The Journey Part Four
Before I continue with “the journey,” let me put things in perspective. To be honest, I’m having trouble keeping up. There are so many potential game changing moves at play for downtown, it’s stunning. I’ll do everything I can to share all this with you as is possible.
But with all these game changers up in the air, it’s more important than ever to really discuss the various issues and opportunities that await us.
So, we’re talking about a potential MAPS 3 ballot – one that could easily top $500 million. But before we do, I’ve been asking, what can we accomplish with $5 million?
Let’s start with my realization from my recent stint in Bricktown and Fort Worth/Dallas as a “tourist.” It was during the Bricktown part of my vacation that I met four women, all from Texas, who had chosen to spend their five-day vacation staying at the Hampton Inn in Bricktown. They ate at Toby Keith’s. They visited the art museum. They went to the memorial. They rode the canal boats. They were spending money as tourists. They have no family in Oklahoma City. They have no friends. They simply came up because they thought Oklahoma City was a fun place to visit. Oh, and one more thing – they wanted to ride the Amtrak Heartland Flyer.
Now, there are those who will quickly point out that the Flyer isn’t without some drawbacks (I know of one reader who had a dreadful experience this last week). But I too rode the train last week with my son and had a blast. Maybe we were lucky.
What strikes me most is how badly OKC does at presenting itself as a tourist destination. That’s no slight at CVB. Under the leadership of Michael Carrier, they are rocking and rolling and doing wonders for our economy. But their visitor center is not well located, and I’ve got to wonder if they’re planned future location – at the new Greater OKC Chamber building to be built at NW 4 and Broadway – won’t be even more inconvenient for visitors.
The Santa Fe depot, meanwhile, surely can be used for more than it is currently. The depot is at the crossroads of where people staying at all of downtown’s hotels (except those in Bricktown) walk into Bricktown. Under the ownership of the Brewer family, it is currently being used sporadically for special events. Is this the highest and best use? What would it take for the city or the CVB to buy or lease this building and make it a visitor and tourist center? Can one think of a more visible and accessible location for a visitor and tourist center?
Would a few million give the city a shot at making this a reality?
More ideas… a merry-go-round, Ferris Wheel and small pocket park? A permanent outdoor skating rink? How would such additions transform this city’s image and also get back to the basics – the quality of life issue emphasized by MAPS and MAPS for Kids?
Or here’s one more possibility… Mayor Mick Cornett talks a lot about the need for free parking in Bricktown as a way to force the development of surface parking lots that line the canal and sit at key intersections like Mickey Mantle Drive and Sheridan. Well, what would it take to make this happen?
Assuming Mayor Cornett is wanting $30 million or more for a Central Park in an area that has no businesses, has no residents and has life, I wonder what the same money could accomplish in a downtown that consultant Jeff Speck notes isn’t done cooking yet.
This journey will continue….
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Comments
Interesting point Jen. To be honest, I’m winging it here. I’ve got no big strategy. I’m trying to open up discussions, ask unasked questions, bring attention to issues and amuse when appropriate. I’m somewhat counting on you guys to tell me when I’ve gone too far, and as evidenced with the post before this about parking on the steps of Santa Fe depot, I’ll push back if I don’t agree!
It’s challenging at times for some people to understand what makes a blog different than a journal, a news story, etc. Your blog provides the perfect example. This blog is a conversation, and it makes me wonder if the “new journalism” isn’t about catapulting reporters into the role of moderator and conduit.