Comments on: The Humphreys/Cornett Battle http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/ The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:34:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Dennis http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-2558 Dennis Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:12:51 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1167#comment-2558 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 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.

]]> By: Andrew http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-2557 Andrew Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:49:44 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1167#comment-2557 I'm going with Blair (although basic urban principles is not MIT rocket science). The Chamber building sets a dangerous precedent. I’m going with Blair (although basic urban principles is not MIT rocket science).

The Chamber building sets a dangerous precedent.

]]> By: Brian http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-2556 Brian Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:21:29 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1167#comment-2556 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 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.

]]> By: LJ http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-2562 LJ Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:06:06 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1167#comment-2562 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 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.

]]> By: Casey Cornett http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-2561 Casey Cornett Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:33:36 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1167#comment-2561 http://caseycornett.blogspot.com/ Hurry back, Blair. http://caseycornett.blogspot.com/

Hurry back, Blair.

]]> By: slackmeyer http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-2560 slackmeyer Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:56:23 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1167#comment-2560 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 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

]]> By: Steven http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/04/14/the-humphreyscornett-battle/comment-page-1/#comment-2559 Steven Tue, 14 Apr 2009 15:47:50 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=1167#comment-2559 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. 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.

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