Boathouse Row

[Spartan]

I just don't see that making up for how disjointed it is from the downtown street grid. It will always be a nice, secluded park area, perhaps even suburban in design and inspiration. But as for mixed-use and residential development, or other attempts to bring more activity to this area, I just think non sequitur.

And that is a shame considering the caliber of architectural and athletic facilities, and that for the time being, this is our best riverfront.

[Pete]

The best bet is for the river to be developed in the Core to Shore area and the whole area becoming a recreation corridor.

[dcsooner]

Afraid this concept will be like so many others in OKC. Start out with grandeous plans but the reallity is that neither the will nor the funding is available to start or complete the project. Finish the AICC and make it into the world class venue it was touted to become. OKC is famous for producing grand plans but as we have seen so often those plans are many time left undone or half done or unfinished. OKC needs to do a few things well and on time rather that selling the public on alot of things done not so well and beyond the original cost and schedule/

[Spartan]

This boathouse row is already exceeding expectations, is largely privately-funded, and is delivering what it originally proposed, at least so far. The problem here is just that the original proposal, which is coming to fruition, never once took into account how to build a waterfront with private development.

[Pete]

The canal extension, playground, indoor surf tank and zip line are all pretty much already funded and the OU and UCO boathouses are close. The grandstand, whitewater facility, windscreen and lighting are funded through MAPS 3. That doesn't leave much left.

There is plenty of room on the river for more development and lots of people are already looking into that.

It's amazing how far this area has come and within five years it's going to be incredible, and that's only the beginning.

[dankrutka]

Afraid this concept will be like so many others in OKC. Start out with grandeous plans but the reallity is that neither the will nor the funding is available to start or complete the project. Finish the AICC and make it into the world class venue it was touted to become. OKC is famous for producing grand plans but as we have seen so often those plans are many time left undone or half done or unfinished. OKC needs to do a few things well and on time rather that selling the public on alot of things done not so well and beyond the original cost and schedule/

Most of the boathouse district is not being done by the city. OU and UCO have raised the money for their boathouses, and I generally have no clue what your point is. You want OU, for example, to not build a boathouse because an unrelated public project is not finished. Lol.

[Snowman]

Afraid this concept will be like so many others in OKC. Start out with grandeous plans but the reallity is that neither the will nor the funding is available to start or complete the project. Finish the AICC and make it into the world class venue it was touted to become. OKC is famous for producing grand plans but as we have seen so often those plans are many time left undone or half done or unfinished. OKC needs to do a few things well and on time rather that selling the public on alot of things done not so well and beyond the original cost and schedule/

This is practically the opposite, the original plan was to build one boathouse, if they got enough money it would be styled like a log cabin. However since McClendon was willing donated several million and wanted to have it designed by Rand Elliot they of course said yes.

Further expansion came as more people have been using it. Since they already have built the Devon Boathouse, they should be able to give decent approximations for for the cost of OU's (stated as fully funded), UCO's (last announced something around 3 quarters funded), the Sandridge Pavilion (not sure if they payed for all or just the initial parts being started this year) and the Kayaking boathouse. The main thing which would be an issue if had cost overruns is the rafting center, which comes fairly early in the river projects so would have options to scale back to one channel or not do as much lighting later.

[Spartan]

This is practically the opposite, the original plan was to build one boathouse, if they got enough money it would be styled like a log cabin. However since McClendon was willing donated several million and wanted to have it designed by Rand Elliot they of course said yes.

Further expansion came as more people have been using it. Since they already have built the Devon Boathouse, they should be able to give decent approximations for for the cost of OU's (stated as fully funded), UCO's (last announced something around 3 quarters funded), the Sandridge Pavilion (not sure if they payed for all or just the initial parts being started this year) and the Kayaking boathouse. The main thing which would be an issue if had cost overruns is the rafting center, which comes fairly early in the river projects so would have options to scale back to one channel or not do as much lighting later.

This. It's important to accurately label things as failures or successes, at the very least for future reference. From a public policy perspective and on paper the Boathouse Row has been an unbridled success and I don't think any of us should take any of that away. However, while Mike Knopp has done excellent stuff for our city from an athletic standpoint, he aint an urban planner - that is the one realm where the project does leave quite a bit to be desired. Shocking, for this city..

[joseph]

This. It's important to accurately label things as failures or successes, at the very least for future reference. From a public policy perspective and on paper the Boathouse Row has been an unbridled success and I don't think any of us should take any of that away. However, while Mike Knopp has done excellent stuff for our city from an athletic standpoint, he aint an urban planner - that is the one realm where the project does leave quite a bit to be desired. Shocking, for this city..

The Boathouse District development has received international acclaim because the level of detail put into creating a premier urban aquatic sports venue. Everything from the design and spacing of the inlets, staging areas, facility programming for viewing (with orientation and design of the boathouses and finish line tower were considered). This is a development not only unique in the United States, but unique in the world. This is something OKC will be known for and boathouse development of this scale will not be seen in cities like Dallas or Kansas City, or even prominent coastal waterfront communities. Our river projects have attracted leadership from other cities to OKC to understand our approach to this type of riverfront development (bringing energy and activity to the water). This area is specifically programmed to be a world class outdoor sports and adventure destination and the principles that were used in the design are not and should not be expected to dictate the miles of additional riverfront development potential (where more density may be sought). The success of the Boathouse District will lead to other riverfront development that may have more in common with typical urban planning concepts. Before the Boathouse District is judged from a straight urban planning perspective, it is important to understand the key elements that were considered and are critical for it to achieve the function for which it was designed. The beauty of the development is the diversity in design and function it brings to the downtown area and the impending connection to Bricktown with the canal tunnel and the completion of the new adventure attractions will open a host of new possibilities. It is very unique to be able to do things like row, whitewater raft, zip line, surf, mountain bike, and climb a giant ropes course in an urban area and I am excited to see it all come to fruition.

