When they get to the top of the Big Gush, what are they going to look at? Heritage Park Mall?

Is this a serious discussion? OKC would become the laughing stock of the country if this thing were built. It is like Chicago coming up with a giant fan (windy), or Memphis a gigantic barbeque stand.

To be a bit constructive though, a feature of some kind on, at, or even spanning the river would be great. How about a bridge/observation deck/restaurant in a modern style, similar to the new boathouses? Think of the Aquarium by Calatrava in Valencia, Spain or even the old LAX observation tower, but more updated. Doesn't have to be tall, but unique would be nice.

That said it very well. I also think it would make us a laughing stock.

I like the idea of spanning the river but I also think an observation tower would be cool.

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Oklahoma City - The surprise your family has been looking for.

But please, not "iconic".

Rep. Jett ought to direct his fund-raising energies to completion of the Centennial Land Run Monument.

I applaud that he is TRYING. It is much easier to criticize than to put your ideas out there for all of us to ridicule.

The idea in and of itself is not a bad one. The reason to ridicule or not would be in the execution of the idea. But at least he has an idea and is willing to publicly share it.

I think this is a ridiculous idea. How about spending the money on our shitty roads?

Oh wait I know we'll just raise taxes to cover those, while we spend all the normal road budget monies on retarded landmarks.

Are you talking about how unporportioned it is to the other buildings? I have worked on several different headers for the page but they keep getting rejected. Seattle's page is the same way. The Columbia Center is over 300' taller than the The Space Needle. However, the picture says otherwise.

Seattle Buildings, Real Estate, Architecture, Skyscrapers and Construction Database / Emporis.com

Correct me if I am wrong but isn't OKC's Space Needle a ride? Doesn't it just spin around going up and then right back down? It would be nice if you could get off and actually stay up there for a while.

yup.

That would be great at Boathouse Row provide a nice restaurant and a bar or two to watch the competitions from.

I agree....very bad idea. I'm actually pretty proud to take visiting out-of-town friends to Bricktown and show them our clean downtown. A giant eyesore like that would be embarrassing, and I agree it would make OKC a laughing-stock given the national anti-oil sentiment.

I travel a lot and our state's roads and bridges are in horrible shape, almost as bad in some areas as a third world country. This money be much-better spent improving our roads, or perhaps toward mass-transit such as a light rail system for OKC.

Well, it's all pure speculation whether or not this thing will become reality. I will say that it most likely would look much better than what the initial design is showing. It's basically just a cheap drawing of an oil derrick to give us an IDEA of what it might look like. If it is built, I'm sure it will involve some sort of world class architect and builder to make it look awesome. As for being a "laughingstock"....that's a bit of a negative attitude. Not to be rude, but it will be a structure that will bring tourism because no other city has anything like it and we need a landmark that sets us apart from the other cities with monuments. What other landmark could we possibly build other than something that shows our past, present and future? OKC is an oil city and will always be, even though our economy is diversifying all the time. Oil is what built OKC, so it only makes sense to have a giant oil derrick with modern amenities and a place for tourists to have a bird's eye view of our great city. There was a time during the early days of this city where the goal was to make OKC the largest city between New York and LA. Our city leaders and business community back then were much like the leaders of our city today.....they all had a vision to make this city grand. There should be no stopping this city and we should ALWAYS reach for the stars if we are ever to become internationally known as a great city. Look what happened when we became complacent.....Dallas took all of our growth opportunities and we've been trying to compete with them ever since. In fact, Will Rogers airport had a chance to become as large as DFW, but the city leaders at the time didn't think we needed it. Just look at what taking a chance did for the DFW area. I truly believe that if the city leaders back in the 60's had taken the same approach as the leaders of today, OKC would be at least twice the size it is today and that is taking into account that the oil bust happened in the 1980's.
So, with all that, I say go for it! What better time in OKC history than now to change the world perception of OKC being a REAL city.

I wonder if the designers will consider the Oklahoma Weather into this project?

The last thing we need is a giant oil derrick comes crashing down on I-40 or onto the ferris wheel and watch the wheel goes weee off into the sunset.

if done right... i still believe that it's a great idea and opportunity. i think the oil derrick at six flags is tasteful and has been memorable for me. if it does move forward... we need to cause a ruckus until the paper does an article that gives kerry credit for the idea tho.

Oh PLEASE. Don't be ridiculous.



I was at Six Flags yesterday and guess what? The observation tower was closed due to "high winds", as it has been every time I've been there.

BAD IDEA, BAD IDEA, BAD IDEA

I say let Texas build it as the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

hahah

wouldn't that be an awfully large comic book rack?

Or coloring books.

Closed due to high winds? I was there two years ago, it had recently rained and the wind was blowing really hard. We still went up the elevator and stood on the wet deck of the observation tower with the wind blowing us almost over.. it wasn't shut down then. I don't know why they would now.

Let's build a pyramid.

Memphis...

damn your right.

I'd like to see something a little more restrained. I really like the classic monuments in Indianapolis. The first time I visited that city, I noticed that it had the feel of a much more cosmopolitain city than it was. Today, I think Indianapolis has actually become a more cosmopolitain city.

Those are beautiful structures, and works of art. But OKC needs something just a bit more Iconic. Would you agree?

do we really need to copy the picture again the post after it was just posted?