We need a landmark

[Karried]

A landmark this forward-thinking would inspire the citizens of OKC and would be recoginzable to the entire world as the symbol of the Spirit of Oklahoma City.


You are my new nomination for Mayor - love this idea....

[jbrown84]

[QUOTE=mranderson]We chose the oil tower because Oklahoma does have a very rich oil heritage. The oil industry (unless you prefer the pronounciation of the term ohl-benez) is far from being a hick industry.

We felt it would be a symbol of the state that is identifiable and unique.[QUOTE]

I don't think it's very unique though. There's this thing at Six Flags Over Texas that is a giant oil derrick with an observation platform at the top. We would be the laughing stock of the entire country if we built the same thing.

Oil is not that unique to Oklahoma, but the Land Run is. I agree we need to empasize the Land Run Monument because it will be very significant when it's done. I think we need to push for it to be declared a National Monument or at least a national historic site.

[floater]

We need to think outside the oil derick/giant indian/brick tower box.

OKC is not about oil or bricks or indians, or whatever. Those are elements of what OKC should celebrate in the 21st century--Change.

How about an 800-1000 ft kinetic sculpture symbolizing the past, present, and future of OKC? It could be a tower of sweeping curves that would change shapes in the wind. I could refect and refract sunlight and change colors in the sunlight. At night, it could have an ever-changing lighting systems that would give it distinctive "moods". Something along the lines of a Santiago Calatrava design. It would represent way our city has changed and the way it is moving into the future. It could have an observation platform that is accessed by an exciting elevator ride that threads through the structure or by climbing an open stairway.

A landmark this forward-thinking would inspire the citizens of OKC and would be recoginzable to the entire world as the symbol of the Spirit of Oklahoma City.

I like your imagination. Sounds like a project for Rand Elliott and a very capable engineer.

[plmccordj]

Are these ideas intended for actual development or are we dreaming? I like them but is there anyone on these boards that are in a position to implement any of these ideas? I agree that we need something to catch attention. Our new beacon of hope light looks cool but is not very visable. I live in Del City only 4 miles away and I cannot see it at all.

Paul

[Patrick]

Oh, there are many city leaders on this site, including our very own mayor, Mick Cornett. But, you have to remember, in coming up with a city budget, is a landmark tower really at the top of the list? It could be considered for a future MAPS project, but I would think there are other projects that would be more important.

Several years ago myself and mranderson tried to get a group of local corporations to buy into the idea and contribute money to the project. I was rejected by every CEO I spoke with.

[JOHNINSOKC]

Maybe now is the time to revisit the idea of a landmark with more attention being focused on OKC lately by way of the Hornets and the NBA. Has anyone noticed that the First National Tower hasn't been lit up lately? Although our city is booming with lots of good news, something needs to change regarding our skyline. We've had the same one for over 20 years. OKC is probably the only major city that hasn't built anything new in that period of time. Perhaps better marketing to businesses in the suburbs will help. Everyone knows the advantages of being downtown these days. Parking should not be an excuse since more is coming online soon. It's a disgrace that OKC has to become so sprawled out with office parks in the suburbs. This city should follow the examples of Portland and Seattle, both of whom have large and dense downtowns. In the 1980's, it was cool to have those towers on N.W. Expressway since it gave the illusion of having two downtowns. But these days, the in thing is to develop the main core. Looking back, if those buildings had all been built downtown, we wouldn't have the vacancy problems we are encountering today. OKC does need a landmark, specifically something that really stands out like a new gleaming tower downtown that really gets the attention of people driving through town or any executives from companies that come to OKC scouting for a location to put their business. Hopefully, if we keep the Hornets, many things will change for the better.

[HOT ROD]

And the interesting thing about downtown Portland, is it is not very tall at all. They only have three towers at the 500 foot mark or above.

But they have LOTS of 20 something buildings and downtown is very alive.

Downtown Seattle has signature office towers and is VERY attractive to look at. Neither downtown is what I would say "alive" but Portland is taking the lead in that category - with its residential population boom.

I hope OKC can follow Portland's examples in many ways --- the two cities are more similar than you all think!

[okrednk]

Okay, this might be going outside the box a little, but what the heck. What about a huge tornado, something that would rotate doesn't have to be a solid object just something that resembeled a tornado and at night would light up with many colors to intensify it. Would be something neat to look at, maybe put like a museum in the middle of this and have it so you could take a trip up to a top floor say 20 or 30 stories, go out on the rooftop and enjoy the skyline. Just a crazy idea.

[metro]

We've had the same one for over 20 years. OKC is probably the only major city that hasn't built anything new in that period of time

I'm not sure where you have been the last 5-10 years, we have a 15-17 story new Renaissance Hotel, a 10 story Courtyard, a new library, Ford Center, Museum of Art, and more. Why all of the new development may not be 40 + stories, they are newer than 20 years and some of them DO add to the skyline. We're even getting a new 10 story hotel right in Bricktown!

[JOHNINSOKC]

I was talking about buildings at least as tall as the Chase Tower or Oklahoma Tower. Something that REALLY sticks out.

