Bricktown Shakeup

[bchris02]

Several people are already concerned about the loss of probably two clubs -- one quite nice -- right out of the gate. And clearly, lots of other changes will be coming soon.

Could the sudden backlash against Club One15 be because of Steve's no tolerance stance on nightclubs? Not even the seemingly anti-nightclub people on OKCTalk have the extreme position that Steve does, and that is no nightclubs in Bricktown period, end of story. I can't think of any other reason OKC's (far and away) nicest club would be targeted like this.

[Pete]

^

It's because it will soon have new landlords who seem to not want them there.

[Urbanized]

Seem? Has someone indicated this publicly or is it simply conjecture? The only discussion I have seen about 115 is on here. I know that it was discussed by cafeboeuf and later by me that the building the club is in would be a (rare) good target for demolition and replacement by a structure(s) of higher and better use. That was owing to the low-quality, non-historic nature of the building. Those were not comments directed at the tenant.

Where is the "backlash" against 115 other than an assumed one, with the assumption being made by a poster whose words you suggested recently should be taken with a grain of salt? Did I just miss it?

[Pete]

Seem? Has someone indicated this publicly or is it simply conjecture? The only discussion I have seen about 115 is on here. I know that it was discussed by cafeboeuf and later by me that the building the club is in would be a (rare) good target for demolition and replacement by a structure(s) of higher and better use. That was owing to the low-quality, non-historic nature of the building. Those were not comments directed at the tenant.

Where is the "backlash" against 115 other than an assumed one, with the assumption being made by a poster whose words you suggested recently should be taken with a grain of salt? Did I just miss it?

Steve's chat 6/6/14:

11:18 a.m. We only have a couple of nightclubs left. Doll House, a burlesque club which is in a small building just north of the Bricktown Ballpark, Club 115 in the old Varsity space, and Candy, which is in east Bricktown by the hotels. When Club 115's lease ends, don't be surprised if that's the end to nightclubs in that space.

[dankrutka]

Steve indicated in a chat that Club One15's lease would likely not be renewed by the new ownership. He also said that almost all Bricktown owners would not allow any clubs in any of their buildings.

[bchris02]

Seem? Has someone indicated this publicly or is it simply conjecture? The only discussion I have seen about 115 is on here. I know that it was discussed by cafeboeuf and later by me that the building the club is in would be a (rare) good target for demolition and replacement by a structure(s) of higher and better use. That was owing to the low-quality, non-historic nature of the building. Those were not comments directed at the tenant.

Where is the "backlash" against 115 other than an assumed one, with the assumption being made by a poster whose words you suggested recently should be taken with a grain of salt? Did I just miss it?

Steve's chats first and foremost.

[Urbanized]

Gotcha. I missed that comment on his part. I would still think not renewing that particular lease would have as much to do with having bigger plans for that piece of land, which would be good news in my book. If they were up-front with 115's operators, it would give them time to formulate a relocation plan, although considering the life cycle of night clubs it would probably be about the right time for a rebrand/re-concept anyway.

Regarding the idea that property owners might be reticent to lease to dance clubs going forward, I would take that as a good sign and an indication that Bricktown is finally learning from past mistakes. A reexamination of priorities and a change in the district's trajectory is a very good thing.

[bchris02]

Gotcha. I missed that comment on his part. I would still think not renewing that particular lease would have as much to do with having bigger plans for that piece of land, which would be good news in my book. If they were up-front with 115's operators, it would give them time to formulate a relocation plan, although considering the life cycle of night clubs it would probably be about the right time for a rebrand/re-concept anyway.

Regarding the idea that property owners might be reticent to lease to dance clubs going forward, I would take that as a good sign and an indication that Bricktown is finally learning from past mistakes. A reexamination of priorities and a change in the district's trajectory is a very good thing.

I think it would be cool if there was a way to relocate One15 or some other upscale concept to the upper floors of another building, maybe one facing the canal. The existing spot could then become a restaurant or even be redeveloped entirely as some on here have suggested. There are so much vacant real estate in Bricktown, even in plain sight, its unbelievable. Also, in such a location, it would have no impact at all on pedestrian traffic.

[soonerguru]

Can we agree that there is a difference between "conspiracy" and "speculation?" It is very rare that anyone has all of the facts of a given situation as it unfolds, including full-time journalists. The purpose of this site is to share and discuss available information, which often leads to speculation about what the information may mean. As facts presented here are only vetted by other posters, and not paid editors, information is going to include wildly accurate and wildly inaccurate information -- as well as information that is partially and even sometimes mostly accurate.

With all this said, it would nice if people would stop equating said discussion and speculation with "online conspiracy" when it's really just "online speculation and discussion."

Wondering what a property developer may do in the future based on his / her past developments and known public statements does not rise to the level of "conspiracy." To say it does reflects a viewpoint that shows very low regard for this forum.

[Ginkasa]

I think the reason the term "conspiracy" has entered the discussions is due to some (not all) posters taking the worst case speculation as "fact" and running with it and/or twisting the speculation to fit whatever their agenda or preconceived notions are.

