Belle Isle Library

[Urbanized]

That's a rather unfair assessment considering this is all just planning stages and no concrete has been poured for it, either the stops or the sidewalks. I would argue that it doesn't count as "not doing things right" if we're still pre-construction and the only question is plans getting adjusted (for the better!) ahead of the actual work.

Yes, this is also a good take.

Urbanized, thank you for your completely accurate analysis.

Thanks, I try! Like you, I have worked with City staff and elected officials in some capacity for many years here in OKC, and *almost* without exception I have found them to be well-intentioned people who were dedicated to public service. Every workplace has the occasional burnout or "phone-it-in" type, but it's remarkable how many people in this city really ARE trying to make it a better place, even if you and I don't always agree with them upon what constitutes "better;" i.e. fast and efficient car travel vs safe sidewalks, bike lanes and healthy transit.

I'd say that my only real frustrations with officials have been related to silo effects and nearsighted box-checking, and you find that in any industry. Some people are worker bees, and some people are big-picture course-setters. Our job as citizens is to elect, support and assist the best big picture folks we can find, whose job it then becomes to effectively identify and hire OTHER big picture folks and trained specialists, who in turn help guide the worker bees.

[HOT ROD]

I agree that developers in OKC tend to treat sidewalks as an afterthought that somebody needs to remind them of, if they're even, ever considered at all.

I agree with the OP that all development in OKC should have basic elements, connectivity. Sidewalks provide connectivity, irregardless if there will ever be somebody using them, they should be built as part of most development or road construction. Yet in OKC, sidewalks are generally an afterthought (if at all) where somebody like Councilman James has to go above and beyond to ensure they're implemented. This is ridiculous and should not happen in a city as large as OKC.

Shouldn't have to be a backroom deal NOR a horseshoe disclosure, sidewalk connectivity (including lighting and landscaping btw) should be part of OKC planning. Period.

Mike Drop.

[Boop]

The library looks great!! When is it supposed to be open? The library in Moore could use an upgrade since it is old and outdated! I will have to stop by and check out the library!

[Pete]

The library looks great!! When is it supposed to be open? The library in Moore could use an upgrade since it is old and outdated! I will have to stop by and check out the library!

It opened on Friday.

Hours:
Saturday 9AM–5PM
Sunday 1–6PM
Monday 9AM–9PM
Tuesday 9AM–9PM
Wednesday 9AM–9PM
Thursday 9AM–9PM
Friday 9AM–6PM

[ABryant]

[QUOTE=Boop;1200353]The library looks great!! When is it supposed to be open? The library in Moore could use an upgrade since it is old and outdated! I will have to stop by and check out the library![/QUOTE

The way to make a better Moore library is to get your city leadership involved. Oklahoma City paid for this.

[JulyWalks]

The library looks great!! When is it supposed to be open? The library in Moore could use an upgrade since it is old and outdated! I will have to stop by and check out the library!

I grew in Moore during the 80s/90s and remember when the Moore Library did get a renovation in the late 80s/early 90s. When they were finished, they had cool new digital LED clocks placed around and the magazine section in the middle. Since I moved away from Moore in 2000, the image of it in my mind hasn't changed a whole bunch. But yeah, that renovation would be 30 years old now.

[HOT ROD]

It opened on Friday.

Hours:
Saturday 9AM–5PM
Sunday 1–6PM
Monday 9AM–9PM
Tuesday 9AM–9PM
Wednesday 9AM–9PM
Thursday 9AM–9PM
Friday 9AM–6PM

LOVE those hours!!

As for updates, I wouldn't mind if more/all of the libraries were updated/expanded. This should be a point of emphasis the city/metro and state should put on improving education by expanding facilities for the public. I'd love a few more libraries to be built, to serve as community centers and possible local transit hubs - Asian District is dying for this IMO, perhaps 39th Street as well.

[bombermwc]

I grew in Moore during the 80s/90s and remember when the Moore Library did get a renovation in the late 80s/early 90s. When they were finished, they had cool new digital LED clocks placed around and the magazine section in the middle. Since I moved away from Moore in 2000, the image of it in my mind hasn't changed a whole bunch. But yeah, that renovation would be 30 years old now.

