Core to Shore Properties

Project 180

2010-08-02T07:40:00.000-07:00

Downtown Traffic Update

Below is a summary of traffic conditions for the week of August 2-6 and beyond.

Robinson from Sheridan to Reno to close southbound until Spring 2011*
Southbound Robinson Avenue between Sheridan and Reno will close so crews can continue renovation work for the Myriad Botanical Gardens. In response to this closure, a counterflow lane has been constructed along Robinson between Main and Park to allow 2-way traffic and reduce congestion. Here is a Map that illustrates the new traffic patterns.

Hudson from Sheridan to Reno reduced to two lanes until Spring 2011*
Southbound Hudson between Sheridan Avenue and Reno Avenue will be reduced to two lanes so crews can continue renovation work for the Myriad Botanical Gardens.

Hudson from Park to Main to be reduced to one lane
Southbound Hudson Avenue between Park Avenue and Main Street will be reduced to one lane so crews can install a new utility line. The work, which is part of a larger utility line installation project on Hudson Avenue between Park Avenue and Sheridan Avenue, will be done in several phases throughout August.

Sheridan Avenue between Hudson and Robinson until Spring 2011
Sheridan Avenue between Robinson Avenue and Hudson Avenue remains closed for utility work.

Film District improvements

The following traffic disruptions are part of ongoing street improvements in the Film District.
-Lee Ave. is temporarily closed from Main to California.
-Shartel Ave. is temporarily closed from Main to Sheridan.
-Sheridan is reduced to one lane in each direction from Walker to Classen.

All project timelines are contingent upon the weather.
*Denotes Project180-related construction

Streetscape Update: Reno

Reno, from EK Gaylord to Robinson (between the Ford Center and Cox Convention Center) will close the second week of August as construction for the Reno streetscape begins. This project will be done in several phases and will move west along Reno towards Dewey.

Here is a Map that illustrates the location of the Reno streetscape.
We are creating a new traffic flow pattern and will provide a map that illustrates these changes prior to this street closure.

For more information contact Andrea French at 297-2130.

Myriad Gardens Update

If you've driven downtown lately you probably noticed activity going on behind the construction walls at the Myriad Gardens. Crews are busy regrating the Garden's berms and relocating the park's stately trees. Many of the trees are staying in the Gardens, while others have been relocated to the arboretum at Will Rogers Park.

The replacement of the over 3,000 acrylic panels that make up the Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory is also underway. The Garden's horticulture staff is working hard to keep the tropical plants in the Conservatory healthy throughout construction. For more information, or to view photos of the Crystal Bridge, visit Project180's Facebook page.

Getting Around Festival of the Arts

2010-04-15T12:02:00.000-07:00

Arts Council of Oklahoma City

For Immediate Release
April 15, 2010
Contact: Emily Reagan, Communications Director, 405-270-4848

Getting Around Festival of the Arts
Community Celebration of the Visual, Performing and Culinary Arts
April 20-25, 2010, Downtown Oklahoma City

OKLAHOMA CITY – If you’re planning to attend Festival of the Arts but are wondering about parking and maneuvering your way around downtown, don’t worry.

Amidst construction, no streets will be immediately affected near the festival grounds and two-way traffic will remain open on Sheridan Avenue between Walker and Robinson avenues. As always, Hudson Avenue will remain closed during the event to house the festival’s celebrated Artist Row.

Construction will affect city traffic. Please be advised that Shartel and Robinson avenues are main thoroughfares for north- south traffic and Sheridan Avenue has construction zones east of Robinson Avenue.

Pedestrian traffic will be affected on the east side of Hudson Avenue and north side of Sheridan Avenue surrounding the Devon Tower construction site. Sidewalks will remain open for pedestrians on the south side of Sheridan Avenue and west side of Hudson Avenue.

There is plenty of parking in areas within walking distance of Festival of the Arts. Parking lots and garages throughout downtown and Bricktown will be open. The only change this year is the City Center parking garage is no longer available to festival-goers. Visit Central Oklahoma Transportation & Parking Authority’s website at www.parkingokc.com for exact locations of parking garages and on-street parking. Expect to pay about $5 in the COTPA lots, which feature accessible parking for those with disabilities. There are also several private parking lots located south of Reno Avenue.

In addition, the Oklahoma Spirit Trolley runs regular routes serving the Festival of the Arts grounds. Fares are as low as $1, while children 6 and under ride free. Visit Metro Transit’s website www.gometro.org/trolley for schedules and fares.

As part of the Go Green Initiative, Festival of the Arts Director Angela Cozby is encouraging festival-goers and volunteers to share rides using www.GetAroundOK.com – a new online carpool matching program

“GetAroundOk.com makes it easy to find a ride-sharing friend. The festival is supported by 5,000 volunteers. If only a fraction of that number shared transportation it would greatly reduce carbon emissions in our local environment. Ride sharing is also an economically smart choice since you are sharing the cost of gas and parking,” said Cozby.

Festival of the Arts is produced by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City and sponsored by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Devon Energy Corporation. The Festival takes place Tuesday, April 20 to Sunday, April 25 in downtown Oklahoma City at the Festival Plaza, Stage Center and the Myriad Botanical Gardens. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free; pets are not allowed. For more information, visit www.ArtsCouncilOKC.com or call 405-270-4848.

