Why?
It’s been awhile since we’ve hit up the most simple form of journalism there is: a situation captured so well by a single photo that sending the photo with the question “Why?” pretty much gets to the heart of the matter. And so we have our latest “why?” which I’ll be sending to Jim Cowan, director of the Bricktown Association (for one more week) and planning director Russell Claus.
When did the green space along the canal become a parking lot? We're seeing this most weekend evenings.
Trashing Out the Bricktown Canal
For the first time since the Bricktown Canal opened on July 2, 1999, landscaping and cleaning is no longer being overseen by the Oklahoma City Parks Department.
Bricktown folks were critical of parks personnel for letting the landscaping drop far below the standards set when the canal opened (some were concerned that resources were being diverted to the Oklahoma River). And since it was property owners in Bricktown paying for the work via the business improvement district, it was understandable when the Bricktown Association sought to privatize maintenance and convinced the city and Downtown Oklahoma City Inc. to contract with Brad Hogan, whose family oversees canal maintenance in Lower Bricktown (the area was developed by Randy Hogan’s Stonegate/Hogan).
Over the past few weeks since the transition took place I’ve seen more and more trash along the canal taken over by Hogan. And during the two hours I spent Saturday afternoon I saw the following conditions – all of which remained in place the entire afternoon.
Cigarette butts were all along the walkway between Oklahoma Avenue and Mickey Mantle Drive
Almost certainly not a leftover from the May 1 Crawl for Cancer - that was a "Budweiser-only" event (oh yes, Crawl for Cancer, I am aware of this detail and very curious about it)
Some cleaning issues like this have gone unaddressed for weeks.
The switch over in landscaping and maintenance includes a management fee paid from the BID to the Bricktown Association. I’ll be curious to see how this gets addressed.
Bricktown on a Saturday Afternoon – People Who Don’t Don’t Belong?
For the past week I’ve been delving into the finances and operations of Kansas City based Crawl for Cancer Inc. I wrote one story that delved on reported bad behavior of some participants based on allegations made at Tuesday’s Bricktown Association meeting. It was news because the association voted to ban a group – something I’ve not seen in the 14 years I’ve covered the entertainment district.
Those who participated in the event continue to dwell on the initial story, not realizing I had moved on. But some of the the most vocal critics of my coverage challenged me to go on another Saturday afternoon to see if the same conduct was going on without Crawl for Cancer. So I did just that today, and from 2 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. I walked around, took photos and observed.
Here is what I saw:
What didn’t I see? I didn’t see examples of public drunkenness. I didn’t see people harassing families or yelling out profanities.
Now let’s address some other things being said by participants.
1. Avis Scaramucci is making all of this up.
Read my story from Wednesday – representatives of Hampton Inn, Hooters, Put a Cork in It all gave their own reports of bad behavior involving Crawl for Cancer participants. Capt. Steve McCool reported problems as well. Local organizer David Tedford didn’t deny any of these allegations when I interviewed him on Tuesday – the last time anyone associated with Crawl for Cancer has agreed to an interview (the national for-profit Crawl for Cancer Inc. have refused to talk to me from the start).
2. The bad behavior represents just a few of the participants.
Here’s what has happened since Tuesday. One person who was on the canal the afternoon of Saturday, May 1, reported a Crawl for Cancer participant poured a beer on a person passing under a canal bridge. The person reported the assailant (yes, that’s what he is if this happened) was surrounded by about 20 people, all wearing Crawl for Cancer shirts, cheering him on.
Another person reported a team of Crawl for Cancer people walking around Bricktown chanting “f-ck cancer.” Look at the photos above folks … is this really ok?
A woman called me Friday night. She said she wanted to call me when she read my first story, but got scared after seeing the online responses from Crawl for Cancer participants angry that their event was being questioned. She said she was walking along Sheridan Avenue that afternoon with her son when four men in their 20s with Crawl for Cancer shirts starting making comments about her breast size. When she shot them a glare to communicate she could hear them and they should leave her alone, they crossed the street and started following her closely making even more lewd comments.
