Playing the Game
Some critics of the Core to Shore convention center site – some even on this blog – are suggesting that the city will soon hire a consultant to recommend the best site. Their concern is the hiring will be done under the authority of Mayor Mick Cornett, City Manager Jim Couch and Planning Director Russell Claus – all parties who critics feel already favor the Core to Shore site.
Can a consultant hired under these terms come up with a fair, unbiased report? Is there anything to be learned from the hiring of the consultant who wrote up a report on the Bricktown Bass Pro Shops?
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Comments
Unfortunately the Convention Center site reeks of inside favoritism. Let Micky, Roy, Humphreys & Co. get their short lived fame right now. 50 years from now, our grandkids will be talking about this big mistake like the trigger happy demolition of Urban Renewal. Not the legacy Mick had hoped to leave but at least got it while he was in office.
I’m curious Steven – where do you think Humphreys stands on this matter? I got the impression from his comments the other day that he would like to see the ULI panel’s suggestions be given serious consideration….
People often lump Humpreys in with Cornett, but they do publically disagree. All available evidence seems to show that Humphreys is not sold on the C2S site for the convention center. Additionally, all the recent Humphreys family developments and proposals have been some of the most liveable and urban to date.
Captcha: awarded densely
I was under the impression that the Advisory Panel suggestion was the second time the City has been steered away from the current site location… Is that correct? Was there another consultant who was hired a while back?
I believe Humphreys has a little different perspective than Mayor Mick, with the help of his sons: one an urban developer, the other an urban planner. The fact that Humphreys invited the ULI team here is a sign that he wants their recommendations considered quite strongly.
Jonathan, the first consultants to weigh in on the Core to Shore convention center can be found here: https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B8aMIJ_jSCVbMmQ1YWJmN2EtZmQ2NC00MjhhLWIxNzItYWEyNDYzNmJhN2Nk&hl=en
This captcha reads “disaster astonish”
It appears, from maybe my naive perspective, that what is lacking is a forum to bring the public up to speed and a forum to allow good public ideas to go before the city. It seems like most of the good ideas are brought about by individuals at various times and are generally shot down without any feedback. A forum could create credibility and some sense of accountability during this process. I would garner a guess that 90% of the OKC citizens are unaware of what has been done so far and what the future plan is. Plus, a public forum where people gather generates news.
The shortest walking distance to hotels, retail, entertainment, food, etc. is the number one problem.
People from other parts of the country are not going to want to walk long distances in the EXTREME weather in Oklahoma. Hot humid Summers, snow, rain, thunder storms, ice storms, cold windy Winters. My brother and his family came down from Oregon one Summer to visit in the Summer and the heat and humidity made them miserable. Better think about the walking distance for guests that may not be in perfect health.
Is the Pull-Apart guy in the demo-path for C2S? Is this why he has changed his TV ads from “cheap parts” to “long-standing, enviro-friendly, small business man.”? Just wondering …
They “…intentionally did not release…” …the HOK study? Were all of the renderings for the past four years showing it located in the Core to Shore area “intentional”? I’m glad I started paying attention to this issue and believe it or not and that Mr. Humphreys set me straight on the distance stuff. Something really doesn’t make sense here.
Well it’s just remarkable that we’re spending $280 million on the largest item in MAPS 3 and we’ve taken what could otherwise be a great opportunity and instead empowered what’s becoming the 2010 Encore of Urban Renewal and I.M. Pei. It’s turning into I.M. Pei behind the scenes of downtown OKC everywhere you look, from SandRidge, to the convention center issue.
Has the city every hired a consultant asking for advice, gotten contrary advice and followed the contrary advice?