Quote:
Originally Posted by photoLith
Man, OKC has a ton going on, glad to see it. Last time I was in the city, Devon Tower was a freshly dug hole in the ground.
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Yep, quite a bit going on.
Come and visit again and we'll try to dig some more holes for ya.
Quote:
Originally Posted by delts145
Peerson, Tell me what the name is of the vintage building to the right of the tall black tower. There's three sections to it, and it looks like it is possibly a grand hotel of some sort. I've always liked that particular style. I would like to Google some more pics up close of it and some info. It reminds me of the Biltmore Hotel here in Los Angeles.
Also, how many miles downtown does the streetcar cover at this point? Are there future plans in the works for more rail laid or also perhaps light rail into the metro?
Again, thanks for your continual updates. I feel the same as the forumer who commented that he felt as if he was getting to really know Oklahoma City. I almost feel like I've lived there for a brief period.
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Thanks for the comments (and interest).
The "vintage" building that you're referring to is the Skirvin Hotel.
https://www.skirvinhilton.com/
Great building (and great hotel).
14 stories. Built in 1911.
There's some neat folklore around that hotel as well.
It sat dormant for about twenty years and came close to being demolished.
But people rallied to save it and it was finally restored in 2007.
Been going great ever since.
As for the streetcar, it has been designed (at least initially) as a downtown circulator.
Meaning it really isn't meant as a means of transportation to connect various parts of the city.
It just provides a way to conveniently get around the downtown area once you're there.
The current track loop is 5.6 miles in length and runs through the CBD, Bricktown, and parts of Midtown.
It also runs by Scissortail Park near the Convention Center and Omni Hotel.
http://okcstreetcar.com
larger version:
http://okcstreetcar.com/wp-content/u...viceMap_02.jpg
There are definitely plans to extend the route and make it more useful for inter-city transportation.
I don't recall all the details - I've read about several different proposals for extension.
Some version will almost certainly happen within the next 5-8 years.
Many wanted the streetcar route to be more extensive in the first place.
The current loop is accused of being useless or just a toy for tourists.
But it still has great value as a stimulant for new businesses to pop up along the route.
That's already happening.
The thinking of the streetcar proponents was, let's get the downtown circulator loop first.
Then, later on, after the concept is proven, we can extend it bit by bit.
That's how it's proceeding, and I think this model will work well for Oklahoma City.
Of course, there is also the bus system, called Embark, which offers service to a much larger area of the city.
The buses were all replaced about 3 or 4 years ago with nice new ones.
There's plans underfoot to extend/upgrade the service and improve the stops.
There's also been plans for a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system around NW Expressway and Classen Blvd.
Studies have been made, etc.
http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=44738
But I'm not sure where that project stands.
Light rail is one of the topics that gets discussed year after year, ad infinitum.
I've read about a number of proposals that provide service from Edmond all the way down to Norman.
And other routes that extend even further.
There have been several attempts at a (renewed) passenger rail connection between Tulsa and OKC.
And even wider routes, stretching from Kansas to Texas.
I don't really know the status of that, because it just keeps evolving and being kicked down the road.
I mean, I'm paying attention, but not that closely.
It's kind of like... wake me up when you guys decide on something certain.
I'm pretty sure that light rail will happen eventually, but there's no telling how long it might take.
This isn't a topic I'm that knowledgable about, though.
Mostly because discussions and proposals keep going round and round for years, changing all the while.
I only pay really close attention when there are definite, concrete plans in the works.