The Arts Council of Oklahoma City is a non-profit 501 c(3) organization dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through free or low-cost cultural events and a variety of arts outreach activities that impact underserved populations. Each year, Arts Council events, programs and services reach nearly one million residents and visitors to the Oklahoma City community. The Arts Council of Oklahoma City receives funding from the Oklahoma Arts Council and is an Allied Arts member agency. The Arts Council of Oklahoma City is sponsored by Chesapeake Energy Corporation and Devon Energy Corporation, MidFirst Bank, The Oklahoman, Ozarka Coffee and Water Service, and Sonic – America’s Drive-in. For more information, call 405-270-4848 or visit www.ArtsCouncilOKC.com.

March 17, 2010 OKC Urban Renewal Authority Meeting

2010-03-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority met Wednesday at their regular meeting.

There were a few Core to Shore property owners present.

The Authority had several "administrative" issues to discuss and approve. All of the Resolutions were approved.

1. Authorized Implementation Activities, Core to Shore Urban Renewal Plan.
2. Authorized Provision and Use of Executive, Legal, Staff and Consultant Services by the City and the Authority in support of the C2S URP.
3. Authorized the Solicitation & Negotiation of Agreements for Environmental Engineering & Consulting Services in the Core to Shore Area.
4. Authorized the Solicitation & Negotioation of an Agreement for Independent Appraisal Services for Core to Shore. The City currently has an Appraisal firm they use, but they will solicit bids from other firms for this project.

The Authority took questions from property owners, but many could not be directly addressed as the information would have to come other groups. The yet to be selected Core to Shore Advisory Committee is expected to be chosen by the end of March & will make many decisions including the priority of land acquisitions and the order of which projects will be started first.

The next Urban Renewal Authority meeting is scheduled for the 3rd Wednesday in April.

2010-03-18T08:31:00.000-07:00

Q&A with Marsh Pitman

Published: March 17, 2010

Developer says land report
was worth it for Bricktown

Q: You’re one of Bricktown’s leading developers, having built the Power Alley Parking Garage and the Hampton Inn. What is your reaction to the Urban Land Institute report on proposed Core to Shore development?

A: The ULI did an amazing amount of work in the week they were here. I’m glad OKC had the foresight to have them come and to help with the cost. It was well worth it I thought.
They recommended that we choose the new convention center site quickly and that it should go on the lumberyard property south of Bricktown. I’m in total agreement with both recommendations. That site is much closer to existing hotels, bars, restaurants, movie theaters and other entertainment venues. It makes total sense to me.

Q: Are you comfortable with discussion to date on where a convention center should be located?

A: No, I am not. There has been no word from City Hall since the ULI report, neither
negative nor positive. I think the issue is more important than that. For those of us to
whom this issue is of major importance, the silence is deafening.From the marketing campaign for MAPS 3 it appears the city has decided the park location south of the Ford Center is the best site. I noticed it was located at that site in the model the city had set up for the ULI presentation. It needs to be explained in a public discourse why the city prefers this site. It is further from all the amenities already downtown.

Q: The Hampton Inn is reportedly one of the region’s best-performing franchises. Why haven’t there been any more hotel projects announced in Bricktown?

A: Two reasons really. To be fair, a couple of hotels would have been built, Candlewood
and Holiday Inn Express, if financing weren’t so hard to obtain. It’s a very tight credit
market out there. I know of one hotel shovel-ready, but the developers are waiting for the convention center site to be chosen. If it is on the (Core to Shore) park, the hotel won’t be built. They think it is just too far from them.

BY STEVE LACKMEYER, BUSINESS WRITER
The Oklahoman

Panel Urges C2S Changes

2010-03-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

BY STEVE LACKMEYER
Published: March 6, 2010

An Urban Land Institute panel reviewing Oklahoma City’s Core to Shore plan warned Friday the project will take 50 years, and not 15 years as anticipated, and advised a proposed boulevard will not be a successful retail corridor.

The panel also concluded Core to Shore office development is unlikely any time soon and a new convention center should be built south of Bricktown, and not across from a planned central park.

Highlights included the following:

• Panelists urged the city to reconsider the site proposed for a convention center in the Core to Shore plan — a location south of the Ford Center and east of the future central park. The panel said the convention center should instead be built on the lumberyard south of Bricktown.

• A convention center should be located and built first among the MAPS 3 projects.

• Core to Shore office and major retail development is unlikely in the foreseeable future.

• A boulevard planned to replace the current alignment of the Interstate 40 Crosstown Expressway should be narrowed and made more friendly to pedestrians.

• The 15-year span for substantial development of Core to Shore is too optimistic and ill likely take 50 years.

• Core to Shore has a potential for 2,000 residences over the next 20 years and much of it should be located along the west side of the panned central park.

• The east side of the planned central park should be reserved for future development.

• Make the Oklahoma River a top destination with a marina and restaurants, housing and opportunities for nonprofit groups.

• Any Core to Shore development should include active marketing and branding.

About the process

The panel visited with more than 100 civic leaders, developers and business leaders in reviewing and critiquing the Core to Shore plan. "We’re really impressed by how the public and private sector have come together to create a bold vision for the future,” said Bill Hudnut, the former Indianapolis mayor who chaired the panel. "You’ve got to think long term. What we’re recommending won’t happen in the next few months down the road.”

An overflow crowd attended the presentation. Attendees included city council members, City Manager Jim Couch, Planning Director Russell Claus, city staff and more than a dozen members of the Core to Shore task force.

