The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer covers downtown OKC brick by brick.

Life Downtown

Temperatures in the high 90s. It’s humid. The Myriad Gardens aren’t done yet. Sheridan Avenue is still closed, Devon Energy Center is still very much a construction zone.
And yet the Myriad Gardens, usually desolate before the Project 180 makeover, is being used exactly as intended. I strolled the gardens tonight. I saw a young couple lying in the great lawn; I saw a gentleman on a bench reading a book. I saw families strolling along the pond. I saw joggers, I saw people walking their dogs. I saw Shakespeare in the Park rehearsing on the water stage. I saw … Oklahoma City coming to life.
I only wish I had my camera. But sometimes a camera phone will have to do…

---

Project 180 Traffic Update

Planning on enjoying July 4 festivities downtown this weekend? Plan ahead to avoid the headaches. Here’s the latest traffic advisory from the Project 180 office.

This is a summary of downtown traffic conditions for the week of June 27 – July 1. Changes are noted in red. For a map that illustrates current traffic conditions please click here: Downtown Traffic Map

- N Robinson from Reno to Sheridan open to two-way traffic*
- N Robinson from Reno to Sheridan is open to one southbound lane and one northbound lane while crews continue to work on the Myriad Botanical Gardens remodel.
- N Robinson from 4th to Dean McGee open to traffic*
- N Robinson from 4th to Dean McGee is open to one southbound lane and one northbound lane while crews complete streetscape work. Portions may periodically be closed for water line work.
- Dean McGee from Hudson to Harvey open to traffic*
- Dean McGee from Hudson to Harvey is open to one eastbound lane and one westbound lane.
- Dean McGee from Harvey to Robinson reduced to one lane in each direction*
- Dean McGee is reduced to one eastbound lane and one westbound lane while crews complete streetscape work.
- N Robinson from 4th to 6th open to all traffic*
- N Robinson from 4th to 6th is open to all traffic while crews continue to work on the east side amenity zone.
- Main between Lee and Dewey traffic switch*
- Eastbound traffic on Main between Lee and Dewey switched from the south side of Main to the north side. Eastbound traffic detours at Dewey to continue on Sheridan.
- Intersection of Main and Lee Reduced*
- The south half of the intersection of Main and Lee will be closed. Lee between Sheridan and Main will be closed to through traffic.
- Four-Way Stop at EK Gaylord and Reno*
- A four-way stop sign is located at the intersection of EK Gaylord and Reno so crews can continue work on the waterline. EK Gaylord is reduced to two southbound lanes and one northbound lane.
- Lee between Main and Colcord open to two-way traffic*
- Lee between Main and Colcord open to two-way traffic.
- Pedestrian traffic at Walker and Main Intersection*
- Pedestrians are able to cross the Walker and Main intersection on the east side for north and south foot traffic. Use Walker and Colcord for east and west foot traffic.
- Main between Walker and Dewey closed to through traffic*
- Main between Walker and Dewey is closed to install OGE vault and storm drain.
- Three-Way Stop at Walker and Sheridan Intersection*
- A three-way stop sign is located at the intersection of Walker and Sheridan so crews can continue work on the road base.
- Three-Way Stop at Lee and Main Intersection*
- A three-way stop sign is located at the intersection of Lee and Main so crews can remove the traffic signals in order to proceed with electrical work.
- Robinson and Sheridan eastbound turn lane will be reduced*
- The eastbound outside turn lane is closed, one lane will remain open.
- Harrison from NE 6th to NE 4th closed to all traffic
- Harrison from NE 6th to NE 4th closed to all traffic while crews continue to work on resurfacing and street improvements.
- Three-Way Stop at Walker and Main Intersection*
- A three-way stop sign is located at the intersection of Walker and Main so crews can remove the traffic signals and place footings for the roadway.
- Robinson between Sheridan and Reno closed*
- Robinson between Sheridan and Reno is closed to through traffic for approximately four weeks. Robinson is accessible from Reno which provides motorists access to the Cox Convention Center garage.
- Walker from Reno to Colcord*
- The east side of Walker from Reno to Colcord is open to two northbound lanes. The west side of Walker is closed to traffic so crews can complete streetscape work in this area. Pedestrians are able to cross at the Sheridan and Walker intersection to access the Sheridan Walker garage.
- Reno from EK Gaylord to Dewey OPEN to two lanes in each direction*
- Reno from EK Gaylord to Dewey is open to through traffic, periodically one lane may be closed to complete landscaping.
- Sheridan between Hudson and Robinson closed until 2012*
- Sheridan Avenue between Hudson Avenue and Robinson Avenue remains closed for renovation on the Myriad Botanical Gardens and private downtown renovations.

All project timelines are contingent upon the weather.
*Denotes Project 180-related construction.

---

Can OKC Please Avoid This Sort of Idiocy?

Downtown Oklahoma City is about to get dedicated bicycle lanes. Before any brilliant city council member decides to pass a resolution requiring bicyclists to stay in that lane, consider this bit of enforcement action going on in New York City:

---

Tonight

Congratulations Laura. You earned this lovely evening. Just remember, don’t refer to it as a “park” – it’s the Myriad Gardens!

 

---

Stunning Views This Morning on the OKC Skyline Cam

Live video streaming is available throughout the week to Oklahoman/NewsOK subscribers at http://www.newsok.com/okcskyline

---

Baker Street

Windin’ your way down on Baker Street
Light in your head and dead on your feet
Well another crazy day
You’ll drink the night away
And forget about everything

The now late great Gerry Rafferty didn’t just create one heck of a classic song – he also highlighted a wonderful urban street in London. And thanks to You Tube, we can see that this street remains a vibrant place shared by pedestrians and vehicles. As downtown Oklahoma City undergoes Project 180, it’s not a bad thing to watch this following video carefully and consider what we like and dislike most about Baker Street (the song, of course, can only be loved!).

---

What Will the Future Bicentennial Park (or Civic Center Park) Look Like?

In all likelihood, one of the concepts shown below will become the future Bicentennial Park (or maybe as the originally named “Civic Center Park”). The long reflecting pool was clearly favored by architect Rand Elliott, but some members of the committee tasked with reviewing the Project 180 improvement voiced concerns about whether these water features would duplicate fountains being added at the Myriad Gardens. City staff, meanwhile, pointed out that each fountain requires money for maintenance and operation. The biggest issue, however, might be the budget, which doesn’t provide enough money for the reflecting pool. Private funds could be raised, however …

So the committee wants to know … what do you think?

---

Project 180 Hits Walker Avenue on Wednesday

Gotta give some credit to Andrea French and the folks at the Project 180 office for doing their part communicating the day-to-day changes for downtown commuters as the $141 million makeover continues. This one is going to be a major change – so get ready. It starts Wednesday.

---

Here’s a Better View of Proposed New “Civic Center Park”

Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Today I will be honest; I’m not all that thrilled with the image chosen to go along with my story on the Civic Center Park. But I don’t do page design, so that’s that.
But here’s a rendering that I think does the project more justice:

---

Live Blogging: Civic Center/Bicentennial Park

The decision makers:

A look back at the beginning:

The current street alignment:

The future Project 180 alignment:

---