Comments on: The Dance

By: Steven

Steven — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:10:20 +0000

Brent, did you listen to your own comments? Core2Shore? If we can’t fill and fix the core, why are we going to the Shore just yet. Devon Tower? well that’s privately financed so the City doesn’t have to worry about that. Devon is insisting the SELF IMPOSED TIF district be used or at least mostly used for CORE improvements. Canal Extension is mere talk, and definitely shouldn’t be a priority as it is more gimmicky than anything. Bricktown vacancies – again, a private property owner issue, large amounts of city money should not be thrown at this. The #1 problem holding downtown back is RETAIL. If the City has finally come to the obvious conclusion that Automobile Alley is our best chance, why not spend a million or two and fix this intersection we’re discussion. That is mere pocket change when it comes to capital improvements. Especially if it helps spur some real retail downtown, that would then spur more tourism and more downtown housing!

By: Brent

Brent — Sun, 10 May 2009 20:13:34 +0000

I am still not sure I am sold on spending the money that would be needed right now to change this street configuration as much as is being suggested. I’m not sure if the housing density being created near this area is enough to justify the expense, at least for the time being. Ten years from now, possibly, but not yet (this is predicated on the new Chamber building not cutting off any possibility of an alteration).

Broadway is not an impervious barrier to those who want to cross. Difficult, certainly, but not impossible. I just think there are cheaper ways to help those who are going to cross the street and walk in this area, at least at this time: adjust signal timing, more appropriate crosswalks, etc. Remembering back to the time I lived in the Northeast, particularly thinking of the Boston area. There are few roads that are on a grid-like system as we primarily have here, yet it is extremely pedestrian friendly. Even when dealing with large thoroughfares such as Beacon Street or near Boston University, there are adequate signals and cross-walks (some are activated only when pedestrians have indicated they will cross) which both allow ease of pedestrian use and large amounts of traffic.

It just seems to be too expensive for now, especially when we have such other large issues we really need to be discussing thoroughly: Core-to-Shore, Devon tower projects, possible canal extension, Bricktown vacancies, and more.

By: Steve Lackmeyer

Steve Lackmeyer — Fri, 08 May 2009 22:35:28 +0000

PLANSIT, read the pdf of the consultant’s report.

By: PLANSIT

PLANSIT — Fri, 08 May 2009 20:47:26 +0000

I would prefer extension to 4th Street as much increased through traffic on 2nd or 3rd would only deteriorate the walkability of that section of DD. Could you imagine the traffic on those streets (people racing to get home) right through the Brownstones and Lofts at Maywood? 4th/Harrison is already a main trough-way for I-235 bound traffic. Why not enhance and promote it as such?

By: Keith Anderson

Keith Anderson — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:58:20 +0000

The City officials are coming across as pretty arrogant and set in their ways.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:57:14 +0000

…I think the message Steve’s trying to get across is: nothing will happen without vocalizing the issue to our politicians! So vocalize…

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:52:12 +0000

I agree with Brian and Dallas Visitor, the city’s insistence on Gaylord is mindboggling. Just seeing the rendering from Butzer/Humphrey’s makes me want to go over there and walk and look at the possibilities. If implemented, it would definitely make me want to walk more along Broadway, it’s so much more inviting than it is now. I hope the City doesn’t screw this up. It’s okay to admit they screwed up in the past and say they are working towards a better future. I think the City still has a problem admitting they did some things wrong in the past.

By: Dallas visitor

Dallas visitor — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:31:31 +0000

As a former OKC resident who now lives in Dallas, I am extremely familiar with the location in question.

Last month, I had occasion to stay overnight at the Skirvin, where I met a few friends for drinks prior to heading to dinner. Our destination was Red Prime, and we decided to walk… I’ve got to say, that street configuration certainly didn’t make it easy.

Like Steve, I’m bewildered by the City’s intransigence on the issue… the proposed reconfiguration seems so logical.

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:42:51 +0000

“From where are we expecting pedestrians to walk from? The CBD, Bricktown, elsewhere? I read a comment earlier that changing this intersection would encourage people to walk from the National Memorial to Bricktown..”
Brent, I’m glad you asked this. The answer lies in this video produced a couple of years ago by the Maywood Park team. Throughout the five minute video you see a man walking. He’s walking to restaurants, he’s walking to downtown attractions, he’s walking to work. And he’s walking home – and to make that walk home, he’s traveling along NW 3. So what intersection do you think he had to cross to go from work to home?
Deep Deuce and Maywood Park are evolving into a great mixed use urban neighborhood. Do we really want to force all these folks to get out in their car simply to see the rest of downtown?

By: Blair

Blair — Fri, 08 May 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Good points!

If we agree that the primary function is to funnel traffic to I-235, then it probably makes sense to encourage northbound traffic to turn on 2nd street which is better suited to carry the traffic than 3rd street.

You would have a choice of:
- turning west on 2nd then north on Broadway to 5th;
- Or, turn east on 2nd to Walnut then north to 5th.

The improved distribution would maintain traffic flow and ameliorate congestion at Broadway and 5th, which is currently the biggest problem.

Oh, and the Santa Fe garage has the ability to exit onto 2nd…so, no more u-turns would be required at Main and E.K. Gaylord!