She said some participants with shirts walking from the opposite direction – people she said looked nice – walked right on by and said nothing even though she was confident they could hear what was going. She said they offered no help and didn’t confront their fellow participants.
Look at the photos above. Is this really ok?
3. The Bricktown Association is shunning this event because they’re not making money off of it.
Huh? Merchants and bars I’ve talked to say they made a nice sum of money from the May 1 Crawl for Cancer. Even so, the ones I’ve spoken to are supportive of the ban.
4. I’m a member of the Bricktown Association. If that were true, they would have kicked me out a long, long time ago. And no, my boss isn’t a member either.
5. No participating bars or clubs or hotels that were a part of the event and benefited from it were part of the vote to “ban” Crawl for Cancer from Bricktown. Not true. The Hampton Inn actually spoke out against the event. Those present during the voice vote and not voting no (there were zero no votes) included the Bricktown Brewery. I’m also told Tapwerks supports the ban and Jim Cowan reports that the Friday night meeting with club and bar owners and managers resulted in unanimous support for the association’s actions.
Stay classy OKC.
The Bricktown Association Talks About Crawl for Cancer
The following was posted on the Bricktown Association blog by director Jim Cowan. I have his permission to do a full reprint as follows (I will gladly do the same for Crawl for Cancer – if they agree to talk to me and share their financial information):
The Pub Crawl for Cancer has been held in Bricktown for several years, each year growing in popularity. This year’s event was not coordinated through the Bricktown Association or the Bricktown Police. Many of the participants were well behaved, enjoyed the event and acted responsibly.
However, others quickly become intoxicated and infringed upon the enjoyment of others in Bricktown that day. The event charges one price and allows the participants all the beer they can drink. It’s the equivalent of a “drown night,” but takes place on a Saturday during the day, when families are the primary demographic in our district. At our recent monthly Bricktown Association meeting, we discussed this event and the concern it brought many of our merchants and the police. Even though it is a profitable event for those merchants that participate, we weren’t comfortable with the behavior exhibited by some of the Pub Crawl participants and the negative experience it created for other Bricktown visitors and merchants. A unanimous vote was taken for merchants not to participate in the event next year.
Bricktown is a popular destination for many charitable events ¬¬¬- Race for the Cure, Limbs for Life, The Autism Walk, The Heart Walk, and many more. Bricktown restaurants and entertainment venues willfully contribute gift certificates, tickets, and other donations for silent auctions and charities. Many of the restaurants even host fundraisers and school auctions. Being involved in the Oklahoma City community is not only something we enjoy, but also it’s part of our responsibility to the tax payers who built the canal and the ballpark.
The Bricktown Association works with all the merchants and property owners to promote the district to over 6 million annual visitors. Large crowds from sporting events, conventions, concerts and other special events have become commonplace in the district. A very diverse crowd enjoys Bricktown on a regular basis and the association strives to make the district as enjoyable as possible to everyone who patronizes Bricktown. It’s almost impossible to please all the people all the time, but we sure try.
To provide an environment where so many can enjoy the amenities that Bricktown offers, requires a lot of coordination and communication. The City of Oklahoma City has made a tremendous commitment by locating a police substation in the district. We believe that our community must work in harmony with law enforcement to ensure safety and security are always the top priority.
When events like St. Patrick’s Day, New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, and others are planned in Bricktown, many hours of work “behind the scenes” are spent on numerous details to ensure that everyone can enjoy the event. Countless meetings take place to anticipate issues that may arise, especially when alcohol is involved. Systems are put in place to deal with anyone who over indulges, security is hired, and close communication with the police is facilitated.
We will continue to strive for a fun, friendly and welcoming atmosphere for our many visitors, and we are very excited for the future of not just Bricktown, but also all of Oklahoma City as MAPS 3 and Project 180 make improvements all over the downtown area.
