Plaza District

[Urbanized]

I know they are mostly full (and being rehabilitated at a very fast rate), and I suppose the ultimate best and highest use of them is the housing for which they were originally intended, but I have always thought that the large houses fronting 16th between Plaza's commercial district and Classen would be amazing candidates for adaptive re-use as bed & breakfast inns and/or funky retail. That would be the ultimate gateway to the Plaza from Classen.

The model I'm thinking of is Portland's Nob Hill area, though similar places exist elsewhere. I think the neighborhood's rapid residential gentrification might preclude that at this point though.

[benjenn]

I grew up in the '70s on the northwest corner of 15th & Kentucky, just a couple of blocks from the Plaza District now. I remember walking to the movie theatre many times, passing the Humpty Dumpty supermarket on the corner before the TG&Y. It was sad to see the neighborhood go so far downhill after I grew up and left. It's equally wonderful to see what it's becoming today. It used to be a busy retail area but now it's a destination. Too cool!

[CuatrodeMayo]

I hadn't heard about District House:

https://www.facebook.com/districthouseokc

I'm really looking forward to have this in the neighborhood.

They will open at 6:30am Mon-Sat which means I'll have a nice place for a early-morning cup of coffee on the weekdays, and a great Saturday morning hangout.

[Spartan]

I missed this but what bldg is District House going into?

I don't think the improvement in the Plaza would have happened without improvement downtown either. I think it's a perfect example of how city improvements spread centrifugally out from the center. A great core leads to great areas surrounding it. Did we not have a great core, the kind of people who have developed the Plaza might not have stayed here to do so.

Yes, absolutely. It's a matter of raising not just expectations but also ideas for what is possible.

[Spartan]

Just saw that it's just east of the Parrish. That's interesting, I forget the name of the coffee shop that went under there, but it was just ahead of it's time.

[CuatrodeMayo]

Just saw that it's just east of the Parrish. That's interesting, I forget the name of the coffee shop that went under there, but it was just ahead of it's time.

Coffy's Café is what you are thinking about. It was a but further west where Dig It is now.

Coffy's Cafe - Inner City Northside - Oklahoma City | Urbanspoon

[Garin]

I hadn't heard about District House:

https://www.facebook.com/districthouseokc

The owner is also the Pastor at the Parish.. Pretty cool guy his name is Kenny Deason

[OKC plaza]

We'd love OKC talk input on our parking study!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PlazaDistrict

[AP]

We'd love OKC talk input on our parking study!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PlazaDistrict

Done and done.

[Bellaboo]

We'd love OKC talk input on our parking study!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/PlazaDistrict

Done also.

[UnFrSaKn]

I know Kenny and he's a good guy. They've been working on the coffee shop next door for some time. Haven't visited them in a while.

[Plutonic Panda]

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma City's booming 16th Street Plaza District is experiencing growing pains, and officials are tackling it with a fresh study. New businesses are set to open in the area, which is bringing along concerns for parking.
Oklahoma City and the Institute of Quality Communities at the University of Oklahoma are working on a study to find a solution for the district's parking woes. On Friday, Shane Hampton was busy counting cars every hour, on the hour –- covering the entire district between Classen and Penn. on NW 16th Street.

"It's a little hidden village between two neighborhoods," executive director Kristen Vails of the Plaza District Association said.

The village, catering to the arts community, isn't much of a secret anymore. It has gained popularity in recent months with restaurant and bar openings. Plus, the district's "Live On The Plaza" event draws large crowds on the second Friday of each month. In a city where just about everyone drives, parking is now the topic of conversation.

Read more here: Growing Plaza District Curbs Parking Concerns With Study - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

I still honestly don't think there are any major parking problems. Just because you can't park right in front of your destination does indicate any major parking shortages. This is not bad though, at least the area is growing and successful.

[king183]

I'm a Plaza regular, as I live within a three minutes. I've never had a parking problem, even during Live on the Plaza when thousands are there. I'm always able to park within two blocks of my destination. But for some, I guess that's too far.


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[catch22]

I hope they do not create any more surface lots. I'm watching this very closely.

[soonerguru]

There isn't a lot more leasable space left in the area, so it's hard to imagine they will need much more parking, even with the new pub.

[Plutonic Panda]

I hope they do not create any more surface lots. I'm watching this very closely.

I agree. I suggested a 350-500 garage in the area and remove any existing surface lots and develop them.

[catch22]

I agree. I suggested a 350-500 garage in the area and remove any existing surface lots and develop them.

I think that's a little premature. For right now just working with the city for better on street parking on certain nearby streets. Long term a possible building like the plaza court in midtown, with a small garage and better street frontage would be appropriate. A 3-5 story garage would largely be out of place, at this time, anyway.

[Teo9969]

I'm a Plaza regular, as I live within a three minutes. I've never had a parking problem, even during Live on the Plaza when thousands are there. I'm always able to park within two blocks of my destination. But for some, I guess that's too far.


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TWO BLOCKS?!!! Do you understand how big blocks in Oklahoma City are and how unwalkable they are?! You surely are insane for traversing such distances in such a dangerous gangster hood.

Get thee to a psychiatric ward!

[shawnw]

My proposal in the comments section of the parking survey:

(disclaimer: I HATE the idea of a parking garage in the Plaza District, but this is my suggestion on how to handle it if we HAD to do it someday)

Excavate the surface lot West of Lyric Academy, build two stories of underground parking, and two stories of above a ground parking (this could be just one structured level with parking on the roof), but with enough space left up against the sidewalk (maybe a little back to accommodate future wider sideways so if there's ever a comprehensive streetscape overhall in the plaza) to have a two-story structure (to hide the garage) for retail at the ground level and residential or commercial on the second level.

All of this said, even this wouldn't "solve" the parking "problem". I think you'd still have the induced demand type of problem, where people who currently avoid going to the Plaza because of their perceived issue with parking would then decided to start going because they thought the problem was solved with structured parking.

[ljbab728]

I see. So we want to try to discourage people from going there because they will think there isn't enough parking?

[shawnw]

Not what I meant. I just feel building a garage damages the neighborhood charm. But I was giving an alternative if we got to the point where we had to do it. The last bit was saying I suspect the induced demand problem probably exists for parking too. I definitely want the Plaza to be the best it can be, for the businesses and the visitors alike, but I do think it's possible to "ruin it" if that makes sense.

[ljbab728]

Not what I meant. I just feel building a garage damages the neighborhood charm. But I was giving an alternative if we got to the point where we had to do it. The last bit was saying I suspect the induced demand problem probably exists for parking too. I definitely want the Plaza to be the best it can be, for the businesses and the visitors alike, but I do think it's possible to "ruin it" if that makes sense.

Maybe, maybe not. I don't think a modest parking garage would be a problem at all and I don't think it would damage the neighborhood charm any more than a surface parking lot.

[Pete]

District House just announced they are opening April 7th.

[kennyd]

Chiltepe's, the redo of the excellent Guatemalan cafe on the SW corner of 16th & Indiana, is the oldest restaurant in the Plaza District as well as the most localized families of the neighborhood. In my opinion they have always had the best menu in the Plaza District. With their remodel, full bar, waiting staff, additional Mexican food along side their already incredible rural Guatemalan menu...holy cow, this will be amazing. I can't wait. Their food speaks for itself and I hope that they legitimately attract the well deserved attention and patrons for what they have been providing us in the district and even better, what they will be giving us. They just have a few more inspections to get passed. They have had a food truck open while they've been remodeling with their Mexican food items. Check it out if you can.

[Mr. Cotter]

https://www.facebook.com/plazadistri...type=1&theater