OIPA Headquarters

[Just the facts]

Meanwhile, a few blocks away at Kids Korral...

Friendly note to Spartan - try being consistent. You can't be pushing urban design philosophy and then give this building a pass saying there are bigger fish fry. The battle between urban and suburban design IS the big fish.

[lasomeday]

So, who is the architect that designed this building? Between the suburban design and ugly building, the architect needs to be held accountable for such an ugly building.

[Snowman]

So, who is the architect that designed this building? Between the suburban design and ugly building, the architect needs to be held accountable for such an ugly building.

While we can blame the ugliness on the designer, though a couple material swaps and it would not be quite as bad as it is, I would bet the suburban design was a requirement of the owner.

[Spartan]

Meanwhile, a few blocks away at Kids Korral...

Friendly note to Spartan - try being consistent. You can't be pushing urban design philosophy and then give this building a pass saying there are bigger fish fry. The battle between urban and suburban design IS the big fish.

Well when you're joining me speaking in front of the horseshoe, and meeting with important figures, and maintaining a blog that carries the torch for urban issues, maybe then you'll understand how easy it is to get beat down when you apply yourself on every issue. That's why the urban community in OKC really picks its battles, because it's one thing to write angry posts on OKC Talk, it's a completely different thing in practice. I have so much admiration for the people amongst us here who serve on boards, have businesses downtown, have pooled some resources to engage in their own development activity, and so on.

Right now I think a lot of people are gravitating toward taking up arms over the boulevard, for example. And talk about an issue that people have dragged their heels on..

[Just the facts]

Well when you're joining me speaking in front of the horseshoe, and meeting with important figures, and maintaining a blog that carries the torch for urban issues, maybe then you'll understand how easy it is to get beat down when you apply yourself on every issue. That's why the urban community in OKC really picks its battles, because it's one thing to write angry posts on OKC Talk, it's a completely different thing in practice. I have so much admiration for the people amongst us here who serve on boards, have businesses downtown, have pooled some resources to engage in their own development activity, and so on.

Right now I think a lot of people are gravitating toward taking up arms over the boulevard, for example. And talk about an issue that people have dragged their heels on..

No doubt it is a constant battle and I can appreciate the 'banging your head on the wall' feeling, which is why consistancy in the message is important. If building X is being planned for the Chamber site and it is set back 30' from the sidewalk everyone on OKCTalk knows my opinion on that before I even post it. If you have the ear of people who can actually make a difference and your message is not consistent then you lose a lot of your influence. I'm not saying you have to fight every battle to the max, I just saying don't surrender any project without a fight.

This project is poorly designed both from an architectural and site planning perspective, it doesn't get a pass just because another part of the urban core is being screwed up at the same time. Bad is bad.

[dankrutka]

No doubt it is a constant battle and I can appreciate the 'banging your head on the wall' feeling, which is why consistancy in the message is important. If building X is being planned for the Chamber site and it is set back 30' from the sidewalk everyone on OKCTalk knows my opinion on that before I even post it. If you have the ear of people who can actually make a difference and your message is not consistent then you lose a lot of your influence. I'm not saying you have to fight every battle to the max, I just saying don't surrender any project without a fight.

This project is poorly designed both from an architectural and site planning perspective, it doesn't get a pass just because another part of the urban core is being screwed up at the same time. Bad is bad.

Do you ever speak at city meetings? Just curious because this board only goes so far.

[Spartan]

This project is poorly designed both from an architectural and site planning perspective, it doesn't get a pass just because another part of the urban core is being screwed up at the same time. Bad is bad.

I agree, I for one appreciate your contributions to this board Kerry - even when we rarely butt heads. I'll admit I do feel absolutely beat-down and worn-out over this stuff. I'll give you Kid's Korral, even though that's an even bigger losing battle because you'll be perceived as going against sick kids, that stinks for those sick kids that Toby didn't think they're good enough for a quality development. ugh

Why don't we all just hope OIPA looks better when they get the pretty landscaping in, with the people sitting on the park benches and all, just like in the rendering.