Asian District updates

[Doug Loudenback]

For those interested, I did a blog post on the Asian District awhile back ... Doug Dawgz Blog: Asian District Today ... The Pics ...

Metro, do you know if the permit mentioned for the "NW 2rd & Western" project is this one, the Sun Moon Plaza, which is not really at Western but is a little east of Western? I'm anxious to see this one get started ...

[metro]

Yes, the Sun Moon Plaza will anchor that corner on 23rd and Western, where the old boarded up Chinese restaurant currently is. I'm told construction will start by this summer on both of these projects. I'm glad to see people using more Oriental designs in the Asian District. Only if Walgreens and CVS would have the district would have already had a whole other feel. I'm glad to see the Nguyen's behind this project. You know it will be good just like there newer Super Cao Nguyen asian market.

[BG918]

^ Maybe CVS will close and that great location right there at the NE corner of 23rd and Classen will be redeveloped into something a) more urban and b) Asian in design. That would be a perfect location for some kind of mixed-use housing right at the "entrance" to the district.

[OKC PATROL]

Ya- Being a grad from OCU- I have seen so many improvements that you really cant complain. But, I think the street signs are pathetic and were a waste of money. They are very cheesy. No arch or anything that was expected happened. Time will tell.
Let the asians figure out their own community, it doesnt need a DISNEY/Okie approach to design. If some building is way wacky or has cheap looking architecture , then let the city decide. I would rather see it remain a bit dirty and have them add some store fronts with hanging ducks in the windows. Like all the other china towns in the world.

[jbrown84]

I would prefer it not have a polished "Disney" feel as well.

[HOT ROD]

Those "hanging ducks in the windows" are delicious!!

If you'd venture to try one, you'd discover why they're hanging - and not be so stereotypical!!!

I hope OKC does get more of those TRUE cantonese style restaurants!!! and the Asia District is the perfect location as it is - our Chinatown!!!

[metro]

OKC Urban Design committee approves design for landmark gate in the Asian district

By Stefanie Brickman - 8/15/2007
OKC Business

At today’s monthly Urban Design meeting, board members approved the design for an ornamental gate in the Asian District, pending material presentation at the September meeting.

What architect Rob Elliott termed more landmark than functional gate, the structure would be built on the southeast to northeast corner of NW 25th and N. Military Ave. The landmark would arch over the street from behind the Little Saigon shopping center that houses the popular Lido restaurant to the parking lot of Super Cao Nguyen supermarket.

The 2000 bond issue which included money for an Asian District streetscape project along Classen Ave. did not include a plan for the NW 25 and Military Ave. intersection, nor does the 2007 bond plan.

Although the Urban Design committee approved the design, the City of Oklahoma City’s traffic and public works departments would also have to OK the gate’s plan as well.

Separately, the committee approved plans for a retaining wall as part of the project.

[jbrown84]

I really wanted it to cross Classen. That doesn't sound like a very noticeable place.

[metro]

jbrown, I could be wrong, but I believe there eventually will be one crossing Classen. I believe that is being paid for out of the 2007 bond plan and won't be implemented until around 2009. You may scroll back to the first page of this thread or do a search. I'm pretty sure those plans are somewhere on this site.

[CrimsonOberon]

jbrown, I could be wrong, but I believe there eventually will be one crossing Classen. I believe that is being paid for out of the 2007 bond plan and won't be implemented until around 2009. You may scroll back to the first page of this thread or do a search. I'm pretty sure those plans are somewhere on this site.

I hope that's the case. A lot of people just drive down Classen, never stopping to explore the rest of the Asian District. Building them across Classen would make them substantially more visible to everyday OKC drivers.

[HOT ROD]

I think another very simple thing the city could do, is use ornamental street lighting that is painted red. A good example of this is Vancouver's Chinatown. You know you are there not just because of the businesses and people, but because of the red streetlights (and there is a gate across Pender Street, the main drag). The red streetlights give the district character and promotes the use of asian theme in any building/business.

I think the same would do well in OKC;s Asia District. Certainly would allow for somewhat of an identity not to mention sprucing up of the neighbourhood - esp since some of you had a problem with the recent writeup in the NY Times (where he said the hood was very good for culture and eating but was 'run-down').

Besides, the red streetlamps (and sidewalks) would promote pedestrianism which would FURTHER enhance the appeal of the area. The red lamps alone would DEFINE the Asia District in a way MUCH BETTER than the 'english' signs that read Asian District. ..

