Century Center

[Jim Kyle]

It's a relatively small office where most people go home at 5. They've downsized more than you may realize, which is what made this all possible.

Steve obviously knows much more about current conditions than I do -- I've never even been into the current DOK tower on Britton Road. However when I was on the staff, I went to work at 4:30 p.m. and didn't get off until 1 a.m. for most of my career. The editors, also, were on the job until well after midnight. Of course in those days we prided ourselves on reporting current news; most of what I see these days is at least a day behind other sources so it's possible that they work only daytime hours now...

Yes, they've done massive downsizing, but you can list the bylines that appear over a week or so and determine that the editorial crew isn't very much smaller than we had back in the late 50s. Hint: those listed as "staff writer" are on the payroll; those credited as "for The Oklahoman" are freelancers. Probably fewer copy editors around the rim, and I suspect that there are far fewer proofreaders and printers that used to be, behind the scenes. The photo department is still pretty well staffed (although only a bit more than half as many as we once had, if my count is correct, and no longer filled with lots of young whippersnappers).

[catch22]

I don't think EKG as much as a barrier as the things surrounding it. The two super blocks of the Cox center and Chk arena, the railroad viaduct, and the empty parcel at 4th. Chicago has wider streets cutting thru its downtown and people don't have an issue walking next to them or across them.

(That said it is a barrier, but not more than the other things I listed, and the improvements will certainly help and be welcome)

[PhiAlpha]

I don't think EKG as much as a barrier as the things surrounding it. The two super blocks of the Cox center and Chk arena, the railroad viaduct, and the empty parcel at 4th. Chicago has wider streets cutting thru its downtown and people don't have an issue walking next to them or across them.

(That said it is a barrier, but not more than the other things I listed, and the improvements will certainly help and be welcome)

The Sante Fe Parking garage that effectively walls off two blocks of the CBD from EKG doesn't help much either. But it does have those cool flashy things decorating the dirty concrete now...

[catch22]

The Sante Fe Parking garage that effectively walls off two blocks of the CBD from EKG doesn't help much either. But it does have those cool flashy things decorating the dirty concrete now...

Oops yep forgot that one too. The fact that the grid is not accessible because of huge buildings is the true barrier. EKG is the scapegoat, it takes a lot of crap while the true barriers are alive and well.

[AP]

I don't think EKG as much as a barrier as the things surrounding it. The two super blocks of the Cox center and Chk arena, the railroad viaduct, and the empty parcel at 4th. Chicago has wider streets cutting thru its downtown and people don't have an issue walking next to them or across them.

(That said it is a barrier, but not more than the other things I listed, and the improvements will certainly help and be welcome)

That's more what I was referring to when I said EKG. The things that come with it.

[PhiAlpha]

After being in New Orleans last week and seeing Canal street, it's proof that a 6 lane road doesn't have to be a barrier and/or unwalkable. It has plenty of cross walks, large side walks, a lot of sidewalk interaction, a large median (with a street car in the middle, and lower speed limits. It definitely is not a barrier between the NO CBD, the French Quarter, Riverside. Etc. Something like that would be tough on EKG because of the buildings you mentioned, but it could definitely be better. If the boulevard ended up 6 lanes and very similar to Canal Street, I wouldn't have a problem with it. There is definitely a fine line though.

[Steve]

It's a relatively small office where most people go home at 5. They've downsized more than you may realize, which is what made this all possible. It's phenomenal to have the newspaper, a civic beacon for better or worse, located in the heart of the city. But the Candy Factory w Advanced Academics was a larger office WITH a street level museum (museum > CVS) and still pretty dead.

Spartan, that's not true. I saw Advanced Academics and it doesn't come close to the size of the newspaper operation moving downtown. Also, there is no ground floor tenant in the Candy Factory building.
The Oklahoman is an operation that is very lively from about 7 a.m. until midnight. There are at least 40 to 50 people at work in the newsroom late into the evening. And during the day, there will be between 300 and 350 people throughout the building representing editorial, executive level, advertising and circulation.
We are definitely NOT a 9-5 operation. And The Oklahoman will be a different operation downtown, with far more interaction with the street than you yet realize...