[soonerguru]

I think the reason the term "conspiracy" has entered the discussions is due to some (not all) posters taking the worst case speculation as "fact" and running with it and/or twisting the speculation to fit whatever their agenda or preconceived notions are.

Perhaps you are right, but that is still speculation, not conspiracy. Wondering if Tom Ward's investment will lead to the demise of Bricktown's nightclub scene is not the same as claiming that 911 was an inside job, or Agenda 21 is going to turn us into communist one-world zombies, etc.

[Pete]

Wondering what a property developer may do in the future based on his / her past developments and known public statements does not rise to the level of "conspiracy." To say it does reflects a viewpoint that shows very low regard for this forum.

I would add that such discussions are incredibly valuable.

I actually think the various discussions about Bricktown have been excellent, with lots of great points and different perspectives. I love to see younger people talk about the importance of clubs and then others on the business side point out some realities that have to be faced.

And as a result of all this talk, there seems to be general consensus that a small number of nicer clubs (say 2 to 5) would add to Bricktown rather than detract. I would even say that the large majority are in agreement as to what the next steps should be.


The whole point of OKCTalk is to 1) Try and get the information out ASAP so people have plenty of time to get educated and decide what if any involvement they would like to take; and 2) engage the community through discussion that helps to shape perspectives and often spur people to action.

This whole thread is a perfect example.

[catch22]

^ OKCTalk very much works like a funnel. And is one of the best websites I can think of that cultivates constructive opinions.

By funnel I mean a broad idea (ideas) are passed around, and thru constructive discussion we very quickly funnel down to a single idea which everyone can mostly agree on. I wish more places operated like we do on OKCTalk. We don't realize during the discussion what we are doing, but by reading back a few pages on any discussion you see this effect.

[loveOKC]

Purlple Martini is still an option on Sheridan in Bricktown. Reading through this thread I haven't seen them mentioned once. Will they be caught up in any of the closings?

[Pete]

It seems the Burnett/Martin group may be getting closer to obtaining the Spaghetti Warehouse building.

I know they are working hard at it.

[hoya]

I really hope they are able to get it, and turn the upper floors into something not vacant.

[HangryHippo]

Me too. That building has such amazing potential.

Apologies if I've missed it elsewhere, but if they do manage to land the Spaghetti building, what are they most likely looking to turn the upper floors into? Housing? Office?

[Pete]

It seems the only obstacle is getting the current owner motivated to sell.

There is a ready and willing buyer who would love to have it.

[Questor]

I've always thought that the parking lot next to TapWerks, in between it and the building next to it, was kind of out of place. It would be great if the new owners were thinking about filling that in with a new building. Haven't heard that yet but I have got to believe someone is looking into it.

[Teo9969]

I've always thought that the parking lot next to TapWerks, in between it and the building next to it, was kind of out of place. It would be great if the new owners were thinking about filling that in with a new building. Haven't heard that yet but I have got to believe someone is looking into it.

Gotta love the English language…it's so conditioned to couch things in such nice terms.

Every parking lot in downtown is HORRIBLY out of place. Son mierdas y el trabajo de la gente mas boludese de toda.

[bchris02]

Gotta love the English language…it's so conditioned to couch things in such nice terms.

Every parking lot in downtown is HORRIBLY out of place. Son mierdas y el trabajo de la gente mas boludese de toda.

+1. Every surface lot in Bricktown needs to be developed into a building or a parking garage, or preferably both. Louisville has a ton of parking above first-floor retail.

[Pete]

It seems a lot of the surface lots will soon be developed.

Would really like something big happen on the lot south of Bricktown Events Center.

Massive lot that has tremendous potential. The rest of the lots will fill in over time.

[dankrutka]

I've always thought that the parking lot next to TapWerks, in between it and the building next to it, was kind of out of place. It would be great if the new owners were thinking about filling that in with a new building. Haven't heard that yet but I have got to believe someone is looking into it.

Am I the only one that thinks the huge lot across the street from the Plow (in front of the UHaul building) could be the biggest game changer in Bricktown? A mixed use development with quality ground level retail could change that entire area and possibly encourage making Reno more pedestrian friendly (possibly by adding street parking, bike lanes, and trees similar to Project 180). And there would be plenty of room to add a big parking garage behind the development also. Sorry, off topic, but I'm interested if anyone sees that lot getting developed.

[PhiAlpha]

It seems a lot of the surface lots will soon be developed.

Would really like something big happen on the lot south of Bricktown Events Center.

Massive lot that has tremendous potential. The rest of the lots will fill in over time.

Didn't you mention something about a potential development on that lot a few months ago?

[Urbanized]

Am I the only one that thinks the huge lot across the street from the Plow (in front of the UHaul building) could be the biggest game changer in Bricktown? A mixed use development with quality ground level retail could change that entire area and possibly encourage making Reno more pedestrian friendly (possibly by adding street parking, bike lanes, and trees similar to Project 180). And there would be plenty of room to add a big parking garage behind the development also. Sorry, off topic, but I'm interested if anyone sees that lot getting developed.

You're definitely not alone. A no-brainer if there ever was one, yet rarely discussed.