StarFlyer

[dankrutka]

Oh, the collision of old and new media. They usually compliment each other, but it takes looking at things in a new way. I've recommended it before, but here's a good read on the topic: Convergence Culture: Where Old and New Media Collide: Henry Jenkins: 9780814742952: Amazon.com: Books

[jccouger]

What I'm about to say is over dramatic, but if you all haven't noticed that is how I roll...

OKCtalk is always the first source to have the lead, even though we may never have quotes or concrete details. I can't remember any time that a story about developments in OKC had smoke appear first any where other than here. It just can't happen. Steve does provide these quotes & details when he finally has his press release, but he is always at least 1 step behind the initial break. Both are important, but when Steve starts taking obvious shots at OKCtalk with his "I was first" comments then I can't help but snarl in his direction.

Try to act mature Steve, OKC needs you to inform the masses about what is going on. Most of the masses won't recognize your attacks on us, but all of the participants here do. Currently OKCtalk is for the hardcore development junkies. Before you know it more people will discover this site with the help of social media & the internet in general & your career will be in jeopardy. I know that scares you, but its up to you to find a way to integrate our help with what you do in a innovative fashion, without blatantly stealing leads this website provides you. In a career (journalism) that values ethics over almost anything, you must stop taking such shots at one of your biggest sources or you will crash & burn.

*Drops mic*

[jccouger]

on topic.....

It has to incorporate brick. Initially I didn't consider the base would be inclosed within a building, this definitely helps me warm up to the idea. The idea in general is really starting to grow on me. It bothers me that the observation deck is being talked about with words like "could" & "might". I don't want to be negative, but that normally means it WON'T be included or will be cut at the last minute as unforeseen costs arise.

I don't mind the swings, if gives people a reason to actually go up there. I don't think too many people will pay money to go up 200 feet, that really isn't even that high.

[shawnw]

I don't think too many people will pay money to go up 200 feet, that really isn't even that high.

It's 186 ft to the lower platform of the Eiffel Tower. A few weeks ago I waited in line with many hundreds of people for 1 hour and 40 minutes to get tickets to go that 186 ft.

[bchris02]

If I were another city that was "suppose" to be jealous of this thing, I'd just laugh. You don't put a toy in the middle of a wannabe world class city. Sorry.

First, this isn't Steve's "make Dallas or KC jealous" development he has been teasing about. Second, OKC isn't a wannabe "world class" city and many of the decisions already made in Bricktown are laughed at by people in higher tiered cities. I really don't think the StarFlyer will be that out of place unless they decide to totally cheap out with it, which in that case I would completely oppose it. I would definitely be opposed to something like this going in Midtown or Auto Alley but I think it could work in Bricktown.

[Bullbear]

It's 186 ft to the lower platform of the Eiffel Tower. A few weeks ago I waited in line with many hundreds of people for 1 hour and 40 minutes to get tickets to go that 186 ft.

would you have waited that long for a ticket to ride 200 feet on a Starflyer in Paris?
I would suspect not.. that a lot of the allure had to do with it being the Eiffel Tower.

[OKCisOK4me]

First, this isn't Steve's "make Dallas or KC jealous" development he has been teasing about. Second, OKC isn't a wannabe "world class" city and many of the decisions already made in Bricktown are laughed at by people in higher tiered cities. I really don't think the StarFlyer will be that out of place unless they decide to totally cheap out with it, which in that case I would completely oppose it. I would definitely be opposed to something like this going in Midtown or Auto Alley but I think it could work in Bricktown.

Agreed with both your points BUT how much longer before you move to Dallas? ;-)

[shawnw]

Me, no. But people do such things, that's all I was saying.

[Jeepnokc]

would you have waited that long for a ticket to ride 200 feet on a Starflyer in Paris?
I would suspect not.. that a lot of the allure had to do with it being the Eiffel Tower.

Lines for the London Eye run 20-30 minutes and when you do the math, they are capable of running about 800 people through per hour. Our skyline isn't near as pretty as London's but a lot of the out of town rural visitors view coming to OKC for the weekend as going to the big city. I think it is cool but I do think it will look a little out of place at this location.

edit...although I think it is cool...I won't be riding it. It is too high up without two jet engines and two pilots for me.

[jccouger]

I'm not saying people wouldn't ride the starflyer, because they would. I just don't think people would pay money to go up an observation deck that is only 200 ft tall that was nothing but a boring platform. At least with the swings there is some sort of novelty to it to garner interest. Swings + observation deck = bricolage ,which happens to be french for tinkering. The Eiffel tower is Art + observation deck. If the Eiffel tower was a giant pole with a deck on top I don't think it would be so revered.

[shawnw]

I don't know the CN Tower is pretty close to being a giant pole with a deck on top and people flock to it. :-P

[Bellaboo]

First, this isn't Steve's "make Dallas or KC jealous" development he has been teasing about. Second, OKC isn't a wannabe "world class" city and many of the decisions already made in Bricktown are laughed at by people in higher tiered cities. I really don't think the StarFlyer will be that out of place unless they decide to totally cheap out with it, which in that case I would completely oppose it. I would definitely be opposed to something like this going in Midtown or Auto Alley but I think it could work in Bricktown.

I seriously doubt those in higher tiered cities give a rats behind about Bricktown.....please don't dream stuff up, that's how rumors get started.

[Plutonic Panda]

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.

No I understand, but they are trying to get Crossroads(Plaza Mayor), turned into a Hispanic Mall and I think a little carnival in one of the lots would a smash hit there. A Medieval Times would also be cool to see in the area.

