Aviare (formerly Avana)

[Pete]

I was looking for the original plan / renderings for this project but can't seem to locate them. I can assure you that looked much better than what we now have.

Perhaps more concerning than the selection process is how OCURA allowed this project to change significantly after it was chosen and then let the developers miss repeated "final deadlines" without penalty, re-opening the property to other developers or going through any sort of formal review process.

I have the meeting minutes when all this was going and JV Bullard would just report on the status, call Henderson by his first name like he was a drinking buddy, and just let him carry on.

This is what really scares me about the Overholser Green project... They selected it and Wiggin immediately expressed concern about being able to sell such expensive units. The whole reason it was chosen (supposedly) was because of it's architecture and tie-ins with Heritage Hills. What do you bet that will all change down the road, and all to the advantage of the developer and not the community?

[okclee]

The Legacy is in what Okc is calling the "Arts District", is that correct?

Since when did using more BRICK become such a problem? and what is with that pitched roof? I have seen better looking apartment complexes along south I-240.

[Flatlander]

okclee which apartments do you think look better along I-240?

[metro]

actually okclee, they renamed the area the Arts Quarter as a subsection of the arts district, but yeah you get the point.

[jbrown84]

Are you sure about that? I thought it was all renamed the Arts Quarter.

[okclee]

okclee which apartments do you think look better along I-240?

My point is that the Legacy isn't anything special, as far as architectural aspect, especially for being downtown in the new "Art Quarter District". The use of all of the stucco-siding, to me looks cheap, because it is a cheap material. The general contractor has built this same Legacy project all over the metro and with the same Legacy name.

Maybe we can get ERC to build downtown for the Core to Shore housing project?

[Flatlander]

To me its better than a vacant lot.

[Pete]

Here was one of the renderings when Henderson was originally chosen as developer, a far cry from what we have now:

[IMG]www.okctalk.com/images/pete/legacyoriginal.jpg[/IMG]

[HOT ROD]

OMG, Urban Renewal should be fired. They should have mandated that this ^^ be built.

It just looks like the developer came up with this rendering to "swoo" the city into giving him the land - -- then only to change it from 5 to 4 storeys, nice use of brick and elegant siding to STUCCO, and flat roofs with Townhouse pitches to all pitches, "apartment complex style". BORING.

I agree, Legacy belongs in the suburbs - this project would have been great for downtown Edmond or Midwest City,

BUT Downtown Oklahoma City????

Come on...... We shouldn't be that desparate. I bet if URWL had re-bid the land, perhaps a developer would have come along with the original Sycamore Square plan that called for highrises in that lot. Or what about Brownstones?

Anything but something you'd see on NW Expressway (or I-240). Wake UP OKC city!!!

[Flatlander]

I too believe it is not meant for this area,but still better than a vacant lot imo.Lets see how many highrise apartments have been built downtown lately,uh none.Why dont a developer build highrise apartments downtown?cost? I dont know.

[John]

Here was one of the renderings when Henderson was originally chosen as developer, a far cry from what we have now:

That would have really been something!

Anyone taking bets on if the Overholser Green project turns out like this.

[okclee]

If it is all about cost, then Legacy could have put in a bunch of double-wides. Would that be better than the vacant lot? Of course not.

The land is to inexpensive that is why builders build outward and not upward. Also builders know that they can do just about what ever they want in okc and get away with it, while putting lots of money in their pocket. The cost of the land is not a reason to lower building standards, when it comes to the downtown areas. Oklahoma City has some of the least expensive land in the downtown areas, and builders know this, that is why they don't build a highrise tower. Is a highrise apartment tower more expensive than a suburban type apartment? Yes, but it seems that these developers seem to forget about all of the money they saved by being cheap, when it comes to setting the cost of their rent. Oklahoma City has got to start and hold these builders and developers more accountable.

The Mayor knows this now after seeing some of these latest projects and that is why he wants to assemble specific design committees for these downtown areas. Let's hope it works and doesn't turn into more of what we have now.

