Where would you like a see a new convention center built? What should be done with the existing building?

So that having been said, yes, clearly the economy is taking a beating. But how much of this downturn is being caused by fear-generating cable news infotainers? How much of this is simply a massive panic attack and how much of it is real?

And finally, I’m curious about what you think this all means for the momentum we’ve seen downtown. Is the crash going to kill everything going on in downtown Oklahoma City? If you were looking at buying a home downtown, have you now changed your mind or put your plans on hold? Are you spending less on entertainment downtown? Are you seeing your workplace cutting back?

I fully expect this post to generate no less than 20 responses. Anything less and I won’t share the next fun secret I’ve got with you.

(Yeah, I’m teasing again…)

Today’s topic: What downtown streets, sidewalks and park areas should OKC look to if it should implement the plan proposed by Larry Nichols?

They include:

- The Bricktown Association, which is asking that the Oklahoma Spirit Trolleys actually be a part of the solution to the district’s parking challenges.

- Urban Neighbors, the downtown residents association which feels the trolleys are not set up to encourage people to leave their cars at their downtown abodes.

As I’ve mentioned before, the Oklahoma Spirit trolleys have been quietly and consistently demoted as an afterthought by COTPA, even as it presumed that its failure to adequately run a a downtown circulator didn’t preclude it from attempting a river boat transit service that duplicated a rarely-used trolley link between downtown and the I-40/Meridian Avenue hotel corridor.

The hours were cut. The routes were cut. Wait times were extended. Even though COTPA officials were asked early on about providing signage outside the trolleys to better inform people about stops on a trolley’s route, they made no effort to do so (such signs are used on similar trolleys with great success in San Antonio).

The names of the people involved in this effort a decade ago are the same names making decisions today. Rick Cain. Larry Hopper. The only one no longer in the mix is former director Randy Hume, who resigned following a budgeting error that cost the city a couple million or so from the feds.

So, what should be done to address the concerns of the Bricktown Association and Urban Neighbors?

1. I was out hunting a scoop on the next downtown high-rise.

2. Black limos, attorneys and hotels. Can’t say anything more on that matter.

3. My desk was a mess when I started my morning. I was a mess when I left.

4. I spent two minutes inside Red Prime.

5. I was pre-occupied all day with the thought that three long weeks without a new episode of Burn Notice is finally over.

6. I’m still reading the latest issue of Oklahoma Today. With each turn of a page, my fear grows that I’ve been scooped.

7. Still trying to find out answers to why Greg Banta left MidTown, why Brett Hamm left Downtown Oklahoma City Inc., and the meaning of life. It looks like my best shot is the meaning of life thing.

8. Did anyone notice the city is going to knock down the Robinson exit ramp from I-40 next to Ford Center? I’ve spent all day practicing getting stuck in hopeless traffic jams.

9. Breakfast at the Ground Floor Cafe in Leadership Square. Oh boy, that’s good.

10.  Coffee Slingers – good stuff, but don’t you dare ask for Sanka.

So, what would you do to liven up the Myriad Gardens without diminishing the gardens?

I’ve long dreamed of creating a miniature version of NYC’s Bryant Park, truly a magical place that brings the community together. Below are some photos of Bryant Park – I challenge you to not just add your comments, but also email me at slackmeyer@oklahoman.com with any photos or images that might help illustrate your ideas.

Sure, we have fountains downtown. But not like this one.

Yes, we definitely need a Merry-Go-Round.

Why in the world are there no cafes or restaurants around to take in the view of the Myriad Gardens?

Well, sort of. When asking about what once beloved  restaurants should be brought back and reopened downtown, Shakey’s came up. I remember this old chain, and it was something special with its old time feel and jazz band music.

It just so happens that a year or so from now, we will be able to see the old Shakey’s Tiffany lamps and memorabilia when the American Banjo Museum opens up in Bricktown. But alas, no actual pizza. But … it just so happens that two doors down, the old Daiquiri Zone at 27 E Sheridan, is still empty. And it just so happens that place is still, as far as I know, equipped with pizza ovens from when it was Windy City. Now, a little history on this spot… it thrived as Windy City until the owners had the odd idea of taking what was a popular family-friendly pizza restaurant and making it a gay disco on Saturday nights.

Yes, it failed soon after.

