Walker Building

[Tundra]

Same guy ( Iconic Construction ) , is in the process of remodeling a building at NW 16th & Broadway, This will become their corporate office. The Walker building should begin any moment.

[bchris02]

Awesome. It's about time.

[Pete]

Originally this was to be built as a spec building but now the developers have found a buyer that wishes more space and a 3rd floor.

[shawnw]

Interesting but I wonder why not third-floor the whole thing in the original style...

[bchris02]

I really like it. Can't wait for the Midtown urban canyon to finally be completed up Walker.

[KayneMo]

Interesting but I wonder why not third-floor the whole thing in the original style...

That's what I thought. I love the style of the original building, not too fond of the 3rd floor.

[bchris02]

I don't know...I really think it might work. A hybrid of something that looks like it has been there for 100 years with the addition of a modern floor.

[Plutonic Panda]

That's what I thought. I love the style of the original building, not too fond of the 3rd floor.

I agree. That is really tacky. If they wanted to extend the entire building one floor up, that'd be cool.

This is just me, but I really don't consider things like this to be an entire floor, because it isn't. I'd love to see this building at three floors if it was done right though. It seems to me 3 floors is great. I don't think I'd like anything higher.

[HangryHippo]

Any word on the buyer?

[wsucougz]

What do the white areas represent on the front -- did they change that portion from brick to stucco, with only the columns being brick now?

[Pete]

What do the white areas represent on the front -- did they change that portion from brick to stucco, with only the columns being brick now?

No, it's still all brick. The scan of the image was just a bit over-exposed.

[Spartan]

Originally this was to be built as a spec building but now the developers have found a buyer that wishes more space and a 3rd floor.

That's a successful spec project then...

[betts]

They were excavating on this site when I went by today.

[Pete]

[HangryHippo]

This little stretch of Walker is really shaping up nicely. I hope the momentum spreads to the huge empty lots throughout the rest of Midtown.

[bchris02]

Glad they are finally starting on this.

[Urbanized]

I assume that sidewalk is also now closed. Does that mean that if you are walking - or worse yet maneuvering your wheelchair - from the NE corner of 13th and Walker that you would now have to cross Walker THREE TIMES if going to someplace like Louie's, Stella, Irma's, McNellie's, or the YMCA and wish to use a sidewalk and ADA ramps?

The response to a stated desire for parallel pedestrian access during construction projects is often met here with a derisive "this is temporary" and "just cross the street," but this is a perfect example of how construction in Midtown and downtown (thankfully) probably won't be a "temporary" condition for years to come. Every time one project winds down, another is likely to be popping up.

Again, I'm not blaming the developer here. While it would be nice if they voluntarily submitted to the expense and inconvenience of providing PPA, the are in the business of doing things as quickly, inexpensively and uncomplicated as possible.

A PPA requirement for projects that temporarily close existing ADA sidewalks should be included in the permitting process, like it is in pretty much every other major American city. And in fact, I think that this position is required by federal law. OKC needs to be on board. This isn't rocket surgery.

[catch22]

I assume that sidewalk is also now closed. Does that mean that if you are walking - or worse yet maneuvering your wheelchair - from the NE corner of 13th and Walker that you would now have to cross Walker THREE TIMES if going to someplace like Louie's, Stella, Irma's, McNellie's, or the YMCA and wish to use a sidewalk and ADA ramps?

The response to a stated desire for parallel pedestrian access during construction projects is often met here with a derisive "this is temporary" and "just cross the street," but this is a perfect example of how construction in Midtown and downtown (thankfully) probably won't be a "temporary" condition for years to come. Every time one project winds down, another is likely to be popping up.

Again, I'm not blaming the developer here. While it would be nice if they voluntarily submitted to the expense and inconvenience of providing PPA, the are in the business of doing things as quickly, inexpensively and uncomplicated as possible.

A PPA requirement for projects that temporarily close existing ADA sidewalks should be included in the permitting process, like it is in pretty much every other major American city. And in fact, I think that this position is required by federal law. OKC needs to be on board. This isn't rocket surgery.

Rocket surgery seems complicated.

[Tundra]

What's the alternative? No construction

[Plutonic Panda]

What's the alternative? No construction

I doubt it. Plenty of places here in L.A. manage to do it and still make a profit in the end, so I doubt it is that big of an impact.

[Urbanized]

What's the alternative? No construction

Are you being serious here, or are you being DELIBERATELY obtuse? Parallel pedestrian access happens every day in cities all over America. It is an accepted part of the construction process. In many major cities they somehow even manage to build supertalls without interrupting pedestrian sidewalk access or its equivalent during construction.

In the case of Walker it would only require taking the center turn lane temporarily for auto traffic and building temporary barricades protecting a walkway in the current traffic lane. It's not brain science.

[Urbanized]

[Urbanized]

This is how Seattle does it. I'm not even suggesting standards to this level:

[Tundra]

Are you being serious here, or are you being DELIBERATELY obtuse? Parallel pedestrian access happens every day in cities all over America. It is an accepted part of the construction process. In many major cities they somehow even manage to build supertalls without interrupting pedestrian sidewalk access or its equivalent during construction.

In the case of Walker it would only require taking the center turn lane temporarily for auto traffic and building temporary barricades protecting a walkway in the current traffic lane. It's not brain science.

I drive up and down that street everyday, and to be honest there isn't very much foot traffic and I've yet to see someone in a wheel chair... Now that's during the daytime, maybe it's different at night or evenings....

[ljbab728]

I drive up and down that street everyday, and to be honest there isn't very much foot traffic and I've yet to see someone in a wheel chair... Now that's during the daytime, maybe it's different at night or evenings....

I see. Since you don't notice much foot traffic in the daytime during the few seconds it takes you to drive through there, it's not needed. I'm very glad to know that and now everyone else can relax about it. And anyone who happens to be in a wheelchair that you don't see should know they shouldn't be there.