PARKING POSITION
Neighbors opposed to six-story garage near Civic Center
A six-story garage proposed across from Bicentennial Park is facing unanimous opposition from neighbors as the project is again presented for approval by the Downtown Design Review Committee.
The petition also includes signatures from architect Rand Elliott who designed the park, and Rick Brown, who designed the makeover of Civic Center Music Hall.
Plans for the 262-space garage at 601 W Main were revealed in July by the Oklahoma City Police Association.
The design review committee declined to vote on the application in August and asked both sides to visit about the project before it is considered again on Thursday.
As of Monday, that meeting had yet to take place, though one is pending. Ed Hill, head of the police association, said Monday he will reserve comment for Thursday’s meeting.
“We’ve reached out multiple times,” said Dennis Box, an adjoining resident and property owner. “Only a couple days ago did their attorney finally agree to meet.”
At the August meeting, attorneys for the police association argued the design should be approved because buildings that stood on the surface parking lot decades ago also were once several stories high.
David Box, also among the protesters, responds the Downtown Framework guidelines adopted last year by the Planning Commission and City Council clearly reject development of a sixstory garage when the property is surrounded by buildings no higher than two stories.
The garage, if built, would overshadow the neighboring former one-story Grace Cleaners building redeveloped by the Box family. That building is home to an interior design studio and shop.
“The framework guidelines have the full effect and force of the law,” David Box said. “And if you look at page 55 of the Downtown Framework guide, it specifically talks about context-sensitive development and what is too tall next to other buildings. And it’s here that they discuss a five-story building next to a two-story building as being too tall. In this case, the police association is attempting to put a six-story building next to a one-story building.”
Elliott, who oversaw the makeover of Bicentennial Park, is hoping the various sides will work together to resolve their differences. He believes changes in design could resolve the dispute. During planning for the park, Elliott and his team of designers assumed the surface parking lots would someday be developed into housing.
“This is one of the best spaces that remains available downtown that has potential,” Elliott said. “I don’t think there has been enough effort to imagine what could happen here. I wish there was more sensitivity to the scale of the surrounding area.”