Comments on: The Answer http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/ The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick. Thu, 16 May 2013 02:42:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5 By: slackmeyer http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-859 slackmeyer Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:17:21 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-859 Indeed, it wasn’t that long ago that the Central Business District had several buildings that were boarded up and were clear eyesores. While some buildings still stand empty, I can’t off hand think of a single boarded up building in the CBD. That’s significant, and I wonder how many other downtowns can make such a boast. Likewise, downtown has no adult bookstores, theaters or clubs. All of this, I know from observation and experience, is the result of the city’s zoning efforts and also the city’s planning staff.
That having been said, I’ll be continuing to send out the question “why?” My next one will be directed at the Oklahoma RedHawks.

]]> By: Russell Claus http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-858 Russell Claus Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:28:38 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-858 Numerous people over the years, public and private, have talked to the owner about the condition of his property. He does not seem to be concerned about the impact on the surrounding area. Although he continues to pay the fines for improper storage of vehicles, the biggest issue with the site, in terms of limitations on the City’s powers, is that his use as a garage precedes the rezoning of the district and the imposition of design review requirements. We cannot retroactively enforce for design or grandfathered use. We will, however, continue to enforce on vehicle storage.

The City is very much aware of the impact that ongoing code violations of this nature have on the appearance and economic attractiveness of the Midtown area, and we will continue to explore avenues to rectify these problems. Although this particular site remains a problem, it is not for want of trying on the City’s part to facilitate action. I think it is important to consider this site in the context of the Midtown area in general. Midtown is very much on the rise and has improved enormously over the last 10 years, due to both the efforts of numerous private property owners and the City. Midtown was down and out 15 years ago, and while it’s not perfect yet, nor probably ever will be, it is the direction that we should stay focused on, which is very positive. Yes, properties like this are a problem, but there are fewer and fewer of them each year. That’s the key measure of success.

]]> By: slackmeyer http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-857 slackmeyer Fri, 12 Sep 2008 21:13:11 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-857 Yes, he has a blog:
http://blog.newsok.com/berrytramel

]]> By: Doug Dawg http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-851 Doug Dawg Fri, 12 Sep 2008 03:51:16 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-851 I’d have left a comment in the video clip area but I didn’t see that as possible … does Berry have a newsok blog, where I could do that? :-)

]]> By: slackmeyer http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-856 slackmeyer Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:38:27 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-856 Doug, you’re right…

]]> By: slackmeyer http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-855 slackmeyer Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:33:53 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-855 I’m just hoping we can get the worldwide recorder concert to return downtown – but maybe without Yoko Ono as conducter (Kenny G, however, is still welcome)

]]> By: Gary http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-854 Gary Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:31:14 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-854 skeeter, nice South Park reference…. BACK IN THE PILE!!!!!

]]> By: skeeter http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-853 skeeter Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:07:52 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-853 I hear ya been talking bout ma car lot I won never sell not for one million dollars. They took AR JOBS!!!

]]> By: Doug Dawg http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-852 Doug Dawg Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:29:28 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-852 Totally off-topic, Steve, but I’ve just watched Berry Tramel’s video at http://www.newsok.tv/?titleID=1788889285 . Puhleease, educate him about Oklahoma history a little, won’t you? :-) He is spreading misinformation again, this time not about sports.

]]> By: Jess M. http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/comment-page-1/#comment-850 Jess M. Thu, 11 Sep 2008 05:05:42 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2008/09/10/the-answer-2/#comment-850 Sounds like the code enforcement needs to become more aggressive. Money talks… start fining him!

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