The Oklahoman’s Steve Lackmeyer fielded reader questions Friday throughout his weekly OKC Central Dwell chat. You’ll be able to be part of Steve at 10 am so as to add your feedback and questions on downtown growth.
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Beneath is an up to date transcript of Friday’s dialog:
What airways ought to add service to Oklahoma Metropolis?
Q: Good Thunder Morning Steve. I perceive that Austin is a much bigger metropolis than OKC in some ways. Prior to now few years, American Airways has acquired a mini-hub, continuous to Hawaii, and British Airways service to London. They plan to additional develop their airport. Are there plans to additional increase the variety of gates at Will Rogers World Airport past the current growth? And, what airways would you prefer to see that do not at present serve OKC?
A: The Will Rogers World Airport we see at this time is model new. I first flew into it in 1977 when my household moved to Oklahoma Metropolis.
The most recent growth undertaking, designed by Hoke and Oklahoma Metropolis’s FSB, was accomplished final yr and features a new east concourse with 4 new gates (with the pliability to open a further six gates sooner or later) and added customs area for worldwide flights. . Earlier than the growth, the airport had solely about one gate to hire, so this was an important subsequent step in bettering our air connectivity.
As for brand new airways, perhaps Jet Blue can be a very good addition? As for centralizing Oklahoma Metropolis, I do not see that taking place. Austin, whether or not it desires to confess it or not, is a tier-one metropolis (if you have not heard, Austin is a bit of bizarre about that type of factor and extra).
Air journey is underneath stress as evidenced by current air site visitors shutdowns and I am not seeing something to make me assume it is going to get any higher anytime quickly.
I personally assume it could be higher to concentrate on the growth and enchancment of passenger rail for native, regional and nationwide transportation. Oklahoma Metropolis is nicely positioned geographically for such a spotlight.
Will a lodge be constructed on Huff?
Q: Because the “Midway” growth continues so as to add new areas alongside the Broadway extension (between Wilshire and Britton Rd.), you may see an upscale lodge for the realm. There are a lot of parcels within the space the place including a pleasant boutique lodge can be a pleasant contact. I cross by this space daily and love the momentum.
A: Half goes nicely. We’re seeing residences added to the combo, and that can appeal to extra eating places and perhaps some retailers. I am not conscious of any lodge growth for the property, however I agree, one appears inevitable, particularly with American Loyalty and different main employers close by. As an apart, I do know that the land in entrance of the lake and the spring at Chisholm Creek is reserved for a lodge.
Was a “glossy” design chosen for a downtown entryway?
Q: I felt that the plans for the flat addition have been a bit empty. Why do you assume they have been chosen?
A: This undertaking was designed by architect Rand Elliott, and whether or not one likes his work or not, I am undecided I’ve ever heard his work described as “brutal.” However they are not the primary to say so in the case of the Berry Rock growth chosen by Oklahoma Metropolis’s City Renewal Authority for NE sixth and Harrison Avenue on each side of Walnut Avenue.
I feel the City Renewal Authority selected the Berry Rock proposal as a result of it got here with new workplace tenants prepared to maneuver from the suburbs to downtown. Some tenants stated they wished this area and have been on a sooner schedule or different areas.
Berry Rock’s proposal was one in every of a handful submitted to the City Renewal Authority. You’ll be able to take a look at the competing proposals right here.
When will the development of Boulevard Place start?
Q: When will the residences close to the conference middle be demolished?
A: I am informed we should always see it begin up within the subsequent few months. Be taught extra about Boulevard Place and different downtown developments beginning in 2023.
How does a metropolis discover a developer for a former conference middle?
Q: Suppose an area is torn down and a brand new one is constructed on the positioning of Prairie Surf Studios (previously the Cox Conference Heart). Do you assume town will subject an RFP for the redevelopment of the positioning? How does that work?
A: The Oklahoma Metropolis Council should determine whether or not to maintain the present area or scrap it for redevelopment. They’ll then get the City Renewal Authority to supervise the proposals. This won’t be fast or simple. Demolition alone won’t be low-cost.
Does the mayor desire a greater place?
Q: Mayor David Holt has been an awesome ambassador for our metropolis. How doubtless are we to lose ourselves in lofty ambitions equivalent to rulership or nationhood?