Mayor Mick Cornett’s office said he planned to watch a DVD of the televised report.

Couch said he was impressed by the diversity and size of the crowd that attended the presentation.

"I think overall it was a positive experience,” Couch said. "You had all these experts coming in and looking at the city, making comments, trying to form a future.”

Anita Morrison, a Washington, D.C.-based economic development consultant, advised that with downtown office vacancy at 24 percent and Devon Energy Corp. building a new 50-story headquarters, the city should not count on seeing office development in Core to Shore. She estimated vacant downtown office space will top 2.1 million square feet when the Devon building is completed.

"It’s unlikely you will see speculative office development any time soon,” Morrison said.
"You also need to convert some of the older office buildings to residential.”

Morrison added that while demand remains high for work force housing and apartments, downtown already has too much high-end housing. The Core to Shore plan includes high-rise housing — a concept dismissed by Morrison.

"For the foreseeable future, the local market’s price and rent constraints will make it impossible to support any construction of high-rise housing,” Morrison said. "You won’t see construction of towers because the prices will be too expensive for what residents are willing to pay.”

Morrison also found fault with plans for major retail and department stores to be developed in Core to Shore. "We just do not think that’s going to happen,” Morrison said. "Department stores require just a lot higher density. It requires higher incomes than we have here. And furthermore there are very few department stores being built any where.”

To lure a department store, Morrison advised taxpayers would need to provide a $40million or more incentive package.

"That’s probably not the best vision to be placing your eggs in one basket, ”Morrison said. Good retailing streets have slow speeds, and that’s not likely the case with the boulevard.”

Tom Hester, a Tempe, Ariz.-based urban planner, was among several of the panel members urging a redesign of the planned boulevard — a project that is neither funded nor on the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s eight-year plan. City officials are counting on a promise by the state to replace the current highway with the boulevard once the new highway opens in 2012.

Panelists urged the city to find ways to make the boulevard more pedestrian friendly with a monument that will mark arrival to the central park.

"The boulevard is going to be a very special street for you,” Hester said. "It’s going to be a right-of-way you don’t currently have. It’s going to be very memorable. ”
City staff reacts

Claus said the panel’s recommendations will be considered seriously. He noted city staff shares concerns about prospects for retail and offices.
"They had a lot of good insight,” Claus said. "They did an excellent job considering the short time they had to get this done.”

Couch said he expects that property owners who previously only were concerned with their own part of downtown left with a greater appreciation of the bigger issues involved in developing the urban core.

Couch said the panel was "dead on” in dismissing the prospect of a large department store in Core to Shore. He also said the city will struggle to ring the Robinson Avenue side of the park with apartments with the use of eminent domain to acquire the property.

The convention center issue, Couch said, is one city leaders will look at closely and more studies will be needed before the final site is chosen. "I think there is some middle ground to be had there, but maybe not,” Couch said. "It’s a valid comment. (The panel’s concerns) will be in the equation on where we put it.”

Bringing Fresh Eyes to the Core to Shore Project

2010-03-01T10:19:00.000-08:00

For the third time in city history, the Urban Land Institute is sending a squad of experts to review a potentially game-changing plan for the urban core.

The institute sent another group of experts to help devise a plan to rebuild north downtown following the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building.

Ron Frantz, an architect who worked with the second group, remembers its mission very well.

"It involved some pretty big names,” Frantz said. "I thought, ‘Wow this is a big collection of people.’ When they got here, they quickly realized what the atmosphere was and they adjusted their approach to things. They could read the crowd very well, and they really listened. They didn’t just come with their own ideas — they saw the mood of the group and only after listening did they make recommendations.”

Kirk Humphreys, who leads the local district council and co-organized this week’s return, is hoping discussions about Core to Shore will be conducted in the same spirit observed by Frantz.

As with MAPS and the bombing recovery, Core to Shore envisions a complete makeover of a section of the urban core — one that spans from the Oklahoma River to the current alignment of Interstate 40.

Humphreys said everyone agreed a return could be helpful. But while the panel members donate their time, the cost of lodging, staff support and other needs is daunting at a time when the city budget is stressed by the recession.

The city agreed to pay half the $120,000 needed if the local Urban Land Institute chapter could raise the remaining funds. Some of the city’s leading corporations helped fill the gap.

"That says a lot about Oklahoma City and about our business community,” Humphreys said. "I also take my hat off to the city manager and the mayor, and the city’s planning department.”

Months of work have gone into preparations, Humphreys said, with civic leaders Dave Lopez and Ira Schlezinger coordinating a group of 25 individuals in drawing up a scope of work.

Essential questions
Six major questions will be posed to the national panel, which will arrive in town today.

• What are the most effective means of bringing about high-quality development consistent with the public objectives of the Core to Shore plan to support and not compete with the momentum started in other parts of downtown?

• What should the land uses be along the east and west sides of the park?

• In what sequence should major components of the Core to Shore plan be implemented?

• What is the best way to make mixed-use development work, especially along the boulevard?

• How can Oklahoma City interface with the river to best activate it and make the most of that natural asset?

• Where should Promenade Park be located?

The panel will visit with up to 100 people selected to represent the different views of Core to Shore and how it can best be implemented, Humphreys said.

"Downtown is a pretty complex organism with a lot of different pieces,” he said. "And everybody is going to have a different point of view.