[BDP]

To me its better than a vacant lot.

I don't know about that. At least a vacant lot would have some potential. This project is a complete failure from a developmental stand point and 180 degrees from what was agreed upon.

This project barely distinguishes itself from the many low rise apartment developments along memorial and I-240. The only thing that distinguishes it right now is that there are less services around than those other areas and that's not a good thing. In order to build up the area, the development should of differentiated itself from other housing in the city on its own merit.

The reality is that the city is overbuilt with these types of developments. Downtown is an opportunity to expand living options in Oklahoma City and this development does nothing to do that and, by using such prime space, it actually works against it. The opportunity cost is, in my opinion, much bigger than a vacant lot at this point. It's shortcomings are compounded by the fact that it was a sweetheart deal with several delays and fell way short of its proposal.

OCURA fell for a classic bait and switch because it was blinded by its personal relationships. There is no reason to believe that we won't get a repeat from the OG project as it is set up in much the same way. We can only hope that it fills up quickly and generates demand for services that will eventually bring in attractive projects that broadens Oklahoma City's image and appeal for prospective residents.

If we continue to settle for any old development in the city’s core, we will continue to be just any old city in the future. Thankfully, I’d say there are plenty of developments that counter the drab and clichéd feel of this one. In five years it will be hard to remember that this development was actually built during the city’s renaissance.

[jbrown84]

I don't completely agree with you. I do think it was a wasted opportunity for the most part, but at least it has a parking garage and ground floor retail. Although I am very disappointed in the architectural style, at least it is urban in concept. That's a step in the right direction and something that the other Legacy projects don't have.

[writerranger]

If they want to see a real "Legacy" they only need to drive 200 miles south.
Here's a pic of one very small portion of one of the 4 urban residential communities in the "real" Legacy.


----------------------

[Flatlander]

I knew nothing about the problems with OCURA.It sounds like Mayor Cornett has some good ideas on how to remedy these problems with the proposed specific design committees.

[writerranger]

I knew nothing about the problems with OCURA.It sounds like Mayor Cornett has some good ideas on how to remedy these problems with the proposed specific design committees.

To be quite honest, Mayor Cornett can remedy the problem by not re-appointing the same old, same old. His OCURA re-appointments have disappointed me greatly. Change is good. OCURA needs a housecleaning.

----------

[jbrown84]

How will the new development committee work on OCURA projects. Can they override OCURA?

[writerranger]

How will the new development committee work on OCURA projects. Can they override OCURA?

That's a real good question, jbrown. To use a corporate analogy, I am guessing the committee will act as an "Advisory Board," while OCURA will still be the "Board of Directors." I don't actually know - that's just a guess. Very good question though.

-----------------

[metro]

Downtown's largest mixed residential, retail project to open in May

By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer

Downtown's biggest mixed residential and retail project to date — Legacy at Arts Quarter — will open next month with a week-long open house.
The $33 million development by Mike Henderson will add 303 apartments, many boasting a view of the downtown skyline. Marketing director Kathy Tisland, marketing director said interest is brisk for both retail and residential spaces.

"We've been talking with several companies, and some are looking to lease units just so they can put employees up for a weekend downtown,” Tisland said. She counted only one remaining retail space that isn't either leased or reserved for a pending tenant. That space, she said, will only be leased to a suitable upscale restaurant or wine bar.

Retail tenants already open for business include the Velvet Monkey Salon and Body Werx Fitness. Shelly Matos, owner of Body Werx, said she is offering the only downtown fitness center open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The operation, which includes work-out equipment and treadmills each equipped with their own LCD television, also offers up tanning and massages during daytime hours Monday through Saturday.

The fitness center, staffed 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, is also being offered for three months free to new residents. Matos, who previously worked at the downtown YMCA, thinks the time is right for downtown retail.

"I think downtown is up and coming — we are seeing residents coming in, wanting what we're offering,” Matos said.

Tisland said Henderson was looking for the right mix of retail at Legacy at Arts Quarter, and leases are pending with Scott Cleaners, Gaetano's Pizza, Chili Gourmet, a restaurant serving seven varieties of chili, and Higher Aspirations, a coffee shop and health food restaurant.

