OKC Net-Zero Velodrome: dream thesis of an OU grad student

[Praedura]

I have recently come across a very interesting site.

OKC Net-Zero Velodrome - Blog

This is the blog of an OU architecture graduate student named Andrew Stevens. He's doing a research thesis for a proposal to build a velodrome in downtown OKC. A velodrome being an arena for track cycling.

Furthermore, he plans additional biking facilities beyond just the arena. In his words:

The velodrome I am proposing is going to be the cycling hub to the city. Not only will there be a velodrome, but there will be outdoor tracks for mountain biking, cyclocross, and criterium racing.

Not just that, but he proposes that the building be designed as a "zero net energy" structure. Andrew's definition for this:

Zero-net-energy: buildings and communities that produce all of their own energy from onsite renewable sources or that purchase energy from those who produce it from renewable resources.

A formidable challenge!


He has picked his site here:



This is a 59.5 acre triangular area just south of Boathouse Row, bounded on the east by 1-35 and on the south by railroad tracks.



To get an idea of what the arena could look like, he offers a few comparisons:

Berlin Velodrom: exterior


Berlin Velodrom: interior


London velodrome interior



A hand drawing shows the velodrome placement on the proposed site:



The preliminary floor plan for his structure looks like this:


There are more detailed floor plans given, as well as a cross section diagram that looks like this:


He's created a model of his green roof design:


And more.

Start reading here to see the initial proposal and why he wants to see this built:
Blog Archives - OKC Net-Zero Velodrome

He has covered a whole slew of topics dealing with all the aspects needed to create this velodrome/cycling-hub. This includes engineering concepts for energy creation and distribution, architectural considerations for the arena and its amenities, integration with the surrounding riverfront area, and more.

He's even done climate analysis to help determine energy consumption patterns and building materials requirements. There's so much detail, it's a bit dizzying.

He has a whole host of ideas for various parts of his plan. For example, using VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy) for energy generation. This is a device that sits along the bottom of a river (or other waterway) and uses passing water currents to generate hydro-kinetic power.

Pretty amazing stuff.

Will any of this come to pass? Probably not. But then again... who knows. In any event, it's awesome dream material.

[Plutonic Panda]

Wow this would be freakin incredible!!!! One can only hope though.

[Praedura]

Andrew is back at it, with some updates and a flurry of activity on his thesis.

He has decided, however, to change the location based on a discussion with the director of the Boathouse District Foundation.

After talking to the Boathouse District Foundation Director a few weeks ago I got the impression he was very impressed with that I was designing for the area.

His major concern was my location and the feasibility of being able to build there with the railroad currently owning the property.
He said it was do able and he liked it but it was at least a 20 year project just get obtain the property and move the rail lines.

He proposed to me a secondary location for my project (a site he is looking to develop in the near future).
It is currently the "Pull-a-Part" Salvage yard North of the River between the main N/S railroad tracks and the Chesapeake Boathouse.

So new plans have been developed for the suggested alternate site.




Evidently, the Boathouse Foundation director really was impressed with Andrew's thesis.
Here's a further quote of what the director had to say:

He said this new location is the missing piece between the boathouse district and the new Downtown Park system the City is building as part of MAPS 3.

He also said they are looking at trying to introduce more commercial spaces in that area as well to help draw people into the boathouse district.
He listed a restaurant and office space being two of the more critical spaces.

He then went on and stated that from what he has seen on my blog thus far that this would be something he would be interested in submitting to the city of Oklahoma City.

That's very cool. And very impressive.

Of course, nothing may come of this, but it's a fascinating project idea nevertheless.


Andrew is posting chapters of his thesis as he goes.
Here's a sample diagram:



You can read all the nitty gritties here:

OKC Net-Zero Velodrome - Blog

[Praedura]

Andrew has also created a facebook page for this to gauge interest in actually creating a downtown velodrome.

https://www.facebook.com/OKCAreaVelodrome


Here's a good view of the new proposed location:



(yeah, that's an old Core-To-Shore map -- out of date, really, but it does show well enough where the proposed site is located)


Some design sketches for various sections:

[Praedura]

The latest diagram for the velodrome building:

[Mississippi Blues]

I honestly think this would be one of the coolest things built in this city in awhile.

[Snowman]

After the original site was proposed I kind of liked the idea of putting the stadium on the south bank opposite this new site, with the idea of developing the current site proposed here for dense mixed-use/residential housing with an emphasis of catering toward cyclists. Since the bridge between is four lanes and the railroad constricts SW 15th to two lanes past it, it seems like it would be a good candidate to change to having dedicated bike lanes flanking a road with two lanes and a turn lane. Optionally adding a trail bridge near the railroad track.

[Praedura]

I honestly think this would be one of the coolest things built in this city in awhile.

Yeah, not only is the "cool factor" extremely high for this idea, but it also fits in beautifully with the other sporting/adventure style developments taking place on the river front.

[Mel]

Can they use the skate track for Roller Derby?

[Plutonic Panda]

Is this really happening or is it "possibly planned"?

[Snowman]

Is this really happening or is it "possibly planned"?

It is a OU architecture grad students thesis.