"Bricktown is going to have a different perspective from the central business district, which have a different perspective from Automobile Alley. You have people who have made a big investment and they want to find out how they can enhance their city without jeopardizing the investments they’ve made,” he said.

Full package
Planning Director Russell Claus notes the panel won’t be starting from scratch — that members already have been provided an extensive workbook filled with information about existing downtown development, plans for Core to Shore, a planned central park, Project 180 and the recent passage of MAPS 3.
"We’re wanting an affirmation or otherwise of what the Core to Shore plan has specified for development of the area,” Claus said.

"We’re not married to everything. We think the plan makes sense. They may see some avenues on how to improve on it, or suggestions on how to best implement it,” he said.

Frantz, meanwhile, looks back at the 1995 visit as a critical step toward reversing the fortunes of what is now known as Automobile Alley.

Even before the bombing, he said, the stretch of north Broadway was littered with boarded-up buildings and crumbling sidewalks.

"You had buildings that were painted either white or gray,” Frantz said.

"It was an area you drove through as fast as possible. There was no street life. ... It was pretty grim.”

Revitalizing action
Frantz said the visit brought together property owners, architects and planners who hadn’t known each other previously and sparked an ongoing coordinated effort that helped create the revitalized district that today boasts lofts, shops, restaurants and offices.
The outsiders, Frantz said, also sparked discussions that might otherwise have not occurred.

"Sometimes it’s the things we can’t see for ourselves, or we can’t say because it would be politically disastrous for us. We can’t always say ‘this place is really ugly,’ ” he said.

"They come with a fresh perspective. They’ve done things in other places. We may feel it’s hopeless, but they come in and say, ‘you’re light years ahead of what’s been done in Pittsburgh ... .’ They can give us the confidence we lack.”

Frantz advises local participants to come prepared — and to have fun.

"Really know the facts about the area,” Frantz said. "Know the facts about buildings that are historic. Know the facts about buildings that are deteriorated beyond repair.

"Come for a fair decision, and listen to ideas,” he said.

"Don’t go to the mat every time; be open to fair discussion. Be willing to realize it’s not as awful as you think it is — that your dream can really happen.”

Read more: http://www.newsok.com/article/3442802?searched=core%20to%20shore&custom_click=search#ixzz0gx00qsy6

Core questions help shore up city plans

2010-03-01T10:11:00.000-08:00

BY STEVE LACKMEYER The Oklahoman Published: February 23, 2010

A panel of development experts from the Urban Land Institute will arrive in Oklahoma City later this week to study plans for the Core to Shore project and make recommendations on how best to proceed.

Part of me wishes I could be in the room as these experts meet with various downtown players and city planners.

Questions will be asked, for sure, but one must always wonder whether questions will be structured in such a way as to support existing bias and ideas, or whether to truly seek out independent advice.

With the passage of MAPS 3 in December and the city’s launch of Project 180, the upcoming downtown makeover will almost certainly rival what has transpired since the original MAPS was passed in 1993.

A few questions
Nobody has asked me to ask any questions, so I’ll freely provide a list to those participating in the panels. Take them — for free — and just slip me the answers later on.

• Mayor Mick Cornett and the city council have embarked on Core to Shore, which by most accounts is to be built around a new boulevard set to replace the existing Interstate 40 and a central park to be built just south of the boulevard. But funding isn’t budgeted for the boulevard — should the city build the park before, during or after the boulevard is built?

• Do large urban central parks serve as magnets for economic development?

• If parks do spark economic development, should the city contemplate building a convention center immediately east of the park, or should such space be reserved for housing, retail or other private development?

• How will development of Core to Shore impact future stability and growth of Bricktown, Automobile Alley and MidTown?

• Some argue the Producer’s Co-op south of Bricktown is a better spot for the convention center because it is closer to existing restaurants, shops, clubs and entertainment venues. Which will be more likely to develop on its own — the Co-op site, or the south east of the future park, an area consisting of old brick warehouses and empty lots?

• If the convention center is built across from the park, how will that impact available parking for residents wishing to enjoy the park?

• Which site benefits existing Oklahoma River development more — the site across from the park or the Producers Co-op site?

Urban Land Institute

2010-03-01T08:29:00.000-08:00

I will be attending the ULI Core to Shore Advisory Panel Presentation this week. The meeting is being hosted by a number of entities involved with the Core to Shore Project. Below are the highlights being presented. I will report on the meeting's highlights next week.

The planned realignment of Interstate 40 to the south of its current location offers Oklahoma City the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvent the area between its revitalized downtown and Oklahoma River. In order to help make the most of this opportunity, the Executive Committee of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) Oklahoma District Council approached the City of Oklahoma City in 2009 and offered to help bring a national ULI Advisory Panel to the city to address how to catalyze appropriate private development within the Core to Shore area.

In preparation for the Advisory Panel, the City of Oklahoma City and ULI Oklahoma sought input from ULI members, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, and community leaders to generate a list of questions related to the implementation of the Core to Shore plan. The broad ULI Advisory Panel will be researching are:

1. What are the most effective means of bringing about high-quality provide development that is consistent with the public objectives of the Core to Shore plan, in order to support and not compete with the momentum started in other parts of Downtown?

2. What should the land uses be along the east and west side of the park?

3. In what sequence should we implement the major components of the Core to Shore plan?

4. How do we make mixed-use development work, especially along the boulevard?

5. How do we interface with the River to best activate it and make the most of that asset?

6. Where should Promenade Park be located?

After a week of site visits, research, interviews with community leaders, developers, Core to Shore land owners, and others, this is your opportunity to hear the findings of the ULI Advisory Panel.

Thursday Property Meeting Summary

2010-03-01T07:36:00.000-08:00

The meeting was held at 6:00 PM with a respectable showing of owners, but with less than that of the previous meeting. The agenda was to discuss the viability of hiring an attorney to represent the property owners.
The main question was "what would/could an attorney do that would affect the outcome of the acquisition process". It appeared unclear as the question of the area being declared "blighted" has already been established and the City is, indeed, going to purchase a vast amount of property. It was generally agreed that all will sell, the concern was would they receive a fair amount for their property and relocation. Several of the property owners said that they had used an attorney for previous actions but did not necessarily feel that the result produced concrete dollar savings. It did, however, provide some level of comfort in being represented.
One owner brought up using a commercial real estate broker instead (which did not hurt my feelings). His point was that a realtor is trained in the negotiation process and a fee would not be paid until the transaction is completed.
Along this line, what also might be significant is that typically the property owner will be required to sign a letter of non-disclosure as to the purchase price being paid. The realtor who is representing more than one client in the area will have insight to the deals being made and would likely be able to represent his clients with greater information at the bargaining table.
Some property owners felt it would be useful to obtain an appraisal. I suggested that owners wait until the process is further along. Appraisals are time sensitive. According to the C2S Plan, the appraisers & relocation specialists have not yet been hired and it is still unknown when a given property will be appraised and by who. It would be prudent not to use an appraiser who is involved with with the C2S process.
It was decided to have the attorney to provide a "proposal" of what his firm could provide. The meeting was adjourned.

Property Owners Meeting

2010-02-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

City Carbonic is hosting another Owner's Meeting this evening at 6:00 PM, Thursday, February 25th. The address is: 406 SW 4th Street, OKC, 73109. Please RSVP with Louis at 239.2068 so he can make sure there is sufficient seating.
The meeting's agenda is to discuss hiring an attrorny to represent the Property Owner's interest with the City's planned acquisition of property.

Drawing the Lines

2010-02-24T13:49:00.000-08:00

Authority starts acquisition process for Core to Shore

This article was published by the Journal Record on Feb. 24, 2010

BY TOM LINDLEY
"THE JOURNAL RECORD

OKLAHOMA City - The hard work of carving out a 692-acre urban paradise piece by piece began to unfold Tuesday with the unveiling of the Core to Shore Urban Renewal plan.
With an overflow crowd looking on, the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority approved a series of resolu¬tions creating a mechanism for the acquisition of property and the reloca¬tion of businesses and residences to make way for a 70-acre downtown park, which is expected to serve as the mag¬net for residential and retail development
While property owners in the area knew this day was coming for a long time, the meeting marked their first official look at the park's boundary lines.
"This blue line didn't exist before the meeting today that I know of" Harry Brown, marketing manager of The Blumenthal Cos., said of a large map that outlined the acquisition area ''Now private developers know where they want to attack and build!'
The new park will be essentially cut in two by the new Interstate 40 and will extend southward from a new boule¬vard that will replace the existing 1-40 to the Oklahoma River.
The north park, or central park as it is being called for planning purposes, will be bounded by S. Robinson on the east and S. Walker on the west.

The plan also creates a buffer zone that extends to S. Walker Avenue on the west and to S. Broadway Avenue on the east and was created to attract high density residential and retail develop¬ments. The area, however, will not be immediately subject to acquisition.
South of the new interstate, the 30- acre boulevard park will extend to the Oklahoma River and will be bounded by S. Robinson on the east and Walker and Harvey avenues on the west. Also included in the acquisition area is a buffer zone between Harvey and S. Hudson Avenue.
About 85 percent of the area currently is in the hands of private ownership, and it is estimated that 23 active businesses and 17 residences are included in the immediate acquisition area.
The city plans to purchase the land with funds provided for the park in MAPS 3.

The Urban Renewal plan almost mirrors the city's blueprint for redeveloping the 692- acre area generally between I-40 and the river and came at the direction of the City Council, which it declared to be blighted, paving the way for acquisition through emi¬nent domain.
However, Joe Van Bullard, executive director of the Urban Renewal Authority, cautioned that the approval process requires several additional steps and that the planning process could undergo more changes as the city's Core to Shore plan evolves.

