I'm just curious on what's been going on in OKC. So was the core to shore thing a success?? And i'm tired of hearing Seattle people calling OKC trash and saying it's a dump when it's not.:bash:

Nobody cares about YHT.

oh getalife. lol

but anyways yeah, the Core to Shore planning stage is over and now it is the start of implementation... Not really much they can do now tho except acquire land and such. But then itll really start, especially after i-40 is complete.

Well compared to Seattle it is a bit of a dump. There used to be a pretty actice OKC development thread in the midwestern forum. I havent been over there in a while, but its probably still there.

Well yeah compared to Seattle it is, but their way too stereotypical. But oh well. That's good to hear about core to shore. Sweet!

OKC is pretty dumpy...even compared to Tulsa.

What do people do for fun in OKC? I'm being serious.

What do people do for fun in OKC? I'm being serious.

There REALLY isn't much to do other than go to a mall - with the same stores as the rest of America. I had to spend some time there after Katrina. You can maybe jog around the manmade Lake Hefner. Other than that, rent some DVD's.

yeah... I went down there last summer, just visited a couple of malls, walked around the canal and such, ate at toby keiths... That's about it. But there is the adventure district ( I think that's it) it's got a little bit to do in the right seasons.

oh gawd....
theres plenty to do....
yeah the malls...which i dont go to very often.
downtown, bricktown..shopping.
Tons of things going on in the city this yr. due to the Centennial.
I swear there wasa festival or something every weekend downtown from september to november...

And one thing that someone stated...
"OKC is pretty dumpy...even compared to Tulsa."
ha!!! thats hilarious... Tulsa is dead! The downtown there is vacant, lifeless, and ugly. Its really a shame for there is sum really pretty buildings in tulsa.
Tulsa is the definition of crime. The crime rates are horrendous for a city of its size. The people in that city dont even believe in it! They pass no bond issues or nothing. OKC may not compare to Seattle, but it is by no means "dumpy" and is far more progressive and cosmopolitan that T-town, but then u can say that about any city really.

And Oklahoma City is in the top ten Real estate markets after the housing bubble busted. We were right up there with Seattle in Double Digit Growth.
And our economy is much higher than the national average...

Tulsa seems like it tries do better itself in certain categories but the one that matter are shot down at the polls. And yes crime is ridiculous here, but not as bad as it has been the past years. And hopefully with the arena it will bring a lot more businesses, I even heard maybe a highrise hotel in downtown near the bok arena. YAY!

There's tons of development going on in OKC and there is as much if not MORE to do in OKC than there is in New Orleans and certainly way more than what Tulsa has. Be Honest.

Now that being said, I really don't think this thread deserves to be qualified because it is destined to become a pissing match against OKC from specific New Orleans, Seattle, and possibly Tulsa posters.

I recommend the Mods close it, since there are numerous OKC development threads to look at if Tulsaguy (et al) are truly interested. ...

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=17154212#post17154212

Well, in case you really really wanna know, here is the core-to-shore that was published in the state's largest paper:

http://newsok.com/article/3181248
Provided by the city of oklahoma city

The Core to Shore plan includes:
•$3 billion of development over three decades

•A 40-acre central park with a promenade park connecting it to the Oklahoma River

•3,000 households in three new neighborhoods

•500,000 square feet of retail space

•2 million to 4 million square feet of office space

•Sustainable design for buildings and pedestrian-friendly roadways

•A new 400,000 to 1,000,000 square foot convention center

•A 500 to 1,000 room convention center hotel

•Transit center

•Elementary school

•Restored Union Station

There's tons of development going on in OKC and there is as much if not MORE to do in OKC than there is in New Orleans and certainly way more than what Tulsa has. Be Honest.


Is this a joke? Really. There goes your credibility with me.

Ive been to both, and other than the french quarter - there's really nothing that New Orleans has that OKC doesnt.

Where's YOUR credibility?

Ive been to both, and other than the french quarter - there's really nothing that New Orleans has that OKC doesnt.

Where's YOUR credibility?

Uh, how about the world famous Audubon Zoo, Aquarium of the Americas, and New Orleans Museum of Art? Not to mention Tulane University, Loyola University, and other intangibles like the culture, restaurants, and history. Yeah, OKC is on the same level as New Orleans...whatever dude. :ohno:

I lived in New Orleans for 3 years and while it doesn't make me the world's foremost authority, I will say that my experiences with "things to do" OKC puts it light years behind New Orleans IMO.

OKC is pretty dumpy...even compared to Tulsa.

Downtown Tulsa a couple weeks ago:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2035/2098453733_db3ae9afc5.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2134/2098453743_8d8b20ae8a.jpg

What was that again?


What do people do for fun in OKC? I'm being serious.