[zookeeper]

Spartan, that's not true. I saw Advanced Academics and it doesn't come close to the size of the newspaper operation moving downtown. Also, there is no ground floor tenant in the Candy Factory building.
The Oklahoman is an operation that is very lively from about 7 a.m. until midnight. There are at least 40 to 50 people at work in the newsroom late into the evening. And during the day, there will be between 300 and 350 people throughout the building representing editorial, executive level, advertising and circulation.
We are definitely NOT a 9-5 operation. And The Oklahoman will be a different operation downtown, with far more interaction with the street than you yet realize...

Thanks for clearing that up. You confirmed what I thought in the first place. Sounds like some forward-thinking is going on with the street interaction, sign, etc.

[Plutonic Panda]

What improvements are happening to EKG? Aren't they reducing it to four lanes near the Sante Fe Station?

[shawnw]

What improvements are happening to EKG? Aren't they reducing it to four lanes near the Sante Fe Station?

I don't think the 2 vs 3 lane thing is resolved, but I was referring to P180 streetscape improvements that were canceled due to budget cuts and then brought back due to outside funding.

[jccouger]

Spartan, that's not true. I saw Advanced Academics and it doesn't come close to the size of the newspaper operation moving downtown. Also, there is no ground floor tenant in the Candy Factory building.
The Oklahoman is an operation that is very lively from about 7 a.m. until midnight. There are at least 40 to 50 people at work in the newsroom late into the evening. And during the day, there will be between 300 and 350 people throughout the building representing editorial, executive level, advertising and circulation.
We are definitely NOT a 9-5 operation. And The Oklahoman will be a different operation downtown, with far more interaction with the street than you yet realize...

Hmmmmm, interesting. Adding life to downtown after 5 pm is very intriguing. Could lead to more business possibilities and amenities around the area. That wasn't something I even considered. With our #1 major news outlet being downtown this will also add valuable exposure and advertisement to the area that could also lure more businesses to the area.

Century Center > Stage center tower

[Pete]

I love that OPUBCO will be a part of this development and will be made visible in a visible spot.

It will absolutely bring life to that area and also show the commitment the business community has to downtown.


And OPUBCO's late hours (and weekend work) will likely help the CVS keep longer hours as well.

[shawnw]

Per Steve's chat, September is the official OPUBCO move-in date, but Steve thinks it will be Winter. Excited for this project but bummed that it will be so long before we see it open... just impatient...

[Pete]

Are they still doing demo work inside the Century Center?

[Steve]

Yep.

[Spartan]

Spartan, that's not true. I saw Advanced Academics and it doesn't come close to the size of the newspaper operation moving downtown. Also, there is no ground floor tenant in the Candy Factory building.
The Oklahoman is an operation that is very lively from about 7 a.m. until midnight. There are at least 40 to 50 people at work in the newsroom late into the evening. And during the day, there will be between 300 and 350 people throughout the building representing editorial, executive level, advertising and circulation.
We are definitely NOT a 9-5 operation. And The Oklahoman will be a different operation downtown, with far more interaction with the street than you yet realize...

Thanks for clarifying that, Steve. How tightly secured will the premises be? (I would imagine you have to have pretty good security, with all the screwballs who don't just disagree respectfully with reporters these days)

What other aspects might impact the street interaction in ways we don't yet realize? Besides an endless line out the door at all hours to buy soap and cereal at CVS... (or whatever they will sell, since it certainly won't be alcohol, which is a top revenue source for most downtown CVS')

[catch22]

Maybe they can have a street front Internet cafe for the regular top commenters on their articles.

[Spartan]

Hopefully with padded walls...

[metro]

Hopefully with padded walls...

and the employees to have thicker skin

[Pete]

Moving ahead:

[kevinpate]

Don't know if the commenters will get padded cells, but at least it looks like they may cage them to separate 'em from the rest of society.

[Centerback]

Corner Bakery Cafe® - neighborhood restaurant - Catering - Free WiFi

[shawnw]

What are you telling us?

[Mississippi Blues]

Corner Bakery Cafe® - neighborhood restaurant - Catering - Free WiFi

I went there for the first time last week (Belt Line Road location in Dallas) during the lunch hour & it was packed. After we placed our order & got our drinks, we were lucky enough to get the last open table. The food was really good -- I ordered the Club Panini on Sourdough -- & the atmosphere was outstanding along with the workers being very friendly. I'll also add that their lemonade is da bomb.

[shawnw]

Are we saying it's going into the Century Center or just that it's a cool place?