Is Downtown Done? East Bricktown
Most if not all of these buildings are part of the former Stewart Metal plant. They have been empty and up for sale for redevelopment for the past six years. To the south is Lower Bricktown, to the north is Deep Deuce, to the west is the convention center and Bricktown, and to the east is the highway junction of I-235, I-35 and I-40, one of the city’s busiest.
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I know there’s been a lot of talk about retail in Bricktown but what would that be? For those who have been to the Riverwalk recently, what other retail exists there or nearby other thatn restaurants, clubs and hotels? Would any of that work in this location. I think there might even be a mall nearby the Riverwalk if I remember correctly.
Another question Steve, where was (is) the planned Candlewood suites (I think thats right) location in relation to this pic? What is the status of that?
Maybe one good side effect of the Candlewood Suites will be some retail, at the least, since I believe that there was a pad site planned in front of that hideous monstrosity? Also it might spur Bob Meinders to finally move on The Steel Yards.
I was in downtown and Bricktown today. There were a lot of young people around. I think that many of them were in town for the State Basketball Tournaments. Some were just young people but just as many appeared to be families or groups of adults and young people. As i watched them wandering around Bricktown I wondered what they would find to do other than get something to eat. They probably did not come to town to watch a movie or go bowling. They did not seem to be lining up to get into the Banjo Museunm either. What is there for a 17 year-old to do for a couple of hours in downtown OKC on a Saturday afternoon?
That’s where something like a Dave & Busters would fit in perfectly. If you’ve never been to one, they have something for everyone. I personally think it would be a huge draw, not just on the weekends.
Rodney, I’m not 17 but I’ve got to think some might have enjoyed a movie or some bowling despite your suggestion otherwise. Others might have enjoyed the museums or the Myriad Gardens. Some may have enjoyed a boat ride on the canal. And yet some may like the whole outdoor thing going on at Bass Pro.
I suspect that in time we’ll begin to see more and more live performances provided by students at the Academy of Contempory Music. Retail will continue to go up and down. We’re down now, but I know we’ll be up again soon.
Now I’m turning this around on you: what would these same 17-year-olds have available to them (on foot) if they were in downtown Dallas, St. Louis, Denver or Kansas City?
The Power and Light District:
18 Restaurants,13 Bars,1 Theater, 1 GNC(Really!), 2 Boutiques, 1 Market, Jos. A Bank (Overpriced), 1 Jewelry Store, 1 Nail Salon and 1 Tatoo Parlor. How is this better than Bricktown?
I saw quite a few people in Bricktown Candy Co. Same for CoCoa Flow.
Rodney, You know what a 17 year old does in Bricktown for a few hours? Stands by the fountains and watches the 17 year old girls.
Steve, I was not suggesting that a 17 year-old would not have enjoyed the things that you mentioned. Nor was I suggesting that other cities may have more to offer. It is just that as I observed the various groups strolling up and down the streets, I kept feeling that there was a missed opportunity. I wonder if perhaps the 16-20 age group might be a group that has been ignored as potential customers. They are not drinking age yet so the bars and clubs are not necessarily their focus. My wife and I took a 16 year-old to Bricktown last year and we had dinner and a canal ride. I don’t know if the canal ride will be repeated this year. I could take a canal ride every day, but I am old. Seventeen year-olds tend to not be as patient.
I hope that Bricktown and downtown will continue to develop and that some consideration be giving to the late teen demographic. I could see the steel yard area on the east end of Bricktown being developed as a fun center with a rooftop minature golf course. You could put some retail in as well. I believe that it would be a great complement to what we already have.
Why not do a survey in Bricktown and ask the teens what they would like to be able to do? Ask the teens, not the adults.
I think a GOOD mini-golf course like you see in Branson, Orlando, and other tourist-trap type places would be very successful in Bricktown. It could even be indoors. There is (or was 20 years ago) a really awesome one in Salt Lake City.
Another similar attraction that would be a bit more unique would be a human maze, which could also easily go inside and be year-round.
There have been a lot of plans come and go in that area. I have heard a TON of speculation and proposed ideas for all over Bricktown, and downtown for that matter. We can’t get excited and antsy every time a plan doesn’t go the way we want it to. We are talking about a large portion of the city that is looking for development. That takes time. Would you rather something be produced quickly and in the latest fashion, which would likely be a complete disaster (the Hill cough, cough); or have a well thought out plan that may take longer than everyone wants it to but in the end its in the best interest of the area.
Like you said Steve, its been six years. That’s a long time. However when your talking about an entire cities future, its less than a blink of an eye.
I’m telling you, just be patient and the proper solution will present itself. I’m sure people that have a little more pull than we do are trying their best to turn that property into a gold mine.
I noticed men dismantling one of the metal buildings today.