King's Crossing

[LakeEffect]

Thanks. I am not up to date on my Ralph Ellison Library history .

Ok, I do agree, the setback is horrible.

I think the current version was built in the 60's, and then renovated through 2000 GOB funds. We tried to tie in the City's NE 23rd Street streetscape project (1995, 2000 GOB Funds and federal/state dollars) with the open area and create a plaza/gathering point. To which the then-current Council member wanted to remove it all because it was a gathering point... Bleh.

[warreng88]

Is anyone else thinking what I'm thinking? He might be a good successor when Mick decides to retire.

Hope nobody judges me too much, but I thought the same thing about ES about two years ago. I liked how he challenged the Shoe and brought up interesting points other people hadn't thought of. Then he went off the deep end and we all know how that ended. It will be interesting when it comes down to it what he will support and won't support. In general, I like him and what he has done is such a short time but would need to know where he stands on the issues when put under the spotlight.

[soonerguru]

No one should judge you for that. He's still pretty new to elective office. Lets see what he does over the next couple of years.

[ljbab728]

Oklahoma City Council approves moving forward with NE 23 redevelopment study | News OK

The Oklahoma City Council unanimously approved starting a review proposed by Ward 7 Councilman John Pettis on creating a new tax increment financing district along NE 23 between Lincoln Boulevard and Interstate 35.

[Plutonic Panda]

Awesome!

[boitoirich]

That's great news! I hope that the Institute for Quality Communities has a seat at the table. There needs to be a strong voice for planning and design to make sure the impact of redevelopment efforts are maximized.

[CuatrodeMayo]

I can tell you the former executive director of the OUIQC has been consulted with on this project.

[boitoirich]

That's good to know and reassuring. An integrated plan will go a lot further than a series of silver bullets in this area.

[LakeEffect]

That's good to know and reassuring. An integrated plan will go a lot further than a series of silver bullets in this area.

Completely agree. I managed the NE 23rd Street Streetscape project when I worked for OKC Public Works. The project was putting lipstick on a pig, so to speak. A streetscape improvement project needs to be part of an integrated program to revitalize everything, not just the street. Hopefully the TIF and other programs can really help that along.

[ljbab728]

An update by Steve.

Uptown Market to anchor northeast Oklahoma City development | News OK

Plans being released this week show an Uptown Market will anchor the recently announced $30 million King’s Crossing development at NE 23 and Martin Luther King Avenue, while other tenants will include at least one national retailer and a medical complex.

Susan Binkowski, who runs Esperanza Real Estate, the property division for Buy For Less, Uptown Market and Super Mercado, will provide an update on the project Wednesday at the annual Mayor’s Development Roundtable.

[soonerguru]

This is just tremendous. Makes me LOL about Homeland's proposal. If they can build an Uptown Market at 23rd and MLK, surely Classen Blvd. next to Heritage Hills can attract a decent grocer.

Kudos to the efforts of Councilman Pettis and the Buy For Less folks.

[catch22]

That "UPTOWN MARKET" sign looks a lot like the Midtown Plaza Court sign.

Congrats to the NE side, Uptown market, and kudos to Pettis for his strong leadership. Glad the northeast side of town has a strong, sensible, and effective voice in city government now.

[AP]

I love this for the Northeast and glad to have my councilman working so hard for his ward.

[bchris02]

Hopefully their next step will be them putting one of these in Midtown or somewhere else in the core. Surprised NE 23rd and MLK is getting an Uptown Grocery concept. That goes to show that Buy for Less is committed to the brand and not just in upscale, suburban areas.

[Spartan]

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

[soonerguru]

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

Agreed.

[HangryHippo]

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

Don't we have a poster that works for Studio on here? Perhaps they can address your concerns.

[Rover]

Again, what's with the parking? The B4L team has fantastic branding. Studio Arch just dropped their Edmond location in the middle of a strip mall and calls it urban.

And, Blair Humphreys is involved on the design. Thought he was a new urban champion.

[okcustu]

And, Blair Humphreys is involved on the design. Thought he was a new urban champion.

I mean really? They couldn't even put the parking in back so the actually attractive facade could front the street. I hope they get some creative criticism on this. If it wouldn't fly on the Westside of I-235 it should fly on the Eastside.

[bchris02]

I mean really? They couldn't even put the parking in back so the actually attractive facade could front the street. I hope they get some creative criticism on this. If it wouldn't fly on the Westside of I-235 it should fly on the Eastside.

Urbanists need to pick their battles. NE 23rd and MLK is very auto-centric and is nowhere close to being an urban district and won't be in the next 30 years. The suburban office complex going up in Core2Shore is a battle worth fighting. This grocery store isn't.

[Plutonic Panda]

Urbanists need to pick their battles. NE 23rd and MLK is very auto-centric and is nowhere close to being an urban district and won't be in the next 30 years. The suburban office complex going up in Core2Shore is a battle worth fighting. This grocery store isn't.

+1

[CuatrodeMayo]

The site plan was STRONGLY influenced by the wishes of the client. As an architect, there is only so much you can do in these instances. It's their money, after all. (FYI, I was not involved in this project)

[boitoirich]

I will support this development, as the Eastside needs a full-service grocer in the worst way. I'm also glad it's a B4L, but I do have some concerns. First, this is a massive amount of parking. The site is about 25 acres, and most of the layout is dedicated to parking. Second, the store does not interface with the bus stop directly in front of the current store, a stop which is often used. A bus rider would have to alight at 23rd/MLK and walk east past the existing liquor store (the white box fronting 23rd on the bottom of the site plan) and then up to entrance. One hopes there will be a sidewalk-to-store link to alleviate conflicts with automobiles, but that is not assured. Depending on where the entrance is placed, this adds a quarter-mile of walking to the transit trip. That would be fine for me, but not for, say, my grandmother. That concern could be alleviated somewhat by placing many of the buildings up to front NE 23rd, providing shade, comfort, and protection. As it is, this plan would place pedestrians in an open, hostile environment.

[Spartan]

Urbanists need to pick their battles. NE 23rd and MLK is very auto-centric and is nowhere close to being an urban district and won't be in the next 30 years. The suburban office complex going up in Core2Shore is a battle worth fighting. This grocery store isn't.

All you do is argue against density and planning and then lambaste OKC for not being better.

I think it's offensive and ignorant to call this an auto centric area. It's also a transit dependent area.

[bchris02]

All you do is argue against density and planning and then lambaste OKC for not being better.

Did you not read my comments in the GPHG Law Offices thread?

Demanding urban standards in a part of the city that is not urban is a losing battle, especially here. All I am saying is that urbanists need to pick their fights.