The Bricktown Association needs to get used to the idea that someday citizens will demand that all the streets in Bricktown be closed, and a pedestrian friendly zone created.

The Bricktown Association is standing in the way of real progress in Bricktown. Irony noted.

So closing one of the main streets in Bricktown for a weekend is progress?

The idea that Bricktown may close one of it’s streets permanently to allow for a pedestrian zone ala Times Square is a pipedream. Meaning, that won’t happen for a long time. And even if it were to come to fruition quickly, there isn’t enough critical mass to support such a zone yet. We can’t even fill our sidewalks with pedestrians. SW., you’re out of touch whoever you are.

Bricktown Association does another great job.

Anyone who thinks they should criticize the association for not agreeing to close the street should consider the fact that (if I remember right) they have refused to set up in areas off the street (ie Mantle Plaza) as a compromise to solve the issue.

Being outsiders, Montage should work with the desires of the community they are trying to set up shop in. They are not being a good community member if they want to come in and do something the rest of the neighborhood doesn’t want.

Bricktown needs a new City Councilman to represent the area. Skip Kelly has NEVER supported the district whatsoever. With stronger leadership at City Hall, this would have never made it to the Council meeting.
Bricktown shouldn’t ever expect any support from the Mayor, his focus is strictly on C2S.
So a “for profit” group gets to disrupt traffic flow(during project 180 as well) and the merchant and property owners who HAVE invested $$ and TIME get the shaft!
Way to go City Council!!!!

It sounds like a great opportunity to promote a more pedestrian-friendly experience in Bricktown. Festivals are what make cities vibrant. The Bricktown property owners just don’t want to compete or cooperate with anyone else.

I am confused at why a compromise was sought. Bricktown still has ample n/s traffic capacity with Oklahoma to the west and Joe Carter to the east. Plus, Mickey Mantle Drive dead-ends just south of the area at Reno…

Still, I will give the Association the benefit of the doubt. The closing will certainly disrupt valet parking at Nonna’s, which I am sure is not appreciated. And perhaps there is a perception that business will be taken away from merchants who pay rent.

My gut tells me that events like this, which add breadth to Bricktown’s offering and increase pedestrian traffic, will end up benefiting the district over time. In fact, I think Bricktown should consider shutting down Mickey Mantle EVERY weekend during the summer with a worthy event or street festival. Defending territory seems a flawed strategy. Street vendors, musicians, street performers, artists…these are not invaders, they contribute to creating a lively atmosphere that people want to visit (again and again). Of course, they might make money without having to pay rent, but businesses throughout Bricktown will benefit as a result of their presence.

If Bricktown is not big enough of a destination to survive a street being closed short term during an event designed to bring people to the district, it has big big problems and will not exist in 10 years.

Combing the arts festival with TOBT would be awesome. Last June I was able to attend the taste of Chicago out at Grant Park and it was an awesome event. Obviously OKC will not be on the same scope as Chicago, but making holding both at the same time would really make Bricktown a destination for that weekend.

From my perspective, as the Plaza District leader, I would be extremely disappointed if the outside for-profit festival was not willing to compromise with our district to meet the needs of both parties. It just seems absolutely ridiculous the street will be closed and the festival will not be happening in the evening–a closed event in a nightlife entertainment district. That for-profit business is hosting the festival there because of what Bricktown adds to the event. The Bricktown businesses I’m sure are happy for any extra traffic the festival might bring, but there should be some compromise in the planning. I just think the main issue is not that the association was against the festival, but more against unwillingness to compromise.

I would encourage folks to watch yesterday’s city council meeting. Both sides had a chance to make their case before the council. It appears that the Bricktown Association’s offers for compromise negated the legitmate needs of the festival in order for it to be a success. The reason the festival closes at 5pm is to allow it to be family-friendly and an opportunity for the patrons and artists to enjoy Bricktown for themselves that evening.

And to add, I think the compromise should have been focused on the times of the festival. 10am-5pm just doesn’t seem like the best hours, it needs to extend into the evening on Saturday night.

