Project 180 Pedestrian Plaza

[Pete]

Work starting soon on $3.1 million project to convert a jumble of parking and walkways into a cohesive park and plaza.

Funds will come from Devon TIF as part of Project 180.

[ShadowStrings]

What is the estimated time of completion? I think this looks great and look forward to the improvement of the area around my workplace.

[Pete]

Scheduled to start after the first of the end and be complete by the end of 2016.

[Spartan]

We are getting away from the streets...

Which is okay, just call it what it really is: Devon Tower TIF

[Richard at Remax]

This will encourage people to get outside and walk here, eat lunch, ect. Why does it matter if its not on a main street? The sky is not falling.

[Pete]

The irony is that there are skywalks along/over almost the entirety of this project, including some built from the same TIF.

[Spartan]

This will encourage people to get outside and walk here, eat lunch, ect. Why does it matter if its not on a main street? The sky is not falling.

I think it's a cool project. If this is sky falling, I'm all for it. I'm just pointing out the beneficiary... With regards to other TIFs, we have built a strong misconception that Devon was built TIF-free.

[Pete]

The skywalk that connects the Devon complex to Oklahoma Tower was also paid for by this TIF.

[Spartan]

Seems like a valid site improvement to me. I'd be curious if the expenditures proposed by Clayco are any different.

[MagzOK]

This looks great!

[Plutonic Panda]

Lot of new specifics for this project going before the city council. Seems like they're about to get started on this.

[Pete]

The renderings are the same as the top of the page.

[Plutonic Panda]

I meant they had more specific plans than I remember seeing. I'm guessing they are starting on this in the next couple weeks or so?

[Just the facts]

I still have a hard time understanding why the City is trying to create a retail presence on Park while building this. As for eating in this alley - are they even remotely aware of the wind speeds through there. Unless you are eating bowling ball, it is going to get blown away. Alas, it will elevate the level of Smokers Alley.

[ljbab728]

I still have a hard time understanding why the City is trying to create a retail presence on Park while building this. As for eating in this alley - are they even remotely aware of the wind speeds through there. Unless you are eating bowling ball, it is going to get blown away. Alas, it will elevate the level of Smokers Alley.

Seriously, Kerry? You are really reaching for things to complain about.

[Just the facts]

Yes I am being serious. The wind thru there on many days is in the +50 mph range. It is also counter-productive for the City to be requesting property owners to spend money reconfiguring their buildings to bring retail to Park Ave while the City creates an alternative pedrstrian path that avoids Park. Also, the patch of grass that used to be Main St should be put out for development - not made into yet another park.

[Urbanized]

Hahahaha +50 mph...the hyperbole is so predictable...

[Uptowner]

I don't know how often it gusts like that. But I have lost my hat in smokers alley between oklahoma and Renaissance. It was a nice hat too. The tunnel under AT&T is a real phenom though. I've literally seen people take flight.

And while we're complaining. I considered the "patch of grass that used to be main street" comment. Our grid sucks!

[Urbanized]

Oh, no doubt it's super-breezy in both places, each of which I regularly traverse. Admittedly, often more breezy than the surrounding area due to the way the buildings funnel the air. ESPECIALLY the area you mention, between Robinson Renaissance and Oklahoma Tower. The other is not nearly as pronounced.

I just laugh at the 50+ mph "many days" comment. I would chalk it up to one of 3 things:

• Someone hasn't experienced very many 50+ mph gusts in their lifetime and overestimates wind speeds
• They haven't spent as much time in that plaza as their post would suggest...or...
• They are prone to hyperbole and exaggeration to support their stated position when posting online

Of course, it could be any combination of all three.

[Pete]

The new trees, landscaping and other features should help greatly with any wind issues.

[Mel]

I welcome more pedestrian walk about space downtown. When the weather is nice we enjoy taking our Grandsons there and explore. If it gets too windy I will get a wing suit for the 3 year old and fly him like a kite.

[Urbanized]

Aw Pete, there you go ruining high-level hyperbole with facts again...

[Pete]

Still a long way to go here:

[Pete]

Lots of progress here:

[OKC Talker]

I guess it's better late than never? I'm really looking forward to it being done!