Comments on: What's Not to Admire In Old Town, Wichita? http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/ 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 By: Big Irn http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-266 Big Irn Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:44:29 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-266 Ooops! Forgot the link. Duh. http://www.flickr.com/groups/883095@N24/ Ooops! Forgot the link. Duh. http://www.flickr.com/groups/883095@N24/

]]> By: Big Irn http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Big Irn Wed, 17 Jun 2009 03:43:09 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-265 Hey Nick I posted this on your blog, too. Check out the pics of the new arena. It's not ugly and the two old buildings you were worried about are still standing and in the process of being restored. One's on the National Register, I believe. Hey Nick I posted this on your blog, too. Check out the pics of the new arena. It’s not ugly and the two old buildings you were worried about are still standing and in the process of being restored. One’s on the National Register, I believe.

]]> By: Nick Roberts http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-264 Nick Roberts Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:24:55 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-264 Hey Steve, I was browsing news on other cities and came across something that made me write about Wichita's downtown arena project. Basically they have plans to tear down a few old buildings for grass that will surround a hideously bland new arena. That's it in a nutshell. Thought you'd be interested in maybe seeing the details since I can't figure out how to post an image in a comment, here's a link: http://downtownontherange.blogspot.com/2009/01/arena-talk-wichita.html Hey Steve, I was browsing news on other cities and came across something that made me write about Wichita’s downtown arena project. Basically they have plans to tear down a few old buildings for grass that will surround a hideously bland new arena. That’s it in a nutshell. Thought you’d be interested in maybe seeing the details since I can’t figure out how to post an image in a comment, here’s a link:

http://downtownontherange.blogspot.com/2009/01/arena-talk-wichita.html

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-263 Andrew Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:14:40 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-263 Well that is part of it. Well that is part of it.

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-262 Andrew Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:11:22 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-262 I hear many people say that there needs to be "rooftops" for retail to take off in Bricktown. I would disagree. Quail Springs became a shopping Mecca long before there was the residentail development that exists there now, as did many major shopping areas. It's not rooftops that are hindering the growth of retail in DT. I hear many people say that there needs to be “rooftops” for retail to take off in Bricktown. I would disagree. Quail Springs became a shopping Mecca long before there was the residentail development that exists there now, as did many major shopping areas. It’s not rooftops that are hindering the growth of retail in DT.

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-261 Andrew Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:11:05 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-261 Retail needs density as well. Why do you think developers never plan more than one or two stores in a particular area? Retail thrives when other retail is nearby. There are stores that are destinations for some shoppers and some store that attract different other shoppers, when both type of retail are near each other, shoppers from one type of store will find their way into the other. Retail needs density as well. Why do you think developers never plan more than one or two stores in a particular area? Retail thrives when other retail is nearby. There are stores that are destinations for some shoppers and some store that attract different other shoppers, when both type of retail are near each other, shoppers from one type of store will find their way into the other.

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-260 Andrew Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:10:47 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-260 Retail needs density as well. Why do you think developers never plan more than one or two stores in a particular area? Retail thrives when other retail is nearby. There are stores that are destinations for some shoppers and some store that attract different other shoppers, when both type of retail are near each other, shoppers from one type of store will find their way into the other. I hear many people say that there needs to be "rooftops" for retail to take off in Bricktown. I would disagree. Quail Springs became a shopping Mecca long before there was the residentail development that exists there now, as did many major shopping areas. It's not rooftops that are hindering the growth of retail in DT. Retail needs density as well. Why do you think developers never plan more than one or two stores in a particular area? Retail thrives when other retail is nearby. There are stores that are destinations for some shoppers and some store that attract different other shoppers, when both type of retail are near each other, shoppers from one type of store will find their way into the other.

I hear many people say that there needs to be “rooftops” for retail to take off in Bricktown. I would disagree. Quail Springs became a shopping Mecca long before there was the residentail development that exists there now, as did many major shopping areas. It’s not rooftops that are hindering the growth of retail in DT.

