Paseo District

[Pete]

I've been hearing about a potential beer garden in The Paseo for a while and it looks like it is continuing to go forward...

It would be in the lot at the SW corner of 28th & Walker -- a fantastic location.

It would also be only 4 blocks north of Pump Bar and The Rise.

[shawnw]

On the SW corner of that intersection/gravel parking lot?

[Pete]

^

Yes, I believe so.

[soonerguru]

This area needs more high-density housing.

[dankrutka]

Agreed. A really nice high density project with retail could really breathe more life into this district. I feel like Paseo is too often an after thought in OKC's renaissance. Surely there's some land or properties with unappealing structures/houses nearby that could accommodate something.

[lasomeday]

Agreed. A really nice high density project with retail could really breathe more life into this district. I feel like Paseo is too often an after thought in OKC's renaissance. Surely there's some land or properties with unappealing structures/houses nearby that could accommodate something.

I like the area the way it is. Maybe high density along 23rd would be great, but this area already has a lot of historic apartments and cottage houses that makes the area unique. It just needs more terra cotta 2 to 3 story buildings for restaurants, stores and art galleries. It has a great vibe and doesn't need to be cookie cutterized to look like other districts.

[HangryHippo]

I like the area the way it is. Maybe high density along 23rd would be great, but this area already has a lot of historic apartments and cottage houses that makes the area unique. It just needs more terra cotta 2 to 3 story buildings for restaurants, stores and art galleries. It has a great vibe and doesn't need to be cookie cutterized to look like other districts.

Agreed. I do think the beer garden addition is going to be great though.

[bchris02]

The Paseo is one of my favorite areas in OKC simply because it is unique. It is an afterthought in OKC's renaissance because its great the way it is and doesn't really need improvement. Not every urban district has to be the same and in fact I think they should each fulfill their own purpose. The Paseo in my opinion should complement uptown nicely to create the "hipster" district for OKC. You have the art galleries and unique architecture and restaurants and then a few blocks south you have the Pump Bar, the Rise, and hopefully a live music venue if it doesn't get detailed. That is shaping up to be a real cool area.

[Paseofreak]

The character of the neighborhood is just fine and yes, the high density stuff belongs on 23rd Street. However, having lived here for eight years, attending almost every First Friday and all the Festivals and being on Paseo Street almost every day, I believe that there is a misconception about the Paseo commercial district. That is, that the art galleries are the principal driver for the areas success. In my observation, the vast majority of daily visitors are patronizing bars and restaurants. Absolutely, the art related events bring a huge number of folks to walk and browse, but I have never, outside the Festival seen anyone purchase art anywhere but JRB and Twisted Root. On any non-event day or night, the overwhelming majority of visitors are either at one of the restaurants or bars, or taking engagement pictures. My point to all this is I think that the area would be improved greatly if some of the gallery space was converted to specialty retail that would be open during normal business hours and draw folks by addressing their day to day needs.

Just after John Belt finished the exterior of the old Paseo Plunge, he told me he intended to get a coffee shop or other small eatery in the front of the second floor and fill the rest with individual galleries. I was really dissappointed to hear that. Now that John has left us, I hope Joy, his wife will rethink that plan. I have hope in that regard because one gallery space has already been replaced by a very nice millinery.

[soonerguru]

The neighborhood is screaming for balance between the galleries and after hours entertainment. There needs to be more after-hours entertainment, more dining, and more diverse retail to ensure the vibrancy of the district. There also needs to be more high-density housing in the neighborhood. These facts have been obvious for more than a decade.

[bchris02]

The neighborhood is screaming for balance between the galleries and after hours entertainment. There needs to be more after-hours entertainment, more dining, and more diverse retail to ensure the vibrancy of the district. There also needs to be more high-density housing in the neighborhood. These facts have been obvious for more than a decade.

The beer garden should help achieve this. I am looking forward to it myself.

[Rajah]

Awesome! I've always wondered why this lot sat vacant. Can't wait to hear more about this development.

[Paseofreak]

There also needs to be more high-density housing in the neighborhood. These facts have been obvious for more than a decade.

Where in the heck would you put it? Except for down by 23rd and 24th, and Walker the area is a wonderful mix ranging from single family 2 bedroom cottages to ten-plex apartment buildings with very, very high occupancy rates. If you put a "high-density" structure on the corner across from Sauced it would stick out like a sore thumb. Surely you are not proposing the demolition of functional existing housing to build something new. Given that the area is within a Historic Overlay, where you can't modernize your windows or fix a delapidated garage without approval, I'd say it will be a cold day in Hell before that happens.

[Rajah]

I think there is going to be a new apartment complex built on the SE corner of 25th and Walker. And its a pretty large empty lot.

[Mississippi Blues]

I think there is going to be a new apartment complex built on the SE corner of 25th and Walker. And its a pretty large empty lot.

Why do you think that?

[Pete]

Why do you think that?

I think he means SW corner of 25th & Walker.

We've talked about this on The Rise thread, as it's directly north; Marva Ellard is supposedly working on a housing project for the vacant lot and will also renovate some historical cottages that are immediately adjacent.

[Rajah]

Ah, yes the SW corner. Thank you, typo.

[Mississippi Blues]

I think he means SW corner of 25th & Walker.

We've talked about this on The Rise thread, as it's directly north; Marva Ellard is supposedly working on a housing project for the vacant lot and will also renovate some historical cottages that are immediately adjacent.

Yes, I've read some of that but I'm not incredibly familiar with it. Thank you for clarifying.

[John Knight]

Does anyone know anything about this new concept going in at the old Twisted Root location? From what I can tell, it looks like the same management putting a new spin on things.

[Pete]

^

Yes, that's exactly right.

Been working on this slowly but surely for quite some time.

[John Knight]

Awesome to hear Pete! Looking forward to this one!

[bchris02]

I wish the Root well, but I wish they wouldn't charge the $5 cover when it isn't busy or there isn't a band playing. Having a cover charge when there is maybe 4-5 people in the bar isn't good business practice. I've left twice because of that when I would have spent way more on drinks had there not have been a cover charge. If there is an event or a band playing, then a cover is understandable.

[ljbab728]

I happened to come across this tonight on YouTube.

[benjico]

A few new additions on Walker between 28th and 30th I noticed on a recent drive.

-A bicycle store (named "The Bicycle Store") has taken over the old screenprinting (I think that's what it was) service Alotta Action in the building just north of the Samir Groceries/Sauced. This is the bike shop that was off of Broadway Extension and 122nd - http://www.thebicyclestore.com/

-The convenience store on the SE corner of 30th and Walker has been cut in half and the north portion of the space is being renovated and worked on. Looks like a giant mural is inside on one of the walls. Heard someone mention it's going to be a taco place, but curious if anyone knows more.

[dankrutka]

I was in the convenience store a couple months ago and the clerk said the other side of the store would be Mexican restaurant.