[SOONER8693]

My hats off to you Hot Rod, you sure have a lot of good ideas.

[CrimsonOberon]

I agree.

Excellent ideas, Hot Rod.

[okclee]

Once again I nominate Hot Rod for the Mayor of Okc.

[metro]

HOT ROD, I could be wrong, but I don't recall the NY Times review saying anything negative about OKC's Asian District.

[jbrown84]

No he's right. It did mention that the area was very grungy essentially.

But isn't that the case with most Chinatowns?

[dismayed]

Here's a picture of San Francisco's Chinatown when I was there earlier this year. Wouldn't it be great to see something like this in OKC?

Notice the original ornamental lighting.

[metro]

dismayed, any recommendations for places to see in S.F's Chinatown? I'll be there in 2 weeks.

[HOT ROD]

Thanks for the support everyone. I wish I could be the mayor of OKC, but I will at least submit the aformentioned ideas to them.

I think there is a HUGE opportunity to develop synergy among OKC's inner city neighbourhoods. Not only will this be a HUGE boost to OKC's cosmopolitan cultural offerings but it will also be a boon for the inner city itself, as a new wave of cash coming in will assist those who most need it.

Its amazing, something as "simple" as painting the lightposts RED in the Asia District, could be the biggest contributor to the fabric and continued success of the neighbourhood. For once, OKC would finally have a neighbourhood that has an identity!!!

And RED is good luck in asian culture, so that would spill into the district and hopefully into OKC itself. I hope we could do these simple ideas quickly, especially before the NBA (and national attention) really arrives permanently!!!

Asia District should be yet another attraction for OKC! And the red light posts help identify it as such.

I will send this to the city and appreciate your contact to them as well.

[metro]

Call me crazy, but I don't see any red lightposts in the S.F Chinatown picture above.

[CrimsonOberon]

Call me crazy, but I don't see any red lightposts in the S.F Chinatown picture above.

Hot Rod mentioned the red lightposts being in Vancouver's Chinatown, not San Francisco's.

[metro]

Hot Rod mentioned the red lightposts being in Vancouver's Chinatown, not San Francisco's.

Actually Crimson, I was referring to dismayed's post with the picture. Here is his quote:

dismayed

Here's a picture of San Francisco's Chinatown when I was there earlier this year. Wouldn't it be great to see something like this in OKC?

Notice the original ornamental lighting.

Since dismayed posted the picture and stated San Francisco, I assumed it was San Francisco, thus my post.

[SpectralMourning]

I figured dismayed was talking about the blue/green post on the far left. He only said it was original and ornamental. Pretty cool either way.

I think it'd be nice if OKC had direct relationships and trade with far-East countries. That make for interesting back offices if the headquarters were located in Beijing, hah.

[John]

dismayed, any recommendations for places to see in S.F's Chinatown? I'll be there in 2 weeks.

Gotta eat at this place. Amazing food and a beautiful restaurant.

Empress of China

Empress of China

[dismayed]

Spectral/Crimson/Hot Rod:

Yeah, in SF's Chinatown the light posts are cyan colored and have a little gold dragon wrapping itself around the top of the post. These are the colors of the "Azure Dragon" or the Dragon of the East. It's representative of the East in general.

Gold and red are traditional good luck colors. You see them a lot in Vietnamese culture, especially during wedding ceremonies and things like that.

I was fortunate enough to be there during the Chinese New Year, which is why the streets were so busy.

Metro:

Honestly, I couldn't tell you the names of any of the places I visited that day as I don't read Mandarin. Just wonder around and see where the day takes you. There are farmer's markets, a fish market, several Asian grocery stores, Asian DVD rental places, souvenir and t-shirt shops, etc.

I'd start out at Fisherman's Wharf and check that whole area out. Take the Red and White ferry out to the Golden Gate Bridge. It's $25 bucks, you get to see the bridge and Alcatraz up close from the bow of a boat. It lasts about an hour. When you get back there are some great places for a snack or lunch on the Wharf. Then I'd pay $5 and take a cable car ride up to Chinatown, and then wander around there for an hour or two. Then you can hike it over to Lombard Street (it's not far), the hilliest and crookedest street in the US. If you're feeling fit after that you could walk back towards the Wharf area (it's a looong way up and down those hills). Finally I'd recommend wrapping the day up at Ghirardelli Square. It's where Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory is. The best part is everyone who visits gets free samples.