OKSea

[Mississippi Blues]

If this was permanent it would be a vast underutilization of the site. They would have to make it much bigger and change the layout.

Doesn't change the fact that I wish these had a permanent location.

[jccouger]

And all of those businesses will be fine being told to move out in 2 years? AGAIN, this is TEMPORARY. Why would someone want to start a business, knowing full well they wouldn't be able to stay there in 2 years and would have to move in to a new location that would cost them exponentially more??? Not to mention the loss of customers from the actual physical move of their location.

[catch22]

And all of those businesses will be fine being told to move out in 2 years? AGAIN, this is TEMPORARY. Why would someone want to start a business, knowing full well they wouldn't be able to stay there in 2 years and would have to move in to a new location that would cost them exponentially more??? Not to mention the loss of customers from the actual physical move of their location.

Gets your foot in the door. Allows you to establish a presenence downtown before you are able to secure a permanent location either due to occupancy rates or funding.

Allows you to build relationships downtown with other businesses which may be able to assist in finding a permanent location. Etc etc etc.

[Teo9969]

Doesn't change the fact that I wish these had a permanent location.

No reason they can't be permanently temporary.

[Mr. Cotter]

We'll just put you down in the "no" column, and that's ok. I think this is a great idea. It's a very good, low cost step between running a business from your home, and signing a long term lease on commercial space. Business incubators operate in other parts of the country very successfully. The good businesses move on to bigger and better things, the weaker ones go away - but without financially crippling the entrepreneur.

[Pete]

This is the business/retail equivalent of food trucks.

It's also indicative of the Lean Startup movement, where the idea is that you just start, do, measure and make adjustments quickly and often.

[Mississippi Blues]

No reason they can't be permanently temporary.

Not saying that, but for now these are considered temporary. I'm sure they'll be put somewhere permanently once this site is actually developed.

[RadicalModerate]

Very cool. The Stage Center connection is obvious and if it works for temporary businesses perhaps something along these lines might be considered for temporary employee housing . . .

[Spartan]

Dislike. I find it interesting how everyone hated SpringHill Suites at $4.8 million but loves this because it's "artsy". I see shipping containers as a cheap way to benefit from other developers investment and commitment.

We have/need design standards, not cost standards. In fact we dont want high quality design to HAVE to cost more.

[betts]

Dislike. I find it interesting how everyone hated SpringHill Suites at $4.8 million but loves this because it's "artsy". I see shipping containers as a cheap way to benefit from other developers investment and commitment.

Springhill Suites were permanent and incredibly ugly. These are temporary but great looking. But of course, I love Stage Center.

[Spartan]

Yeah not too mention that was basically a carbon copy of the motel in Moore.

[Dubya61]

Springhill Suites were permanent and incredibly ugly.

Like.

[SouthOKC]

We have/need design standards, not cost standards. In fact we dont want high quality design to HAVE to cost more.

I agree 100%. I don’t feel like old shipping containers randomly stacked and painted red equal the design standards were looking for now as a city. I think this sends mixed signals and sets a double standard. High quality design is usually synonymous with higher cost if you’re being realistic. I could see this development working in the Farmers Market where it’s still considered a risky investment.

Springhill Suites were permanent and incredibly ugly. These are temporary but great looking. But of course, I love Stage Center.

For the record I’m not a fan of the Springhill Suites renderings. I would be curious to find out what level of design and commitment we’re trying to achieve now especially in one the most visible and prime pieces of real estate in our city? Is it simply a matter of public opinion or do we have tangible minimum requirements?

[OKC@heart]

This is a very innovative response to a site that is woefully underutilized. It has all of the potential in the world but it is simply not participating in the activation of the area in its current form. A brilliant strategy to set up a business incubator and allow small businesses to try their hands with a nice and sheik office space with a great address close in proximity to the CBD and all of the happening areas. This will become an instant landmark that will draw a great deal of attention to an otherwise forgotten parcel asphalt. It will generate some revenue for the land owner which is a lot better than just requiring payment of property taxes. It will also likely pique developers interest in what the potential for that location could be. Potentially a much grander use and potentially a much larger facility that may address the same need but on a larger scale. I am not suggesting a larger version of the same on the site, but as was suggested earlier these could then be relocated and set up on another vacant site and it could be a phenomenal success. The proof is not if every business that leases becomes a fortune 500 but rather that out of it many will have a chance at becoming something and may realize that their ideas are either sound or not with a relatively short Commercial commitment. If in two years they have proven themselves, they will likely be needing to expand anyway. This gives them time to demonstrate to lenders the viability of the business model and then secure a long term lease somewhere else where they can truly grow to reach their potential. Great layout, striking design, great initial use of the site and has already been effective just based on the discussion this has generated in this forum. It will have the same effect once installed and that is what a healthy and diverse urban fabric should be! Excited for this and hope it does not face any issues in the review.

[Pete]

They have already filed for a $150,000 building permit for this project.

We may see something happen there very quickly.

[kevinpate]

As this concept is laid out in the rendering, am I understanding correctly this is intended to be three, two story units, and not six units?

[warreng88]

Did this project die? I would think it would have been a great place for shops during the winter for local Christmas Shopping. Are they just waiting until spring to open for better weather?

[kevinpate]

Was wondering that same thing this time last week, then the weather changed and my mind wandered off to other more inbound sort of things.

[Pete]

Just received this note from Wade Scaramucci, the project architect:

OKSEA most definitely not dead and becoming much more interesting. I’d love to say more but really cannot at this point. There will an announcement made early in Q1 next year.

[warreng88]

Just received this note from Wade Scaramucci, the project architect:

Interesting. Maybe bigger than originally planned and permanent pop-up shops? Wonder if Allison Bailey knows anything about this.

[Pete]

Actually, I think what is happening here is that they are moving up the permanent development for this site (Maywood Flatiron) and relocating the container project to another nearby site.

[Dustin]

Steve has Scaramucci on his live chat tomorrow.

[catch22]

Actually, I think what is happening here is that they are moving up the permanent development for this site (Maywood Flatiron) and relocating the container project to another nearby site.

Geez. I hope so!

[warreng88]

Steve has Scaramucci on his live chat tomorrow.

I already have six questions typed up and ready to ask him.

Pete, do you think they will stay in the DD area? Maybe they could move it across the street to that parking lot?

[Pete]

I believe the plan is to keep the container project very nearby.

However, I doubt Wade will say much about any of this as they want to make an official announcement sometime after the first of the year.