[OKCisOK4me]

My first thought after looking over post #1 is, that that railyard is going nowhere in the foreseeable future. Looking along further in the thread, the secondary location is much much better. This would be a most spectacular thing for OKC. Looking forward to updates.

[Praedura]

Is this really happening or is it "possibly planned"?

At this point, it's merely a concept -- one thought up by a graduate architect student who's using it for his thesis.

Now apparently this student, Andrew Stevens, recently had a conversation with the Boathouse Foundation director who was so impressed that he indicated that he might actually submit the plan to the city.

So for now, it probably means nothing. We'll just have to wait and see if this actually goes anywhere.

[Plutonic Panda]

Hope it does!

[Snowman]

Now apparently this student, Andrew Stevens, recently had a conversation with the Boathouse Foundation director who was so impressed that he indicated that he might actually submit the plan to the city.

Sweet

[Praedura]

There's a lively discussion of this concept at a bicycling forum here:

Oklahoma City Proposed Velodrome - Topic

Andrew introduced the subject and answers questions about it. His thesis is getting attacked pretty hard by a number of commenters, but Andrew keeps his cool rather nicely.

[Mississippi Blues]

Yeah, not only is the "cool factor" extremely high for this idea, but it also fits in beautifully with the other sporting/adventure style developments taking place on the river front.

Absolutely!

[Praedura]

Apparently, Andrew Stevens is meeting with some city officials to present his velodrome ideas.

Facebook entry:

Just confirmed my location for my meeting next week with various city planners from
OKC, Yukon, Edmond & Norman. It just so happens to overlook my site perfectly.
Also confirmed my coffee order with elemental!

Source: Timeline Photos | Facebook

[Praedura]

Note that Andrew has been hard at work for many weeks on his scale model.

This is a roughly 3 foot by 5 foot model, laid out on a board and painted, with models and simulated scenery placed on top.

Early stage:



Blue is obviously the river, the dark curved paths are the railroad lines, and in the center goes the velodrome.


Later, after adding some simulated grass:




Later still, with miniature trees and the velodrome model added:




Close ups of the velodrome model:






Finally, the whole model laid outside for an outdoor shot:

[Plutonic Panda]

That's awesome!!!!!! I've been following his Facebook page. I really hope this passes.

Also, any ideas of how much this would cost?

[Praedura]

Apparently, Andrew Stevens is meeting with some city officials to present his velodrome ideas.
...

Well, Andrew never did follow this up with any mention of how the meeting went. Perhaps it went without any apparent success.
Or maybe it went very well -- so well, that Andrew has been asked not to comment on what was said. Heh, I'm just speculating here.

However, just yesterday Andrew puts a link on the facebook page to this article:

Oklahoma City's young urban professionals ditch cars, ask for bicycles | News OK

Which has the following quote:

Riversport Adventures also operates biking programs along the Oklahoma River, and Mike Knopp,
director of the Boathouse Foundation, confirms he is looking at the possibility of adding a biking track
to the riverfront attractions.

And this is on top of a NewsOK article from just a few days earlier on the Oklahoma River attractions:

River Attraction: Oklahoma River is becoming a big draw for Oklahoma City | News OK

Which has this little snippet:

Knopp, meanwhile, is looking at the possibility of adding a bicycle track to the mix, which would
enhance the foundation's Riversports existing biking program.

Could Knopp be referring to Andrew's Velodrome project?

Hmm...

[Snowman]

Could Knopp be referring to Andrew's Velodrome project?

They have been talking about putting in a 'pump' track for bikes over the last few years now. Though things do have a tendency to change, something like this is more inline with what was already on the district's master plan.

[Kokopelli]

Could Knopp be referring to Andrew's Velodrome project? Hmm...

I had the same thoughts when I seen the article. The velodrome is a very intriguing and exciting concept. And from a sports theme standpoint it would be a natural and complimentary extension to the Boathouse district. (at the Pull-a-Part Location)

I really like the sustainability perspective of his design and without question lower operating cost could be a critical element in bringing the project to fruition. But I have to say the design also camouflages the velodrome itself to the point (al least in the model) that it appears to be just another park.

If the project picks up steam it will be interesting to see aesthetics comes into play. Its easy to see a scenario were a park with an outdoor velodrome and the outdoor trails is built within the next couple of years. Then a more stylish indoor velodrome could be built as a MAPS IV project

They have been talking about putting in a 'pump' track for bikes over the last few years now. Though things do have a tendency to change, something like this is more inline with what was already on the district's master plan.

Is that something they are considering for Wiley Post Park next to the Matt Hoffman Action Sports Park or is that be considered for the Boathouse district?

[Snowman]

Is that something they are considering for Wiley Post Park next to the Matt Hoffman Action Sports Park or is that be considered for the Boathouse district?

Boathouse district, though the location has shifted around within it over time, the two most recent proposed locations I have seen were between one the parking lots near Devon boathouse and Lincoln boulevard or in the grassy area north of the railroad, south of i40 and west of the new pedestrian bridge by the Chesapeake boathouse.

[OKVision4U]

This concept is gaining momentum & moving past the idea "only" stage. Maybe it should be in the General Real Estate section ???