The Oklahoman’s Steve Lackmeyer fielded reader questions Friday throughout this week’s OKC Central Live Chat. You can be part of Steve most Fridays at 10 a.m. so as to add your feedback and questions on downtown improvement.
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Below is an edited transcript of Friday’s dialogue:
How can shade and enjoyable be introduced again to the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds?
Q: Good morning Steve! The Maps area that may change the present fairgrounds area will little question be a welcomed addition and assist safe a few of the most prestigious equestrian occasions for OKC effectively into the longer term. But for a lot of longtime locals the imagery of the monorail, arch, area needle and even the speedway has given option to a useful however considerably nondescript assortment of buildings. Any options on how this precious asset could possibly be higher introduced at such a visual native in our neighborhood?
A: The fairgrounds of my childhood is lengthy gone and it is troublesome for me to acknowledge a lot of something apart from the sector that may quickly get replaced by a brand new coliseum. It took 25 years or so to occur, however we have seen a fairgrounds that was constructed for the enjoyment of locals attending the truthful and different occasions to be reworked into an equine occasion campus that additionally hosts the truthful. The colourful lighting and multi-colored buildings are gone. The arch is gone. The monorail and area needle are gone. The speedway is gone. The B-52 plaza is gone.
An effort could possibly be made to convey again some shade with LED lighting and extra attention-grabbing paint schemes. But I do not see any proof of such efforts being contemplated presently. I wrote about this a few years in the past, and it is attention-grabbing to have a look at the photographs and maps previous to 2000 and see present photographs. It’s simply not as thrilling because it was once.
Will Oklahoma City construct a brand new dam to increase the Oklahoma River east towards NE 23?
Q: The space on NE twenty third between I-35 to the North Canadian river to me has some distinctive qualities that could possibly be nice for improvement. Do you see the Oklahoma River being developed additional east to close NE 23 and Sooner Road that may permit for added developments to happen alongside this river hall that may intersect at NE 23?A: When voters authorized MAPS 4, they agreed to pay for a low-water dam to be constructed east of Eastern Avenue to increase the scenic Oklahoma River hall. I do not know if that may prolong as far east as you counsel. That may create some alternatives round Eagle Lake Park, a reasonably obscure space on the south shore simply east of Eastern Avenue with direct entry to the river.
More:Oklahoma Trailhead being added at Riversport to attach Oklahoma River with metropolis trails
Is Yukon the perfect place to stay?
Q: Why would Yukon have been chosen among the finest locations to stay as reported by your paper this week? To me, it has simply become one big, poorly deliberate bed room neighborhood stuffed with strip malls and housing developments, the highschool is means too huge and must be cut up, and the commute to and from is horrible. What am I lacking?
A: Did we actually say it is among the finest locations to stay in the OKC metro? I missed that one. I like cities that provide a various mixture of cultures, public artwork, neighborhoods which have properties that are not all Dallas-style or mini-mansion structure, and infrastructure that serves pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers. I like cities that promote small, native retailers and never simply huge field nationwide shops. I like cities that provide public transit and supply a spot for the performing arts on the identical stage as athletics. That, to me, is what makes for an excellent place to stay.
Has Spark at Scissortail Park closed?
Q: Is Spark nonetheless open in Scissortail Park?
A: Yes. It’s been an excellent addition and displays how design could make or break a restaurant as evidenced by the failure to get a restaurant working in the Myriad Gardens. The Myriad Gardens restaurant constructing was designed for advantageous eating despite the fact that native restaurant operators warned in opposition to taking that path. Multiple eating places failed consequently and it’s now an occasion venue. Spark, in the meantime, is doing simply advantageous.
Should the Will Rogers sculpture at Will Rogers World Airport be relocated?
Q: My two favourite items of public artwork in OKC are the Land Run Monument on the Bricktown Canal and the Will Rogers statue on the airport. Unfortunately, metropolis and airport leaders put in them in places which might be outdoors the view of most residents and passengers. I notice the Land Run Monument can be close to unimaginable to maneuver at this level, however I recall dialogue about presumably transferring the Will Rogers statue a bit extra west the place airport passengers traverse. Have you heard something about that?
