Is the Fight Over, Or Is It About to Begin?
Don’t be too surprised if an appeal is waged on last week’s vote by the Downtown Design Review Committee to raze six buildings on its downtown campus.
Here are questions I’m hearing from readers and people I’m running into out on the beat:
1. Was there undue influence on committee members?
2. Why was City Manager Jim Couch attending this design review committee meeting? Has he had a history of attending such meetings?
3. How much does the Oklahoma Historical Society depend on corporate funding? Does this matter when the OHS is asked to weigh in on matters like the SandRidge application?
4. Did the special early meeting time for last week’s vote confuse potential protesters and deny them a chance to argue their case?
5. Is the Downtown Design Review Committee confusing its role with that of the Board of Adjustment?
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Comments
I agree. I hope this is appealled and we for once in our lives here show big cooporations that rules apply to everyone!
This ought to be interesting ….http://www.keepdowntownurban.com/
Here’s the same place with a working link here: http://www.keepdowntownurban.com. Yes, this may well get interesting.
Can someone clue me in on Anthony McDermid’s voting yes for the proposal, even though the decision leaves “blood on our hands”? Steve’s recent article mentioned that he felt conflicted. Help me understand.
Kris, I don’t think anyone has a good grasp on that other than he noted the vote seemed to a foregone conclusion.
That’s not an answer Steve and you know it. If its a forgone conclusion then at least be on record against it. Kris’ question should be #6 on your list, “Why did Anthony McDermid vote yes for the proposal, even though the decision leaves “blood on our hands?” Why did the champion of preservation vote for the demolition? It’s a simple question to ask – will you ask it Steve – yes or no?
Jeffrey, it’s an answer. It may or may not be an answer you believe or like, but it was the reasoning he cited. I will ask him again if he wants to expand on his thoughts. They will be meeting again at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow at City Hall.
That’s an excellent list of questions, Steve. #3 reminds me of the Century Building situation of this past decade in St. Louis– a disappointing outcome that led me to lose faith in the National Trust for Historic Preservation. See story at this link:
http://www.landmarks-stl.org/architecture/the_century_building/
If Sandridge wants to surround itself with lush green landscape then they should move out of downtown…not help destroy it. If this really happens as the energy company wants it to happen…I think I might start courting multi million dollar corporations to come move to down okc cause apparenty you can whatever want where ever you want to do it and no one will stand up against you.
Steve, I think you should put McDermid on the spot. Ask him why he voted for demo. He should have been ripped in the article for being a fence sitter. Instead he was allowed to get away with it, while others have born the brunt of your attacks.
Michael Herndon, do something about it instead of saying Sandridge SUCKS. Last year they were praised by the same journalist for helping save downtown.
…if McDermid had voted with Brunsteter, the outcome would be the same.
Can you say: Tempest in a teapot?
OK gang, this comment thread is going some places that might end up being libel. I’m going to do some strict moderation here. Jeffrey, you don’t like McDermid’s answer. That’s the end of that. According to city legal staff (they said this today), committee members aren’t permitted to talk about cases away from the meeting. You don’t like that. I get it. Move on.
Keith, doubtless you already know this or you wouldn’t have the name, but the extent of my knowledge is that Thomas Minville is the person who set up and owns http://www.keepdowntownurban.com, according to information obtained from “Who Is” for domain names. Beyond that, I haven’t got a clue.
I’m curious Steve – do YOU like McDermid’s answer? You spent a lot of time in past days defending why the paper needs to know certain information but it seems here you’ve just shrugged your shoulders and said, “The city says they can’t talk – oh well.” You’re just going to let it go? That doesn’t seem like you Steve.
You’ve basically suggested in several past topics (this one as well) that certain businessmen and companies wield undue, perhaps unethical influence in city government and state agencies and you’re worrying about libel on our part?
Doesn’t matter whether I like McDermid’s answer or not. And if you read the post above, I’ve not made any suggestions of my own – I’m airing others’ questions. Clearly some don’t like this topic and that’s fine.
keepdowntownurban.com seems to just be a regurgitation of past newsok articles and okccentral blog posts.
woo. hoo.
Andrew, that website is just getting started. Have another look at what is becoming and has become in just 2-3 days time.
Woo hoo.
A design review committee is hardly effective when it fails to enforce its own design guidelines. Let the fight (civil, of course) begin.