Comments on: Busy Months Ahead

By: Brent

Brent — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:53:50 +0000

Steven, do you have the links to the documents you referenced and/or where we can go to give input on Devon TIF projects? Thanks in advance. Also, I’m not advocating wider streets at all. I am just curious as to the street projects we will be looking at with the TIF funds as the quote was “massive rebuilding of downtown streets” so I just threw out a random idea. No need to take it as an endorsement or desire to see widened streets in any way, shape or form. I would be surprised if it was even possible to widen the downtown streets…we would have to get rid of sidewalks altogether. Sorry if I was too vague, in short I wanted to know: What will massive rebuilding of downtown streets mean?

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:11:02 +0000

Brent, Devon has already been seeking input and consultants on the TIF projects. Heck, they had an open public forum last fall about the Myriad Gardens renovations (which will be funded by part of the TIF). Streetscape plan was already finished as well (at least initial concept). These are already public documents. I doubt we’ll see widened streets downtown, and frankly we shouldn’t want them to be. We’re trying to create a MORE WALKABLE AND PEDESTRIAN FRIENDLY downtown, not trying to continue status quo of catering to the automobile.

By: Steven

Steven — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:08:46 +0000

Nick, you misread the article. It said powerplayers stealing retail away from Bricktown and into Automobile Alley.

By: steve lackmeyer

steve lackmeyer — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 04:50:14 +0000

Brent, working on revealing more as soon as I can.

By: Brent

Brent — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:13:11 +0000

From the articles I found online (Steve’s article in Nov. and the Journal Record’s Dec. article) it appears the Devon TIF will be from 135-175 million over a 25 year period or around 7.5 mil a year on the high end and supposedly 20 mil during the 3 year construction period.

So when can we expect some concrete plans/ideas/projects for the TIF district? Is anyone working on plans now or are we waiting until the Tower construction begins to come up with plans? I think we have decent information on most of the major downtown projects, except for the TIF projects. What does “Myriad Gardens renovation” really mean or streetscapes? Just a fountain at the corner of Hudson and Sheridan? Widened and repaved roads all over downtown? More? Less? Also, can I get a hint as to what these “game changing” downtown branding events may be? You’re just a tease Steve.

By: Nick Roberts

Nick Roberts — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:13:00 +0000

Power players attempting to steer retail away from downtown? Where? Let me at ‘em!

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:44:54 +0000

Well, we absolutely need at least part of Core to Shore. With the relocation of the interstate, the “entrance” to our downtown is going to be one giant hellhole if we don’t do something. We at least need to renovate the area between the new interstate and the Ford Center.

By: Casey Cornett

Casey Cornett — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:17:44 +0000

“the Devon TIF package alone will have almost as much impact on downtown as the original MAPS did”

How so? I spend as much time as I can learning the ins and outs of what’s going on in OKC that I haven’t had much time to jump into how big of a package the TIF will be…can you enlighten us please?