http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/ The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 16:15:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-195 Steven Wed, 07 May 2008 16:38:26 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/#comment-195 I highly suggest Des Moines, IA. I think downtown OKC can learn a lot from it, it's similar in size and vibrancy, yet has the things we're lacking (we have things they are lacking). Out of your list, I think Seattle is the city we'd want to mimic the most (mass transit, green lifestyle, eating healthier). Downtown Des Moines has 3, yes 3 downtown grocery stories and tons of downtown retail. These are the things we're still trying to lure in downtown OKC. I highly suggest Des Moines, IA. I think downtown OKC can learn a lot from it, it’s similar in size and vibrancy, yet has the things we’re lacking (we have things they are lacking). Out of your list, I think Seattle is the city we’d want to mimic the most (mass transit, green lifestyle, eating healthier). Downtown Des Moines has 3, yes 3 downtown grocery stories and tons of downtown retail. These are the things we’re still trying to lure in downtown OKC.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-200 Steve Lackmeyer Tue, 06 May 2008 19:08:06 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/#comment-200 Yes, absolutely Omaha. I think that might actually be at the top of the list. Think about it - clearly the major city in the state, strong college sports tradition, no major league presence, stereotyped as boring, sleepy, but I hear it has a vibrant, progressive downtown that may not be getting its due. Good pick. Yes, absolutely Omaha. I think that might actually be at the top of the list. Think about it – clearly the major city in the state, strong college sports tradition, no major league presence, stereotyped as boring, sleepy, but I hear it has a vibrant, progressive downtown that may not be getting its due. Good pick.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-199 CGHill Tue, 06 May 2008 18:09:44 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/#comment-199 Omaha. There's always something happening there, and it isn't always because of Warren Buffett. Omaha. There’s always something happening there, and it isn’t always because of Warren Buffett.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-196 Steve Lackmeyer Tue, 06 May 2008 17:20:01 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/#comment-196 Interesting picks, Patrick. So are you of the notion that "Roger and Me" wasn't the best portrayal of Flint? As for Enid... unless you've been there, in all seriousness, they've done some pretty interesting things with their Main Street that deserve some notice. Interesting picks, Patrick. So are you of the notion that “Roger and Me” wasn’t the best portrayal of Flint?
As for Enid… unless you’ve been there, in all seriousness, they’ve done some pretty interesting things with their Main Street that deserve some notice.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-197 Patrick Tue, 06 May 2008 15:55:40 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/#comment-197 How about Enid. Or maybe Flint. How about Enid. Or maybe Flint.

]]> http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/comment-page-1/#comment-198 Aaron Tue, 06 May 2008 13:15:46 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/05/the-grass-is-always-greener/#comment-198 I would suggest striking Memphis from the list. My wife and I were there a little over a year ago for one of her work conferences and we stayed right in the heart of downtown (no, not the Peabody, but close enough to walk and see the famed ducks). All I can say is that town was dead. With the exception of Beale street, which can only provide so much on any given day. It seemed all of dowtown was abandoned, with numerous broken windows and serious disrepair. Maybe I am just biased from living here, but I would not go out of my way to visit it again. I would suggest striking Memphis from the list. My wife and I were there a little over a year ago for one of her work conferences and we stayed right in the heart of downtown (no, not the Peabody, but close enough to walk and see the famed ducks). All I can say is that town was dead. With the exception of Beale street, which can only provide so much on any given day. It seemed all of dowtown was abandoned, with numerous broken windows and serious disrepair. Maybe I am just biased from living here, but I would not go out of my way to visit it again.

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