Steve, were street lights in that area part of Project 180 funding? If not I doubt the folks holding the cities purse strings are likely to poney up the funds.

Great point, Steve. But why are you up at 6:47 a.m.? Shouldn’t you be going through the Skirvin archives? I heard they found a brick in the basement that had a hooked X.
Your friend,
Patrick Riley, aka, The Lost Ogle

Film Row’s streetscape was not part of Project 180. It was underway before P180 existed. However the City would not have taken on a streetscape project without a plan/funding in place for the lighting and traffic lights. There has to be a holdup somewhere NOT related to whether or not it will be funded.

If it’s the same as some other streetscapes, I’m pretty sure the purchase and installation of the street lights is actually borne by OG+E as part of a contract for the power to light them.

But Steve’s right; it is scary and dangerous there until the lights are installed. This includes traffic lighting to replace the barely-visible “temporary” stop signs that have been up the better part of a year.

6:47 a.m. was when I finished my nocturnal staring at Devon tower. It’s something I do nightly… I drive in my sleep to Sheridan Avenue, get out of my car, and then just stare at the thing for about three to four hours. When I awake I write on my blog.

What do you want to bet that OG&E uses those cheap, “vintage” fixtures? (The same ones that stupidly line Meridian, lighting the way to our contemporary airport building.)

These fixtures are a public embarrassment, and should be removed from OG&E’s vocabulary.

from the Bond Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes/Agenda(?), 11/1/10 (don’t know if it was approved)

“III. Items for Consideration
A Allocation of $612,500 in funds from the 2007 General Obligation Bond Authorization, Proposition No. 1 Ð Streets, Unlisted Funds, to Project PC-0322, Film Row District Streetscape, Sheridan Avenue between Dewey Avenue and Shartel Avenue. (Ward 6)

Mr. Bronson presented this request and said it is a project that is part of the 2007 Bond Authorization and, with Project 180 going on, there was a request to incorporate the design features, specifically, STREET LIGHTING and traffic signals to coincide and be identical to those to be used in Project 180. These funds will cover this. Mr. Bronson showed slides depicting the area and the improvements in the film district.

Mr. Clytus asked about the difference in the Film Row Streetscape and Project 180. Mr. Bronson said they are both Streetscape projects but Film Row was a 2007 project and Project 180 started at a later date. The SAME LIGHTS and fixtures will be used in both if these funds are approved.”

Thanks Larry… excellent news.

They’re coming. Should be installed over next 3 weeks

I spoke to Public Works this afternoon; they report the light fixtures arrived two weeks ago, and they’re awaiting one of the contractors on the Project 180 work to finish up a current assignment before they get to these lights. I’m told it will be within a month. I’ll be marking this down… I’m still a bit bewildered as to why lights are already up on streets like Main Street that aren’t even completed, but not along Film Row, where work has been done for months and there is activity at night. I’m also aware that public works projects, by their very nature, defy such schedules and “three weeks” as cited for The Montgomery can be replicated several times before the promised results are actually realized….

I am glad to see that lights will be going up but as for current activity on film row is is primarly bums and transients and not legitmate business traffic. Especially after dark.

That could change if it was correctly lit.

Mike, Film Row has a ton of business happening there – but a lot you don’t see. There are several architects there and a prestigious one from NW Expressway – JHBR Architects. The Insight Fund Group, Computer Business Solutions, and The Exchange-Revolution, are only a few more. The IAO Gallery has also been very busy. You would be surprised at how many weddings and receptions have been taking place on Film Row and tours for the area begin later this month. There is currently a waiting list for space along the Row and it is only a matter of time before you start ‘seeing’ the business happening there too. Oh, did I mention Joey’s Pizzeria – who is being kept very busy – hmm.. from an original staff of four to TWENTY. Yep, lots happening there. Never would have been possible without the visionaries, support, and determination of those bold businesses there. Not to mention our fans. As for the vagrancy – see the crime stats – NO CRIME on Film Row since I started looking at them in 2004! IT IS AN AMAZING new business district and considered OKC’s fastest growing one to boot. As for the vagrancy – there is a lot less as people understand and support programs and efforts to improve quality of life. There is a great new center now near NW 3rd and Virginia. Then there is this great interview in the Film District newsletter THE ROW: http://www.scriptfolio.net/AUGUST2010ISSUE.pdf and as for after hours – just give it a little more time – Joey’s is open for cocktails too, btw. The new lighting will be a great addition to the awesome neon signs there too. Oh – and then there are the festivals and carnivals coming up on Film Row. LOTS Happening – lots.

It would help but currently there are not really any business that attract nightime cusotmers west of Walker.

Mike, meet me at Joey’s Pizza tomorrow night and let’s see if you walk away with the same conclusion…. for that matter, I’d like to see someone from public works meet me at Joey’s Pizza tomorrow night and explain why these lights aren’t being put up immediately (when I hear “within a month” from public works, experience tells me to wonder “which month”?)

Just a quick note: Street lighting and traffic lighting will be up and completed within the next 30 to 60 days, although a hint of a mere few weeks was given to me yesterday.

Steve name anytime after 1800.

Geez with the negativity. “Folks holding the purse strings won’t fund the lights.” “Bet that OG+E uses crappy fixtures.” “No nighttime customers west of Walker.” False, false and false.

I don’t think everybody has to be Pollyanna, but knee-jerk negativity is a cancer, makes this and other places unpleasant to visit at times, and is a completely different animal than the (laudable) effort to keep those in charge accountable.

And by the way, congrats to P180 and Film Row working together to make the transition from one area to the next seamless. The P180 lights are nice, modern, and are the first lights downtown to put as much emphasis on pedestrians as cars.

The other features in the Film Row streetscape differentiate the district well from the rest of downtown and make it clear enough that you are in a special area, without creating a lighting hodge-podge.

The answer is rather obvious. It would keep the homeless population up at night. Have you noticed them sleeping on all of the side streets just off of film row?

Our building at 729 Sheridan has not had a problem since we moved in almost 5 months ago. We couldn’t be happier with the move. Film Row and the areas west of Robinson along Main and Sheridan will continue to develope. The future is bright. We are planning a Open House in the late fall or early spring and would like to see the street lights installed before then.