The next step in the process is for the Oklahoma City Planning Commission to take up the issue at its Thursday meeting. Pending final approval by the City Council, the Urban Renewal Authority also voted to move ahead in the selection of a project acquisition and relocation manager and a company to perform title examination and title insurance services.
Those selections could be made as early as June, Bullard said.
Overall, Bullard said he was pleased with the amount of information shared at Tuesday's meeting and the reaction of prop¬erty owners.
"Sure, people are uncomfortable being put in this position:' he said. "They don't know how something will happen, when it will happen or much they will make or how much it will cost them. The more correct information we can get to them, the better!'
Bullard said property owners in the buffer zones won't be excluded from the redevel¬opment process because the goal is to give people a reason to reclaim blighted areas of the city.
In a meeting that overflowed with both attendees and questions, Oklahoma City Planning Director Russell Claus tried to reassure property owners that he wanted to have a candid dialogue with them and to make sure that no conspiracy was associated with the effort
"This is a massive opportunity for Oklahoma City to transition into a great American city;' Claus said. .
Brown said he is relieved to learn that much of his company's holdings will face the new park and aren't expected to be included in the eminent domain process.
The company, which remanufactures and installs power train components, has about 415,000 square feet of space and has about 65 employees.
Brown also said he is happy to hear that the city wants to take an aggressive approach to ensure the park will open by 2014 and that the Urban Renewal Authority will conform to state eminent domain statutes in reim¬bursing displaced property owners for their actual moving costs and business losses, as opposed to the. $20,000 and $10,000 caps, respectively, set by federal law.
One longtime property owner, Robert Massey, of the Massey's Accessory Shop Inc., voiced his dismay over how the Core to Shore planning process unfolded. His auto accessory store lies within the pri¬mary acquisition area.
Massey said he feels representatives from the Route 77 Hubcap Alley Association weren't included in the Core to Shore planning process as originally prom¬ised when it formed a public-private partnership with the city in 2000 and have only been brought into it late in the game.
"I am not saying anybody has been dis¬honest about the thing, but maybe the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing because every time we raised ques¬tions we were told that the plans wouldn't affect us:' he said.
Massey, whose business has operated at 1319 S. Robinson Ave. for 64 years, also said he expects customers who frequent Hubcap Alley will have difficulty finding him when he moves.
"Hubcap Alley is an area where if they don't know your name, they at least know how to get to you:' he said. ''When you start moving a business that is well locat¬ed, people will have difficulty finding you."
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Urban Renewal Authority Meeting

2010-02-23T12:44:00.000-08:00

The OKC Urban Renewal Authority met today at 10 AM in their offices at 204 N. Robinson, Suite 2400 in a Special Meeting to adopt the following resolutions:
1. To approve the Core to Shore Urban Renewal Plan.
2. To approve & adopt the policies and procedures for Residential & Commercial Acquisition & relocation Services of the City & OKC Urban Renewal Authority for the C2S Urban Renewal area.
3. Authorizing the Solicitation and Negotiation of an Agreement for Project Management & Acquisition & Relocation Services.
Authorizing the Solicitation & Negotiation of an Agreement for Title Examination & Title Insurance Services.

There was a large turnout of property owners at the meeting, too many in fact, to fit into the small conference room. In addition to the members of the Authority, Mr. Russell Claus of the Planning Department was in attendence. Those attending asked many questions which the Authority responded to.
Highlights of the Urban Redevelopment Authority Meeting.
Bring in outside redevelopment.

Purchase land in and around the planned park area.
The plan is pretty much is as outlined on previous plans but Russell Klaus said that the Convention Center site still has not been firmly selected but will be by the end of March. The "Plan" will be presented to Planning Department this Thursday for approval. The plan is a 25 to 40 year plan - and will use Federal acquisition guidlines.
The reason for "Blighting" the area is that it allows government to step in and help private development with additional acquisition and development programs.

Property Owners may "improve" their property, but development must receive approval by the Urban Redevelopment Authority and City Council to insure that it will meet the desired guidelines as laid out in the redevelopment plan.

The Planning Commission will meet at 1:30 PM Thursday, February 25 at City Hall for the purpose of approving the Urban Redevelopment Autority's Core to Shore Plan.

The City Council will meet at 8:30 AM Tuesday, March 2nd at City Hall for the purpose of discussing and approving the plan. The Public may speak. If the plan is approved, activities for appraisal, acquisition and relocation will commence.

Funding for the projects still must be acquired via the 1 cent sales tax that was approved in MAPS 3.

Core to Shore Property Owners Meeting

2010-02-20T15:00:00.000-08:00

A meeting was held Saturday, Feb. 19th at City Carbonic with the Owners of property affected by the City's plan to blight the area affected by Core to Shore. It was a large turnout and much of the meeting was devoted to presentation and comments by Barry Shipley, an attorney with expertise in blight & eminent domain issues. He recommended that the owners ban together and submit a plan of their own.
Blighted areas may have good properties in the area but are still considered blighted and can be taken by E.D. Discussion of how the City may acquire property & options. If "Federal Guidelines" rather than "State Guidelines" are used, the relocation may have limited compensation, according to Shipley. State guidelines state that "just compensation and compensation of whatever your out including the attect of threat of E.D".
Councilman Brian Walters was present and answered questions as well about the process.
It was said that the Urban Renewal Authority does not have to accept the highest and best bid for projects / land as the City does.j
It was recommended that the owners form an Association and hire an attorney to represent their interests.
Next public meeting on the subject is at Urban Renewal, Tuesday, Feb. 23.

City Council to discuss steps to acquire C2S land

2010-02-09T09:30:00.000-08:00

This info is from Steve Lackmeyer with Oklahoma Central

The Oklahoma City Council today will consider declaring the area known as "Core to Shore” just south of downtown blighted as a precursor to using eminent domain to acquire some hard-to-get properties there.

The targeted area includes the site of the future "central park” approved by voters as part of MAPS 3, and a couple of potential locations for a new convention center.

JoeVan Bullard, executive director of the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, said that while the plan involves a swath of land comparable to the downtown project of the 1970s, he does not see the city pursuing a similarly aggressive eminent domain plan.

"This is going to be in phases,” Bullard said.

City Manager Jim Couch said he suspects in cases where eminent domain might be needed, the challenge is price rather than willingness to sell. The city has acquired some parcels for the park site, including the home of Goodwill Industries and the former U.S. Postal Service distribution facility.