[Patrick]

Okay, this might be going outside the box a little, but what the heck. What about a huge tornado, something that would rotate doesn't have to be a solid object just something that resembeled a tornado and at night would light up with many colors to intensify it. Would be something neat to look at, maybe put like a museum in the middle of this and have it so you could take a trip up to a top floor say 20 or 30 stories, go out on the rooftop and enjoy the skyline. Just a crazy idea.

If it wasn't solid, it would probably be blown over by a tornado.

[jdsplaypin]

and the Hampton is going to be 9 stories... not like that matters

[Curt]

Just my two cents here...dont get too excited about big huge tall buildings. They block your view of the beauty around you sometimes. I was downtown the other night and looked around me and could not see anything but huge tall buildings..kind felt claustrophobic.

[JOHNINSOKC]

I just had a thought cross my mind about a landmark. Since we are building a Native American Cultural Center close to downtown, how about building a huge, all glass Teepee that towers 700+ feet where the sprawling cotton mill sits south of the crosstown. It would be similar to the Pyramid in Memphis. It would add to our Indian heritage since Oklahoma City really means the "city of red people." It could house offices, restaurants and a huge observation area. Of course, the base of the structure would be huge, but it would be equivalent to the Arch in St. Louis and the Pyramid in Memphis. At night, it could be outlined in green. THAT would really bring in the tourists!!!

[jdsplaypin]

that's a neat idea. Wichita is getting their landmark tower as we speak. It's called the peerless tower

[Patrick]

If we built a huge honeybee, I wonder if the Hornets would consider staying.

[Curt]

If we built a huge honeybee, I wonder if the Hornets would consider staying.

If you build it...I will come :tweeted:

[okrednk]

If we built a huge honeybee, I wonder if the Hornets would consider staying.

Only if it looks like one of the honeybees.

[okrednk]

I just had a thought cross my mind about a landmark. Since we are building a Native American Cultural Center close to downtown, how about building a huge, all glass Teepee that towers 700+ feet where the sprawling cotton mill sits south of the crosstown. It would be similar to the Pyramid in Memphis. It would add to our Indian heritage since Oklahoma City really means the "city of red people." It could house offices, restaurants and a huge observation area. Of course, the base of the structure would be huge, but it would be equivalent to the Arch in St. Louis and the Pyramid in Memphis. At night, it could be outlined in green. THAT would really bring in the tourists!!!

That would be very cool as well. We definitely need something that is just outright crazy, that nobody else has and would like to come see. I do like the native american theme though.

[Patrick]

I agree. Several people on this forum want us to get away from our Native American culture because they claim it's hickish. Personally, I think cowboys are more hickish than Indians. San Antonio is so popular because they use their Hispanic culture as a selling tool. We need to use our Native American culture as a selling tool, to promote our city. You wouldn't believe how many convention goers visit the Native American store in Bricktown, and complain because there aren't enough stores that sell Native American merchandise.

[Curt]

I agree. Several people on this forum want us to get away from our Native American culture because they claim it's hickish. Personally, I think cowboys are more hickish than Indians. San Antonio is so popular because they use their Hispanic culture as a selling tool. We need to use our Native American culture as a selling tool, to promote our city. You wouldn't believe how many convention goers visit the Native American store in Bricktown, and complain because there aren't enough stores that sell Native American merchandise.

Just as I like Edmond for what it is..I like OKC for it,s Native American culture..that is one more thing that keeps me comming back to visit..I think that is what brings alot of people to your area and I would definately keep that as a selling tool..dont try to modernize things too much and end up straying from that..people want things like that..people want some of the past left alone and even want some of the past brought back because they are realizing the now and the future is not all it is cracked up to be..we need those reminders of what was..the Native American culture is not hickish at all..but rather probably one of the most important parts of our history..and being part Native American myself I'd like to see it kept alive in some small way.

[jbrown84]

I agree that something Native American related would be much better than something cowboy, tornado, or oil related. The giant teepee is a good idea, except the main building of the Native American Cultural Center is already going to be a huge glass teepee. Plus I think we should try to lean away from towers and think of something different. It's too bad we didn't get the Indian statue.

jdsplaypin, what is this new tower in Wichita?

[writerranger]

What Native American culture is there in Oklahoma City? I live and work here and see very little of whatever it is a lot of you say we should be promoting.

[jbrown84]

It's really more Native American heritage and history than culture. The Native American culture is still around, but it's just not as visible like Hispanic culture is in San Antonio or asian culture in Little Saigon.

Ultimately it's about promoting something that's unique to Oklahoma. Another thing I think we need to promote more is the land runs. It's a very unique aspect of our history. I think we should push for some kind of national monument/historical site status for the Land Run Monument. It seems well deserving to me.

[okrednk]

It's really more Native American heritage and history than culture. The Native American culture is still around, but it's just not as visible like Hispanic culture is in San Antonio or asian culture in Little Saigon.

Ultimately it's about promoting something that's unique to Oklahoma. Another thing I think we need to promote more is the land runs. It's a very unique aspect of our history. I think we should push for some kind of national monument/historical site status for the Land Run Monument. It seems well deserving to me.

Very good idea. A land run museum/monument is a great idea. Would definitely tie into the land run statues along the canal.