Underground Renovation to start

[Pete]

Kim, I'm not too young!

I worked downtown from 82-88 in what was the last really strong time for downtown. But I can't remember any specific places in the underground...

I remember the Brigadoon and a couple other places for happy hour, but none in the underground. Do you recall any of the specific names?

[metro]

Once downtown OKC become urbanized you will see the concourse disappear. Business need exposure and it simply isn't going to happen underground. Just look at the Underground in Atlanta (out of site out of mind). The concourse works great for downtown business people for lunch but that is about it. As pointed out earlier, a downtown work will search out food - a downtown resident will want the conveince of street level retail.

I have to disagree with this quote. I'm a downtowner and I will and already do utilize it both for function and for somewhere else to eat and a change of walking scenary. As I've mentioned plenty of times, I'm all for improving street traffic more than Underground traffic, but it's an asset to this city. I'm a downtown resident and worker so to say I want the convenience of street level retail is true, but I'd support it underground as well. I love the new design of the Underground and think they are headed in the right direction with it. The only thing I'm upset about is the owner's of Cotter Tower (aka Chase building) that they refused to allow the grand entrance on their property. That would have been a nice showpiece.

As far as Underground Atlanta goes. I used to live there too (in Atlanta). It was THE place to be during the 1996 Olympics and last time I visited, about 2 years ago it was still hopping full with retail. It opens up to 5 points on one end and the other end comes out by the Coca-Cola interactive experience. Not sure what you're talking about here. This discussion has come up on this site before.

[Lauri101]

Most of you are waaaay too young to remember but ask any old-time Downtowner about what used to happen in the Conncourse in the early 80's. There were restaurants and bars/clubs that were major party spots back when happy hour was a hard core sport and the three martini lunch was the norm. It was a crazy, busy place.

There is tons of empty space there now and I think it could be cool again to be there. We have actually been contacted by a group of club owners with interest in locating there down the road.

Yes, I know the argument regarding taking traffic down under but it's there, it's going to be really cool (wait until you see those lights glowing in color) and Downtowners will continue to utilize it.

I do remember there being some happy hour spots there in late 70's, but it seems they had mostly moved topside by the 80's. Dunno' - you know how memories can start to run together after a while for us oldtimers.
<toddling off to the early bird buffet...>

[writerranger]

I have to disagree with this quote. I'm a downtowner and I will and already do utilize it both for function and for somewhere else to eat and a change of walking scenary. As I've mentioned plenty of times, I'm all for improving street traffic more than Underground traffic, but it's an asset to this city. I'm a downtown resident and worker so to say I want the convenience of street level retail is true, but I'd support it underground as well. I love the new design of the Underground and think they are headed in the right direction with it. The only thing I'm upset about is the owner's of Cotter Tower (aka Chase building) that they refused to allow the grand entrance on their property. That would have been a nice showpiece.

As far as Underground Atlanta goes. I used to live there too (in Atlanta). It was THE place to be during the 1996 Olympics and last time I visited, about 2 years ago it was still hopping full with retail. It opens up to 5 points on one end and the other end comes out by the Coca-Cola interactive experience. Not sure what you're talking about here. This discussion has come up on this site before.

Absolutely. The Underground (I like that so much better than 'Concourse') is another piece of the downtown puzzle. It will all come together and be impressive. As Metro said, the improvements are excellent and it's something else we can point to as evidence of a vibrant city.

---------------

[jbrown84]

Is the grand entrance going to be built elsewhere?

[metro]

No. They won't have a "grand" entrance now.

[jbrown84]

boo

[metro]

For all the naysayers and oppositionists of the Conncourse a.k.a. Underground. Today is a perfect example of when it comes in handy!!!!

[jbrown84]

true dat

[Pete]

Downtown OKC’s Underground set for completion next month
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record
1/19/2007


OKLAHOMA CITY – The once dark and gloomy tunnels of the former Conncourse are now bathed in colored light. Architect Rand Elliott’s vision for the Underground, as it’s now called, is just a month from completion.

The renovations began last fall and are expected to be complete in late February. As crews have worked painting the tunnels as well as installing new lights and carpet, the Underground has remained open.

Alison Oshel, who recently resigned as vice president of operations for Downtown OKC Inc. but is still involved in the Underground project, said the carpet, paint, directional sign panels and electrical work will be completed by Feb. 22.

Shortly thereafter, Oshel said the portal doorways, artwork, exterior signs and installation of plasma televisions will be completed.

Portals at the corners of the hallways are taking longer than expected to construct, and private funds may have to be raised to fund plasma televisions and additional art projects.

All artwork must also be approved by the Oklahoma City Arts Commission. The commission plans to discuss and possibly take action on the conceptual art for the tunnels at its meeting Monday.

Six downtown architecture firms originally submitted designs for updating the tunnel system. Elliott’s design won over the Conncourse committee and he was hired in 2003.

Cost estimates for the project are between $1.6 million and $1.8 million.

“We are very pleased with the construction achievements and quality of what Downey Construction has done,” Elliott said. “The most exciting thing is people are starting to see the completion.”

[metro]

I'm glad to hear is almost complete even though I kind of knew that from walking down there recently. Sad to hear private funds might have to be raised for some items. Hopefully Devon or another downtown giant will step up and fund it.

[Pete]

Good video and interviews with the architect -- looks like they are getting close to finished:

NewsOK.com | Powered by The Oklahoman and NEWS 9

[metro]

Kim, any word on when the new Underground signs will go up outside in the CBD? Too bad they couldn't of had them up for the Big 12 Tournament