Boathouse Row

[BDK]

Awesome pics. Too bad they didn't get Devon in any of them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usrowin...57627288016449

[iMAX386]

Is the external lighting on the finish line tower complete? At night the only part that's going to be lit is that vertical white beam, or is more going to be lit up eventually? Figured the lighting would cover more of the building like the Devon boathouse.

[Snowman]

Is the external lighting on the finish line tower complete? At night the only part that's going to be lit is that vertical white beam, or is more going to be lit up eventually? Figured the lighting would cover more of the building like the Devon boathouse.

I thought the slants facing Lincoln are lights, it's grand opening is Sunday at 5:00 PM but if they are turning on the finishing line light it seems strange to hold off on decorative side lights. Most of what has been discussed being done over the next year is control equipment being installed over the next year for the lights, new starting system, cameras, etc. Since they have finished landscaping then they probably will not be doing any more work on the exterior, they almost certainly do not have time to do anything significant before the Head of the Oklahoma race.

[BBatesokc]

I went and took my bike onto river trails (south side) Saturday morning so I could watch the rowing competition while biking. I was pretty disappointed by other cyclists who seemed to have no problem stopping in groups of 5-10 to block the path while gabbing and watching the event. Myself and others asked them to move into the grass. Two group did, but a larger group with their bikes and biking outfits with their guts hanging over them, refused and told people they could go around. Wish there was a police bike patrol presence in that area during events in particular. Otherwise, the new structures were awesome and the morning temps great. The wife and I have signed up for a rowing class. Can't wait!

[lasomeday]

There usually is a bike cop patrolling the river. He works out at my gym.

[rcjunkie]

I went and took my bike onto river trails (south side) Saturday morning so I could watch the rowing competition while biking. I was pretty disappointed by other cyclists who seemed to have no problem stopping in groups of 5-10 to block the path while gabbing and watching the event. Myself and others asked them to move into the grass. Two group did, but a larger group with their bikes and biking outfits with their guts hanging over them, refused and told people they could go around. Wish there was a police bike patrol presence in that area during events in particular. Otherwise, the new structures were awesome and the morning temps great. The wife and I have signed up for a rowing class. Can't wait!

You and the wife will no doubt enjoy the rowing classes. My son and I took up rowing about 2 1/2 years ago, excellent exercise, great for the upper body and cardio.

[iMAX386]

I thought the slants facing Lincoln are lights, it's grand opening is Sunday at 5:00 PM but if they are turning on the finishing line light it seems strange to hold off on decorative side lights. Most of what has been discussed being done over the next year is control equipment being installed over the next year for the lights, new starting system, cameras, etc. Since they have finished landscaping then they probably will not be doing any more work on the exterior, they almost certainly do not have time to do anything significant before the Head of the Oklahoma race.

I've only seen the tower at night from I-35 so I haven't seen the Lincoln side to see if there are other lights, but the only thing you see from the highway is that one long vertical white light.

[BBatesokc]

Was out riding my bike Saturday morning along the river and took this quick clip of the view of the boathouses from the southside trails.

http://www.twitvid.com/VC0GP

[OKCisOK4me]

Very nice!

[Doug Loudenback]

Was out riding my bike Saturday morning along the river and took this quick clip of the view of the boathouses from the southside trails.

http://www.twitvid.com/VC0GP

Well done, Brian! You have a remarkable ability to ride a bike and take a relatively stable video at the same time. I tried to embed the video here, but was unable to do so.

[BBatesokc]

Well done, Brian! You have a remarkable ability to ride a bike and take a relatively stable video at the same time. I tried to embed the video here, but was unable to do so.

Thanks, I was using my cell phone, so I'm shocked it turned out at all.

[dankrutka]

Now that the Finish Line Tower is pretty much completed, what's next? I thought that the OU boathouse would have started by now. It's been fully funded for a while. The UCO Boathouse was mostly funded last I heard. Anyone have any idea when the next project starts?

[Snowman]

Now that the Finish Line Tower is pretty much completed, what's next? I thought that the OU boathouse would have started by now. It's been fully funded for a while. The UCO Boathouse was mostly funded last I heard. Anyone have any idea when the next project starts?

They will probably wait till at least after the Head of the Oklahoma regatta to start on OU's since that space and the space for UCO's boathouse was used for the staging areas in the Masters National Championships, but some of the holdup on OU's boathouse has been going through the administrative approval process on the design. Other items of note that are to be starting construction in the next year are the river/canal connector, course lighting(first 1000m from finish line), course windscreen (first 1000m from finish line).

[Larry OKC]

They will probably wait till at least after the Head of the Oklahoma regatta to start on OU's since that space and the space for UCO's boathouse was used for the staging areas in the Masters National Championships, but some of the holdup on OU's boathouse has been going through the administrative approval process on the design. Other items of note that are to be starting construction in the next year are the river/canal connector, course lighting(first 1000m from finish line), course windscreen (first 1000m from finish line).

I was recalling it was still several years off but found this:
http://newsok.com/economic-opportuni...rticle/3496367
Economic opportunities bubble up along the Oklahoma River (Oklahoman, Lackmeyer, 9/19/2010)

City officials recently revised their construction schedule for a canal extension and trails that will link Regatta Park to the Bricktown Canal and Bricktown. That job, earlier scheduled for 2018, is now set to begin next year.

