StarFlyer

[ljbab728]

I want to have a problem with this, but I just don't. Bricktown's strength is its appeal to all -- such as when I go to a movie or to hang out before Thunder games, when my mother goes to get a brisk walk in, or when high school kids go loiter without being harassed for it. There's a segment that does not include me which will really enjoy this. And being next to Brickopolis, it's going to be perfectly situated for its target audience. I just wish there was some way to make the tower appear to be bricked to fit more with the area.

I'm like you. It's not urban, it's not brick. There has to be some reason to be against it but I'm not there yet.

[Plutonic Panda]

No.

Just out of curiosity, do you know what it is but can't say it?

[MadMonk]

My initial reaction: "Meh, it seems kinda hokey".

Maybe that will change, I dunno. I apathetic about it.

[Bellaboo]

No.

Good.

[OKCisOK4me]

Cool idea...horrible location.

[shavethewhales]

I think we're all in agreement that if this project is going to go forward, it has to be done right. No one here necessarily wants just a simple carnival ride slapped down in Bricktown. The point is that these rides can be built to be much more than what you see at Six Flags. If those pictures are really what they're using in their pitch then I'm surprised. I have seen some pretty good concepts of Star Flyers in the past that showed how architecturally diverse they can be made to be. They can make the ride assembly portion as big as they want in order to also incorporate an observation tower or whatever.

The more I think about it though, the more I'm surprised this group didn't just go with the standard modern ferris wheel or observation tower - both of which would be accepted much more readily.

I recently saw a somewhat similar concept pitched for a development called "Opry Town" or "Opry Walk" just outside the Grand Ole' Opry in Nashville. They're concept was to use a mix of rides, theatres, and attractions to create a new entertainment district. Not a theme park, but a new variety of mixed attraction. I think that's kind of in the same vein as what these developers are envisioning for this area of Bricktown. Some photos here: TN-OpryWalk

[warreng88]

The more I think about it though, the more I'm surprised this group didn't just go with the standard modern ferris wheel or observation tower - both of which would be accepted much more readily.

I don't think a ferris wheel would fit on that plot of land.

[Urbanized]

Just out of curiosity, do you know what it is but can't say it?

I am not representing that I know the specifics of what was being rumored, but do have an idea of the location and the scale. This is not it.

[Just the facts]

I'm like you. It's not urban, it's not brick. There has to be some reason to be against it but I'm not there yet.

The trick is not to be opposed to it, but to make it fit. Urbanism doesn't regulate land-use, it regulates and protects the public space. If there is a way to make this fit in the district/neighborhood that enhances the public realm then I say bring it on.

[Urbanized]

Making it fit is more about what happens at the sidewalk than what happens 220 feet above the sidewalk.

[Just the facts]

Making it fit is more about what happens at the sidewalk than what happens 220 feet above the sidewalk.

Yep, and there are some easy way to make it work. They could use the Dr. Doom ride at Island of Adventure Orlando as an idea how to make it palatable from the sidewalk point of view.

[Urban Pioneer]

I kinda wish this was going in next to the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel in the new Wheeler Park. But that's just me. Bricktown is a free-for-all anyway. The only thing missing is a casino.... and maybe the world's largest gun store. I kid.

[OkieBerto]

I kinda wish this was going in next to the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel in the new Wheeler Park. But that's just me. Bricktown is a free-for-all anyway. The only thing missing is a casino.... and maybe the world's largest gun store. I kid.

I would like to second this remark. Wheeler Park would be a great home for this or maybe even the Airpark. It would all look very pretty at night reflecting off of the river.

[Pete]

I moved a bunch of off-topic posts here:

http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?...wntown+Airpark

[Dubya61]

Instead of a star in the center of the ride make it a spur and the City will won't be able to approve it fast enough.

and design the tower like an oil derrick!

[Dubya61]

Ohhhh... then I change my stance on this. That would better be suited for the Crossroads Mall area, imo.

Right! I've always wanted to see Mt. Trashmore from above.

[Plutonic Panda]

Right! I've always wanted to see Mt. Trashmore from above.

I don't care man. It's the same thing anywhere else. You're just going to be looking at a bunch of rooftops and concrete. Mt. Trashmore will eventually become green. I still think a permanent carnival would be cool in one of the parking lots surrounding Crossroads. The demographics support it and I've seen them in other cities in the parts that are heavily concentrated with Mexicans and it is always packed and pretty fun.

[Spartan]

This should go on a site that has frontage issues, perhaps backing up to the new "boulevard."

Not Reno and Mickey Mantle.

[urbanCOWBOY]

well to be honest:

Bad location. This is a very crucial interstection and the development does not conform to basic urban design principals. (hint " bricktown URBAN design committee")

Interesting concept.

Make the structure/concept unique to Oklahoma City.

I doubt that the Bricktown Design Review Comittee will be have the "cojones" to reject this. Just a threat.

If the Springhill Suites in Bricktown is approved, this will definitely be approved.

[Just the facts]

I haven't seen anything yet that indicates this will not have a good street interaction. If it does include an observation tower that alone will draw a lot of people to that intersection, and will provide an even bigger reason for slowing traffic on Reno (i.e. reducing to two lanes and adding on-street parking.)

[bchris02]

If it is such a crucial intersection, why has it still not been developed? If this isn't good use of the property, what would be?

[bombermwc]

I don't really care one way or the other about if it goes in. But if it does go in, at least finally something may actually go in the lot that has been "about to construct" something 20 times and they've all fallen because of stupid crap from the city. Hello Cotton Exchange! Oklahoma Opry! Anyway, if it does go in, I hope they do it right and don't just construct some stupid cheesey carnival crap thing. At least clad it in brick or something.....do SOMETHING to make it look nicer. it's going to have to get a variance from the city ordinance to even get built, so maybe that's the time to keep some brick requirements in there?

As for residential complaints, I say if you bought a condo in the centennial, you understood that you bought something in the middle of an entertainment district and you should expect a certain level of noise and action. This is bricktown, not the 15th floor of Park Harvey. The ride is going to have to close by a certain time to follow noise ordinances, so it's not like they're going to be running the thing at 2am or anything.

One thing it does do is give people something to DO in bricktown. That's always been a major complaint that there wasn't much "entertainment" in the entertainment district. Losing things like GameWorks kept out the things that attract people to hang out and spend more time/money in the area than just eat and go home. Those entertainment things keep the cash flowing year-round too. This particular design doesn't do it, but maybe with a little more investment it could be converted to be something like Tower of the Americas...operate year-round,etc....sort of reaching on that but just throwing something out there.

When kwtv broadcast the story on the morning news, Stan Miller voiced a comment that might make this sit better with some of you. He was opposed to it being in bricktown, but said maybe on the edge of the new central park or something.

[Just the facts]

I don't really care one way or the other about if it goes in. But if it does go in, at least finally something may actually go in the lot that has been "about to construct" something 20 times and they've all fallen because of stupid crap from the city.

Different corner. You will have to wait longer for the canal corner to be developed.

[shawnw]

I still think a permanent carnival would be cool in one of the parking lots surrounding Crossroads.

If you're going to do something like that, might as well just leave the state fair rides/midway standing year round (kinda like Bells does [did?] in Tulsa) since it's essentially the same kind of rides/games as a carnival.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Put me in the "like the idea, but not the location" column.

As a side note, Steve's is making sure everyone knows (at least on FB) that he reported it first.