Each of the apartment floor plans, meanwhile, are named after coffees. The Italian brand ranges between 754 and 1,162 square feet and features black on black appliances, granite bar countertops and a full-size washer and dryer. Most of the apartments come with 9-foot-high ceilings, except for the upscale Mocha Latte, a two-bedroom, two bath floor plan with 11-foot-high ceilings.

All of the apartments come with an assigned parking space in a secured entry garage that has bridges and elevators to each floor of the complex.

The courtyard between the apartment buildings and the garage features a pool, hot tub and open firepit — and will soon host Friday evening concerts free to residents, Tisland said.

JoeVan Bullard, executive director of the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, acknowledged Legacy at Arts Quarter did have its share of delays, but he called the result well worth the wait.

"This is a very attractive urban density project, and it's what commissioners were looking for,” Bullard said. "For Oklahoma City, to have 65 units acre is more dense than anything Urban Renewal has done in the past.”

The development was the first urban project for Henderson, whose company has invested $100 million since 2000 building Legacy properties downtown, Edmond, south Oklahoma City and Midwest City.

"Originally, we had only envisioned an extension of our Legacy brand downtown,” Henderson said. "With the physical progress, size and architectural lines, the community has gone beyond our highest expectations. Of course, being the developer and so engrossed with the process, it is sometimes hard to step back and appreciate where we are until it is all completed. But when I see the excitement of a prospective resident or have such deep interest shown from retail merchants, it reminds me that the downtown Legacy dream is coming true.”


About Legacy at Arts Quarter
Legacy at Arts Quarter, 301 N Walker Ave., was built on a swath of land originally cleared for never-built second phase of adjoining Sycamore Square. City participation in the project includes a 456-space parking garage and the reopening of Dewey south of NW 4, with funding from the downtown tax increment financing district. The four-story complex includes 303 apartments spanning 284,772 square feet and 11,000 square feet of ground floor retail. Apartment rents start at $889 a month.
The entire complex is scheduled to be completed by fall.

The city, meanwhile, is streetscaping the adjoining Walker Avenue between Robert S. Kerr Avenue and NW 10. The complex is within walking distance of the central business district and the arts district and is across the street from the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

A grand opening is scheduled for May 3, with a week-long open house starting the next day.

[metro]

The lobby looks pretty suburban to me, not very URBAN at all.

"This is a very attractive urban density project, and it's what commissioners were looking for,” Bullard said.

This is the very reason why Bullard and others need to be removed from OCURA. He hit it right on the nail, its right what the commissioners were looking for, not the general public!! It's not attractive or very urban. I think many of us have made that point many times.

Did anyone catch the part about Gaetano's pizza coming in here?? I'm stoked, it's within walking distance for me. Funny how I mentioned it would be a perfect fit for them in a downtown residential community but when I talked to the owner he expressed no interest in other locations. Looks like he saw the potential finally. The Higher Aspirations coffee/health food sounds cool too.

[jbrown84]

I figured you'd be excited about Gaetano's, metro. It does sound like Henderson is gathering a good mix of retail, and while I disagree that it's not urban in philosophy, I do agree it looks very suburban in style.

[metro]

I can agree with that, the "philosophy" is somewhat urban with the mixed use. Although suburban can be and should be mixed used too. The style screams suburban though. I will give them props for the parking garage design though.

[Easy180]

Tisland said Henderson was looking for the right mix of retail at Legacy at Arts Quarter, and leases are pending with Scott Cleaners, Gaetano's Pizza, Chili Gourmet, a restaurant serving seven varieties of chili, and Higher Aspirations, a coffee shop and health food restaurant

Being deathly allergic to healthy food...I am more intrigued by this chili restaurant...Gonna have to try that out

[okclee]

Has anyone seen what the Legacy looks like when you are driving west on Dean McGee in downtown?

We need one of our photographers on Okc-talk to take this picture.