So construction IS set to begin soon. This goes along with what I saw in a recent Riverfront Trust (or whatever its called) where they had a short presentation of the designs (top view only). More accurately it is a River extension rather than a Canal extension as they said it will be wide enough for the River Boats to cruise up it and turn around at the base of the Canal. Then the riders can either walk up a "switchback" walkway/waterfall feature up to the Canal level (or if built take the elevator). The description of it sounded cool, wish they had a rendering of it. The board members were questioning the need for the "switchback" and the water feature at all, instead use just an elevator. The presenter said that an elevator wasn't required under ADA as the switchback wasn't technically a ramp. Didn't hear any mention of time frame or the cost. Only that certain things weren't currently included due to the budget (but space was planned and could be added later). Does anyone know the current budget for it? The 2007 bond issue had it at $3MM (but that was 4 years ago).

[Snowman]

I was recalling it was still several years off but found this:
http://newsok.com/economic-opportuni...rticle/3496367
Economic opportunities bubble up along the Oklahoma River (Oklahoman, Lackmeyer, 9/19/2010)

So construction IS set to begin soon. This goes along with what I saw in a recent Riverfront Trust (or whatever its called) where they had a short presentation of the designs (top view only). More accurately it is a River extension rather than a Canal extension as they said it will be wide enough for the River Boats to cruise up it and turn around at the base of the Canal. Then the riders can either walk up a "switchback" walkway/waterfall feature up to the Canal level (or if built take the elevator). The description of it sounded cool, wish they had a rendering of it. The board members were questioning the need for the "switchback" and the water feature at all, instead use just an elevator. The presenter said that an elevator wasn't required under ADA as the switchback wasn't technically a ramp. Didn't hear any mention of time frame or the cost. Only that certain things weren't currently included due to the budget (but space was planned and could be added later). Does anyone know the current budget for it? The 2007 bond issue had it at $3MM (but that was 4 years ago).

In a prior meetings it was stated that the bonds for the extension would be sold next April and construction should conclude by the major regattas starting in 2012, the budget in the report was 2.5 million. The paths connecting the turn to the canal do not seem well planned though, it is one thing to make to be aesthetically pleasing however these seem to neither be that pleasing and route people well out of their way, probably a recipe for getting people to make their own path. Though I am sure the reasons for all the switch backs is ADA compliance, it looks like their are several ways it could have been done with less turns and at the same time make it more like a contuse vista instead of a cheap turnabout that reminds you how long it is the entire way.

[Pete]

All photos from http://boathousedistrictdevelopment.blogspot.com/:

[SkyWestOKC]

Great pics, Pete. Thanks for sharing!

[Pete]

Finish Line Tower to be christened Sept. 14th.

[Larry OKC]

In a prior meetings it was stated that the bonds for the extension would be sold next April and construction should conclude by the major regattas starting in 2012, the budget in the report was 2.5 million. The paths connecting the turn to the canal do not seem well planned though, it is one thing to make to be aesthetically pleasing however these seem to neither be that pleasing and route people well out of their way, probably a recipe for getting people to make their own path. Though I am sure the reasons for all the switch backs is ADA compliance, it looks like their are several ways it could have been done with less turns and at the same time make it more like a contuse vista instead of a cheap turnabout that reminds you how long it is the entire way.

Excellent news if they stick to that. Typically bond issue projects go 8% over budget.

By the way, what the heck is a "contuse vista"? I had to look it up and couldn't find a definition for that exact phrase. taken separately would mean bruised or broken (skin) + view???

The length of the switchbacks was one of the comments made by Councilwoman Salyer. She said people like her are often running late and need a faster way to get where they are going (stairs or elevator). Found the comment amusing since the Canal boats aren't known for their speedy travel and from what I gather, the River Cruises are on the leisurely side as well. LOL

[Snowman]

Excellent news if they stick to that. Typically bond issue projects go 8% over budget.

By the way, what the heck is a "contuse vista"? I had to look it up and couldn't find a definition for that exact phrase. taken separately would mean bruised or broken (skin) + view???

The length of the switchbacks was one of the comments made by Councilwoman Salyer. She said people like her are often running late and need a faster way to get where they are going (stairs or elevator). Found the comment amusing since the Canal boats aren't known for their speedy travel and from what I gather, the River Cruises are on the leisurely side as well. LOL

Sorry for the random word usage I used on spell check on that, I meant continuous vista.

As far as the comment people will use it that are not using the canal boats or river cruisers; it will get use for jogging, biking and during larger river events walking from Bricktown or it's south parking lots to the boathouse district.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Where can I find the above-mentioned plans?

[OKC@heart]

Love these fantastic photos of this very dynamic and exciting development on the Oklahoma River. I did notice that at least in the third image that everyone was hanging out under the shade provided by the Finish line tower. I realize that it is the finish line so that is where everyone is going to want to be but it seems to mee that the area being completely devoid of trees makes for a fairly harsh environment to want to spend a great deal of time in. I get the aesthetic of the landform accentuating the built form and the modern clean lines of the architecture being uninterrupted, however these are first and foremost venues for competition and the spectators that hopefully come with it. Just my two cents for what it is worth...I would be interested to hear some experiences of those who went out and stayed for an entire event and see what they thought in relation to the lack of trees. They would need to be carefully planed and sited so as not to obstruct the views of the course, though.

[Larry OKC]

Where can I find the above-mentioned plans?

I just saw the poster sized ones used in the presenttion I saw on TV. Would like to see more myself but I usually dont have much luck finding that kind of stuff on the City's site, so thers may be able to assist.

[BoulderSooner]

http://okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet.aspx

on the Aug 16 River redevelopment Authority item .. click "view" the canal ext. are the 7th and 8th links

[Pete]

Here are a couple of key diagrams from that PDF: