Seriously? Day 10 of “Sidewalk Gate”? Is there really nothing else to write about? I think everyone gets your point…there are still things that aren’t perfect. Now let’s move on to something a bit more interesting than sidewalk obstructions. Thanks!

Nah, I don’t think so. I like this one. It’s fun. I think I’ll stick with it.
This is more than something that isn’t perfect.

The design flaw or didn’t check to see what was near by… that has always given me pause for thought is

the waterfall feature on the south bricktown canal just before it turns south. Theres the nice waterfall feature on the south and whats on the north side of the canal? The electrical transformers to the hotel. What a great photo op. You would have thought someone would have paused and thought why but something so untilitary across from a “quote built improvement to the canal”.

If a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound?

If grate stands in the middle of a sidewalk with no one in sight, does it get in anyone’s way?

So how did they get the _revocable_ permit? You know, the thing that allows you to put something in the Right of Way but which the City has the authority to tear down at any time?

Tim, I’m curious as to whether these sidewalks will remain quiet with an Aloft hotel and a couple hundred apartments being added one block away. The question remains – is this the best OKC can do?

Stay on this Steve. Your instincts are correct…. when stuff like this is allowed to “slide by,” it encourages City staff to be even more careless in the future.

The next time someone submits a plan to the City that allows for a stunt like this, they will be much more hesitant to approve it– knowing someone will be watching.

Doesn’t quite rank up there with the $40 million “mistake” made with the MAPS 3 Trails (which few seemed to give a flying flip about), but just another example of what Steve has been talking about. Tearing up streets for 180 then potentially going back and redoing them again when the MAPS 3 streetcars are put in. Stuff like that. Have to watch them at every step it seems.

In addition to the fact that it obstructs the sidewalk, it is just plain ugly— it looks like a bunch of temporary pedestrian barriers for a construction site.

It is truly ironic that while, on the one hand, the City is spending tens of millions of dollars to upgrade the downtown streetscape to utilize “best practices,” it is simultaneously allowing something like this to be created– arguably something out of “worst practices.”

Steve:

So you’re worried about this grate still being in this spot years in the future when this area is hypothetically bustling?

I’d say OKC is doing pretty well if a sidewalk gate in a deserted area outside of downtown is such a scandal that it warrants several posts on this blog. Clearly this much attention to a non-issue indicates OKC has all significant problems licked.

Nah, there’s other stuff to have fun with, and I will continue to do so. But the more I get needled on shining the light on this, the more I’m going to hold that flashlight up. So far I’ve yet to hear anything from the city that would indicate this sidewalk had to be done this way.
Inspired by your latest comment Tim, I’ve changed the background on my Twitter account to the photo of this sidewalk.

I believe Tim and Steve point out troubling realities: 1) our inability to prioritize pedestrians with appropriate infrastructure, and 2) our inability to create places where pedestrians want to be. They are clearly related, but separate issues. Just as appalling is the above-grade retail frontage at The Lofts.

This crap absolutely needs attention. It’s an example of laziness and inattention to detail and gets you fired in the real world.

Have you seen the concrete work around the asian district streetscape? It’s absolute garbage – now compare it to something done in Nichols Hills. Notice a difference?
Quality is attainable and the squeaky wheel always gets the grease.

If only some lonely Serbian or Ukrainian would make a paper mache model of this sidewalk gate, then Steve would truly have the news story of his lifetime.

Tim, just for you, I’m going to do more posts on this sidewalk. Your reaction is like manna from Heaven.

Good work, Steve. Everyone agrees that this story is not of great importance in and of itself… but it is a slippery slope. The next time a similar situation comes up the City might just say, “Ahhh, just do it like we did last time.” While a minor detail, still worth pursuing.

Golgar:

This is a slippery slope to what? More gates on sidewalks in deserted parts of town? The horror.

But I like your “everyone agrees that this story is not of great importance” but is still worth pursuing logic. That’s the first thing you learn in journalism 101: only go after the stories that are not important. You’d fit right in at the Oklahoman.

Hmmm, earlier comment didn’t post, so trying again. This is not acceptable in a *real* “big-league” city (but then again I think OKC has a long way to go to be a “big-league” city). Walk every street in Chicago’s Loop (I did for many years) and you will not find something like this anywhere. Ditto for any other “big-league” city (NYC, SF, etc.). It’s just half-a**ed and totally in line with the way things are still being done in OKC – get rid of the crappy construction companies that do things improperly with absolutely no consequences, get rid of the good ol’ boy crap that this is indicative of, just do it the way it should be done!

Gentlemen, as I tell my sons, name calling is the desperate last act of someone who has no good arguments left to make. It’s also a quick path into the automatic moderation que at OKC Central.

The sidewalk obstruction is so large, one can see it from the main conference room at Crowe & Dunlevy (which is in Mid-America Tower).