Midtown

[Pete]

Asking because I don't know... does decomposed granite=gravel?

It's way nicer and considerably more expensive, as I've used both for big home improvement projects.

Decomposed granite is crushed to a pretty fine level, and then heavily compacted; you can even use some binders to make it very stable. In the end, it's pretty durable and porous. So, it pretty much stays in place and allows water to run through rather than just run off somewhere else.

This is why they used it at the Hart Building and why it was proposed for the 700 West project. It's cheaper than permanent paving but there are also some pretty nice other features, such as absorption and it just looks much more natural. It's become a green alternative to asphalt and concrete.

Gravel is just cheap and doesn't stay compacted. It's just the least expensive, most temporary way to go.

[shawnw]

So it's that brown stuff all over the gardens?

[Pete]

So it's that brown stuff all over the gardens?

Yes, I think that's right.

[BBatesokc]

Decomposed granite is really good stuff. When we installed about 5,000 sq. feet of flagstone we used it. Does stay in place pretty good. But maintenance is still required. You average rain doesn't wash hardly any away and it holds up to landscaping blowers well. We lose some from sweeping and if we have the jet hose nose on when cleaning outside. They keep huge piles of it in several different colors (styles) at many landscaping/rock retailers. We get ours at Buckley's Sticks and Stones by the truck bed full and then by the 5-gallon bucket ($5) for filling in once or twice a year.

[Harbinger]

In case you didn't know, the Jerky.com brick and mortar is now open. I went in and talked to Doug today. Super nice, and the place looks sharp. He said business is good too. Also, he informed me that less than a block away, there is a building being renovated that is set to become a new ramen restaurant.

[metro]

In case you didn't know, the Jerky.com brick and mortar is now open. I went in and talked to Doug today. Super nice, and the place looks sharp. He said business is good too. Also, he informed me that less than a block away, there is a building being renovated that is set to become a new ramen restaurant.

Tamashii Ramen - OKCTalk

[Teo9969]

I just wanted to say that the massing developing between 12th/10th and Classen/Shartel is nothing short of breathtaking. It makes the drive into downtown via Classen far more compelling and really has stretched the urban fabric to the NW in a wonderful way.

Kudos to LIFT, Catholic Charities, and Midtown Renaissance (Francis Apartments).

[AP]

Any way you could get a pic? I haven't been able to get over there (and I live in DD!) in a while as I have been out of town quite a lot lately.

[HOT ROD]

yes, pics are very much appreciated!!

[OkiePoke]

Took a neat picture of Devon Tower while the storms were rolling in last Wednesday.

[OkiePoke]

Has there been any development to this building?

[borchard]

Has anyone else noticed how parking is becoming a premium commodity in the area? If I had a say in any future MAPS project, I would include several, multi-story parking garages in the downtown/midtown area that are FREE! If anyone has ever been to The Plaza in Kansas City you know that there are several parking garages there and the parking is free, because they actually WANT you to come and spend money. My wife and I went by H & 8th on Friday night and there were thousands of people downtown. What an awesome sight! We were lucky enough to find a single parking spot on 8th and Robinson. So we walked through H8th and then went over to McNellies. And then as we were leaving McNellies we walked by Brown's Bakery where a church group had set up and was charging $20 to park! Now, I'm pretty much a Bible-thumper, but if there had been an atheist group, charging $5, I'd have given my money to them! $20?!? Are you kidding me?!? Will there ever be free parking in these areas? Or will it eventually turn into another Bricktown? Parking is the reason we don't even go to Bricktown anymore. But now, Midtown is starting to get full, as well.

[no1cub17]

Has anyone else noticed how parking is becoming a premium commodity in the area? If I had a say in any future MAPS project, I would include several, multi-story parking garages in the downtown/midtown area that are FREE! If anyone has ever been to The Plaza in Kansas City you know that there are several parking garages there and the parking is free, because they actually WANT you to come and spend money. My wife and I went by H & 8th on Friday night and there were thousands of people downtown. What an awesome sight! We were lucky enough to find a single parking spot on 8th and Robinson. So we walked through H8th and then went over to McNellies. And then as we were leaving McNellies we walked by Brown's Bakery where a church group had set up and was charging $20 to park! Now, I'm pretty much a Bible-thumper, but if there had been an atheist group, charging $5, I'd have given my money to them! $20?!? Are you kidding me?!? Will there ever be free parking in these areas? Or will it eventually turn into another Bricktown? Parking is the reason we don't even go to Bricktown anymore. But now, Midtown is starting to get full, as well.

I hope we never build another parking garage in OKC ever. So what if you had to pay to park? That's how it should be! You can either then park a bit farther for free and walk, or not come. If you don't go to bricktown because of the parking situation then you're insane. Bricktown is basically half buildings and half surface lots. Sorry to break it to you but if your vision for midtown is to create another memorial ave with oceans of free parking, it's not gonna happen - or at least I hope it doesn't - and I'm pretty sure most downtown residents will be with me.

[borchard]

I hope we never build another parking garage in OKC ever. So what if you had to pay to park? That's how it should be! You can either then park a bit farther for free and walk, or not come. If you don't go to bricktown because of the parking situation then you're insane. Bricktown is basically half buildings and half surface lots. Sorry to break it to you but if your vision for midtown is to create another memorial ave with oceans of free parking, it's not gonna happen - or at least I hope it doesn't - and I'm pretty sure most downtown residents will be with me.

