Urban Neighbors-Call for Members & Volunteers!

[jbrown84]

And with the current special that they're running with free utilities for a year, I think that's a good trade off.

Whoa, I hadn't heard about that.

[metro]

Yeah, they've been advertising it in the Journal Record and such. I think you have to sign a one year lease, but hey, you get free utilities for that year.

FYI, the press conference for Urban Neighbors went great this morning, Doug, Misty, and Urban Pioneer were there. Unfortunately there was a lack of media due to the jail break at the County Jail near the same time. I took pics though and will post soon.

[jbrown84]

I checked the Journal Record ads and they mention a "move in special", but don't say what it is.

[Misty]

Today went great at city hall! Thanks so much to all who have helped get this organization up and running! Hope to see lots of you at Nonna's Thursday. There is an e-vite for the event, if anyone wants it e-mailed to them or anyone else just send me a private message on this site with the e-mail addresses listed and I'll forward it out.

[metro]

pic of the press conference:

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/showp...500/ppuser/204

[Karried]

Who's who... from Left to Right?

[Misty]

AHHHHHHHHHHHH! I look hideous! I hate having my pic taken. I'm the one in the middle. Nice deer in the headlights look on my face.

[Karried]

Not so! You look beautiful!! Was anyone else from OKCTalk there?

[jbrown84]

Who's who... from Left to Right?

yeah


Cool logo, Misty.

[metro]

well from left to right: the first girl isn't a member of OKCTalk to my knowledge, then myself (metro), then Misty in the middle, then another guy who isn't a member of OKCTalk to my knowledge, then Urban Pioneer.

Sorry for the vagueness and screennames, I didn't want to post everyone's full name w/o their legal consent although I'm sure you'll see them in the papers later this week.

[Misty]

Todd Clark did the logo for us, he's the one beside me with the shaved head. We are very pleased with it as well! Todd rocks. Doug and Metro were there and I see that Metro posted that Urban Pioneer was there, I did see him talking to a person I didn't know so that must have been Urban Pioneer. Hopefully he comes to the social too so I can meet him!

[jbrown84]

No problem, just wanted screennames.

[metro]

actually Misty our president is Urban Pioneer. the one on the far right. and yes, Doug Loudenback was there, however we didn't get him in the picture although we should have! I'm sure he'll be at upcoming meetings where he'll have the chance though!

[Doug Loudenback]

No problemo on my mug, Metro ... it's ugly! I'll post a blog post shortlly about this event/organization which is superb!

This is just a graphic I put together in honor of the event and day ...



The background "light" is the city council chamber's fixtures ...



... though this one would have served nicely, too ...

[metro]

Downtown organization seeks second chance

By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer
A second attempt to organize a downtown Oklahoma City residents' association begins this week with presentation Tuesday to the Oklahoma City Council and a public gathering Thursday at Nonna's in Bricktown.

Jeff Bezdek, president, thinks an association will succeed because of the influx of owner-occupied housing and an expanded mission the second time around.

"The downtown residents association, as it was called, was basically responsive to issues,” Bezdek said.

"But as those issues went away, we had difficulty maintaining membership. Also, so many of the members were renters. But now that downtown is converting toward ownership, we're finding a more stable ownership base.

"In addition, this organization is designed to foster a quality of life, not only through residential members but also through business members who might support residential life.”

Reorganization of a downtown residential association began with an inquiry by Misty Kemp, a recent transplant from downtown Austin who was house hunting at the Block 42 condominiums in downtown Oklahoma City's Flat Iron district. Kemp said when she was asked about the existence of a residents association, she was encouraged to form one. She then turned to Mayor Mick Cornett, who told her of a previous effort by Bezdek, who lives and works in Deep Deuce.

"I have great friends here,” said Kemp, who is still looking at housing options. "We lived here previously, and like a lot of people, we want to live downtown.”

Bezdek and Kemp say the new organization will at times get involved in issues impacting downtown residents — the concerns faced previously involved streetscapes along Main Street and NW 5.

But this time, social networking and opportunities for residents to discover downtown merchants will be the main focus, Bezdek said.

"We're pretty excited,” Bezdek said. "There are enough people downtown that something like this can work. It's needed, and it was needed before.”

The association has the support of Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., and will be seeking to post window decals in the spirit of the downtown organization's "Up” campaign.

Kim Searls, spokeswoman for Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., said the new association coincides with the pending addition of 1,600 housing units downtown.

"I would expect that 1,600 will convert in up to 3,000 more people living downtown,” Searls said. "That almost doubles our population.”

Searls said she expects downtown businesses will embrace the new association.

"It's going to give them an extra sales opportunity,” Searls said. "It will help the developers market downtown living, which helps us. It lets them say, ‘There already is this group, you have social events, and when you move downtown, you'll have this built-in group of friends when you get here.'”


AT A GLANCE
Urban Neighbors to meet Thursday
An Urban Neighbors information meeting will be hosted at Nonna's, 1 Mickey Mantle Drive, 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Memberships run $25 for residents and associates, and $100 a year for businesses. For more information, contact Urban Neighbors at info@urbanneighbors.org or visit Urban Neighbors.

[Karried]

That's wonderful.....kudos to Misty for getting it together. ( and for Doug & metro & anyone else for joining).

I think this will be a great asset for Downtown... putting words into action.. very nice.

[J-Dub]

Hello all i am new to the forum but would like to attend the social on Thursday, the press release says 6:30 but i have seen 5:00 and 5:30 posted here. Can anyone clear up the time.

[Misty]

It starts at 5:00. Sorry for the confusion! I look forward to meeting you tomorrow J-Dub!

[Karried]

AT A GLANCE
Urban Neighbors to meet Thursday
An Urban Neighbors information meeting will be hosted at Nonna's, 1 Mickey Mantle Drive, 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Memberships run $25 for residents and associates, and $100 a year for businesses. For more information, contact Urban Neighbors at info@urbanneighbors.org or visit Urban Neighbors.

I wonder if the paper can correct it in time??

[Misty]

I'll give them a call and see if they can run a correction, but we decided that we will keep the social going as long as people are there! If people don't show up until 6:30 it's no problem, I believe we have the room all night. We may end up with a group of folks at 5:00 and a new group at 6:30, but that will be just fine! Again, sorry for the confusion everyone!

[Doug Loudenback]

Urban Neighbors blog post today: Doug Dawgz Blog: Urban Neighbors

[metro]

How did the social go?? I was out of town on business.

[Misty]

It was great! We had a great crowd and everyone seemed really excited to join & work together to continue making downtown a great place to live, work and play! Wish you could have been there. the next social will be June 14th at the Skirvin at 5:00.

[jbrown84]

I've now toured the Park Harvey 3 times. Today I went to see a Studio. I had seen the 2 bedroom before, but my roommate plans have fallen through.

The May special is actually half off utilities for a year. It's a flat rate of $65 for utilities, so it's $32.50 with this deal. They have negotiated for a $50 discount rate at the Galleria garage. There is a gym opening in the basement that will have a discounted membership fee for building tenants. There is also a men's clothing store opening in the former Chick-fil-a space, as well as an attorney's office and possibly a bank on the first floor. They also are painting the sidewalk off white (???). And after 8 weeks they have signed leases for half the building, with the "Grand Studio" floorplan being the most popular.

Anyway, I'm strongly considering it.

[Misty]

That's great! I haven't been to look at them yet but I've heard they were nice from other people too. Are the 1 bedrooms small or pretty open & spacious feeling?