BOK Park Plaza

[dankrutka]

Oh, nevermind. Now they're just going to vote to demolish them one-by-one. Everything approved to be demolished.

OKC's amazing unhistory continues.

[TU 'cane]

Hm...

We'll see how this plays out in the coming moments. For a second I was hopeful, but...

[FritterGirl]

I'm just ill.

[Pete]

Ben Felder ‏@benfelder_okg 32s32 seconds ago
Once again, DDRC voted to approve demolish city-wide block, including Union Bus Station, to make way for #499Sheridan development. #OKC

[Pete]

Looks like there was only one vote against demolishing the bus station, no opposition at all to the others.

[BoulderSooner]

Good day for the progress of OKC

[Pete]

Steve's OKC Central ‏@stevelackmeyer 45s45 seconds ago
Demo approval includes requirement that the Lunch Box sign, Union Bus Station sign be incorporated into new development.

[CaptDave]

Good day for the progress of OKC

Stop trolling.

[TU 'cane]

I'm sure this has been stated multiple times, but I've forgotten in all this hysteria. But, once approved, will they seek to begin development immediately? We're talking within the next 30-90 days correct?

[CuatrodeMayo]

Stuff like this makes me glad I left.

[UnFrSaKn]

Good day for the progress of OKC

Admit to everyone you have a massive woody right now.

[dankrutka]

Good day for the progress of OKC

If "progress" includes a city having no history or identity, then yes. New tourism slogan, "OKC: A Generic City for Cars."

[Pete]

I'm sure this has been stated multiple times, but I've forgotten in all this hysteria. But, once approved, will they seek to begin development immediately? We're talking within the next 30-90 days correct?

Yes, my understanding is that they want to demo everything and start construction ASAP.

[LocoAko]

Steve's OKC Central ‏@stevelackmeyer 2m2 minutes ago
Plans for new 27-story tower, two new parking garages approved by committee with enhanced facade for Walker side of garage.

[PhiAlpha]

So frustrating... Old people making the decisions for a city the rest of us will inherit. Wish we had an under 35 voice on the DDRC or at least someone who truly understood the changing dynamics of the millennial generation's preferences for urban areas.

[Pete]

So frustrating... Old people making the decisions for a city the rest of us will inherit. Wish we had an under 35 voice on the DDRC or at least someone who truly understood the changing dynamics of the millennial generation's preferences for urban areas.

This occurred to me after Allison Barta Bailey (30) spoke against the demolitions.

That younger people probably are more inclined towards preservation, and they are always held out as vital to a city's future. See the recent Gazette article about millenials and all the traction that received.

[Spartan]

Admit to everyone you have a massive woody right now.

Probably not a massive...but nonetheless

OKC has some issues. Serious issues.

[loveOKC]

I by no means am a preservationist but to demo 9 buildings in one fell swoop is pretty disheartening

[UnFrSaKn]

Probably not a massive...but nonetheless

OKC has some issues. Serious issues.

[Spartan]

That just kills me. Going by the tweets they spent the first portion of the meeting bemoaning the lack of transit that makes all this parking necessary, and one of the garages they want to build is going to be put up right next to the planned streetcar route on Hudson. The cognitive disconnect is nearly breathtaking.

Breathtaking, extremely convenient, same thing...

[bchris02]

If "progress" includes a city having no history or identity, then yes. New tourism slogan, "OKC: A Generic City for Cars."

Unfortunately I would say that ship sailed a long time ago for OKC. Having or not having these buildings really won't make that much of a difference in terms of whether or not the city has history or character. In reality these buildings, except for the Bus station, are not unique or memorable in any way. Stage Center was significantly more important than this block considering its architectural significance. This is more symbolic than anything. It's finishing the job that began in the 1960s with urban renewal.

[TU 'cane]

I by no means am a preservationist but to demo 9 buildings in one fell swoop is pretty disheartening

Ah! You forgot to add for two parking garages and a single 27 story building with no attempt to incorporate any of the existing structures.
That almost makes it hurt worse.

I can only imagine years down the road seeing this 433 ft. tower mixed in with the Motor Hotel, or Hotel Black, perfectly balancing old with new. Past with future. Showing visitors and other cities that it is possible to make the two work. Things like that add character to a city.

This continues the glass kingdom ruled by King Nichols. Sterile, generic...

But, it's done. I imagine when this project is done, we'll all be impressed with it, but still questioning in the backs of our minds what could have been, or what should have been.

[jccouger]

So frustrating... Old people making the decisions for a city the rest of us will inherit. Wish we had an under 35 voice on the DDRC or at least someone who truly understood the changing dynamics of the millennial generation's preferences for urban areas.

Sooooo right. If I ever owned anything as awesome as Hotel Black I'd be the happiest man alive. Its buildings like this that really add charm to a city, and could have so many different uses. Shame on you Devon.

[dankrutka]

This occurred to me after Allison Barta Bailey (30) spoke against the demolitions.

That younger people probably are more inclined towards preservation, and they are always held out as vital to a city's future. See the recent Gazette article about millenials and all the traction that received.

Every OKC millenial that I know, many of whom have been vital in OKC's renaissance, are really disheartened by this. As a millenial who always hoped to move back to OKC, I'm not really sure I'm interested anymore. It's not just that the buildings are coming down, but the corrupt process. I thought OKC was a city moving in a direction that I could believe in, but the city government is clearly more oligarchical than democratic. It's shameful to make dishonest arguments as were made by those who really make decisions in OKC. And as Pete has meticulously shown, this is not the only area where decisions are being made behind closed doors without concern for how it's done.

[CaptDave]

I can only imagine years down the road seeing this 433 ft. tower mixed in with the Motor Hotel, or Hotel Black, perfectly balancing old with new. Past with future. Showing visitors and other cities that it is possible to make the two work. Things like that add character to a city. .

It really would not have been very difficult to accomplish that. But Hines had their marching orders......