Development that will make Dallas and KC Jealous?

[Bellaboo]

Another thing a lot of people thought it might be is that Bricktown Flyer ride that probably isn't going to happen at this point. I added it to the list of projects that it is not.

In Steve's last chat he made the comment that (something big) has not even been mentioned, completely off the radar, by anyone making a guess at what it is.

[bchris02]

In Steve's last chat he made the comment that (something big) has not even been mentioned, completely off the radar, by anyone making a guess at what it is.

I really wonder what the scale is. The infamous quote is below from January 10, 2014.

Steve Lackmeyer 11:25 a.m. I do see more entertainment venues being added to the mix. There is possibly one development that could really change the game and even be something that would make Dallas and Kansas City jealous. How's that for a teaser?

I wonder if most people guessing have been guessing to big or too small.

[bchris02]

What about a retail development like an urban Target? Do Dallas and Kansas City have that in their downtowns?

[Plutonic Panda]

What about a retail development like an urban Target? Do Dallas and Kansas City have that in their downtowns?

I don't think an urban Target would make those cities jealous.

[bchris02]

I don't think an urban Target would make those cities jealous.

I don't know, I'm just trying to keep it realistic. Big retail downtown would make cities that don't have that jealous. Think about it, if an urban Target was announced for downtown Tulsa, OKC would sure be jealous.

I wish we knew the scope of what is coming. Everything from a carnival ride to the relocation of NASA from Houston has been thrown out there.

[hoya]

It's entertainment related, according to Steve.

Let's see...



I'm going to say... not jealous enough.

On the other hand,



....maybe too jealous.

So okay guys, all we have to do is come up with something in the middle. We are getting closer.

[Plutonic Panda]

I don't know, I'm just trying to keep it realistic. Big retail downtown would make cities that don't have that jealous. Think about it, if an urban Target was announced for downtown Tulsa, OKC would sure be jealous.

I wish we knew the scope of what is coming. Everything from a carnival ride to the relocation of NASA from Houston has been thrown out there.

Yes, well it isn't hard to make Tulsa jealous. You originally said Dallas and KC. Those are the cities I was referring to.

[Bellaboo]

What about a retail development like an urban Target? Do Dallas and Kansas City have that in their downtowns?

I think it's got to be an outdoor concert venue if it's entertainment related, maybe some big amphitheater on the river. I know there's been some proposals for something like this years ago, so maybe not since whatever it is hasn't been close to being mentioned.
Maybe 2015 will be more of a banner year than it already is and we'll hear something.
I think the possibility of 4 to 6 towers popping up is 'something big' already.

[LocoAko]

I had a dream (nightmare?) last night that it was finally revealed what this was and boy did it disappoitnment. Thanks guys. lol.

[bchris02]

I had a dream (nightmare?) last night that it was finally revealed what this was and boy did it disappoitnment. Thanks guys. lol.

What was it in your dream? Please do tell!

[traxx]

So Pete, if you know (or think you might know) can you at least tell us if it really will make those cities jealous. Is it worthy of all this speculation and some outlandish guesses?

[LocoAko]

What was it in your dream? Please do tell!

I was shuttled as part of a "reveal group" to a barren site on the far outskirts of the metro, just full of blowing dust and nothingness, where it was announced that there'd be a 10-unit apartment complex built here, which was met with everyone else cheering excitedly and me looking around in bewilderment.

lol.

[bchris02]

I was shuttled as part of a "reveal group" to a barren site on the far outskirts of the metro, just full of blowing dust and nothingness, where it was announced that there'd be a 10-unit apartment complex built here, which was met with everyone else cheering excitedly and me looking around in bewilderment.

lol.

Haha awesome! So now we know what will invoke all this envy from south of the Red River.

[Rivalyn]

Entertainment.... casino, amusement park, or an indoor snow park (ski/snowboard).

[OKCRT]

How about a riverboat casino? A really nice one that would make KC say What!

[Pete]

So Pete, if you know (or think you might know) can you at least tell us if it really will make those cities jealous. Is it worthy of all this speculation and some outlandish guesses?

