Henderson's final deadline...

[Pete]

It wouldn't have to be the Oklahoman or the mainstream media... Someone could just create a website and/or blog to chronicle everything.


I managed to wrest minutes from OCURA a while back, but it wasn't easy (although it's supposed to be).

Seems to me that someone local could attend the meetings, collect the minutes, conduct some interviews and publish the results.

I would do it if I still lived there -- it would be a great service to the citizens of OKC.

[metro]

I strongly agree. The Daily O has too many good old boy ties to OCURA. You all can write a letter to the editor of the Gazette at: http://www.okgazette.com/contactForms/editor.aspx

[Pete]

OKC very much needs a watchdog, which could take the form of a person, a group or even a webiste or blog.

OCURA, the airport authority and now the River Development Authority... There's no one to keep them honest or accountable and there is much more at stake these days with much new development yet to come.


Deep Deuce, Lower Bricktown, The Hill, this Henderson ordeal... All handled very badly with pretty poor results thus far.

[Midtowner]

Steve Lackmeyer please do an investigative report on OCURA

He would be fired. Lackmeyer's employer's owner's deceased father founded the OIA from which a vast amount of public 'bad faith' has sprouted (OCURA, the State Fair Board, the Airport Trust, etc. all descendents).

I'd volunteer if I weren't otherwise engaged in the evenings (this sort of thing interests me). Is there anyone interested in actually doing this? I can offer my servics as a 'help desk' when it comes to acquiring information under the Freedom of Information Act as I've had to do it several times and am well versed in it. Otherwise, if we had enough volunteers, we could set a schedule up.

Keep in mind, most of the really juicy stuff goes on behind closed doors under the name "Executive Session." I used it a few times while chairing a public commmittee (UCO student government, nothing major) myself -- a useful tool when you're trying to keep things private.

Anyhow, the full text of the Oklahoma Freedom of Information Act can be found here:

http://www.foioklahoma.org/OpenRecords.pdf

[metro]

Midtowner. Great info. Indeed The Oklahoman's hands are tied on investigative reporting. I would be glad to offer some of my time although it is usually limited just like everyone else. Let's set up a task force, between all of our time and expertise we should be able to make a dent

[Midtowner]

I wonder if Todd would be able to spare some space for a blog, image host and message board regarding the investigation of these trusts?

There are documents that I'd like to obtain besides just minutes. I'd want:

1) Agendas;
2) By-laws;
3) Exhibits presented on each item on the agendas;
4) Minutes (already mentioned, but here it is anyhow); and
5) Any audio or video recordings made of any meetings;

I may be leaving something out, but the FOI Oklahoma Act requires that public records be made open to inspection during regular business hours. I'd request some time alone with the files of each individual trust, then make copies of what occurs to you was rotten. Keep in mind that the best stuff is still private, but you can get a pretty good idea of what they're hiding based on the agendas.

Can anyone come up with a list of names, addresses and telephone #'s for trusts that deserve investigation? Does anyone know if the Oklahoma Industry Authority is still in operation -- that'd be a great place to start, they were the big dogs back in their day.

[ptwobjb]

Quick update...
drove by at the future site of Legacy at 2:30 today...nothing doing. There was a guy sitting there next to a pickup truck but that was it. No sign of machinery or tools or anything.

[metro]

surprise surprise

[Jack]

Wonder when the next deadline will be?

[metro]

is that hot place freezing yet?

[John]

is that hot place freezing yet?

If hell=OCURA, then yes, frozen stiff.

[Patrick]

Randy Hogan was given deadline after deadline. Why not Henderson?

[Midtowner]

There's a bulldozer sitting on the lot now. Looks like possible preparations for construction may be underway.

It also looks like they've smoothed that aforementioned pile of rocks out into a gravel driveway.

[metro]

Even if construction does get underway, the Good Old Boy tactics were still at work and OCURA did not honor their guidelines and extentions. What good is an extention if you keep extending it.

[Midtowner]

Playing devil's advocate here...

Metro, if you don't think the extensions worked in bringing about the desired end result (being new construction) why is there dirt turning? When do construction projects ever occur without setbacks and delays?

[metro]

3 years of delays is a little on the extreme end don't you think. I understand delays and setbacks do happen but 3 years? Come on. OCURA's job is not just to get dirt turned with new construction but to get the best use out of the land. That was clearly not the case on the Hill and I'm not so sure I can say that about this project

[ptwobjb]

Another update:

The backhoe is gone and nothing has happened on the lot (as of 5:30 pm Tuesday). Maybe they rented a backhoe just to make it look like they were doing work!

[TStheThird]

Does anyone know for sure which rendering is the right one for this project?





Unfortunately, I imagine the first pic is the project we will see, if it is ever built.

[Patrick]

Who knows. For all we know, Henderson has probable changed his mind and decided to build one story apartments surrounding a Wal-Mart. I think metro is right. OCURA needs to stand up to the plate. We've gotten the shaft from wanna-be developers long enough.

[Midtowner]

Another update:

The backhoe is gone and nothing has happened on the lot (as of 5:30 pm Tuesday). Maybe they rented a backhoe just to make it look like they were doing work!

Yep, nothing has happened there in awhile.

[Pete]

TS, the top rendering is the one on Henderson's website.

Looks like a suburban development (all he's ever built) just pushed closer to the street with a parking garage in back.


I wonder if this whole process had been thrown open upon Henderson's first default if there wouldn't have been plenty of interest from other developers.

Of course, we'll never know because OCURA seems to be more interested in catering to local developers than doing what's best for OKC.

[TStheThird]

It is quite tragic when you look at the earlier design. It is a story taller with flat roof on most of the project. It appears to involve more stone and brick. It is a more urban design. Then you look at the new design... shorter, pitched roof, no stone, less brick. It just makes you want to scream.

[brianinok]

The original design (the one on bottom) is actually pretty good. I like it. I would be interested to know if the original design was the one originally approved by OCURA. If it is, what was the reason given by Henderson AND Urban Renewal for the massive change?

[Pete]

Henderson has three other apartment communities in the Metro, all using the name "Legacy".

If you go to the website and look at the video tours, all three are almost excactly the same and not impressive in the least.

The fact this is being lumped in with all the other "Legacy Commuities" says this development will be built in a very similar fashion, just more dense.

I am not optimistic about this development at all. Here's photos of the other three properties:

[Jack]

Legacy Woods in Edmond is very nice. One of the nicest apartment complexes in the metro area. What's not to like?