Bricktown will also continue to participate in charitable events that raise money for worthy causes, including cancer. This is a very personal cause to me, as my wife is a cancer survivor. However, it is very important to the Bricktown Association and merchants to make sure we are dealing with credible organizations that host responsible events of which our community can be proud.
- Jim Cowan
Is Crawl for Cancer Looking for a New OKC Home?
I wonder how the adjoining Heritage Hills and Mesta Park neighborhoods will feel about an event described by critics as a daytime binge drinking fest being located in MidTown? I’m told the MidTown Association will be considering hosting the event at their next meeting.
Neither local organizers or the for-profit company in Kansas City are still refusing to provide The Oklahoman with financial information from fundraisers promoted as having “all proceeds” going to charity.
Here are the questions Kansas City-based Crawl for Cancer has refused to answer since Tuesday (they have ignored repeated calls and emails and I was told by local organizer David Tedford that the national office was aware of my inquiries):
Lack of Notification on Tuesday’s Crawl for Cancer Discussion?
The Crawl for Cancer folks are still refusing to talk to me. But there are some folks online who seem to feel that not all of the Bricktown Association members were notified of Tuesday’s regularly scheduled meeting or that Crawl for Cancer wasn’t listed on the agenda. On the notification below I see representatives from crawl participants including Red Pin Bowling Lounge, America’s Pub, Coyote Ugly and the Bricktown Brewery. Here’s the email that went out on Monday (the meeting was on Tuesday afternoon – meetings are held the second Tuesday of every month and has been that way for at least the past three years):
From: Liza Cryder
Sent: Monday, May 10, 2010 2:06 PM
To: abrantner@sheratonokc; david@okcpartybus; elaurent@chesapeakeboathouse; griffpippin; skeller@okccvb; tommy@coyoteuglysaloon; Amanda Blasch; Andrea Griggs; Andrew Rauch; Andrew Wilson; Anne-Marie Funk; Avis Scaramucci; Becky Chapman; Belinda Sullivan; Ben Bynum; Bill Boyd; Billie Baird; Bobby Spann; Brad Hogan; Brenda; Brent Brewer; Brett Brewer; Brett Price; Bricktown; Britt Gotcher; Brittany Devero; Carl Avey; Carri Perrier; Chad Huntington; Charles Black; Charles Stout; Charles Stout 2; Chaz Wester; Cherie; Chris Donnelly; Chris Ellis; Christie Cook; Christine Berney; Christine Soileau; Christine Thompson; Chuck Ainsworth; Clint Parker; Cy Perkins; Dan Loeffler; Danny Barth; Danny Falcone; Darla; David – America’s Pub; Dean Alfaro; Debi Martin; Dina Decoteau; DJ; Don Karchmer; Don Sivard; Dot Rhyne; Dutch Revenboer; Elizabeth Buckley; Eric Oesch; erin Redpin; Falcone’s Manager; Firefly; Frank Nelson; French & Theresa Hickman; Gary Berlin; Geoff Bond; Gerry Reardon; Grant Humphreys; Greg Pruitt; Heather Parsons; IHOP – Ash Bashir; Jackie Patterson; Jamie Brown; Jane Jenkins; Jason Barnes; Jeanie Herod; Jeff Brown; Jeff Moore; Jeff Rodgers; Jennifer Burgess; Jennifer Vickrey Alexander; Jeremy Witzke; Jill Cowan; Jim Cowan; Jim Rickards; Jim Rider; JoeyAllen; John Allgood; John Burruss; Johnny Baier; Jon Mazza; Jordan Satarawala; Julia Andalman; Justin Thomas; Kelley Chambers; Kendra Martin; Kenneth Knapp; Kevin Bentley; Kevin McFall; Kim Reed; Kim Searls; Klontz, Kristin; Kris Nold; Kyle; Lalo Hernandez; Laura Kriegel; Linda Warford; Linda Wiseley; Lisa Parsons; Lorin Doan – Mantel; Lynn Werner; Marie Ensign; Mark Chapman; Mark Gibbs; Mark Mann – Bricktown Rotary; Marty Dillon; Marvin Hagman; Mary Lynn Heath; Mary Osko; Mary Ramsey; MaryJo Hope; Melita Brown; Melting Pot Manager; Michael A. Mize; Mike Carrier; Mike Edmison; Mike Knopp; Mike McClure; Mike Ohara; Mitchel Haynes; Monica Robison; Morgan Dickson; Neil Desouza; Paige Gregory; Pamela Stoy; Patrick Shields; Philip Randolph; Ray; Renaissance Hotel; Republic Parking – Greg Smith; Rex Amsler; Rob Farrah; Rob Wescott; Robert Henley; Rocky Chavez; Rod Jones; Ross Crain; Roy Loris; Russell Turner; Ryan – Nonna’s Beverage Manager; Ryan Slater; Samual Curtis; Sandy Price; Shaun Fiaccone; Shauna George; Shelly Peacock; Sofia Marquez; Staci Kelly; Steve Lackmeyer; Steve McCool; Stooges Comedy Club; Susan Harkness; Susan Wortham; Tanner Breen; Tere Bond; Teresa Compton; The Little Directory; Tim Brassfield; Tim Hallcroft; Toby Keith’s; Tom Anderson; Tom Gore; Tommy Yardy; Tonia Cook; Tracy Swibold; Tyler Peyton; Walter J. Gillispie; Wes Salous
Subject: Bricktown Association Meeting Tomorrow
Hey everyone,
Attached please find the agenda for tomorrow’s Bricktown Association meeting. As a reminder, the meeting will be held at 2pm at the Bricktown Police Substation on Main St. Let me know if you have any questions. Have a great rest of your day and I’ll hopefully see you all tomorrow.
Bricktown Association Agenda
05/11/2010
- Call to Order: Avis Scaramucci
- Big 12 Baseball: All Sports Association
- Police Report: Capt. McCool
- Director’s Report: Jim Cowan
- Bikes & Bricks – May 15th
- Cancer Pub Crawl Concerns
- ACM @ UCO Rocks Bricktown!
- Upcoming Events at the Oklahoma River
Bricktown Crawl for Cancer Told to Crawl Away, Not Come Back
Now that’s the sort of headline you would have seen for my story today if it had appeared in the papers I read when I was young – papers like the NY Daily News, NY Post and Newsday.
Anyway, read the story here. There’s more to come.
UPDATE:
After being told by the local organizer that I must get financial info from the national organization, and after spending the past day trying to reach someone at the Kansas City office without any response, I have emailed the following questions to the national organization:
Bricktown Retail
Dallas' West End isn't what it used to be, but it still offers some gimmicky stuff for tourists.
I’ve been thinking more about the question posed in one this weekend’s comment threads – what is there to do beyond restaurants for younger visitors in Bricktown?
There’s a playground, granted, but I rarely see it used. Likely it’s not in the greatest spot. I wonder if it can’t eventually be moved to a better location in Bricktown. And yeah, there’s a movie theater and bowling – but not every visitor is going to want to spend their time bowling or seeing movies. We could also add to the list places like the Bricktown Candy Co. But what unique retail would be a plus for Bricktown – especially for younger visitors?
Would a magic shop work in this day and age? And with the Academy of Contemporary Music thriving along the canal, is there some opportunity for a music shop? How about comic book sales or collectibles? I’ve also wondered how a “nostalgia toys” shop might fare. It would appeal, I think, to youngsters, but probably even more so to the Baby Boom generation shopping for their grandkids.
Could any of these concepts make it on their own? Maybe not. But here’s my freebie idea of the day – combine it all into one store. Or maybe there can be a fun-themed marketplace for all of this where you add in nostalgia t-shirts, a photo booth and some other throw-back amusements (skeeball? air hockey?).
Going beyond the kid set, it seems as if there are a few other additions that would work well. A Native American jewelry and art shop did well in the Miller-Jackson Building, but it lured away to Stockyards City. Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Emporium is a big asset – the sort of gift shop I’m sure other downtown’s dream of having in their midst, carrying an array of quality gifts that showcase items that are either locally made or have Oklahoma ties (and yeah, you can even find my books there!).
It’s no surprise Firefly and LIT clothing shut down – I’m not sure they were offering anything that couldn’t be found elsewhere. And quite frankly, it’s going to take unique concepts to make it in Bricktown. Unique concepts, however, can’t always thrive in the early months without some sort of support to help them get established. Once again my thoughts go to a marketplace … wouldn’t it be great if such a place existed in Bricktown, where for just a few hundred dollars or less one could get their start at entrepreneural success without risking losing everything? Wouldn’t be great if such a marketplace existed to help Bricktown move on to the next step – and become the retail destination sought out by visitors and locals alike?
Yeah, I’m hinting at something here….
This post is for the K-State, KU, NIU and BYU Fans
So you’ve been enjoying your team’s success on the court, the weather was great, and then a snow storm messes with your weekend in downtown Oklahoma City. So how can you still have fun between games, etc?
Best places to watch a game in Bricktown:
- Brix, Bricktown Brewery, TapWerks, Coaches.
Best non-sports diversions:
- Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Oklahoma City National Memorial, Crystal Bridge at the Myriad Gardens.
Best diversion you probably never thought even existed:
- American Banjo Museum in Bricktown
Best coffee shop within walking distance of Ford Center:
- CocoFlow (incredible chocolate delicacies)
Best coffee shop within a 10-minute drive:
- Cuppies and Joe (incredible cupcakes)
- Beatnix (great fresh made soups)
Best upscale restaurants for dinner:
- Nonna’s
- The Melting Pot
- Mickey Mantle Steakhouse
- The Mantle
Best local flavors:
- Earl’s Rib Palace
- Nonna’s
- The Mantle
Best evidence on why Robin Williams referred to the Bricktown Canal as a “redneck Venice”
- Bass Pro Shops
- Hooters
- Toby Keith’s I Love this Bar and Grill
- Rok Bar
- Coyote Ugly
Best place to discover what it was like to be a tourist in Bricktown in 1990:
- Spaghetti Warehouse
Best places to shop in Bricktown:
- The Painted Door
- Oklahoma’s Red Dirt Emporium
- Put a Cork in It
Best entertainment venues in Bricktown:
- Harkins theaters
- Red Pin Bowling Lounge
- Murphey’s Dueling Pianos
Best places for live music:
- JJ’s Alley
- The Wormy Dog Saloon
To get more information on any of these listings, including address, websites, etc., visit www.bricktownokc.org or wwwdowntownokc.com.
Bricktown is Open for Business
A cursory check of restaurants in Bricktown shows that most of the big eateries – especially those popular with sports fans (Brix, Bricktown Brewery, TapWerks) – are all open for business and serving the crowds of basketball fans a bit bewildered in the weather switch that has hit our town.
I sympathize with all the NCAA tournament folks who were enjoying great weather all week long only to see their stay capped off with a springtime snow storm. After talking to Jim Cowan, director of the Bricktown Association, it appears as if most or all of the Bricktown restaurants and shops are trying to stay open despite the snow – and are greatly appreciative in the boost in business they’ve seen the past few days.
During the Christmas storm most businesses shut down, leaving TapWerks as one of the only restaurants to stay open to serve people stranded at downtown hotels, as well as those who still had to work downtown. For those of you who haven’t been to TapWerks this past year, they’ve overhauled their menu and have some great offerings, and the restaurant is smoke-free (I believe a smoking area is still available upstairs).
UPDATE: Received this via Twitter – The Museum & Museum Cafe ARE OPEN! Great day to be inside an art museum. Open 10am-5pm. Museum Cafe open for lunch at 11am.
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