Ahh, thanks Kristen. That makes sense. I certainly understand why the Bricktown Association took issue.

But Kris, the holiday canal rides went on during the evenings. What’s the difference between that and the art festival?

This is one issue where I actually side with Brian Walters. I don’t think it’s our place to micromanage a private company’s event…we’re talking one night. Montage Festivals also noted that artists and vendors can stay open past 5pm if they wish.

I cringe at the thought of businesses relying on vehicular traffic and valet parking to turn a profit. Bricktown should be a park-outside-and-walk-in sort of experience. How lazy are we?

BTW, 10am-5pm are prime time hours for a family-friendly festival which is their target market. I am aware that it might be unsettling for some folks to associate Bricktown with family-friendliness, but perhaps hipsters aren’t the only ones who live here.

Kristen, you are right on.
There are events in Bricktown that block streets pretty much every weekend from the Spring to the Fall. Charities bring walks and runs into the district and work WITH the Association to ensure a successful event.
This group only wants it there way and couldn’t care less what the merchants think.

My complaint is that the artists and the festival, and the festival organizer are just lame. Go to the website and see that any artist can get “juried in” if they just pay the booth fee. Hardly a tradition being built here.

Leave it to Lackmeyer to suggest such nasty tactics as turning on the sprinklers during the festival. Okies are more tactful than that, especially if they want a long-term resolution to what could be a great event.

I understand both sides of the argument but in this situation Bricktown should take the high road and welcome this group and enjoy the free publicity. Hire some bands to play, or other entertainment, and be out during the day. Encourage the local vendors to be out a bit more that day to make a presence. If it weren’t for some type of festival why else would anyone of that potential group size be in Bricktown before 5pm? Sure, you might have some tourists wandering around but to get your locals down there provide something other than the usual over-priced restaurants and bars. I have no reason to take my family down there (I have a movie theater cheaper and closer to my house), but put something in during the daytime such as a street fair and I just might talk them into visiting Bricktown before 5pm, and who knows we might stop and have a bite to eat at one of the over-priced restaurants!

Blair has it right when suggesting there are other routes, plus the street dead-ends anyway. They are only taking up one city block. Get over it Bricktown and take the high road.

I’ve got to wonder … under the direction we saw on this issue Tuesday, would it be ok to shut down the street in front of the art museum for a bbq and blues festival?

deleting my comment Lackmeyer? I thought this was an open forum for healthy debate?

I bet the MOA wouldn’t mind their street closed in front of them. The folks I’ve met that work there love being a part of this city and would love to join forces with anything that brought a crowd to their part of downtown.

Great idea Steve! I agree, it may bring in more people into the MOA (but be careful with getting BBQ sauce on any of the exhibits…LOL)

No “Ray,” I didn’t delete your comment. The spam filter is quite aggressive. I clear it out as time allows.
BTW: I’m not suggesting that Bricktown turn sprinklers on the art festival. Read my post again. To be honest, all of these responses are ones mentioned by folks I’ve talked to, either in jest or not. Needless to say, this festival likely won’t be embraced by the folks in Bricktown…
Glad to hear the art museum would welcome this festival.

The Bricktown Association has no objection to an arts festival. This has never been the issue. We enjoy the added amenity this adds to the neighborhood and what is offers to our visitors. The concern was and continues to be with access to Mickey Mantle Dr. – not one of competition. Mickey Mantle is one of the main arteries into the district, and with various street closures due to Project 180, we are concerned that another closure – on such a traveled street – will continue to frustrate the visitor. Can we survive one night? Of course we can. However it is a shame that the arts festival will be closed after 5 – and the street will remain closed as well – causing disruption to our carriage, limousine, and valet service. Our attempt was only to try to reach a compromise on another location within Bricktown or adjust the set up on Mickey Mantle to allow for street access – after the arts festival closed. I certainly hope all those commenting can make it out for the day, and stay in the evening for a RedHawks game. Should make for a great Saturday!