[kwhey]

200 feet seems pretty short for an observation tower. Tack on a few hundred feet to it. Plus, I'm not a huge fan of the swings.

[warreng88]

Girls, girls... you're both pretty.

This might be my favorite quote from this whole thread. Thanks for the laugh.

[Plutonic Panda]

I noticed this as well. On NewsOKs comment section everyone should mention OKCTalk and give Pete his due. I still think it's extremely laughable steve is so up in arms as a "professional journalist", that an amateur (although one of the best most informed amateurs there could be) is beating him to all this information.

Done. I posted under the comment section that people should give credit to Pete and OKCTalk.

[Steve]

1. You have no idea what I did, who I spoke to, etc.

2. Using your logic nothing is a "story" until you report it.

3. If being first wasn't so important you wouldn't be putting forth that specific claim.

4. Anyone could take something reported, add a little bit of info. (if any) and then claim to be first.

5. Your quick responses on this site demonstrates how often you are here seeking information.

Pete, I saw the agenda the same time you did. I would encourage you to quit this public discussion and take our discussions private as was requested by members of this site. I visit OKC Talk, the Journal Record, OKC Biz, and Wall Street Journal everyday. Your frequent postings of pieces of my stories show how often you visit NewsOK seeking information (see how that works?)
So yes, I sometimes get story ideas from this site, but I assure you I am not sitting on my butt plagiarizing this site. I do my own work, my own interviews, my own research. I can say with certainty this is not always the case when it comes to how TV news reporters use this site.
When I'm hit with slurs on this site, I'm often notified of it. I believe there is a big difference between getting information from a public posting at the city's web site (which would technically give the "scoop" as you call it to the city), versus talking to those involved, quoting them and writing a story. We will agree to disagree on this. I have sent you a private message proposing how we can go back to being friendly and resolving our differences.
My suggestion: keep doing what you do great and quit worrying about what I do. I'm not out slandering you or OKC Talk. I'm not even hinting at OKC Talk in anything i'm posting or writing. Your time is much better spent creating great resources for your website visitors, as evidenced by the fantastic assembly of homes being developed in the Cottage District of Midtown.

- Steve

[shavethewhales]

I've been seeing an overall negative reaction from this pre-proposal so far. In general though, opinion seems to be split across age groups. Older folks almost unanimously hate this idea, while quite a few younger people like myself are open to it as long as it is done professionally.

What people seem to be missing is that you can't just stick it out on the river front or out in some park because it's a $2.25 million dollar investment and is meant to enhance everything around it rather than just being a stand alone attraction.

I don't have much hope that it will survive past being a fun concept at this point. It needs to be in a central location like the heart of bricktown to be successful, but I think the fear of hurting bricktown's "ambiance" will prevent people from seeing it as something unique and fun. Too bad though, I'm sure a younger, hipper city will pick up on the idea and it will be the next fad for cities... then OKC can pick up the idea again 15 years down the road with a smaller crappier version, just like the ferris wheels.

It reminds me of the London Eye debacle. If I recall correctly there was resistance to building a ferris wheel in the heart of London too, but it was done so professionally that it is now not only an icon itself, but now every other major city has one. Implementation is everything with these things.


I really want to see some actual concept art for the actual idea behind this with the observation tower and base incorporated. They really shot themselves in the foot by using the images from amusement parks rather than having something professionally made up. Anyone know if the meeting is over yet?

[5alive]

Watching that video from above gave me an idea. Perhaps this could be used to raise/lower our ball on New Year's Eve.

[dmoor82]

Bricktown Flyer may already be grounded | News OK

[Pete]

The BT Design Review Committee basically said they would vote against if formally submitted for approval.

I can understand that, but I do think it's a lost opportunity. Guess we'll just continue to stare at that vacant lot rather than have a $2.5 million investment.

I can't imagine he'll take his idea elsewhere; the whole genesis of the idea was to bring something new to Bricktown, not be an amusement ride operator.

[Plutonic Panda]

Why can't they build a building under it and integrate this with a building?

[soonerguru]

I've thought about this all day, trying to remain open minded to it, but I actually hate the idea of this:

1) Instead of transitioning into an urban, mixed-use oasis for tourists and residents alike, this would complete the cheesy Disneyfication of Bricktown.
2) This would be Bricktown's tallest building.
3) This would be among OKC's tallest downtown buildings.
4) It looks like a cheap carnival ride

I think I might be OK with this if the location were slightly different. As others have suggested, the river would be ideal. But I might be OK with an area of Lower Bricktown.

I'm just not excited about this at all.

[Plutonic Panda]

I've thought about this all day, trying to remain open minded to it, but I actually hate the idea of this:

1) Instead of transitioning into an urban, mixed-use oasis for tourists and residents alike, this would complete the cheesy Disneyfication of Bricktown.
2) This would be Bricktown's tallest building.
3) This would be among OKC's tallest downtown buildings.
4) It looks like a cheap carnival ride

I think I might be OK with this if the location were slightly different. As others have suggested, the river would be ideal. But I might be OK with an area of Lower Bricktown.

I'm just not excited about this at all.

Just curious, what is so bad about making something look like 'Disney Land'? I like that look honestly...

Secondly, what if it isn't a traditional one. Maybe one with larger steel tubes that light up at night or something among that sort? It could look really cool...

[Plutonic Panda]

You know, honestly, the more I think of it, the more I like it. It could be great, we'll just have to see the final designs. Knowing Oklahoma, since it's a unique, bold and daring idea, it probably won't happen. Different and unique things generally don't go far here it seems. The cool things we do have, get torn down for a measly office building.