Canal liability, MAPS4 proposals lead chat
The Oklahoman’s Steve Lackmeyer fielded questions during his weekly OKC Central chat on Friday. This is an abridged transcript of that conversation.
To see the full transcript or to participate in next week’s chat, go to NewsOK.com.
Q: What are your thoughts on the potential lawsuit regarding the canal incident where one man died and another was seriously injured? Will the city be held responsible? The contractors? The manufacturers of the ground-fault circuit interrupters? What changes do you see being made to the canal?
A: After reading the story today, I was struck by the records showing the contractor blamed the decision to stop removal of the light posts on the owner of Brickopolis. Folks, that’s not how it works, no matter what the contractor writes on their invoices and communication with the city.
If the city were to have a contractor install or remove a light pole next to my house, I might disagree, but there is no way I could order the contractor to stop what they’re doing.
That’s just not the way it works. Those decisions are made at City Hall or the utility company.
The Bricktown property owners, restaurants and merchants have no authority over city lights along the canal. They have to go through City Hall on such matters.
I look forward to seeing what questions get asked of the contractor and whether someone at City Hall took that invoice and let the matter go without further scrutiny.
Q: When I see ideas for MAPS 4,
several people have brought up a new arena for the Thunder. Where do you see a new arena being located, current Cox Convention Center site?
A: I’ve yet to hear a compelling reason as to why a new arena might be needed. We have the eighth largest arena capacity in the NBA, the arena has been well maintained, significantly upgraded, and is in a great location.
Q: If Maps 4 includes a new arena where do you see it going?
A: I don’t know. I’m bewildered by this discussion. Is the Thunder asking for a new arena? Is the mayor? The chamber? I don’t even understand where this is coming from.
(Note: after the chat, Mayor David Holt confirmed he has not had any requests from the team or league for a new arena as part of MAPS 4).
Q: What is the most unique/ intriguing MAPS 4 project you have heard?
A: Restoring the Space Tower at State Fair Park. Several proposed this in the days leading up to my story about the upcoming destruction of the landmark.
Q: Do you ever see Oklahoma City getting big enough for public transportation (light rail) running from Edmond to Norman and Yukon to Midwest City for ease of getting downtown?
A: I’m not sure whether it should be rail-based transit or a bus rapid transit line. But no matter how much Interstate 35 is widened, it seems we can’t handle the traffic flow between Norman, Moore and downtown Oklahoma City.
Imagine folks being able to commute to and from OU, or Tinker Air Force Base, or downtown’s employers and the hospitals, etc., without having to drive. Imagine lower income people having better access to those jobs. I’m not sure if the demand is there for Yukon and Mustang, but yeah, Midwest City, Moore and Norman definitely seem to be ready for something now. Edmond, I suspect, is not that far behind.
Q: Do you know of any medical marijuana dispensaries being opened downtown? As a card holder it would be nice to pick up my medicine close to where I work.
A: One is set to open near NW 8 and Walnut, and another is soon to open near NW 5 and Classen.
Q: It seems like our city is still 30 years behind when it comes to senior housing. Other cities have lots of alternatives, and many of them include nice housing with amenities that Baby Boomers are used to having, but here in Oklahoma City it seems like everything is still modeled after old-school nursing home and assisted living centers. Even Tulsa has better options than we do. Wouldn’t this be lucrative development with all of the aging population?
A: I think some of the schools previously mentioned for closing — like Edgemere — have great potential for a combination of a senior wellness center and senior housing.
Heck, Edgemere already has a new gym.