Automobile Alley

[betts]

I'm writing Urban Outfitters today to suggest the 1101 Broadway building. It's looking really nice and I still think it would be a superb Urban Outfitters. I know they looked downtown and I haven't heard that they've selected a site. I think the AA area is developing enough that they might be willing to think about a store in that area.

[oakhollow]

I heard the land Belanger owns is going to be developed by a company that specializes in small markets such as Wichita, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, etc. and that there would be a chance this apartment complex would be the nicest in the city. If I can come up with the name of the development company I will post a link to their site to show previous work. I am in no way saying this is a done deal but I do think there is a real chance it happens.

[metro]

I heard the land Belanger owns is going to be developed by a company that specializes in small markets such as Wichita, Little Rock, Oklahoma City, etc. and that there would be a chance this apartment complex would be the nicest in the city. If I can come up with the name of the development company I will post a link to their site to show previous work. I am in no way saying this is a done deal but I do think there is a real chance it happens.

I've heard it was being developed by a firm out of Houston

[Spartan]

Believe me Steve - it isn't you. I already took about 6 weeks off but it only seems to have gotten worse. Maybe 6 weeks isn't long enough.

Kerry, I was wondering about that. Since I was gone and I wasn't too active on here, what happened to your username, and what is the deal with "Just the facts" ?

[Spartan]

If we get the quiet zone, there is a lot of open land north of 8th St. that would be great for residences. That's where, I believe, Bert Belanger had some plans for apartments. There is other open land, as well as existing buildings, between 9th and Deep Deuce that could be utilized as well.

It is absolutely preposterous that they have been working on that quiet zone since 2005.

[soonerguru]

I have purchased a couple of mid century modern pieces from Treasures Past. They seem to always have quite a few, although I have not been in the new location.

They do have some midcentury stuff, and it is outrageously priced.

[TStheThird]

Not if you understand the art of haggling and are willing to walk away.

[betts]

I just looked through the window and didn't see much. I've got more furniture than I need right now (can you say three storage units) and so don't need to look in any stores with furniture. It seemed to me, though, that there was a lot of what a friend of mine who was a picker when he was in college called "brown furniture"....the frequently oak replicas of tudor and other earlier styles of furniture created in the 30s and 40s. I'm sure the mid century modern is expensive to acquire, but that seems to be selling and, to me, seems like it might be more appealing to people in the area. Although, Rawhide definitely appears to pull in higher end buyers and their stuff would combine nicely with furniture from an earlier era. Maybe that's the plan.

[blangtang]

video of The Womb
http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_s...vid_3780.shtml

[BBatesokc]

I'm guessing its been discussed before, and I'm probably in the minority, but IMO that whole Womb Gallery is an eyesore from the exterior - from the psychedelic exterior to the "lady parts" inspired doors, I find it out of place and quite frankly hideous. What they do with the inside I don't really care, but I personally think its a step backwards and I feel for surrounding businesses that have to look at it every day. I'm curious where the line is drawn between graffiti and exterior painting or mural. Wasn't there a studio a few years ago (around NW 12 and Western) that had to repaint their exterior because the mural they painted was deemed graffiti? Either way, I hate it, but it may just be a personal taste thing.

[betts]

I like it. I think it's quirky and adds a little more of an organic feel to the area. It definitely doesn't look like a created area. Compare Automobile Alley to a "lifestyle center" and personally, I think they look sterile by comparison. I go by it a lot and it's kind of a visual "pick me up" personally. I realize it too, is just my opinion ane personal taste.

[dankrutka]

I also like it. I think it adds some unique character to the area...

[soonerguru]

I'm guessing its been discussed before, and I'm probably in the minority, but IMO that whole Womb Gallery is an eyesore from the exterior - from the psychedelic exterior to the "lady parts" inspired doors, I find it out of place and quite frankly hideous. What they do with the inside I don't really care, but I personally think its a step backwards and I feel for surrounding businesses that have to look at it every day. I'm curious where the line is drawn between graffiti and exterior painting or mural. Wasn't there a studio a few years ago (around NW 12 and Western) that had to repaint their exterior because the mural they painted was deemed graffiti? Either way, I hate it, but it may just be a personal taste thing.

It's the only iconic "art" building we have in OKC. It is an actual artpiece, created by a world-famous artist, and it celebrates local art. It's the only "public art" we have in OKC that has any impact whatsoever. I completely disagree with your opinion, but defend your right to state it here.

[Rover]

I like it. I think it's quirky and adds a little more of an organic feel to the area. It definitely doesn't look like a created area. Compare Automobile Alley to a "lifestyle center" and personally, I think they look sterile by comparison. I go by it a lot and it's kind of a visual "pick me up" personally. I realize it too, is just my opinion ane personal taste.

+1

AA can turn into our own little version of M Street in Georgetown.

[USG'60]

It's the only iconic "art" building we have in OKC. It is an actual artpiece, created by a world-famous artist, and it celebrates local art. It's the only "public art" we have in OKC that has any impact whatsoever. I completely disagree with your opinion, but defend your right to state it here.

Surely you mean "in addition to Stage Center" which is it's sculptural counterpart.

[okcboy]

I heard if you have 5 votes on the horseshoe you can paint the streets purple. Maybe thats next.

[metro]

I love it, and clearly most of you haven't been to Philly, King of beautiful building murals.

[BBatesokc]

I'm all for murals. I often photograph them when traveling. However, I just think this one is pitiful. But, like I said, I'm probably in the minority.

[EBAH]

I LOOOOVE IT! The exterior, although it's actually changed nearly perpetually since they started painting it, is the work of prominent New York artist Maya Hayuk and really is an awesome cultural asset to the city. This gallery will really bring a much needed injection of credible alternative art of a national or even world class to the city. Me and my wife went to opening night and had a blast, we also got to go to Broadway wine and Hideaway on foot making it an altogether very pleasurable evening. It's so nice to finally see something that may be construed as shocking or jarring in downtown OKC again. I love all the work that has gone in to improving downtown but we've been in need of something that was kind of outside the "plan" down there.

[EBAH]

I like it. I think it's quirky and adds a little more of an organic feel to the area. It definitely doesn't look like a created area. Compare Automobile Alley to a "lifestyle center" and personally, I think they look sterile by comparison. I go by it a lot and it's kind of a visual "pick me up" personally. I realize it too, is just my opinion ane personal taste.

Hell Yeah, everyone can use a bit of color in their lives..

[bluedogok]

I'm all for murals. I often photograph them when traveling. However, I just think this one is pitiful. But, like I said, I'm probably in the minority.

So are you saying that you wouldn't have put it on a t-shirt when you were doing screenprinting?

[BBatesokc]

So are you saying that you wouldn't have put it on a t-shirt when you were doing screenprinting?

For myself? No way. For a paying customer? Whatever floats their boat.

[Larry OKC]

i cant get the video to play, can someone post pics?

[ouguy23]

I too like the The Womb mural. Its a great place to take pictures as well and my out of town friends loved it.

[CCOKC]

I also love it and when I move my office will have a view of it from my window. I love to see all of that color and imagine it will be great in the winter when all of the green of the trees is gone.