AND THAT WAS TO BE THE END OF THIS POST, BUT….

I’ve got more to say.

What’s going on at City Hall, and particularly with what is now being dubbed Downtown 180, is unprecedented. By nature, engineers like to get things done, It’s the planners who like to talk a lot, examine things and write reports. I have friends in both areas, and I know this involves some stereotypes. But it’s not that far off from the truth.

That having been said, the engineers at City Hall are turning a new leaf, giving the public not just a view of the decision process going into redesigning downtown’s streets, but they’re even giving some prominent downtowners a voice in the decision making.

But there is a balance to be maintained in all this. It’s good to be sure the important details have been well thought out, and that even uncomfortable questions are asked (I suspect for some LED street lighting might fit into this category). For those who say “huh” to some of the ideas and concepts being brought in by consultants, it’s good to remember they don’t share our history. They’re visitors, bringing in a world of experience and observations that are new to many of us. Some of them are involved in some incredible projects elsewhere (remind me to tell you about what one consultant is working on in Egypt). But we don’t know them. They don’t know us. I’m guilty of having forgotten this from time to time.

We can pick apart every idea, every design until nothing ever gets done. We won’t all like what our downtown ends up looking like. But through this blog, and through the public discussion going in meetings, going on over intimate coffee sessions, this is at least not a matter of the late Paul Brum picking a light fixture from the Pelco catalog provided by OG&E.

The ideas being submitted on this site are being seen and discussed. They’ve been a huge help in my coverage – including the story I hope will be in Sunday’s Oklahoman.

But at the end of the day there are some city employees who are bravely tackling one of the most complicated projects ever attempted downtown. I say this with all sincerity, having gotten to know much about downtown’s history. If this were a project spread out over 10 years, it wouldn’t be so. As a journalist, I say “open it all up,” and “let everyone speak.” But if I were in the shoes of the engineer, or the city financial genius, or the administrator, I don’t know if I could do all this and allow for complete public input as well.

It’s a lot.

I say all this as way of conveying that I take the responsibility of my role in all this very seriously. I won’t back down from asking and pushing the big questions. But moderation at this historic moment probably isn’t a bad thing. My basis for pressing the tough questions this go around will be based on one question: if I don’t ask this question, if I don’t push and possibly annoy folks on this matter, will it result in something everyone will regret five years from now?

So, what question didn’t I push more aggressively in the past? I’ll provide this one photo…

This statement is NOT true. Stay tuned….

Everytime I leave one of these meetings, I’m a bit overwelmed by how big it all is. It’s difficult not to admire the folks trying to pull this off.

Pondering the future at 420 W Main.

We’re in a much bigger room now with a much bigger table. Rand Elliott is here. So is Anthony McDermid and Mickey Clagg. When the lights come on and I’ll share more names.

The discussion 0n this blog got mentioned again… Interestingly, and this might be a surprise to some, Rand is turning out to be a pretty vocal supporter of the folks from James Burnett….

One thing that is very clear: these folks know you’re out there. They’ve been reading these posts, they’ve seen your comments. The coordination required here is massive – and it’s amazing how many moving pieces are involved in this show.