City outlines plans for Hub Cap Alley

2009-10-01T14:22:00.000-07:00

Monday, September 28, City planners met with owners to outline their plans for improvements of Robinson Avenue from SW 10th Street to SW 15th Street. Introductions by Ed deGraffenried, Bond Program; Patty Butenhoff, Project Manager and Paul D'Andrea, Crafton, Tull, Sparks (Consultant).
They outlined plans to install themed decorative lighting along the streets with 2 lights every block. The light fixture says Hubcap Alley and incorporates a fender along the top (see photo). If a street inlet has to be replaced, decorative trench grates and bollards will be installed. As a result of the construction of the new lighting, most of the sidewalks on either side of the street will need to be replaced. The traffic is to be maintained to one lane in each direction at all times.
Construction is scheduled to start July 2010 and be completed by December 2010, weather dependent (120 working days)

City Council approves new downtown tax increment district

2009-06-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

City Council approved a plan today to create a new tax increment financing (TIF) district to fund approximately $175 million in public improvements and economic development efforts in downtown Oklahoma City. The new TIF district was spurred by Devon Energy’s planned development of a new world headquarters building in downtown Oklahoma City.The Devon development was contingent on two conditions: the City improving the infrastructure such as utilities, streetscapes and enhancements of Myriad Gardens; and committing to economic development policies and incentives to attract other quality investments, businesses and employers in the surrounding area. Ad valorem and construction sales tax revenues generated by the Devon development will fund approximately $115 million in public improvements, which will occur in an area that includes NW 13 to SE 27 and Western to Eastern/Martin Luther King Jr. Ave and approximately $40 million for economic development efforts to be invested in the area adjacent to the Devon building. In addition, the new TIF will fund $20 million in projects for other public entities such as the Oklahoma City Public Schools, Oklahoma County, Metro Tech, City-County Health and the Metropolitan Library System. It is estimated that Devon will pay at least $11 million per year in ad valorem tax and $20 million in city sales tax during construction. The building will be completed in 2012 and the first TIF revenues are expected to be received in 2014.The proposed development on a site located east of Hudson and north of Sheridan Ave. alone is estimated to stimulate $750 million in direct new investment in Oklahoma City’s downtown area and will generate an annual economic impact of over $900 million increasing to $1.9 billion. “The City Council’s approval of this new downtown TIF district is yet another step towards ensuring a bright future for Oklahoma City. The long term economic vitality of the downtown area with improved aesthetics and amenities will enhance the quality of life for Oklahoma City residents for decades,” City Manager Jim Couch said.The Downtown/MAPS Tax Increment District Review Committee that includes representatives from each taxing jurisdictions in TIF districts 2 and 8 as well as representatives of the public reviewed and recommended approval of the plan.

2009-06-22T13:07:00.000-07:00

CLUB H.O.G. OKC® Rolling Into Oklahoma City Harley Owners Group 2009 National Rally set for June 26 & 27 Oklahoma City is geared up to host CLUB H.O.G.® OKC, the annual gathering for the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.®) members, June 26-27, 2009, at State Fair Park. Months of planning will come to fruition as thousands of H.O.G.® members roll into town for the two day event. Although rally activities are planned for Friday and Saturday, H.O.G.® is encouraging their members to plan for extra days in Oklahoma City. A highlight of the event will be the The Chapter Parade of Flags on Saturday, June 27. The parade of over 1,200 Harleys will depart the Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. and make its way to the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, Bricktown and return to the Fairgrounds by 10 a.m. A map of the parade route with various public viewing points is available here The Bikes & Bricks Street Party in Bricktown will wrap up the weekend events, beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. F*r*e*e to the public and H.O.G.® rally attendees, the party will include 12 bands on three stages, Bikes & Bricks merchandise, beverage tents, delicious Bricktown restaurants, and f*r*e*e motorcycle parking throughout Bricktown. "This will be the largest street party ever held in Bricktown and we are anticipating a great crowd and thousands of bikes," said Jim Cowan, director of the Bricktown Association. "We've been working on the Bikes & Bricks Street Party for many months and we know those who come to Bricktown won't be disappointed with everything we have planned." Visit visitokc.com for event information, parade viewing locations, the Bikes & Bricks Street Party map, entertainment line-up and more.

New Bricktown website unveiled

2009-04-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

That was the message at the April 15 State of Bricktown press conference which I attended at Nona's Restaurant. It was primarilly the unveiling of the Bricktown Association’s new website, http://www.welcometobricktown.com/. The site is really amazing. and probably one of the best anywhere.
The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer said "for the first time in a long time, there’s a Bricktown website that has a current list of restaurants, shops and attractions, and it doesn’t exclude anybody. Well, at least not intentionally. A close look at the map shows it has some kinks to work out. Hooters is in the wrong location. McDonalds and Subway don’t exist. But those are details I suspect will be ironed out fairly quickly".

Speakers at the event included Kim Henry, our Governor's wife, Lt. Govenor Jerry Askins, Mayor Mick Cornett and Jim Cowan, President of the Bricktown Association.
Jim Cowan expressed the Bricktown Association's desire to increase the number of residential housing locations in the district. They are also incorporating a plan to provide free Wifi coverage throughout Bircktown.
Kim Henry expressed her excitement for the new attractions, The Banjo Mueseum and the future UCO School of Rock. Read more.....

