday night at the bars. Diversity is good.

[HOT ROD]

The ones in our neighborhood were out for two weeks. I'm sick and tired of the lip service public officials use about "getting tough on crime" when they are unwilling to ensure simple preventative measures such as adequate lighting in neighborhood areas.

major arteries aren't even lit up in OKC, why would one expect neighbourhoods to be? I've never seen a major city as DARK as OKC is at night and I've mentioned this for years (even to the mayor/council) but in 2012 OKC still is as dark as ever. ...

[HOT ROD]

one more thing, count me one as being underwhelmed with Level. It should have had a few more floors and used higher grade materials.

Yeah, at least OKC has 'something' now but goodness can we start with good designs at least and capitalize on the URBAN living (as in floors/density). with REAL retail on the ground floor!!!!!!!

[betts]

I'm underwhelmed by Level too, but it will improve when all the balconies are on and painted, signage, sidewalks and landscaping are in. I think that the developer should have been required to use more brick, or a different exterior finish. I don't know why they were given a pass.

[mcca7596]

one more thing, count me one as being underwhelmed with Level. It should have had a few more floors and used higher grade materials.

Yeah, at least OKC has 'something' now but goodness can we start with good designs at least and capitalize on the URBAN living (as in floors/density). with REAL retail on the ground floor!!!!!!!

I totally agree with you on your previous post of OKC being insanely dark for the size it is.

As to LEVEL, I like the design well enough, but I agree that I expected/had hoped for more retail. Native Roots is good though...

[dankrutka]

I think LEVEL looks great. I think it will look better when everything is done. It definitely does not need brick. And a restaurant and grocery (Native Roots) seems pretty good to me. There's a decent amount of empty retail to the west at the lofts and aLoft will have a coffee shop and bar. This project is very urban and modern. I guess we can sit around and complain that it's not a couple stories higher or doesn't have a few more retail options, but, man, this project is a huge step in the right direction. If it's true that they're overwhelmed with applicants then this project will yield more urban options. I'm pretty happy overall.

[MDot]

I honestly didn't have any expectations as I did not follow this project until recently but I'm pleased with it so far. I share the opinion of HOT ROD, betts and mcca7596 but I also agree with KT. You can call me lukewarm and you'd probably be right but I'm pretty happy with how it has turned/turning out and it is definately a step in the right direction, IMHO.

[BoulderSooner]

the black brick used is much more expensive that red brick would have been

[G.Walker]

If it was up to me, I would swap this project with the Edge @ Midtown. It seems to me that Level would be a better fit in Midtown, and The Edge a better fit in Deep Deuce?

[mcca7596]

If it was up to me, I would swap this project with the Edge @ Midtown. It seems to me that Level would be a better fit in Midtown, and The Edge a better fit in Deep Deuce?

Agree, but LEVEL definitely wouldn't have gone over very well with Heritage Hills protesters with its more modern design.

[dankrutka]

If it was up to me, I would swap this project with the Edge @ Midtown. It seems to me that Level would be a better fit in Midtown, and The Edge a better fit in Deep Deuce?

I disagree because LEVEL and aLoft seem like they will compliment each other so well.

[BoulderSooner]

I disagree because LEVEL and aLoft seem like they will compliment each other so well.

i very much agree with this

[Just the facts]

I really do think that would be a shame for it to move. The church puts a different set of users (eyes) on the street at a different time and just makes the area have that much more lasting value. Urbanism is all about an area being different things for different people at different times. Hopefully, whatever does replace it is a concept that Deep Deuce hasn't seen yet.

This is such a good point I hated for it to go by un-noticed. One of the problem resulting from segregated zoning is that the presence of people is very predictable, which makes crime very easy. The best time to rob a suburban house is not at 2AM, it is at 11AM when everyone in the subdivision is gone. Likewise, the best time to rob a liquor store is late at night when commercial areas are free of people and traffic.

[mcca7596]

http://www.news9.com/global/category...clipid=6828713

[Pete]

So, according to that vid Native Roots will open in late May or early June and will be 2,400 square feet.

[lasomeday]

So, according to that vid Native Roots will open in late May or early June and will be 2,400 square feet.

Any word on the new restaurant or other amenities?

[wschnitt]

So, according to that vid Native Roots will open in late May or early June and will be 2,400 square feet.

How does that compare to the other store?

[Pete]

The Native Roots in Norman is 3,700 square feet.


As for the proposed restaurant, the Level site still shows that space as available. It's the only other for-rent retail/commercial space.