Some projects move forward despite pandemic
The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer fielded reader questions Friday during his weekly OKC Central Live Chat. You can join Steve online most Fridays at 9:30 a.m. to add your comments and questions about downtown development. Below is an abridged transcript of the chat:
Q: It's exciting to see the plans panning out for the south portion of Scissortail Park. I'm still bummed about the Cusack Meat property that will make for an odd look. Is there any chance that can be undone at some point in the future?
As reported by William Crum, the city included property owned by Cusack near SW 12 and Harvey Avenue in original drawings for the lower section of the nearly 70-acre park.
After being unable to agree on a price, city leaders decided to leave about two acres owned by Cusack out of the park. So the park will now be narrowed to one block and go around the Cusack property.
The company said acquisition of its parking and truck turnaround lot for the park would require expensive alterations to its plant. And now the Cusack Meat has a for sale sign posted on the lot.
Lesson for all the boys and girls: the city is just as apt to walk away from a real estate deal as anyone else in the development world.
I suspect at some point the Cusacks will get a buyer and this will be a great spot for housing, offices or retail. I'm not so sure about density and that might limit the price for this dirt.
Q: Lots of activity on the lot at 4th and Shartel. Is that development going to have retail or restaurants on the first level?
Housing is the one sector that hasn't been crashed by the pandemic. And several housing projects are starting up downtown.
Ron Bradshaw is set to build 138 apartments with a mix of retail at NW 4 and Shartel, the last piece left of a superblock cleared by Urban Renewal in the 1970s.
Bradshaw is experienced in downtown development with projects including the Civic condominiums, the 2nd Street Lofts and the Page Woodson community east of downtown. This project will include a percentage of affordable workforce housing.