Urban Waterfront Redevelopment

2009-04-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

On April 14th I attended a symposium at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel hosted by the Urban Land Institute and Realtor Commercial Alliance. There were about 120 attendees from City Government, Devon Energy and the business community. The speakers at the event were, Russell Claus, Oklahoma City's Planning Director, Mary Margret Jones, the President of Hargreaves Associates, a world renown architectural firm who specializes in riverfront development, Grant Humphreys, Mike Knopp, director of the Oklahoma Boat House and Mayor Mick Cornett.

Grant Humphreys spoke about the planning in progress for their recently acquired Downtown Airpark. They well may be the first out of the ground with development of the 86 acre property with riverside marina, and mixed use entertainment, office and residential facility. It is a planned 10 year build out.

And he did officially say they will be installing the 90' tall ferris wheel which was purchased in Santa Monica, Ca. It is currently in Wichita, Ks. being refurbished. This will be another land mark for those travelling along the new Interstate 40. The ferris wheel is planned to be operational by the opening of I-40 in 2012.

Mike Knopp of the Chesapeake Boat House spoke of the plans for additional expansion along the river in the boat house district. New boat houses for OU, OCU UCO and Devon will expand recreational activities in area. Plans also include the liklihood of a white water facility to enhance our Olympic water sports offerings.

Mary Margret Jones showed slides of projects completed several other major areas. Her firm is working on plans for portions of our river. Mayor Cornett and Russel Claus spoke about the connection of the river to downtown. The city has started acquiring property and proposals are presently being received for the design of "Central Park", which is the first area targeted for completion.

Additional information about the riverfront may be found at OklahomaRiver.Org.

March Blog

2009-03-27T10:07:00.000-07:00

It sure felt like Spring was upon us, but this is Oklahoma! There is always a regular stream of news and rumors going on about the Core to Shore project. So much so, that I thought it might be a good idea to share it with you. I am going to try to put together a regular Blog of news and events that is taking place.

RCA Luncheon Two weeks ago I attended our monthly Realtors Commercial Alliance luncheon. Our guest speaker was Mr. Russell Claus, OKC’s City Planner, speaking on Oklahoma City’s Development Programs. I did spend some time with him after the meeting to discuss Core to Shore developments. The City will be spending about $60 million on “street scapes” around the area of the Myriad Gardens and location of the new Devon Tower to be completed by 2012.
They are proposing creating committees for those interested in participating in the Core to Shore plan. These committees include: Movin’ Around, Doin’ Business, Dressin’ it up, Playin’ Around and Stayin’ Around. They are designed to provide input to the City to make the Core to Shore a better place for these various activities.

The City will be initiating a new Comprehensive City Plan t be completed by 2012. They are now forming the Planning Team.

The Pedestrian Bridge is due for completion in 2010. I have seen the 5 foot long designer’s model in the City Planning office and it will be quite impressive. Read more about it…….

The 18-story structure, inspired by the skydance of the scissor-tailed flycatcher, is 30 feet wide, 440 feet long and will span the semi-depressed section of the new 10-lane Interstate 40 Highway and the BN&SF Railroad on the south edge of downtown Oklahoma City. Textures and color delineate the paths of north-south traffic. Two skyward reaching wings frame paths for travelers driving I-40. The taller wing reaches 185’ above the road surface and a 66-inch high ornamental metal railing spans the length of bridge.

Mapping Core to Shore

“We know Interstate 40 is going to be relocated,” Cornett said. “It’s more evident every day. … And you can see that 2012, when they expect to finish, is going to be here before you know it.”
“We know we’re going to be able to fund the boulevard using largely state money and then add some improvements of our own to make that the most special street this state has ever seen,” he said. “It will be the premier address in Oklahoma.”
A massive redevelopment just south of downtown Oklahoma City is already under way as a two-mile stretch of the Interstate 40 crosstown is being constructed closer to the Oklahoma River. Once traffic is diverted to the new I-40, the old Interstate bridge will be razed and that thoroughfare converted to a main boulevard. City leaders describe all the projects planned to revitalize the zone as Core to Shore.
“We know Interstate 40 is going to be relocated,” Cornett said. “It’s more evident every day. … And you can see that 2012, when they expect to finish, is going to be here before you know it.”
“We know we’re going to be able to fund the boulevard using largely state money and then add some improvements of our own to make that the most special street this state has ever seen,” he said. “It will be the premier address in Oklahoma.”
Read the rest of this article and view video

According to ODOT, Shields Blvd. reopened ahead of schedule on March 6th. Reconstruction of Robinson Ave. from I-40 to SW 15th will begin in the next several weeks. I will keep you posted.

Links to more news and videos
Core to Shore
February 9, 2009 The Journal Record takes a look at Core to Shore. Click any on the elements included to explore what is happening with this massive redevelopment.
City Council approves plans for OKC Thunder Practice Facility at Oklahoma Ave. & Brittan Road. See the Building Plans and City documents.
I will continue to follow all of the developments which affect property in the Core to Shore area. If you have any questions please let me know. I am here to serve you. If you prefer to be removed from my mailing list, please let me know.

NEW LISTING! 220 SW 14th Street

2009-03-21T05:07:00.000-07:00

CORE TO SHORE PROPERTY

220 SW 14TH STREET

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

CLICK HERE TO VIEW DETAILS

Maps 3 & Core to Shore

2009-03-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

This is a interesting story in the Journal Record regarding a possible "Maps 3" involving the Core to Shore area.