BOK Park Plaza

[Bellaboo]

Street barriers were being installed yesterday afternoon. Regardless of the court hearing, the other buildings are going to come down soon.

Good picture in post # 1155.

[BDP]

A bit of embellishment here. Nothing compares to the Santa Fe Garage.

Not much of one though. It's pretty much the same concept. It's not quite as big on its own, but parking does take up half the block like the Satan Fe does on its blocks. And then, if it's not big enough for fans of the Santa Fe concept, Devon's existing garage and the new Main Street garage are just across the street. Add all that together and, yeah, this district will make a nice tribute to Gaylord Blvd. Should be shinier though, so there's that.

[sooner88]

499 architect says that there is a safety concern with garage under building becauce it exposes building to a car bomb?

Seems like a pretty awful excuse.

[bchris02]

499 architect says that there is a safety concern with garage under building becauce it exposes building to a car bomb?

Seems like a pretty awful excuse.

That would be somewhat believable if it wasn't for the fact that in nearly every other city you will see towers built that have the parking underneath them. They should just be honest and say they are doing it because its cheaper than building the parking under the tower.

[TU 'cane]

499 architect says that there is a safety concern with garage under building becauce it exposes building to a car bomb?

Seems like a pretty awful excuse.

That would be somewhat believable if it wasn't for the fact that in nearly every other city you will see towers built that have the parking underneath them. They should just be honest and say they are doing it because its cheaper than building the parking under the tower.

I was waiting for that response. It's only typical, but the problem is that there is parking underneath other towers across the world... Tulsa has this as well. Is setting the building off from the road as they are doing not enough for them?
I've been following the Twitter feed mentioned above, and the architect is tearing apart, metaphorically, and soon, literally, any idea about preserving the bus station.
It's clear it's their way or no way.

[Pete]

There are several buildings in OKC that have parking underneath offices: Leadership Square, SandRidge Tower, Bank of Oklahoma Tower, City Place, etc. Right across the street, Clayco has proposed it for the the OG&E Energy Center.

And keep in mind the OKC Bombing tragedy was perpetrated by someone parked on the street, not under the building.


BTW, the judge will be taking a field trip with the attorneys to visit the bus station.

[sooner88]

499 developer also said that TIFs were not valid for this project? How is that the case?

[Stickman]

Water, Water, Water

[Pete]

499 developer also said that TIFs were not valid for this project? How is that the case?

This project falls within TIF #2 and would be eligible for TIF funds like any other project within those boundaries.

[David]

Isn't Maywood Phase II being built right now with a big giant hole for parking underneath?

[Anonymous.]

Even the CCC has underground parking. And it is extremely unsecure. A plastic pole literally separates anyone from driving directly underneath "large" conventions.

It is like cops claiming anyone could be a terrorist. How many terrorists have police found? Probably around the same number of buildings blown up by vehicles parked under it.

[bchris02]

It's clear that its just an excuse. They should just be honest and say its about saving money and/or serving the interests of Devon. None of the excuses given hold any water.

[sooner88]

This project falls within TIF #2 and would be eligible for TIF funds like any other project within those boundaries.

Right, and it seems like that is pretty obvious that it falls within that TIF.... so I was trying to figure out why he would blatantly state the opposite.

[betts]

My brother in law recently visited from NYC area and we gave him a tour of downtown and the CBD. One of his comments: You guys have more parking garages than buildings!" He's not far off, and they certainly add nothing to downtown from a use or architectural standpoint.

[Urbanized]

Isn't Maywood Phase II being built right now with a big giant hole for parking underneath?

It has been discussed before, but groundwater depth (vs elevation) varies across downtown, because downtown is hillier than one might think at first glance.. Maywood Phase II is being built on a hilltop. The bottom of that pit is very probably above the sidewalk elevation at 499. The 499 development, OTOH, is in an ancient river bottom, and water is not far beneath the surface. For instance, the MBG lake fills naturally with ground water. When Devon Tower went underground, they had to have giant pumps sucking water out of the hole during construction - and despite this the hole stayed muddy - and they had to leave others installed permanently to keep the basement dry. The hole that used to be Stage Center is also full of water, some of which is from the rains, but some of which is undoubtedly ground water. That is the reality of underground parking at this site. I don't doubt that it would be hydrologically challenging and more expensive.

[BoulderSooner]

My brother in law recently visited from NYC area and we gave him a tour of downtown and the CBD. One of his comments: You guys have more parking garages than buildings!" He's not far off, and they certainly add nothing to downtown from a use or architectural standpoint.

In the parking didn't exist in okc. Neither would most of the buildings

[BoulderSooner]

Shocking. The judge. Said he doesn't understand importance of shadid presenting an alternative project use

[SoonerFP]

Anybody read the editorial in today's Oklahoman?

http://www.oklahoman.com/hoping-for-...rticle/5429539

Sorry it's behind their pay-wall, but is it surprising to anyone that they are on the side of "progress" and are in favor of this "project that will benefit the city?"

[Pete]

Most downtowns have tons of parking structures.

What's different about OKC is they are almost all: 1) stand-alone; 2)no part underground; 3) has no other use on top; 4) has little retail or other use on the ground floor and 5) little effort has been made to make them attractive.

So, when you drive around you are very aware of huge, monolithic parking structures sitting there on there own.

And it's because developers won't invest in making them nicer or better integrating them into their projects.

[borchard]

That would be somewhat believable if it wasn't for the fact that in nearly every other city you will see towers built that have the parking underneath them. They should just be honest and say they are doing it because its cheaper than building the parking under the tower.

I'm in Chicago this week at my corporate headquarters. We parked today in an underground parking garage with SIX levels underground. And the Chicago river is right next to the garage, and just down the street is freaking Lake Michigan!

[Pete]

Very interestingly, this morning they completely removed all the barricades that had been installed all around the bus station and surrounding block.

I am very sure this is due to the fact the judge in the bus station trial announced yesterday that he would be taking a trip there at the conclusion of evidence, most likely Friday.

Thanks to jeep for the photo:

[DowntownMan]

Just was by the area and noticed all the barricades are removed and not even on site. Any info on what is going on?

They were just placing them out there yesterday.

[Pete]

Just was by the area and noticed all the barricades are removed and not even on site. Any info on what is going on?

They were just placing them out there yesterday.

We cross-posted; see the photo above your post.

Just told the attorneys for Hines were upset with the barricades being placed and asked that they be removed; looks bad for their case.

[LordGerald]

We cross-posted; see the photo above your post.

Just told the attorneys for Hines were upset with the barricades being placed and asked that they be removed; looks bad for their case.

As I watched the crews put in the barricades yesterday while I was en route to the Convention Center Subcommittee meeting, my first thought was that it was a bold "in your face" move on the eve of the trial. This sort of reaffirms that it was a bad move.

[Pete]

I believe the timing of the barricades going up was just a coincidence and once that got around and then the judge said he would be going to the site as a part of the trial, the attorneys basically strongly suggested they be removed pronto.