Comments on: Would “Amenities” Make the Difference?

By: Jill

Jill — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 01:02:07 +0000

You’ll have to suggest the bar name to the Aloft developer, since it’s going to replace the exisitng drunk tank. It would be funny.

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 22:47:51 +0000

Great business idea: start a bar at the existing detox building and call it “The Drunk Tank”.

By: Nick Roberts

Nick Roberts — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 21:15:28 +0000

I don’t think there’s any doubt that there is a ton of stuff in limbo right now. Businesses and residential developers waiting on streetcar routes, or for 180 to wrap up, or for OCURA to act, etc. Several hotel developers waiting on the convention center to be decided. And on and on..

By: Larry OKC

Larry OKC — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:23:33 +0000

Chicken and egg maybe… Once the streetcar routes are determined, might get 2 or 3 grocery (along with other missing retail)?

So maybe developers/business people are waiting to find out where MAPS 3 stuff is going before committing.

By: Sid Burgess

Sid Burgess — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 06:17:22 +0000

@ Jill,

That is great! Wife and I have been been looking at downtown as a place to move to but haven’t yet found a right location. We are big fans of public spaces and urban parks. My thoughts were only addressing those wishes. I loved your story and I am really encouraged to hear how much you are able to do so close! I hope we are neighbors soon. Cheers!

By: Nick Roberts

Nick Roberts — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 03:45:33 +0000

Ed, in order for streetcar to make a difference, there has to first be a grocery store appear somewhere downtown.

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:42:01 +0000

I agree with you Nick and, thinking back to my thought process before moving downtown, the thing that almost held me back was worrying about what would be built on those bare lots. It felt a little bit like pioneering to move downtown. I think both the unfamiliarity of the living downtown concept, coupled with concern over development and the lack of density has probably affected interest in the area far more than amenities, none of which are farther away than they probably already are for people not living downtown. As Maywood Lofts fills up, the area is already starting to feel more like an urban neighborhood and the LEVEL apartments and the hotel can only help. A nearby streetcar will only increase proximity to amenities if new ones are established along the line, but I think that as more people live in Deep Deuce and downtown, we’re far more likely to get that grocery store and pharmacy.

By: Ed

Ed — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 23:35:15 +0000

Would a street car provide quick access to many of the daily amenities needed by people who live downtown? You would think a rail transit would create the opportunity to provide these things along the rail route.

By: slackmeyer

slackmeyer — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:37:48 +0000

Jeffrey, the Aloft is doing fine. Construction cannot start until the Detox is moved, which is expected to take place this spring.

By: Jeffrey

Jeffrey — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:08:24 +0000

I keep hearing about this Aloft but there’s been a whole lot of nothing going on at the proposed site since a building was demolished several months ago. While at the apartment site, which was announced considerably later, dirt work is already happening.

Anyone worried that the Aloft becomes the next mud pit of a project that was supposed to break ground but got shelved?