The Humphreys/Cornett Battle
Oh yeah, we’ve been waiting for it, waiting for it, waiting for it…
Well, maybe not. But it sure does make for a great headline to knock up my blog traffic numbers (I can’t begin to say how daunting it is to be beaten day after day by blogs dominated by celebrity photos!)
In this case, it’s Blair Humphreys, son of Kirk Humphreys, taking on comments by Casey Cornett, son of Mick Cornett.
Yeah, it’s a cheap stunt on my behalf. And I like both guys. I like both dads. So I’m pretty much a mercenary here, sitting on the sidelines enjoying a good debate and doing my best Don King impersonation (sans the hair).
So lets rumble!
Here’s what Casey has to say following Jeff Speck’s presentation:
The sad thing i’m starting to notice is that all the people who are strongly for greenspace are still focusing their efforts towards the 1 square block of privately owned and privately funded Chamber building going in at 4th and EK Gaylord. Hasn’t that already been approved and moved on? Sure, there is still another (I believe just 1) date set on the beautification aspect of that space…but the building is still going there, let’s move on. The core-to-shore project will be bring roughly 20-square blocks of greenspace. Why can’t greenspace lovers and journalists focus on what has yet not been decided on instead of still arguing over the 1-square block to argue over. That block is done, it was a good fight to keep it. But now let’s join together and make sure we don’t miss the boat on another big greensapce opportunity.
Now that’s a pretty strong starting argument. But not good enough for Blair, who has been asking a lot of questions about this proposed chamber site for months:
I am curious about the position you take on the Chamber Building, telling everyone to “move on”. It seems like someone enthused by Speck’s ideas wouldn’t be so quick to look past a project that will permanently hinder walkability at a critical connection in a burgeoning area of downtown. Speck himself has commented on the poor site layout of the Chamber proposal and every OKC urbanist that has expressed a position on the issue either questions the design and/or the way it was ushered through review despite violating the downtown design guidelines.
Simplifying the matter as being only about the quantity of green space doesn’t seem fair. Ultimately the underlying issues have more to do with walkability and good urbanism than green space, and the current Chamber proposal fails to deliver either. Still, even within this simplistic framework, the idea that the Central Park will benefit the people in NE downtown the way a properly designed Chamber site would is certainly not true. Quantity matters, but surely location is still a variable worth considering. How will a new Central Park over 1/2 mile away serve people in the same way that a park across the street would?
Casey, I’m waiting for you to respond… (I am so, so, so bad! Why am I being so feisty these days??)
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Comments
Steven, here are avenues available to you: have you emailed or written Roy Williams at the chamber? Have you emailed or written Mayor Mick Cornett? Have you tried to write a letter to the editor at The Oklahoman?
I’m not advocating either position here. But if you want to have a conversation, what steps have you taken to do so?
I know I’m challenging you a lot today. I hope it’s taken in the constructive voice it’s intended. Maybe I’ll see you at ULI later.
Keep punching!
-Steve
I too agree with Blair on this discussion, and I think that Casey is missing the point. Here are just a couple of questions that need to be asked.
Why, as a tax paying citizen of Okc, should I and others vote for Core to Shore improvements if the city can not make the Chamber building design improvements?
How can we move on to a massive project like Core to Shore, when we can’t take care of a one building like the Chamber building? (Actually two buildings now, because I believe the Bricktown fire station is a major mistake.)
I am having serious doubts about the next possible MAPS tax vote. The city has done a good job of spending the money, but a poor job of managing others that benefit from the city projects.
Steve brings up some very good questions in todays edition of the Oklahoman in regards to Bricktown property owners.
Also I have sent an email to the Mayor with my concerns.
I have to agree with Blair here. He is absolutely correct. I can’t help but think that if the Chamber is so intent on building that design, that they should push it up to the street (on the corner), raise some more money for a garage, and leave the rest greenspace for future park/development.
This past week I was in DC and went to the “America on the Move” exhibit at the Smithsonian’s American History Museum. I highly encourage everyone to go if they are in DC. It tracked the history of transportation in the US (public and private).
One interesting fact I learned was that gas stations were a massive paradigm shift in building. They were the first commercial buildings in the US to be consistently set back from the road.
I’m going with Blair (although basic urban principles is not MIT rocket science).
The Chamber building sets a dangerous precedent.
I don’t understand the “greenspace” argument… I thought the issue was that the Chamber building ignored the design guidelines. It’s a classically suburban building that’s simply out of place in downtown. I’ve set through numerous Design Committee sessions where GOOD designs have been hamstrung by needless nit-picking and silly complaints. The irony should be deafening when an inappropriate design is so easily approved.
I agree with Blair, this discussion is not and SHOULD NOT be over. Blairs MIT education on city planning shows. I believe the mindset Casey is showing is dangerous and leads us to our old way of thinking. Why can’t we have an intellectual conversation with THE CHAMBER and the CITY on this issue, in regards to Speck’s (who we hired) and others comments.