WALKER-FRIENDLY

IMPROVEMENTS ALONG MIDTOWN AVENUE ARE AIMED AT MAKING AREA MORE ACCESSIBLE

Walker Avenue in the heart of Midtown is getting a makeover as driveways are converted into retail spaces and plazas and large trash bins are being moved to less visible locations.

Chris Fleming, a partner in Midtown Renaissance, said the improvements designed by architect Brian Fitzsimmons will close one of two curb cuts that open into a parking lot in front of the Plaza Court building at NW 10 and Walker.

“It’s an effort to make it more walkable,” Fleming said. “In its place, we’re adding a patio, hopefully McNellie’s (Public House) will incorporate. Under the garage parking ramp north of the Plaza

Court, we are building out a 1,000-square-foot retail space. We also are redeveloping the north side where the dumpsters are and creating an enclosure where they won’t be seen.”

The improvements also include reconfiguration of parking spaces along the south side of NW 11 between Walker and Dewey avenues. Farther north on Walker Avenue, Midtown Renaissance recently closed another drive between Louie’s Grill & Bar, 1215 N Walker Ave., and a building at 1227 N Walker Ave. that formerly was home to Meg Guess Bridal.

“These are all things we can’t get much more rent for, but it’s for the betterment of the neighborhood,” Fleming said.

Walker Avenue between NW 10 and NW 13 was a blighted, desolate stretch just a dozen years ago. The block now is home to The Edge apartments, which include retail along Walker, the Ambassador Hotel and an array of shops and restaurants.

The street will gain more density with construction started earlier this month on a two-story office building on what was a surface parking lot at 437 NW 12.

Such improvements are applauded by architect Hans Butzer, who led creation of a master plan for making Midtown a more pedestrian-friendly downtown neighborhood.

“The Midtown plan called for eliminating ins and outs from parking lots to enhance pedestrian safety,” Butzer said. “In principle this sounds like a good move. The idea of starting to program something along the garage and north of Plaza Court is also exciting.”

[PHOTOS BY STEVE GOOCH, THE OKLAHOMAN] A Walker Avenue entry to parking at the Plaza Court building is being converted into a plaza as part of an effort to make Midtown more friendly for pedestrians.

The Walker Shops, 1227 N Walker, are being expanded with a new shop being built where a parking lot entry was located.

[DRAWING PROVIDED BY BRIAN FITZSIMMONS] A new retail space being built immediately next to Louie’s Grill & Bar is shown in this drawing.