I really don't know what this is.

However, whatever it may be, it has to be downtown somewhere and take a good chunk of property so that narrows it down quite a bit.

The one thing that sparked my interest was a few months ago the Alliance for Economic Development listed a future project for the "Joe Carter Lot", which is the name used for that massive city-owned parking lot just south of the Bricktown Events Center. I haven't been able to find out anything further.

The two other parcels that stand out are the large lot near the Uhaul building in Bricktown and the far west area (near Bass Pro) in Lower Bricktown. Another Bricktown possibility: the former Bodyworks building and land east of the Joe Cater Lot.

Otherwise, there just aren't any large parcels not already spoken for and/or with pending plans. Been a few people assembling sites near the proposed Central Park but nothing significant.


As for what the project could be, there just aren't that many options. Housing, hotels, office, retail or some combination thereof. With two brand new concert venues in the works in Bricktown, you can pretty much rule out that possibility.

I hope it happens and it knocks our socks off but I think this may be a case of runaway hyperbole. What could possibly be built that anyone in Dallas would envy?

Even with zero constraints (budget or land needs) I can't think of one thing they don't already have.

[bchris02]

The way I see the Dallas envy thing is that the project won't be something they don't have, but maybe something they don't have in their downtown. Downtown Dallas is impressive but for the fourth largest metro in the nation it could be a lot better. The best of the Metroplex is not in downtown.

[Plutonic Panda]

Even with zero constraints (budget or land needs) I can't think of one thing they don't already have.

There are plenty of things that Dallas doesn't have. The question is, why would someone build one of those things here instead of Dallas? I don't see it happening. I firmly believe this development will be cool and I am excited for it. Will it make Kansas City jealous? Maybe. Dallas, I highly doubt it.

[Zorba]

There are plenty of things that Dallas doesn't have. The question is, why would someone build one of those things here instead of Dallas? I don't see it happening. I firmly believe this development will be cool and I am excited for it. Will it make Kansas City jealous? Maybe. Dallas, I highly doubt it.

Every couple years, our handful of snow plows makes Dallas jealous . Maybe we are getting another one.

I will say that OKC does have better trails and the boathouse district that Dallas doesn't have. And we are getting the white water facility that I am sure will make quite a few people in KC and DFW jealous. Other than that no idea what we could get that DFW doesn't already have 5 of.

[OKCRT]

How about that Giant Oil Rig on the river with dyed black water shooting out the top 750ft high 24-7. I guess anything is possible. I haven't seen that in Dallas or KC

[Pete]

I will say that OKC does have better trails and the boathouse district that Dallas doesn't have. And we are getting the white water facility that I am sure will make quite a few people in KC and DFW jealous. Other than that no idea what we could get that DFW doesn't already have 5 of.

Exactly.

And even if you completely disregard where it might be located, who might be paying for it, etc., I would still like someone to put forth a viable idea.

Unless we are somehow moving the Pacific Ocean or Rocky Mountains, I can't come up with a single thing that would fit the description.

[Plutonic Panda]

Exactly.

And even if you completely disregard where it might be located, who might be paying for it, etc., I would still like someone to put forth a viable idea.

Unless we are somehow moving the Pacific Ocean or Rocky Mountains, I can't come up with a single thing that would fit the description.

movie studio. Although I'm not sure if that would really make Dallas jealous or not.

[Pete]

I just thought of something; although I don't think this is it...

But the whole NASA / SpaceX / Boeing / Tinker thing. Getting a ton of space-related jobs and projects would be really cool and unique (apart from Houston, Seattle, etc.).

But, I doubt it would be downtown in any event.

[bchris02]

To be completely honest here, I think the phrase "make Dallas jealous" was not meant to be taken as literally as people are taking it. He probably said that to show how big of a deal this project is. However, it probably won't literally make Dallas jealous. Even if it doesn't, it still will be a huge catch for OKC.

[hoya]

I have a cousin named Dallas. Maybe it's something that will make her jealous.