Let’s Step Back … And Breathe….
Twenty years ago it seemed as if nobody was debating development of downtown. Everyone pretty much agreed it was either dead or on life support and it was an embarrassment to the city.
Times change. The city as a whole decided to change course, and now it’s easy to argue that upwards of $2 billion (probably more) have been invested downtown. People care. People care a lot.
And that is what makes this beat fun. And that is what makes this beat challenging when passionate, caring folks have very different ideas on how to proceed.
I try to deliver the blow-by-blow developments of such stories, and I try to create a place where intelligent, thoughtful discourse can take place. I embrace the involvement of modern design enthusiasts like Dennis Wells. I embrace the involvement of urban planning enthusiasts like Blair Humphreys and Nick Roberts. I embrace the thoughtful urban populism of Doug Loudenback. And I am proud that this blog averages hundreds of comments every week.
Almost 7,500 comments have been logged on www.okccentral.com since it debuted almost three years ago. Perhaps no topic has triggered more heated debate than the SandRidge Commons project.
I host this blog with no net, no wire, no precedent on how it gets done. I’m not going to ever argue I’m perfect. But I’ve tried to create an environment where all sides get heard, where people can intelligently challenge ideas and goals, and where maybe, just maybe, we all end up with a better understanding of what’s going on downtown and what’s coming next.
Yesterday I stayed inside with my son and watched a couple of the Star Wars movies. And if you were to have just seen 20 minutes of “Attack of the Clones,” you might have thought the movie was a bad sappy romance. Judge the movie on that part of the movie alone, and not view the incredible fight scenes (you can’t beat Yoda jumping around with a light saber!) and how could you not hate the movie?
Likewise, as much as I try to stay neutral, I can see how one could walk away from reading one or two posts on this site with the impression the author has a viewpoint. Context is key. I’ve done my best to try to tell SandRidge Energy’s side of the story with what I have available to me. But sometimes one side is more vocal than the other. That doesn’t mean the quiet side is right or wrong – it just is what it is.
So how do I overcome this challenge? In the past I’ve invited guest bloggers from both sides of issues to share their own thoughts, questions and ideas.
This is an approach I might try again. What’s most important to me is that good questions be asked and that we continue to engage in this conversation of what makes downtown the pride of our city once again.
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Comments
I enjoy your writing, in no small part because I can’t tell where you stand personally on an issue. I’m sure you’re familiar with the feeling that you’ve made everyone mad, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in journalism.
As I’ve posted before, I echo your comments that debate over how we grow and how we preserve is a good problem to have when so many other cities are trying to figure out how to remain vibrant. I’m convinced that Oklahoma City’s best years are yet to come.
Honestly, has anyone ever really considered how the capital of the reddest, most conservative state in the union has repeatedly voted new taxes and continuations of taxes time and time again?
I can see both sides of the SandRidge argument. Once Devon vacates a building that’s currently in use, how much sense does it make to renovate a dilapidated building? Yet how do we determine what’s worth saving regardless the price? I’m glad wiser people that me will answer these questions and that you’re there to follow them every step of the way.
Let’s Step Back … And Breathe…
But make sure you are wearing protective equipment as the demotion dust can be hazardous
Keith, I’m not saying it’s “The Empire Strikes Back,” but with Yoda kicking butt, Darth Maul, and some really cool fight scenes, it can be forgiven
Oh damn…I can’t believe I’m doing this….Darth Maul isn’t in Attack of the Clones. And it was a terrible, terrible movie.
I’ll go kill myself now. Sorry to bother you.
I love OKC.
As a transplant to the city only a couple years ago, I can say I have appreciated your candor and desire to share what you know when you know it. The culture of discussion and discovery that is found here on this blog and elsewhere has made learning about OKC a joy.
Keep it up.