Bricktown (canal rides, street performers, land run monument, annual festivals, dozens of bars, dozens of restaurants, dozens of clubs, retail, movie theatre, bowling lounge, AAA baseball)

Oklahoma City Museum of Art (largest collection of Chihuly glass in the world, art film theatre, traveling exhibits including art from the Lourve this year)

Paseo Arts District (several blocks of working galleries/studios as well as gift shops and restaurants, indie live theatre)

Bike/Running trails on Lake Hefner and the Oklahoma River

Crew Rowing on the Oklahoma River (iconic Chesapeake Boathouse, 3 collegiate boathouses being built)

Sailing on Lake Hefner

Mountain Biking at Lake Arcadia

ATV trails at Lake Stanley Draper

Hiking at Martin Nature Park and Lake Arcadia

Redhawks Baseball, Blazer's Hockey (AAA sports teams)

NBA basketball (returning soon)

downtown Guthrie (suburb, largest contiguous area on Historic Preservation protection)

Norman (diverse college town, University of Oklahoma, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, OU football, Campus Corner entertainment district)

Oklahoma City University (renown performing arts programs, American Spirit Dance Company, Oklahoma Opera)

Science Museum Oklahoma (interactive exhibits, IWERKS dome theatre, traveling exhibitions--right now BODIES)

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum (fine western art)

International Photography Hall of Fame (permanent and traveling exhibits)

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden (oldest in the Southwest)

Oak Tree Country Club, Gaillardia Country Club (tournament hosting courses)

Celebrity Attractions (traveling Broadway tours, Spamalot in May)

Lyric Theatre (top regional musical theatre company)

Shakespeare in the Park (downtown at the Myriad Gardens water stage)

Carpenter Square Theatre (edgy productions)

Oklahoma City Theatre Company, City Rep Theatre, Pollard Theatre, Jewel Box Theatre, Sooner Theatre, Summerstock Productions, Stage Door Theatre (mainstream/classical productions)

Ballet Oklahoma

Canterbury Choral Society

Oklahoma City Philharmonic

The Looney Bin, Stooges Comedy Club (live comedy)

Little Saigon/Asian District (authentic restaurants, Chinese New Year parade, largest asian market in the Midwest)

Red Prime Steak, The Metro, Boulevard Steakhouse, The Mantel, Nonna's, Deep Fork Grill, Coach House (a few fine dining choices)

Zorba's Mediterranean, Sushi Neko, Mushashi's, Keller in the Kastle, Cafe do Brasil, Mariscos de la Costa (a few ethnic dining choices)

LIT, Cafe Nova, XO, Red Piano, City Walk, SkkyBar Ultralounge, Halo (a few upscale nightlife choices)

HiLo, Edna's, Sidecar, The Park, The Wreck Room, Speakeasy, Cock o' the Walk, Angles (a few alternative nightlife options)

Pole Position Raceway (indoor go-carts)

Myriad Botanical Gardens (Crystal Bridge indoor tropical conservatory and outdoor gardens downtown)

Ford Center, Zoo Ampitheatre, The Blue Note, The Conservatory, VZD's, Toby Keith's I Love this Bar and Grill, Coca-Cola Center, Riverwind Casino (a few live music venues)

Remington Park (racetrack and casino)

Riverwind, Fire Lake Grand (upscale casinos)

DeadCenter Film Festival (5-day multi-venue event)

Festival of the Arts (artists from nationwide, week-long, 150,000+ attend)

Women's College World Series (annually)

Big XII Tournaments (annually)

NCAA Tournaments (annually)

Opening Night (New Years Eve festivities downtown, multiple live music stages, Flaming Lips performing)

Downtown in December (outdoor ice skating, snowtubing slide, free museum admission)



Hope that answers your question...

^^ Very nice. Most people forget about most of that.

Not to mention that Science Museum Oklahoma (Omniplex) is a smithsonian affilitate, and the new American Indian Cultural Center...will also be an extension of the smithsonian artifacts. And the Oklahoma City Zoo is rated one of the best in the nation.

^^ Very interesting. Are there any high-rise projects in the works? :)

Well, with core to shore, it's something like two towers (river towers) a highrise hotel connected to a convention center and I think maybe two others? so something like 5 total, idk.

yup yup. your right.

5 towers in total...

and the speculation of Devon Building a new tower.

yeah, I hope devon decides to go through with that, I guarantee they'll come up with something very tasteful and modernized.

What do people do for fun in OKC? I'm being serious.

They ummm...uhhhh...there's an OKC? :eek:

There's tons of development going on in OKC and there is as much if not MORE to do in OKC than there is in New Orleans and certainly way more than what Tulsa has. Be Honest.


^^You are :nuts: if you think that. Sooners football and corn fields. Whoopie doo.