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-259 Andrew Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:10:26 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-259 Ok. Regardless of reality the supposed "parking problem" there is a perception that parking is difficult and expensive. The difficulty is mainly because nobody really knows much about parking downtown. If the public was better educated, then the complaints would subside. Regarding the expense, I can understand not wanting to pay just so you can park for dinner near the restaurant...I don't like doing that. The same goes for shopping. Nobody wants to pay $5 to shop 3 stores. If there where 20-30 stores, there would be no complaints. Would free parking help? Sure, but is only one component of the problem. Ok.

Regardless of reality the supposed “parking problem” there is a perception that parking is difficult and expensive. The difficulty is mainly because nobody really knows much about parking downtown. If the public was better educated, then the complaints would subside. Regarding the expense, I can understand not wanting to pay just so you can park for dinner near the restaurant…I don’t like doing that. The same goes for shopping. Nobody wants to pay $5 to shop 3 stores. If there where 20-30 stores, there would be no complaints. Would free parking help? Sure, but is only one component of the problem.

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-258 Andrew Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:09:20 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-258 I just made a long post and it disappeared. I just made a long post and it disappeared.

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/comment-page-1/#comment-257 Andrew Fri, 06 Jun 2008 20:04:03 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/05/26/whats-not-to-admire-in-old-town-wichita/#comment-257 Ok. Regardless of reality the supposed "parking problem" there is a perception that parking is difficult and expensive. The difficulty is mainly because nobody really knows much about parking downtown. If the public was better educated, then the complaints would subside. Regarding the expense, I can understand not wanting to pay just so you can park for dinner near the restaurant...I don't like doing that. The same goes for shopping. Nobody wants to pay $5 to shop 3 stores. If there where 20-30 stores, there would be no complaints. Would free parking help? Sure, but is only one component of the problem. Retail needs density as well. Why do you think developers never plan more than one or two stores in a particular area? Retail thrives when other retail is nearby. There are stores that are destinations for some shoppers and some store that attract different other shoppers, when both type of retail are near each other, shoppers from one type of store will find their way into the other. I hear many people say that there needs to be "rooftops" for retail to take off in Bricktown. I would disagree. Quail Springs became a shopping Mecca long before there was the residentail development that exists there now, as did many major shopping areas. It's not rooftops that are hindering the growth of retail in DT. Lastly, what I think is the major problem with retail in Bricktown is the expense of leasing space there. Why open a retail store in an area with sporadic shopping traffic, when you can get cheap rent in an area with a traffic count like Memorial Road? It's simple economics. Until Bricktown property owners decide to ditch the greed, their buildings will be empty and the grown of the district will be stunted. Create the desire to retail in Bricktown, then use your building to make a profit, not the other way around. That's all I got for now...lata. Ok.

Regardless of reality the supposed “parking problem” there is a perception that parking is difficult and expensive. The difficulty is mainly because nobody really knows much about parking downtown. If the public was better educated, then the complaints would subside. Regarding the expense, I can understand not wanting to pay just so you can park for dinner near the restaurant…I don’t like doing that. The same goes for shopping. Nobody wants to pay $5 to shop 3 stores. If there where 20-30 stores, there would be no complaints. Would free parking help? Sure, but is only one component of the problem.

Retail needs density as well. Why do you think developers never plan more than one or two stores in a particular area? Retail thrives when other retail is nearby. There are stores that are destinations for some shoppers and some store that attract different other shoppers, when both type of retail are near each other, shoppers from one type of store will find their way into the other.

I hear many people say that there needs to be “rooftops” for retail to take off in Bricktown. I would disagree. Quail Springs became a shopping Mecca long before there was the residentail development that exists there now, as did many major shopping areas. It’s not rooftops that are hindering the growth of retail in DT.

Lastly, what I think is the major problem with retail in Bricktown is the expense of leasing space there. Why open a retail store in an area with sporadic shopping traffic, when you can get cheap rent in an area with a traffic count like Memorial Road? It’s simple economics. Until Bricktown property owners decide to ditch the greed, their buildings will be empty and the grown of the district will be stunted. Create the desire to retail in Bricktown, then use your building to make a profit, not the other way around.

That’s all I got for now…lata.

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