Daiquiri Zone, meanwhile, seemed doomed from the start. Where do we begin? Bad name? Check. Inexperienced college football stars thinking they have what it takes to operate a successful restaurant? Check.

Really, this is a location that should work. It’s been successful before.

So maybe one of you out there are wondering, does Shakey’s still exist? Oh yes, and after a close call with franchise death, it seems to be coming back. And if you can first swing whatever rent is being asked for this spot, the next trick is to get a deal with Shakey’s. So here’s their q&a on this matter (note that there might be some difficulty on their prototype demands):

 1. Where and when did the Shakey’s® name originate?

In 1954, Sherwood “Shakey” Johnson opened the first Shakey’s® restaurant in Sacramento, California.

2. Is Shakey’s® the oldest pizza restaurant franchise company?

In 1957, Shakey’s® was one of the first food service companies to begin franchising. Based on the success of the first Sacramento restaurant other locations were quickly snapped up and a standard building design was introduced. “Shakey” Johnson retired in 1967 his partner sold his interest in 1968.

3. What are the Shakey’s® signature menu items?

The original thin crust pizza with a crisp, crunchy taste and the classic pan pizza are the mainstays of our pizza restaurants. The new Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor restaurant continues tradition with our famous thin crust pizza, marinated deep-fried chicken, exclusive Mojo™ potatoes plus a wide spectrum of delicious items.
4. Who is the typical Shakey’ customer?

Our mission statement says it all:

For today’s families who love great pizza and want something special for the kids, Shakey’s is the gathering place where everyone has fun ™.
Shakey’s® hosts everyone that enjoys a fun family restaurant as a casual dining/entertainment destination. Shakey’s® guests are involved in their communities through team sports and school activities, and generally, live near their neighborhood location or in a school district within close proximity of a Shakey’s® restaurant location.

5. How many Shakey’s® Pizza restaurants are there and where are they located? 

There are 15 company operated Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor’s in Southern California. There are another 39 franchised pizza parlor restaurants throughout California, Arizona, Washington, Wisconsin, Alabama and Georgia. There are currently over 200 Shakey’s® Pizza and Buffet restaurants worldwide!

6. What is the typical size and location for a new Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor today?

Our prototype Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor ranges from 5,500-6,500 square feet. The prototype, traditional sized restaurants are freestanding or end caps located in a neighborhood grocery anchored retail strip or “Power” shopping centers.7. What is the investment range necessary for a Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor?

The total investment for a Shakey’s® Pizza Parlor varies depending upon many factors including the location, whether the building is new construction or existing, freestanding or inline, land owned or leased, landlord contributions, etc. The range of the total investment for the 2000-6500 sq. ft. concept restaurant will be approximately $461,500 to $1,684,500. To obtain local Bank financing, you generally need 20-30% of the total investment as your liquid equity contribution.8. What are key characteristics for a new Shakey’s® restaurant location?

As part of our ongoing marketing efforts and development strategy, we are currently undertaking a comprehensive consumer research study to further define our customer’s demographic profile. Markets with minimums of 150,000 populations are preferred, together with a prevalence of middle-income families with median household incomes in the range of $45,000 to $75,000. Median Household sizes of 2.6 to 4 are desired. Shakey’s USA, Inc. must approve your restaurant location.9. What types of Shakey’s® franchise development are available to qualified candidates?

We offer two types of franchise development opportunities: Single restaurants OR multiple Area Developments with protected territories tied to a specific Shakey’s® restaurant development schedules.

10. What are the areas of targeted growth for Shakey’s®?

We are currently focused on developing the West and mid-western portions of the US and considering areas where Shakey’s® enjoyed a strong Brand recognition identity.

11. How profitable or how much money will I make as a Shakey’s® franchise?

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) restricts franchisors from answering this question; although we do disclose an earnings claim in our UFOC, it represents seventeen locations, which derive their revenue from Bunch of Lunch™ and pizza. We encourage you to contact existing franchisee’s to obtain the answers to these types of questions. A list of our franchisees is provided in our Uniform Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), which will be presented to you following the initial meeting.

12. What is the next step if I’m interested and qualify for a Shakey’s® franchise?Complete the inquiry form, press submit and it will automatically be forwarded to a franchise representative, which will call you to discuss the next steps in becoming part of the Shakey’s family!