Main Street
Let the list begin. I expect all of you to complete it.
Retail:
- Sage
- BD Home
- Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Emporium
- The Painted Door
- Bricktown Candy Company
- Becky’s Hallmark
- Envy Clothing
- Firefly Clothing
- Tena Hicks
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art Giftshop
- Bass Pro Shops
- Schlegal Bicycles
- Bicycle Alley
- CD Warehouse
- Broadway Wine Merchants
- OKC Floral
- Put A Cork In It
- IAO Gallery
- Thunder gift shop
- RedHawks gift shop
#tacotuesday
Everything You Wanted to Know About Taco Tuesday But Were Afriad To Ask …
Recalling Jeff Speck…
He’s not in the room now, but I’m hearing his voice as this group debates whether to place bollards at each corner. The engineers worry about trucks running over pedestrians waiting to cross the street.
Speck, I imagine, would remind the engineers of examples of visibily unsafe intersection designs that end up being very safe because they appear to be so dangerous.
Will the average pedestrian not hear or see a big truck barrelling down the road out of control? And why do we place more importance on the life of a pedestrian at the corner, and not on those mid-block? Are we really certain trucks can only jump the curb at corners? If bollards are really a life and death matter, should every square foot of every street be lined with them?
Just asking…
History on the Sidewalks
This afternoon has pretty much been a rehash of items decided at the last meeting.
Highlights:
- Curbside parking will double from about 600 to 1,200 spaces in the central business district. Meters might go to two hours.
- Discussion of historic markers in sidewalks, similar to what already exists along Automobile Alley.
- Use of downtown relics currently forgotten, neglected in the courtyard at Santa Fe Parking Garage.
- Change parking spaces on Couch and Colcord around City hall to angled parking.
Prepare for the Worst, but Expect the Best
Prepare for bad news, but expect good news.
That’s the basic of gist of Laura Story’s view of the rising project cost for the gardens. It looks like the “tough decisions” will not be made until Dec. 16, but as tough as they might be, Story thinks much or all of the project as it stands now will get done.
“My gut is we’re going to get everything in here,” Story said. “I can’t argue with the figures because it sounds like I’m being stubborn and I don’t want to listen to reason. So we need to come up with a strategy to ensure we can deal with it if figures come over (budget).”
At least one part of the project is being questioned – suggested “sidewalks” and “hardscape” seating areas planned along the south side of the east Myriad Gardens lake.
James Pickel, chairman of the Myriad Gardens Authority and a member of the Myriad Gardens steering committee, criticized the feature as detracting too much from the need to maintain the “gardens” aspect of the Myriad Gardens.
Architect James Burnett argued for keeping the improvements, noting they are important for meeting the mission of creating an area that is more accessible to visitors.
With the Myriad Gardens project estimate at $43 million, $6 million above the original estimate, Story advised the committee to come up with a plan in advance to cut some improvements – even if such cuts might be avoided.
“My feeling is we’re going to get everything we want,” Story said. “The market is too good.”
Give and Take
An example of give and take on the gardens funding: Assistant City Engineer Laura Story is discussion whether some of the wi-fi infrastructure needed for the Myriad Gardens can’t be included in wi-fi work to be done with the streetscapes.
Big changes in estimated costs include:
- $1.12 million for electrical work
- $1.2 million for architecture (includes additional scope items such as a shade structure, water stage improvements, restrooms
- $2.2 million for Meinder’s Garden (expanded scope)
- $615,000 for Café Plaza (includes interactive children’s plaza)
Live Blogging: Devon TIF and the Myriad Gardens
This rendering shows a completed Myriad Gardens and Devon headquarters.
Here we go again… but now the job is getting to the tough part.
The original project estimate was $37 million. Today we just learned the estimate has risen to $43 million. Assistant City Engineer just explained there’s a lot of give and take to follow. But with costs attributed to each part of the upgrade, it’s clear that some decisions are about to follow as to what does and doesn’t make the final cut.
Whole Foods is Coming to OKC! We Think. I Saw It On Twitter. Well, Whole Foods Isn’t Confirming It. But Maybe It’s True! Wouldn’t That be Great! Help?
Oh how I miss the days of old fashioned journalism…..
Coffee shop owner to reporter: Hey, did I tell you that MR. CEO was in here with some guy talking about how they’ve finished a lease for Whole Foods to come to OKC?
Reporter to coffee shop owner: No, but I’ve been hearing that for months (maybe, maybe not, but it sounds good). I’ll check into later this week when I get the chance.
FIVE MINUTES LATER, REPORTER SHOWS UP IN NEWSROOM OUT OF BREATH, VERY EXCITED
Reporter to editor: hey boss, just heard a rumor that Whole Foods is coming to town.
Editor to reporter: Go get it!
Reporter to Whole Foods: Are you coming?
Whole Foods flack: We’re not confirming or denying.
Reporter: (whines a bit) Come on, everyone knows you’re coming. Are you in talks to come to OKC?
Whole Foods flack: No comment.
Reporter calls property owner (Mr. CEO) : Hey, we’re doing a story about Whole Foods coming to OKC and that you’ve landed the deal. You must be pretty happy.
Property owner: I’m not in a position to discuss any such deal.
Reporter: Look, we’re doing a story (big bluff). I just need to get your reaction.
Property owner: Nice try. And oh, by the way, you do realize I can buy and sell you several times over.
Reporter: Can you just provide me some details? How big will the store be? When will it open?
Property owner: Give me your paw. Sit. Roll over!
Reporter goes to editor: Boss, they’re not confirming on the record, but I’ve got loads of sources saying Whole Foods is coming.
Editor: Nail it down. Go away.
(Note: any similiarity to any persons real or imagined in this short play is totally unintended. This is a work of fiction)
(One More Note: the competition is speculating a Whole Foods isn’t in the cards for OKC anytime soon. Since we’re apparently playing by an entirely different set of rules here in the blogosphere, I’ll just say this: based on the caliber of sources I’ve heard from, I expect we will have an upscale grocer arriving in OKC this next year or so).
The Book Deemed a Threat To National Security
This book could be a threat to national security.
Everyone can sleep soundly at night knowing Homeland Security is on the job, protecting us from … “Skirvin,” the latest book by myself and Jack Money.
I’m not kidding.
Long story short, thanks to the vigilance of Homeland Security the wonderful debut party planned for tomorrow night is going to be delayed. I’ll let you know revised plans as soon as I can. Please spread the word … and accept my apologies for any inconvenience.
UPDATE: Even is now rescheduled at the Skirvin for Wednesday, December 9 at 5 p.m. (one week delay). We’re assured that after the books were pulled by Homeland Security that they are indeed on a train bound for OKC, set to arrive Thursday. We’re giving it a few extra days to be certain of their arrival. Some very special arrangements were being planned by our hosts at the Skirvin, and we’re very grateful that they’re still willing to pull off the same fun for next week.
Long story for those interested:
For whatever reason, Homeland Security decided to tag the shipment of our books for inspection after they were printed in South Korea. The shipper reported the books were loaded on a train Nov. 17 and set to arrive last week. The shipper yesterday indicated they didn’t know where the books were located. Today the shipper indicated they didn’t get the books out of Homeland Security and onto a train until, if I understand correctly, this past week. They assure us the books are enroute and will be here Thursday (one day too late!).
-Steve