[Pete]

^

Great post joseph.

[Spartan]

The Boathouse District development has received international acclaim because the level of detail put into creating a premier urban aquatic sports venue. Everything from the design and spacing of the inlets, staging areas, facility programming for viewing (with orientation and design of the boathouses and finish line tower were considered). This is a development not only unique in the United States, but unique in the world. This is something OKC will be known for and boathouse development of this scale will not be seen in cities like Dallas or Kansas City, or even prominent coastal waterfront communities. Our river projects have attracted leadership from other cities to OKC to understand our approach to this type of riverfront development (bringing energy and activity to the water). This area is specifically programmed to be a world class outdoor sports and adventure destination and the principles that were used in the design are not and should not be expected to dictate the miles of additional riverfront development potential (where more density may be sought). The success of the Boathouse District will lead to other riverfront development that may have more in common with typical urban planning concepts. Before the Boathouse District is judged from a straight urban planning perspective, it is important to understand the key elements that were considered and are critical for it to achieve the function for which it was designed. The beauty of the development is the diversity in design and function it brings to the downtown area and the impending connection to Bricktown with the canal tunnel and the completion of the new adventure attractions will open a host of new possibilities. It is very unique to be able to do things like row, whitewater raft, zip line, surf, mountain bike, and climb a giant ropes course in an urban area and I am excited to see it all come to fruition.

I've been the lone urbanist sticking up for the facilities and for Mike Knopp's dedication to community and creating something that is world class within the athletic world (unsure why you quoted my post, but I'm assuming it was a reaction to something I said). That said, the bottom line is there is no room for private development in this waterfront, and any private development that does go along the river will be even more disjointed than Bricktown is from this - other side of Byers/Lincoln, and so on.

And I never said I wasn't excited for the athletic programming to come to fruition.

[joseph]

Actually- the north side of the whitewater center along the main slalom channel has been discussed in presentations as the key area for private commercial development. A hotel, condos, retail, and restaurant have been discussed. This area of the whitewater course is the premier spectator feature and the area along the channel has been reserved for complementary development. It was mentioned the restaurant at the whitewater center in Charlotte is one of the busiest restaurants in the city of Charlotte. If you look at the plans, what appears as the Adventure Sports Boathouse contains a restaurant and retail concept. Also - the latest plans for the canal extension include a crossing over the canal near the Chesapeake Boathouse stage that will create much better access from the west where private riverfront development could go and be very accessible to the Boathouse District.

[ljbab728]

The first Maps3 project contract is approved and getting closer to construction here.

http://newsok.com/maps-3-constructio...financial-news

[OKCisOK4me]

So when are they going to add the wind screens? I thought those were due before the lighting...

[Rover]

I've been the lone urbanist sticking up for the facilities and for Mike Knopp's dedication to community and creating something that is world class within the athletic world (unsure why you quoted my post, but I'm assuming it was a reaction to something I said). That said, the bottom line is there is no room for private development in this waterfront, and any private development that does go along the river will be even more disjointed than Bricktown is from this - other side of Byers/Lincoln, and so on.

And I never said I wasn't excited for the athletic programming to come to fruition.

Wouldn't it seem like the more critical area for high density urban development is the cotton mill which will tie Bricktown and downtown to the river anyway? The Boathouse Row is pretty specific and doesn't have to be mixed use to be relevant. I would certainly think that the success of the river there would encourage more urban development at the cotton mill site.

[Spartan]

Man, that site is going to be a mess. It would have been good to just plop the convention center there or on the co-op site. I believe the co-op is moving into the old Dayton Tire plant out west?

[dankrutka]

So when are they going to add the wind screens? I thought those were due before the lighting...

And I thought the OU boathouse was going in before both!

[OKCisOK4me]

Man, that site is going to be a mess. It would have been good to just plop the convention center there or on the co-op site. I believe the co-op is moving into the old Dayton Tire plant out west?

Yes, they acquired it, seems like more than two years ago.

[Snowman]

Yes, they acquired it, seems like more than two years ago.

They said at the time it was going to take several years just to get all the regulatory approvals in order before they could even start modifying the existing plant to their needs.

[Watson410]

Are they going to install the stadium lights anytime soon? The annual Regatta is in couple weeks, I thought for sure they'd have the lights installed and ready for this event.

[Snowman]

Are they going to install the stadium lights anytime soon? The annual Regatta is in couple weeks, I thought for sure they'd have the lights installed and ready for this event.

That was the intent early on but reality pushed back and last I heard they would not be finished for a few more months.

[Watson410]

Bummer! Hopefully the OU boathouse or zip-line tower (not sure of the name) will break ground after the Regatta so it'll be finished to showoff at next years Regatta.

[Bellaboo]

Bummer! Hopefully the OU boathouse or zip-line tower (not sure of the name) will break ground after the Regatta so it'll be finished to showoff at next years Regatta.

Not sure where I saw it, I believe in Steve's chat, but IIRC the Facility and zip lines are to be started in just a couple of months......

[Pete]

There have been building permits issued for the zip line towers and the play area.

Not sure when they are going to start, but they have all their approvals.

[dankrutka]

Does anyone else find it strange that the OU boathouse has not moved forward yet? They've supposedly had full funding for quite a while now...