That's also Pioneer Library System, not MLS. I was in the Moore library a few weeks ago. It does look pretty dated until you go in to the actual library section. It has been redecorated in the last 10 years or so...not with color choices I would have made. Looks like rust to me. Moore is long overdue dozing the place and starting over. There's so much crap in old-town that could be bought up for this to really start doing some good there. But that's a topic for another thread and Moore would have to pony up the cash.

[HOT ROD]

Pretty surprised Moore hasn't invested in their community infrastructure actually, given the boost they've done well with retail and other venues.

[Pete]

They are under construction on a new sidewalk along the north side of NW Expressway that will connect the new north-bound BRT stop at Penn Square to the Belle Isle Library, which is one-half mile away.

The southbound BRT station will be on the south side of NW Ex and west of Penn, right in front of the OAK apartments under construction.

[shartel_ave]

Any idea if this will be fixed with the state/county handing over this stretch of NW Expressway? Seems like this area is prime for a pedestrian-friendly overhaul, especially with the Oak development being built.

sidewalks being put in as I type this. One lane shut down from Penn to about Villa going NW on the expressway.

Classen is getting some serious construction around NW36th/39th

edit: haha, Pete just posted a pic of what I'm talking about.

[Pete]

With all that room, I don't understand why they are putting the sidewalk only a few feet from all the fast-moving, heavy traffic on NW Expressway.

And there isn't even a full curb on that stretch.

From someone who walks a ton, I can tell you I won't walk in situations like that, including the sidewalk on Penn just south of there that is literally right against the curb. Every day, I smell people smoking out in their cars and see dozens of distracted drivers jacking around on their phones.

[David]

It would take about a half mile off sidewalk to connect to Penn and the upcoming BRT stops there. Slightly pie in the sky. but with the new sidewalk they have put in right in front of the library that might be a sign someone is thinking about them along NW Expressway.

Did I call it or what, heh.

[Pete]

James Cooper (the city councilman for this area) also recently posted that improvements are in the works for the Villa/NW Ex pedestrian crossings.

[Bowser214]

There's still a For Lease sign in the Pier One parking lot. Is Dollar General still going in there?

[Pete]

There's still a For Lease sign in the Pier One parking lot. Is Dollar General still going in there?

It looks like they decided not to go forward with their plans for that site.

[Bowser214]

Awesome! That would be a great space for a World Market or Kirkland's.

[HOT ROD]

Long overdue.

[rte66man]

With all that room, I don't understand why they are putting the sidewalk only a few feet from all the fast-moving, heavy traffic on NW Expressway.

And there isn't even a full curb on that stretch.

From someone who walks a ton, I can tell you I won't walk in situations like that, including the sidewalk on Penn just south of there that is literally right against the curb. Every day, I smell people smoking out in their cars and see dozens of distracted drivers jacking around on their phones.

Pete, I believe it has to be there for drainage issues. I've noticed the "bridges" seemingly lifting the sidewalk over runoff channels for the WB lanes. If you moved the sidewalk any farther north, you would have to raise it up a bit or it would just be another runoff channel.

[Pete]

Pete, I believe it has to be there for drainage issues. I've noticed the "bridges" seemingly lifting the sidewalk over runoff channels for the WB lanes. If you moved the sidewalk any farther north, you would have to raise it up a bit or it would just be another runoff channel.

That makes sense. Thanks.

[TheTravellers]

Went in yesterday for the first time since the remodel, and it's nice inside, but seems like less books because the shelves are shorter, and I think the inside space for shelving is pretty much the same as before (the bumped out parts are mainly study rooms and elevator/stairs, and a few chairs). The outside is great, though, and sooooooooo glad they finally made the parking lot and entrances/exits so much smarter than they were before.

[bombermwc]

Pretty surprised Moore hasn't invested in their community infrastructure actually, given the boost they've done well with retail and other venues.

Me too. The Moore library is structurally fine, but it's outdated and they've put bandaids on it to make it "work" for the various changes in needs over the decades. I'm continually frustrated by the lack of available materials in the Moore library. I can go over to Del City or MWC in the MLS system, and they have what i need. DC is about the same size, but MWC is a little bigger.

[Boop]

Has the Norman library have been updated or is it still the same? I have not been there in years

[dankrutka]

Has the Norman library have been updated or is it still the same? I have not been there in years

Norman opened a new central library in 2019. It's very spacious and nice.

[Boop]

Norman opened a new central library in 2019. It's very spacious and nice.

That is huge! I never heard of a library having 3 floors! I will have to visit sometime