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

[Conan71]

                     Oklahoma City voters approved MAPS 4, A $978 million 16 projects initiative.


               The 16 MAPS 4 projects are:

                             Parks ($140 million)
                             Youth Centers ($110 million)
                             Senior Wellness Centers ($30 million)
                             Mental Health and Addiction ($40 million)
                             Family Justice Center operated by Palomar ($38 million)
                             Transit ($87 million)
                             Sidewalks, bike lanes, trails and streetlights ($87 million)
                             Homelessness ($50 million)
                             Chesapeake Energy Arena and related facilities ($115 million)
                             Animal Shelter ($38 million)
                             Fairgrounds Coliseum ($63 million)
                             Diversion Hub ($17 million)
                            Innovation District ($71 million)
                            Freedom Center and Clara Luper Civil Rights Center ($25 million)
                            Beautification ($30 million)
                            Multipurpose Stadium ($37 million)

Voters approve MAPS 4 in a landslide:  https://journalrecord.com/2019/12/10/voters-approve-maps-4-in-a-landslide/

It's good the citizens keep reinvesting in their city.  It's made a huge difference over the last 20-30 years in OKC.

[Laramie]

It's good the citizens keep reinvesting in their city.  It's made a huge difference over the last 20-30 years in OKC.

Well stated...
...and you can say that again.  Prior to the 90s, this place was a dump--not worthy of being a flyover and even less worthy of being a drive by--unless you reference a shooting.

[Laramie]

                                              I-235 / I-44 Interchange construction, OKC

    
                                                        Pic courtesy of OKCTalk.com

[Laramie]

   

First National Center redevelopment https://oklahoman.com/article/5649835/first-national-rebuild-beginsbrapartments-hotel-rooms-restaurants-retail-and-more-are-planned-for-the-historic-structure

[Laramie]

                                                       Scissortail Park seasonal night lights

              

                                                  Scissortail Park looking south toward historic Union Station

          

                                        Pedestrian Bridge winds over the lake with a glance at Skydance Bridge.

          
                                            
                                                                    Park platform with the new convention center left


                                                                                   Pics via OKCTalk.com

[heironymouspasparagus]

Well stated...
...and you can say that again.  Prior to the 90s, this place was a dump--not worthy of being a flyover and even less worthy of being a drive by--unless you reference a shooting.

I spent a lot of time in OKC area - especially near Valley Brook - over the last 15 years.  You could always tell spring was on the way, 'cause you could hear the sound of gunfire just to the east of I-35 down 59th street....  Always shut down again by Thanksgiving.  Probably due to bad weather.

[Laramie]

Valley Brook is a separate incorporated city of about 750 people 0.3 sq mi noted for large number of adult entertainment businesses and large police department & municipal court for a city of its size.  Valley Brook has had boundary disputes with Oklahoma City.

                          

Valley Brook, Oklahoma:  http://www.city-data.com/city/Valley-Brook-Oklahoma.html  In my younger years, we visited these bars on Eastern Avenue at S. E. 59th Street strip; there were some unsavory things happening in the strip joints; to be fair, the management did not approve and barred patrons who violated B girl ordinances, like inappropriate touching of strippers--don't want to go into detail; however, you soon learned that the police were waiting for enforcement when that last call for alcohol announcement came.

I watched a stripper back in the 70s before Oklahoma barred totally nude strippers; take a cigarette from a patron and blew smoke from her vagina.  Patrons were so mystified; several tables with pitchers of beer were turned over by curious and excitedly amazed onlookers.

Valley Brook Police Chief claims they are not running a speed trap:  https://www.okshooters.com/threads/valley-brook-police-chief-claims-they-are-not-running-a-speed-trap.186818/




  

[heironymouspasparagus]

Valley Brook is a separate incorporated city of about 750 people 0.3 sq mi noted for large number of adult entertainment businesses and large police department & municipal court for a city of its size.  Valley Brook has had boundary disputes with Oklahoma City.
  In my younger years, we visited these bars on Eastern Avenue at S. E. 59th Street strip; there were some unsavory things happening in the strip joints; to be fair, the management did not approve and barred patrons who violated B girl ordinances, like inappropriate touching of strippers--don't want to go into detail; however, you soon learned that the police were waiting for enforcement when that last call for alcohol announcement came.

I watched a stripper back in the 70s before Oklahoma barred totally nude strippers; take a cigarette from a patron and blew smoke from her vagina.  Patrons were so mystified; several tables with pitchers of beer were turned over by curious and excitedly amazed onlookers.

Valley Brook Police Chief claims they are not running a speed trap:  https://www.okshooters.com/threads/valley-brook-police-chief-claims-they-are-not-running-a-speed-trap.186818/




  

Funny!   No speed trap....lol...

