Another Take on Urban Design
I’m adding a new link today – one that I’m sure will spark a fun discussion about the role of Urban Design guidelines in what is referred to as the “cottage district” within MidTown. Dennis Wells, the host of http://www.freesosa.com is himself an urban pioneer in the neighboodhood, which is a split between historic homes and modern architecture. This is a split that has existed since construction of the Classen Glen Condominiums in the early 1980s and has continued with the area’s resurgence in recent years. Tomorrow I’ll post a story I wrote a couple of years ago about this area – for now, here’s an intro by Wells about his site:
You might have heard that “SoSA” is the underground name for MidTown’s Cottage District. (The OKC Planning Department doesn’t necessarily like “Cottage District,” and could officially change the name in the future.)
The City Ordinance contains the design guidelines for a variety of neighborhoods and overlay districts… SoSA’s guidelines are not very well defined, and the Planning Department is currently drafting new rules for this neighborhood. Some people favor more traditional guidelines; others would like the City to encourage diversity and innovation. Considering what’s already been done there, and that the future core-to-shore development will reduce SoSA’s draw, I come down on the
side of encouraging innovation, and encouraging it soon.
Without well defined design guidelines, the Urban Design Commission is often forced to waffle and defer on decisions, which can stall or even kill an innovative project. In an effort to glean public opinion on the subject I recently established www.freesosa.com and blog.freesosa.com
Visit freeSoSA.com to learn a bit more about the area, and then add your thoughts to the blog: blog.freeSoSA.com
Dennis Wells
Oklahoma City
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Comments
I dont think we need to do that kind of damage to historic properties (i.e. purple paint). I dont mind the modern looking structures so much if they are built on empty lots, and arent surrounded by ‘period’ properties.
Humble opinion.
Justin makes a valid point about defacing historic properties. However, being old does not automatically bestow ‘historic’ status… SoSA is not a historic neighborhood; it has some old houses that would look just fine in purple. SoSA is just one little district. There are already plenty of overly-regulated neighborhoods. What’s wrong with having one eclectic neighborhood?
I’m all for it. As a future home-owner, and current designer, I’m looking for a place just like SoSA.
I appreciate this post as I live/own property in SoSA although I’ve never heard the acronym but dig it. Very urban sounding. I agree this really needs to become an up and coming modern architecture district and already is on it’s own. The city really needs to get it’s work together and come up with design standards and possibly streetscaping/district signage. FYI, the condos are called Classen Glen Condominiums, not the Classen Condo’s which are in the tower at NW 23rd and Classen. Classen Glen was an award winning project by Architectural Digest magazine back int the 1980′s and is downtown’s TRUE first urban housing risk. Sycamore Square was barely built before, but had public financing involved, Classen Glen was 100% privately financed and a big risk at the time. Unfortunately it was scaled back to about half it’s planned size and finished construction during the oil bust. Otherwise, as we know, our downtown might be completely different and already have alot more downtown residents.
Very interesting! Little neighborhood organization developing. I’d never heard “SoSA” before.
I really enjoyed this:
“SoSA acknowledges the roads and the cars and the wires and the fear, and offers the freedom to design buildings accordingly. It’s just one little district. It won’t infect Heritage Hills.”
haha.
I think that most neighborhoods should have a general plan, but certainly freeing the design standards of an area can’t hurt. The only shaky ground is when dealing with existing structures. But I say if they want to paint a 1903 house purple against all historical standards, go for it! Especially if it’s limited to SoSA- we can still have the nice historic neighborhoods preserving the character of the early 1900s, but let’s have a funky little place there south of SA.