I’ve mocked him on occasion when he takes positions that do not match among the nonsense we see in Washington, D.C. I warned him not too long ago that he is actually misplaced a damaged bow to any candidate working for statewide workplace. .
He laughs each time. He appears very joyful to be mayor and is joyful to have the ability to make a distinction in his hometown.
FAA coaching for guests to quiet portray
Q: What’s an underrated factor in OKC that brings in additional individuals than individuals anticipate?
A: That is truly simple to reply – the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Heart close to the airport frequently attracts a whole lot of scholars who usually are not coaching for aviation careers, together with air site visitors controllers. In keeping with TopWorkplace, the middle employs 6,300 individuals and has an financial impression of greater than $1.65 billion.
Oklahoma River growth isn’t slowing down.
Query: What’s there when it comes to river growth?
A: Bar Ok, a canine park, bar and restaurant set to open this spring subsequent to the Whitewater Rapids Heart. In the meantime, building is underway on the $300 million OKANA Resort on East Avenue on the south shore of the Oklahoma River. The town is engaged on plans to show the deserted railroad bridge right into a pedestrian crossing within the Wheeler space, and one other pedestrian bridge is deliberate in Okana. We’re additionally a low water dam being constructed east of Japanese Avenue that might widen the Oklahoma River.
Extra:The Oklahoma Path is being added in Riversport to attach the Oklahoma River with metropolis trails.
Will Capitol Hill be the subsequent standard city district?
Q: What’s going to it take to begin the event of Outdated Capitol Hill? SW 25 (also called Commerce Avenue) has an awesome historical past and I see no cause why it should not be reworked into the subsequent model of the Plaza District.
Reply: I do not know. Issues proceed to progress, however slowly. With a big focus of Hispanic companies and residents, it is clamoring to be our subsequent nice cultural district. The town goes to show a part of Harvey Avenue right into a competition sq., and I feel that would enhance efforts to make Capitol Hill an actual vacation spot. Learn extra right here.
Oklahoma Metropolis’s picture is probably going unscathed by “The Tulsa King.”
Q: Whereas a lot of the Paramount sequence “Tulsa King” was filmed in OKC (and most of it at Prairie Surf Studios), I’ve to say it is nice to see so many native buildings within the sequence (the unique Oklahoma headquarters, the open UMB Financial institution within the Stockyards, the Farmer’s Market, and so forth.) I used to be curious to know the way the territory was outlined?
A: Oklahoma Metropolis will get essentially the most out of this deal. Some exterior filming happened in Tulsa, however a lot of the filming happened in Oklahoma Metropolis. Because of this any damaging photographs are related to Tulsa, however the Oklahoma Metropolis of the movie trade has among the finest taking pictures areas, and followers of the sequence can go to to see among the present’s landmarks.
Extra:A ‘very public gathering place’, the Centennial Farmers Market was an OKC staple in its day.
The previous Oklahoma Metropolis jail was threatened with demolition
Q: The outdated metropolis jail. He was apprehensive about that. I visited the Nationwide Civil Rights Museum in Memphis and noticed a tribute to Clara Looper who was arrested 26 occasions (and despatched to the Oklahoma Metropolis Jail). Though the higher flooring is added and the roof is low, that constructing tells us an necessary story.
Reply: Now the jail is secure. After repeated protests by town council, town deserted the demolition effort. I not too long ago reported that the constructing must be introduced to voters within the subsequent bond subject. Learn extra right here.
Will a lodge be constructed within the Journey District?
Q: The softball stadium was renovated a number of years in the past to assist appeal to guests to the Girls’s School World Sequence annually. Interstate 35 is gearing up for enormous enhancements alongside this hall. You may see any sort of growth like some inns close to I-35 and NE 50, otherwise you’ll know inns and/or eating places deliberate within the “Journey District” close to the horse racing monitor and zoo. This space lacks different important components to make it actually an journey. There are a number of parcels for growth alongside I-44 and close to the Martin Luther King Jr. Film Theater. Curious if in case you have an opinion on why they weren’t met?
A: I see a lodge coming to the Journey District. And sure, one has been mentioned for years. The most definitely developer could also be affiliated with the Chickasaw Nation, which is one in every of our state’s main traders and employers within the tourism trade. They’re sensible at what they do and do not rush into tasks. As I see it, they’re cautious of their planning and prepared to attend if they do not assume the market is prepared. I’ve causes to assume we’re nearly there.