Following up on jbrown's list:

Terrific jazz can be heard at Maker's and the UCO Jazz Lab, and other places

Off-track-betting is available at most of the casinos

Enjoy the company of ladies at several gentlemen's clubs

Fish at the Oklahoma River

Dine to the sunset at Lake Hefner

Go for a night on the town at one of our beautiful historic hotels, the Skirvin Hilton and Colcord (both downtown) with elegant lounges and fine restaurants

At Civic Center Music Hall, where the philharmonic and touring musicals play, you'll also find intimate concerts from Jerry Seinfeld to Bela Fleck

At the Ford Center, you'll find acts as diverse as Linkin Park, Blue Man Group, Bon Jovi, Michael Buble to Matchbox 20 - and that's just the winter and spring of next year

At the Zoo Amphitheater, you find acts such as Lyle Lovett, Don Henley, to local boys Hinder and the Flaming Lips,

who lead our modest Halloween festivities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zhmT3WQixw&feature=related

Seriously, it's a fun city if you care to check out what's going on

Following up on jbrown's list:

Enjoy the company of ladies at several gentlemen's clubs
Check

Dine to the sunset at Lake Hefner
Check

Seriously, it's a fun city if you care to check out what's going on

Not really. It's pretty boring and the "gentlemen's clubs" are horrible.

Not really. It's pretty boring and the "gentlemen's clubs" are horrible.

Then you haven't been to the right ones. And if you don't like OKC, really, who the hell cares? Everybody has a community that speaks to them.

^^And who are you? :sly:

Following up on jbrown's list:

Terrific jazz can be heard at Maker's and the UCO Jazz Lab, and other places

Off-track-betting is available at most of the casinos

Enjoy the company of ladies at several gentlemen's clubs

Fish at the Oklahoma River

Dine to the sunset at Lake Hefner

Go for a night on the town at one of our beautiful historic hotels, the Skirvin Hilton and Colcord (both downtown) with elegant lounges and fine restaurants

At Civic Center Music Hall, where the philharmonic and touring musicals play, you'll also find intimate concerts from Jerry Seinfeld to Bela Fleck

At the Ford Center, you'll find acts as diverse as Linkin Park, Blue Man Group, Bon Jovi, Michael Buble to Matchbox 20 - and that's just the winter and spring of next year

At the Zoo Amphitheater, you find acts such as Lyle Lovett, Don Henley, to local boys Hinder and the Flaming Lips,

who lead our modest Halloween festivities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zhmT3WQixw&feature=related

Seriously, it's a fun city if you care to check out what's going on


OK, every city of some reasonable population has that kind of stuff. And dining on Lake Hefner? A national chain? Mediocre food?? How about restaurants that are 150 years old? Ok, to be fair to OKC since it is young, restaurants that are 100 years old.

When we asked what there was to do in OKC, we meant what is unique about it? What is it known for? Is there a large immigrant population in any part of town that defines that part of town? What does it contribute culturally?

This is why everyone rags on OKC. We're looking for what is unique about it, but when we find out it's just a collection of buildings with little unique local architecture, a place that doesn't offer a local cuisine, and a faux entertainment district (Bricktown) which pretends to be a place that has century+ old significance, it is a turn off to tourism and interest.

The things listed in this thread may be wonderful exhibits and attractions, but tourists are looking for a bit more when they are looking for a place to visit.

Part of OKC's problem is that it is largely suburban. The core to shore thing sounds great and sounds like a great way to build an urban area. Culture breeds from urban areas, and people living close together. This fosters neighborhood restaurants and bars, music, and general cultural attractions. Hopefully OKC embraces dense living, and maybe it can develop an "OKC pulse".

I'm still Confused shouldn't this thread be in the Midwest forum?

[QUOTE=Hot Rod;17154088]There's tons of development going on in OKC and there is as much if not MORE to do in OKC than there is in New Orleans and certainly way more than what Tulsa has.


This comment is overwhelmingly ignorant. It's great that you are proud of your city and it's offerings, but please do not pretend that it's something that it isn't. If you truly believe OKC matches up with New Orleans in regards to "things to do", culture, history, ect... you need to thoroughly evaluate the pride you have for your city. OKC is closer in comparison to cities such as; Omaha and Birmingham (not quite Louisville), than it is to New Orleans, Nashville, Charlotte ect...

I lived in OKC before moving to Dallas. I like the OKC for what it is and still go back often for family visits. However, I think people on forums degrade OKC because of the way some OKC locals come across as not admitting to what the city actual is. Now there is nothing wrong with OKC, Birmingham, and Omaha at ALL. Great places to live, work and play, and especially raise a family, but let's talk about what tier the city truly is on, instead of granting it New Orleans status becuase of new projects, proposed projects, and the city's "potential" future. As much growth as is talked about on here in OKC, it doesn't match up to what I see when I go back. It still has a ways to go.

I'm still Confused shouldn't this thread be in the Midwest forum?

Yes. OKC already has development news thread in the Midwest forum. Please direct any further discussion there.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=223555