The "this has nothing to do with Tulsa" mega-post

[Laramie]

Yeah my wife is finishing up her last year at OU and I visit her every weekend. The drive on I35 from downtown to Norman is an absolute nightmare. Not to mention the stretch of I35 just before the Turner Turnpike exit near Frontier City, where they've had two of the three lanes blocked off for several months now for God knows what. OKC is a nice city, but the amount of traffic they have for their size is ridiculous and makes me never want to go back .

I work alone; however you    have experienced our growing pains. 

The federal government is paying for 90 percent of the current work, so it will not be affected by recent budget cuts from the state Legislature. In June, lawmakers decided to divert about $150 million in ODOT funding to help close a hole in next year's budget. Agency officials warned that delays in the department's eight-year construction plan are likely if those cuts hold. The department's long-term scheduling and budgeting process will be complete in October.--Oklahoma Journal Record--Brian Brus The Journal Record, August 7, 2017

Subsequent phases will cost about $97 million total. In 2019, I-235 will be reconstructed further north to NW 63rd Street. Also that year, flyover ramps and bridges will be built for northbound I-235 to westbound I-44 and eastbound I-44 to northbound Broadway Extension. And in 2020, westbound I-44 to northbound I-235 will be reconstructed.

ODOT BNSF RAIL BRIDGE MOVE:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQAdbv02Kj8

The proposed conversion of a railroad bridge over the Oklahoma River could include creation of pedestrian viewing areas as shown in this rendering by ADG. [Provided]

An abandoned railroad bridge is being eyed for conversion into a pedestrian crossing over the Oklahoma River as development continues along both the north and south shores:  https://newsok.com/article/5543026/proposal-suggests-oklahoma-river-pedestrian-bridge

Oklahoma City passed the Better Streets, Safer City bond & MAPS initiative tax extension in September 2017.  Funds for this project were included in the 2017 General Obligation Bond election.  

Voters authorized city leaders to raise and spend an estimated $1.5 billion over the next decade for municipal needs—primarily public safety and streets—in the Sept. 12 election. Here are five takeaways from election day:  https://newsok.com/article/5564266/5-takeaways-from-oklahoma-citys-bond-sales-tax-election

Funding is in place for this project to come to fruition.

[Laramie]

Groundbreaking held for Oklahoma City new Heartland Headquarters (Global Payments, Atlanta):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvWEfSKaFiw

[SXSW]

That's a nice get for OKC and a good looking building.  We need more out-of-state companies expanding here. 

[Laramie]

That's a nice get for OKC and a good looking building.  We need more out-of-state companies expanding here. 

You're going to see more companies expand and/or relocate into Oklahoma.  Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program appears on the surface to be a big give-away.  The U.S. economy is ripe for corporate expansion--these companies are looking for greener pastures.

You will see Tulsa & Oklahoma City benefit from companies who want to expand their operations into other areas where you have two growing airports in Will Rogers World Airport (OKC) & Tulsa International (TUL); cities where you have clean air and a growing population of young & well-educated professionals.   

You don't have the crowded expressways/highways that you see in places like Atlanta, Dallas, Denver & Houston.  Yet, look for more investments by OKC-Tulsa in quality of life venues like The Gathering Place and Riversport Rapids; also in sports options.   I still say Tulsa is a better option for MLS soccer or NHL ice hockey than OKC in that you don't have an existing NBA franchise to compete for sports dollars.   A team in either city would be a big draw from the other; therefore you could make a case that OKC/Tulsa are one catchment area.  You would have 3,000-5,000 season ticket holders from OKC who would have no trouble taking the 91 mile Turner Turnpike drive.

Let's not forget about future  Passenger Rail between OKC-Tulsa under intense study:   https://www.normantranscript.com/news/passenger-rail-will-return-connecting-tulsa-to-okc/article_c99c53b2-763d-11e8-b116-ab1352191997.html 
http://www.newson6.com/story/38483798/kansas-rail-company-seeks-passenger-train-service-between-okc-tulsa

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City MAPS III Convention Center updates-progress.




Above pics via OKCTalk Forum

Structural Steel goes up for our new convention center:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15DRa45cG28

[patric]

You would have 3,000-5,000 season ticket holders from OKC who would have no trouble taking the 91 mile Turner Turnpike drive.

Let's not forget about future  Passenger Rail between OKC-Tulsa under intense study:

A TUL to OKC maglev with affordable ticket prices seems about as likely as Tulsa getting any passenger rail on the promise it will become a reality if we bankroll OKC first.

[rebound]

I was down in OKC yesterday near the capitol and took the opportunity to drive down through the Midtown area, particularly the area along Broadway near 10th street.   I haven't been down there in quite a while, and have to say I was impressed.  There are several breweries within just a few blocks (most were closed when I was there, but I did bring back some great beers from Prairie that you can't get in Tulsa), and some really eclectic restaurants and stores.   I'm thinking it's worth a return trip when I have time to do a better tour of the area and hit all the breweries.  Overall, thumbs up.

[ELG4America]

I always enjoy visiting my tax dollars whenever I'm in that area. 

[Tulsasooner78]

I always enjoy visiting my tax dollars whenever I'm in that area. 

Right...... All of OKC owes Tulsans for everything.   Get off your cross for Christ's sake.

[Laramie]

Pic via OKCTalk Forum by poster Goldfire.

Streetcar rides are free today December 14 thru January 5 for the historic streetcar rollout:  https://www.oklahoman.com/hitting-the-rails-oklahoma-city-set-to-inaugurate-streetcar-service/article/5617688

After a rigorous safety review, two years of construction and six months of testing and training, the Oklahoma City Streetcar is set to announce, "All aboard."
...Transit officials prepared to accommodate 10,000 to 15,000 riders on opening day, based on averages in other cities, and up to 50,000 for the opening weekend.

Rides will be free the first three weeks.

Mayor Holt discusses the OKC streetcar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyqURy_wKeA

[Hoss]

Right...... All of OKC owes Tulsans for everything.   Get off your cross for Christ's sake.

[Laramie]

 

New Oklahoma City video - Take a Picture, OKC! Annual Meeting video 12-13-18:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os8v2P46lME

[Laramie]

OKC Streetcar Service Begins:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHpcBYyvKxg





Originally operated from 1903 to 1947 



 

[Laramie]

AutoZone Mega hub facility to open in south Oklahoma City:

The nation's leading retailer of automotive replacement parts and accessories has been expanding rapidly and deploying large hubs all of the country to supplement and supply its 5,000+ stores...     ...In the case of the Oklahoma City hub, the company will take a portion of the old Target space at SW 44th and S. Western, and the remainder of the more than 43,000 square feet of leased space will essentially be a warehouse for stocking parts and supplying other regional stores and customers – both retail and commercial – in a expedient, direct manner.

Progress on the AutoZone Megahub facility, pic via OKCTalk Forum:  http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=463-AutoZone-to-open-first-OK-mega-hub-in-South-OKC

AutoZone has approximately 20 AutoZone Mega Hubs in the U.S.; this will be the first hub located in the State of Oklahoma constructed in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City is current home to an O'reilly-Ozark Automotive Warehouse

[swake]

AutoZone Mega hub facility to open in south Oklahoma City:


Progress on the AutoZone Megahub facility, pic via OKCTalk Forum:  http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=463-AutoZone-to-open-first-OK-mega-hub-in-South-OKC

AutoZone has approximately 20 AutoZone Mega Hubs in the U.S.; this will be the first hub located in the State of Oklahoma constructed in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma City is current home to an O'reilly-Ozark Automotive Warehouse

You just posted about a super sized AutoZone store?

Seriously?