Comments on: Clearing The Block http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/ The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick. Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: slackmeyer http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4597 slackmeyer Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:44:58 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4597 That's an old plan that pre-dates Meinders. Further, this block is not connected to the Stewart Metal properties. That’s an old plan that pre-dates Meinders. Further, this block is not connected to the Stewart Metal properties.

]]> By: Nick Roberts http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4581 Nick Roberts Tue, 13 Oct 2009 16:18:33 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4581 Relax guys... http://www.renaissancearchitects.com/Media/retailimages/expanded/Steelyard.jpg Relax guys…

http://www.renaissancearchitects.com/Media/retailimages/expanded/Steelyard.jpg

]]> By: Jeffrey http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4570 Jeffrey Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:42:41 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4570 "Maintain part of the existing character," Are you serious? Please look at the picture again - There is no character. These are vintage WWII surplus buildings that sprouted up all over the country because people couldn't get structures up fast enough to handle the increased economy from everyone returning home. There is absolutely no value to keeping them, not to mention the fact that they are a horrible eyesore coming into Bricktown from the east. I'm with Ryan. A lot full of prairie grass is an improvement over these loser structures. “Maintain part of the existing character,” Are you serious? Please look at the picture again – There is no character. These are vintage WWII surplus buildings that sprouted up all over the country because people couldn’t get structures up fast enough to handle the increased economy from everyone returning home. There is absolutely no value to keeping them, not to mention the fact that they are a horrible eyesore coming into Bricktown from the east. I’m with Ryan. A lot full of prairie grass is an improvement over these loser structures.

]]> By: Ryan http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4565 Ryan Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:49:23 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4565 Even if he tears them down to pave a parking lot, it will be a huge improvement. Even if he tears them down to pave a parking lot, it will be a huge improvement.

]]> By: Casey Cornett http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4556 Casey Cornett Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:15:59 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4556 Shane, about article you linked... Is anyone surprised to see that the "100 multifamily units" that were proposed to be built here have the word, "luxury" to describe them? Shane, about article you linked…

Is anyone surprised to see that the “100 multifamily units” that were proposed to be built here have the word, “luxury” to describe them?

]]> By: Jill http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4555 Jill Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:22:00 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4555 Although the buildings are an eyesore, is that his only reason for wanting to tear them down? Even if redevelopment of that space would work, is Meinders interested in redeveloping them and, if not, would he sell for a price that would make redevelopment feasible? It is possible that with the land open, it would be easier to visualize how the space could be utilized. I have mixed feelings, as I'm all for using existing buildings, but the owner has to be willing to use them. Although the buildings are an eyesore, is that his only reason for wanting to tear them down? Even if redevelopment of that space would work, is Meinders interested in redeveloping them and, if not, would he sell for a price that would make redevelopment feasible? It is possible that with the land open, it would be easier to visualize how the space could be utilized. I have mixed feelings, as I’m all for using existing buildings, but the owner has to be willing to use them.

]]> By: Shane http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4554 Shane Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:44:07 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4554 Property owners (no matter who they are in the community or how independently wealthy) should be required to show stable financing and development plans before they tear anything down. I'm not saying they shouldn't be torn down, but they should only be torn down if the right development is going to replace them. Showing that it is possible to NOT tear them down and still change the use of the land, adaptive reuse designs have been drawn up (in 2003) for these industrial buildings to be converted into 100 loft units: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20030501/ai_n10157907/ "Under the redevelopment concept, the building's exterior would be left largely intact with some new brickwork to accent the property. The interior of the buildings would be converted to space for up to 100 multifamily units. The concept also calls for some space to be reserved for retail use, such as a dry cleaning business, a barber shop, a pharmacy or a possible retail store. Additional space would be available for a business center or board room that could cater to business owners. Architects said the 30-foot clear height ceilings and the large open spaces of the manufacturing building would provide ample room for two-story housing. 'We're going to maintain part of the existing character,' Lazaridis said. 'However, we would enhance it with special brick work and brick arches that would relate to Bricktown. It would complement the architecture of Bricktown.'" Property owners (no matter who they are in the community or how independently wealthy) should be required to show stable financing and development plans before they tear anything down. I’m not saying they shouldn’t be torn down, but they should only be torn down if the right development is going to replace them.

Showing that it is possible to NOT tear them down and still change the use of the land, adaptive reuse designs have been drawn up (in 2003) for these industrial buildings to be converted into 100 loft units:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4182/is_20030501/ai_n10157907/

“Under the redevelopment concept, the building’s exterior would be left largely intact with some new brickwork to accent the property. The interior of the buildings would be converted to space for up to 100 multifamily units.

The concept also calls for some space to be reserved for retail use, such as a dry cleaning business, a barber shop, a pharmacy or a possible retail store. Additional space would be available for a business center or board room that could cater to business owners.

Architects said the 30-foot clear height ceilings and the large open spaces of the manufacturing building would provide ample room for two-story housing.

‘We’re going to maintain part of the existing character,’ Lazaridis said. ‘However, we would enhance it with special brick work and brick arches that would relate to Bricktown. It would complement the architecture of Bricktown.’”

]]> By: Steven http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4545 Steven Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:31:58 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4545 Tear them down Bob! And then get to work on your SteelYard proposal! Michael - yes he had renderings drawn up a few years ago for the "Steel Yard" proposal. Google it, pretty nice development actually if he follows through with it. I'm sure the bad economy and tough financing is holding it up, but glad to see him actually wanting to do something with the property finally. Tear them down Bob! And then get to work on your SteelYard proposal!

Michael – yes he had renderings drawn up a few years ago for the “Steel Yard” proposal. Google it, pretty nice development actually if he follows through with it. I’m sure the bad economy and tough financing is holding it up, but glad to see him actually wanting to do something with the property finally.

]]> By: Michael Herndon http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2009/10/12/clearing-the-block/comment-page-1/#comment-4544 Michael Herndon Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:28:45 +0000 http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/?p=2448#comment-4544 Think he has anything significant to Bricktown's urban fabric planned? Maybe I'm just being hopeful. Think he has anything significant to Bricktown’s urban fabric planned? Maybe I’m just being hopeful.

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