I hate to break it to YOU, but no, that is NOT my vision. I want someone to look at the Plaza in KC and figure out how to make a multi level parking garage, that doesn't detract from it's surroundings. Have you never been there? I got a little depressed when I went, because I realized we have NOTHING in the same league in OKC. High end retail. High end dining, and nightlife. And FREE parking. What a concept! I would love to have someone in OKC figure out that the end game isn't to make a few bucks from parking fees, but it's ACTUALLY to get people to come to the area and spend MORE money.
And I'm insane? Because I don't want to pay at least $5 every time I want to eat? Or drink a beer? If you like paying to park, then go ahead. My car won't be there to take your spot.

[PhiAlpha]

I hope we never build another parking garage in OKC ever. So what if you had to pay to park? That's how it should be! You can either then park a bit farther for free and walk, or not come. If you don't go to bricktown because of the parking situation then you're insane. Bricktown is basically half buildings and half surface lots. Sorry to break it to you but if your vision for midtown is to create another memorial ave with oceans of free parking, it's not gonna happen - or at least I hope it doesn't - and I'm pretty sure most downtown residents will be with me.

There is nothing wrong with parking garages in an area with little parking as long as they aren't that prominent. Surface parking is what should be avoided. I would much rather the surface lots be developed and a parking garage or two be added to some of the less prominent lots. I think midtown renessance is eventually putting a parking garage where midtown mutts is anyway. How does adding a parking garage or two instead of surface parking make midtown anything like memorial road?

[dankrutka]

Has anyone else noticed how parking is becoming a premium commodity in the area? If I had a say in any future MAPS project, I would include several, multi-story parking garages in the downtown/midtown area that are FREE! If anyone has ever been to The Plaza in Kansas City you know that there are several parking garages there and the parking is free, because they actually WANT you to come and spend money. My wife and I went by H & 8th on Friday night and there were thousands of people downtown. What an awesome sight! We were lucky enough to find a single parking spot on 8th and Robinson. So we walked through H8th and then went over to McNellies. And then as we were leaving McNellies we walked by Brown's Bakery where a church group had set up and was charging $20 to park! Now, I'm pretty much a Bible-thumper, but if there had been an atheist group, charging $5, I'd have given my money to them! $20?!? Are you kidding me?!? Will there ever be free parking in these areas? Or will it eventually turn into another Bricktown? Parking is the reason we don't even go to Bricktown anymore. But now, Midtown is starting to get full, as well.

Why Free Parking Comes at a Price: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2010/08/15...html?referrer=

[bchris02]

Midtown is going to need structured parking as the area fills in. Same with Bricktown. The trick is integrating it into the urban fabric in ways that doesn't impede street life or create barriers to development, something that has not yet been done in OKC. Developers have countless other cities to look to for examples on how to do this, Kansas City being one of them.

[Pete]

MidtownR has always had plans to building structured parking to the north of Fassler Hall.

[Pete]

MidtownR has always had plans to build structured parking to the north of Fassler Hall.

[bchris02]

Does MidtownR have a master plan for the district, or is it pretty much just slow infill as deals happen?

I hung out at Campus Corner in Norman this weekend and I really think its the most impressive urban district in the state. The charm, density, character, and critical mass is great and everything there works together as a part of the greater district (total opposite of Lower Bricktown). I would like to see Midtown become something like that but on a grander scale with more mixed-use development.

[BG918]

I hung out at Campus Corner in Norman this weekend and I really think its the most impressive urban district in the state. The charm, density, character, and critical mass is great and everything there works together as a part of the greater district (total opposite of Lower Bricktown). I would like to see Midtown become something like that but on a grander scale with more mixed-use development.

I agree though Campus Corner has lots of room for more infill and needs more urban housing in and around it for it to really reach its potential. The whole University Blvd corridor is ripe for denser development as well.

[bchris02]

I agree though Campus Corner has lots of room for more infill and needs more urban housing in and around it for it to really reach its potential. The whole University Blvd corridor is ripe for denser development as well.

I agree. One thing that's missing from Campus Corner is significant residential infill. The district has such great bones however I don't think it would take much to really take it to the next level. Midtown on the otherhand is being built from scratch and one can only hope the finished product has that kind of synergy.

[Pete]

Does MidtownR have a master plan for the district, or is it pretty much just slow infill as deals happen?

I'm sure they have a master plan, they just aren't sharing it.

[poe]

Took a neat picture of Devon Tower while the storms were rolling in last Wednesday.

Nice shot!

[no1cub17]

I hate to break it to YOU, but no, that is NOT my vision. I want someone to look at the Plaza in KC and figure out how to make a multi level parking garage, that doesn't detract from it's surroundings. Have you never been there? I got a little depressed when I went, because I realized we have NOTHING in the same league in OKC. High end retail. High end dining, and nightlife. And FREE parking. What a concept! I would love to have someone in OKC figure out that the end game isn't to make a few bucks from parking fees, but it's ACTUALLY to get people to come to the area and spend MORE money.
And I'm insane? Because I don't want to pay at least $5 every time I want to eat? Or drink a beer? If you like paying to park, then go ahead. My car won't be there to take your spot.

Perfect! Because in the unlikely event that we go to Bricktown, we'll walk - we won't need a parking spot.

Is that parking garage you so clamor for free to build and maintain? If so, then free parking would be great! But as long as parking garages cost money to build and maintain, they're a massive waste of money and an eyesore. The "parking shortage" in midtown, plaza district, deep deuce is all part of growing pains - so as a city we can either plan for it by providing alternatives (paid parking, more transit options), or burn millions of dollars for no reason whatsoever.

Now, if midtownR builds a parking garage and charges for parking at a rate that sustains the maintenance and upkeep of the garage - then great!