A: I’m not conscious of any effort to maneuver the Will Rogers statue. I agree, it is one in all our greatest items of public artwork. But it isn’t completely hidden and we do know it is being seen every day by 1000’s who handed by way of the airport. As for the Land Run Monument, it’s adjoining to ample parking, alongside the Bricktown Canal, and is seen to 1000’s who journey alongside Interstate 40. I’ve to disagree about the concept that the Land Run Monument is just not seen to locals. The space is well-liked with each locals and guests. If you consider it, there isn’t any one spot the place public artwork will probably be see by everybody – we’re a metropolis of about 621 sq. miles. You can see a sculpture of Will Rogers’ buddy Wiley Post at Wiley Post Airport. We have public artwork all through the inner-city.
More:OKC’s large Bricktown sculpture referred to as one-sided and ‘hurtful’.
Will new native house owners be good for the Skirvin Hilton Hotel?
Q: Skirvin Hotel query – What are your ideas of the lodge being offered to a neighborhood possession group? In your opinion what are the professionals and cons to the well-known nationwide model Marcus Hotels promoting the lodge. What’s anticipated subsequent from the brand new possession to maintain the Skirvin the gem that it’s.
A: Milwaukee-based Marcus Hotels and Resorts was essential in the renovation and reopening of the Skirvin in 2007. The firm, like most lodge teams, struggled in the course of the pandemic and the Skirvin was hit notably arduous with its basic supervisor, Gerald Rappaport, dying simply as COVID-19 was beginning to shut down accommodations coast to coast.
Mark Beffort and Andy Burnett have purchased up a number of accommodations throughout the nation in the previous yr, together with the Colcord. They look like effectively capitalized and are getting these properties at an excellent worth. Given that the pair are teamed up with the Chickasaw Nation and are planning to start out $15 million in renovations this subsequent yr, sure, it is a nice improvement for the historic landmark.
We additionally know that as locals they perceive the lodge’s historical past and can respect that as they start renovations. I’ve no actual considerations with operations with administration being taken over by Hilton.
As for what’s subsequent, I think we will see some important modifications with the lodge’s restaurant and different facilities.
Will Oklahoma City construct extra bridges over the BNSF tracks?
Q: Do you already know of any long run capital initiatives deliberate for bridges over the BNSF railroad because it travels north from downtown OKC? Infrastructure is missing for East/West arteries roads to transverse over the railroad line when the prepare is backed up or stopped. The solely bridges that exist are at NW 23, NW 36, NW 50 and NW 63, the remaining crossings are at street grade, and this backs up visitors for main roads going east or west while you get additional north. Besides the streets talked about the one different bridge to cross the BNSF tracks is through the Kilpatrick Turnpike. For a rising metropolis, this needs to be regarded into, particularly for security and emergencies providers.
A: Unfortunately we’re not seeing any such plans. Edmond sought a bridge crossing over the BNSF tracks alongside Kelly Road when the Memorial Road/Broadway Extension crossing was rebuilt. A deal was not completed and so we nonetheless have the state of affairs you describe. The greatest shot at getting a bridge over the BNSF is thru the subsequent bond subject which can probably go to voters in the subsequent two years. Call your council representatives and allow them to know you need them to have a look at this.
Why does Edmond get credit score for improvement happening in north Oklahoma City?
Q: North OKC will get neglected of the great news publications, as a result of something thrilling on the Northside of the metro is routinely considered Edmond. How does OKC seize the great news. (i.e. I not too long ago learn a headline in regards to the JackBe grocery retailer opening, and it claimed to be in Edmond, nonetheless the final time I checked NW 164 and May is clearly in OKC. I want to see metropolis North OKC get its simply due with regards to good sights and good news. There is plenty of good sights and new building in far north OKC. If there’s any query as to if a location resides in OKC or not, it may be checked at this metropolis link – https://www.okc.gov/residents/do-i-live-in-oklahoma-city
A: I agree with you. I can inform you that my protection of JackBe did report it was in Oklahoma City, not Edmond. We’re about to see plenty of industrial improvement between Portland, Western, NW 192 and NW 150 that may embrace a brand new Homeland grocery and is already residence to a brand new Starbucks, Taco Bell and different varied retailers. The confusion typically arises from parts of north Oklahoma City having an Edmond postal addresses and being positioned in the Edmond faculty district.
JackBe is one in all my greatest learn tales this month. Find out why – learn it right here.
Staff author Steve Lackmeyer began as a reporter at The Oklahoman in 1990. He covers downtown Oklahoma City, associated city improvement and economics for The Oklahoman. Contact him at [email protected]. Please help his work and that of different Oklahoman journalists by buying a subscription in the present day at subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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