I don't understand how this got past design review.
I don't understand how this got past design review.
As long as it meets ADA requirements the city is fine with it. See the utility box on 2nd in DD.....also at the airport, the support columns for the upper level roadway cut the sidewalk in half on the lower level in many places. The people who design and approve these things just don't have the concept of walkability. It is a mostly foreign concept here.
Looking at streeview on Google, you can see those light poles were already there before this construction, as they are all along this stretch of Walker.
But everywhere else, there is a grassy area between the sidewalk and street. Here, they moved the sidewalk up against the street where the light poles were already installed.
They actually took out the existing sidewalk and moved it three feet to the street.
No worries. We all know that nobody actually WALKS on sidewalks in OKC. They mostly exist just to keep the filthy hippies from complaining that we have no sidewalks.
If you think that's dumb, you should see the Google Fiber boxes that are in the middle of the sidewalks in KC!
Google Fiber boxes
wtf
No, I just think it is lack of planning. I mean seriously, how hard is it to move the lights 3 feet? Honestly, how much would it cost? Would it even cost $5,000? That would be my guess. They're doing this multi-million expansion to make this a better building and they screw up their sidewalks by putting light post smack in the middle. I am going to send them a strongly worded message about this.
Literally just saw this.
Incidentally there are light posts in the middle of the sidewalk, which can't possibly be ADA compliant, along the south side of NW 23rd within the Uptown area... have always hated those things..
no, but why wouldn't they build something the way you want it if you're paying them?
From the experiences I have, yes, most public works departments do NOT have planners on staff. Decisions about specific placement of sidewalk, street lights, etc. are left to the standards and policies set by those in charge. I do know some very progressive engineers and public works directors that see the whole picture and strive for better implementation...
A planner is not someone that typically gets into that level of detail anyway (at least your traditional planner). I believe there is a dearth of urban design training, both in planning and also in engineering.
Some things aren't even about good urban planning or not...just good common sense. This is just not right regardless of your planning views. Seems like lazy execution. You should see how they dealt with it on some other new sidewalks with poles in the way. Just stupid.
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