Greetings and welcome to the discussion! I agree with a lot of what you wrote. There's no question there are problems. I'm ecstatic with much of what has happened as I am in my forties and remember all of downtown dead as a door nail. However, there has been a sense that I am agreeing with more and more that Bricktown is not living up to its potential as an urban environment.

I drive around the city center and see lots of residential development, most of it very expensive, and wonder about the chicken and egg argument. Will the housing bring retail? Will people shy away for lack of retail? Hell, let's be honest - there isn't even a grocery store within walking distance of most of this development! Chicken or the egg? It will be interesting.

I had to pause when you wrote of Chicago. I agree that Chicago is a dynamic and exciting urban city with much to offer - but it has been for a hundred years. Let's face it: Oklahoma City is a wide-open southwestern city with a car culture that will never allow us to be a Chicago. It just is not going to happen. Comparing apples and oranges there. But, I understand your desire for even a microscopic "feel" of the Chicago urban life, maybe something like that can happen. But if you want that kind of full-on urban lifestyle, save yourself a lot of regrets and actually relocate. I hate to suggest that to people, but if I wanted sunshine all the time, I'd move to San Diego. If I wanted a winter wonderland, I'd move to Minneapolis. If I wanted hundreds of museums, I'd move to NYC. If I wanted.......on and on. But I understand your craving. But, if you stay here, you'll have to settle for a taste - not a full serving of urban life. That's not negativity, that's realism and some will never be satisfied with only a taste of urban life.

Again, welcome to OKCTalk and I hope you stay and participate!

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