Always amazed me how the idiots would leave that place, turn out onto the street headed east.  Just so they could drive right in front of the cop shop...geez...!   I was just outside of the city limits of Valley Brook most of the time - back west a few blocks.  Kind of a poor little, raggedy-a$$ neighborhood, but fairly quiet and never had any problems.  There was a peacock living nearby that everyone thought blew in from the tornado back in 2013, I think, that tore up that farm on the west side of OKC.  (Orr's).

Gunfire was always to the east - I think maybe even east of VB...?

[Conan71]

Valley Brook is a separate incorporated city of about 750 people 0.3 sq mi noted for large number of adult entertainment businesses and large police department & municipal court for a city of its size.  Valley Brook has had boundary disputes with Oklahoma City.

                          

Valley Brook, Oklahoma:  http://www.city-data.com/city/Valley-Brook-Oklahoma.html  In my younger years, we visited these bars on Eastern Avenue at S. E. 59th Street strip; there were some unsavory things happening in the strip joints; to be fair, the management did not approve and barred patrons who violated B girl ordinances, like inappropriate touching of strippers--don't want to go into detail; however, you soon learned that the police were waiting for enforcement when that last call for alcohol announcement came.

I watched a stripper back in the 70s before Oklahoma barred totally nude strippers; take a cigarette from a patron and blew smoke from her vagina.  Patrons were so mystified; several tables with pitchers of beer were turned over by curious and excitedly amazed onlookers.

Valley Brook Police Chief claims they are not running a speed trap:  https://www.okshooters.com/threads/valley-brook-police-chief-claims-they-are-not-running-a-speed-trap.186818/

Reminds me of a story about a stack of quarters and dropping them one by one. 

[Laramie]

Use to love Valley Brook, once Oklahoma did away with totally nude club activity; it left much desire to your imagination--in essence, once that occurred my imagination was better suited in the comfort of my home which allowed me more money in pocket.

In today's cyber world, virtual reality technology and robotics; when that significant other isn't acting right or putting out, there's an inexpensive replacement.  (leave that for your imagination without going into details).

[heironymouspasparagus]

Use to love Valley Brook, once Oklahoma did away with totally nude club activity; it left much desire to your imagination--in essence, once that occurred my imagination was better suited in the comfort of my home which allowed me more money in pocket.

In today's cyber world, virtual reality technology and robotics; when that significant other isn't acting right or putting out, there's an inexpensive replacement.  (leave that for your imagination without going into details).

Eeeeuuuwwwww....

[Laramie]

Updates pics on OKC development projects:


                                        Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.


                                        Omni Hotel & Oklahoma City Convention Center


                                        Construction resumes on the newly branded First Americans Museum


                                        ASA Hall of Fame Stadium expansion.
                                                       Pic updates via OKCTalk.com

[Laramie]

                               Thunder Alley plans advanced . . .

                        

An entertainment block called Thunder Alley south of Chesapeake Energy Arena between the arena and the Omni Hotel & new convention center complex  are envisioned in the pics released by OKCTalk.com.

Submitted plans include a 24-foot diameter sculpture highly reflective polished stainless steel basketball held by bronze hands.  LED lights in ground will provide a backdrop for illuminated night artwork.

                           

A Thunder-themed 6,000 square foot restaurant sports bar with indoor and outdoor seating. Also, a 10,000 square foot full-service restaurant and casual eatery combining music, food  and a variety of on tap craft beers.  Oklahoma City's DT design & review committee will look at final recommendations.

                          
New southeast entrance to Chesapeake Energy Arena with planned Thunder Alley in foreground.

                                                      

Thunder practice facility (required by all NBA franchises) was completed in 2010 at a cost of $10 million; upgrades (below) of $11 million will make it competitive among NBA practice venues.  Dual basketball practice courts is unique among NBA practice facilities. Practice facility is owned by the City of Oklahoma City.  The original Edmond base NBA practice facility is used by the development OKC Blue.

                                                      


OKC's MAPS 4 penny sales tax initiative (approved by voters) has budgeted $115 million ($104 arena/$11 million Thunder practice facility) in upgrades & renovations.

[Laramie]

                OKC Bricktown construction project underway:

                                  

                                            

        


Foundation laid for the 10 story Bricktown Marriott Renaissance being constructed across from the Spaghetti Warehouse which will add 182 rooms to the area, developed by Tulsa hotelier Andy Patel, it will be a full service hotel expected to open in 2021.

                                       Pics via OKCTalk.com development thread.

[Laramie]

Chair back seats preparation added to the right field line upper deck in ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.


                                      Grass infield turf will be added after major construction is completed.
                                                                               Pics via OKCTalk.com