Classen Commons

[jccouger]

Wow! I can't remember another development that had such an improvement from initial design. Of course, will all the redesigns we never really know what we are gonna get.

[AP]

Pete, how far are they along in the process of actually building this?

[Pete]

This latest design was submitted to the Downtown Design Review Committee for next week's meeting.

It seems they are ready to go on approval.

[catch22]

Looks fantastic.

[David]

How much chance is there for a switcheroo on the design once something gets approval from the Downtown Design Review Committee? Would it take a presentation to another Committee meeting?

[Pete]

If there is any change to the external design at all, it has to be resubmitted to the committee for approval.

This includes even minor changes.

[soonerguru]

Nice job. This looks like a quality project. Great land use as well.

On edit: it's nice that there will be some affordable housing in the area.

[metro]

LOVE the new redesign! The new Via Paseo project could learn from this!

[Pete]

Here are some better images:

[KayneMo]

Wow! Very nice!

[UnFrSaKn]

This is how I wish Staybridge Suites would have turned out, with the curved part facing Reno.

[shawnw]

This is how I wish Staybridge Suites would have turned out, with the curved part facing Reno.

oooo, yes that would have been awesome.

[warreng88]

From the JR:

Elevations: Commons on Classen

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record January 22, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senior citizens wanting to live in an affordable place near downtown could make that dream a reality in late 2016.

Neighborhood Housing Services and Belmont Development are building the 40,500-square-foot Commons on Classen independent-living facility for low- to moderate-income senior citizens. The three-story building will have 49 apartments – 36 one-bedroom units, nine two-bedroom units and four efficiency-style places. The $4.2 million project is funded through an Oklahoma Housing Fi*nance Agency tax-credit program. The building near NW 13th Street and Classen Drive was designed by architect Larry Black*ledge, owner of Blackledge and Asso*ciates architecture firm. Susan Bolner-Hamilton served as the project manager and interior designer.

Neighborhood Housing Services Executive Director Roland Chupik said this type of housing is needed in Oklahoma City.

“As baby boomers continue to mature, the need is there, particularly for low- to moderate-income seniors,” Chupik said. “This is an amenity-rich facility. As far as aesthetically pleasing, this will stand the test of time over the years.”

The brick building is a triangle shape, with an open center courtyard. The brick is accented with exterior finish insulation, or EFI, which gives a stucco appearance. Metal balconies and awnings help complete the contemporary yet classic aesthetic.

The first floor has a lobby, office, lounge area and covered patio. All of the first-floor apartments are one-bedroom units. They will have access to the street through individual separate doors. The residents will be able to walk out into a small, fenced yard.

The second floor has a fitness area and a lounge. All of the rooms have an outdoor walkway with views of the courtyard. The third floor has the same sort of outdoor corridors, a lounge and a covered balcony. The balcony is above the covered patio on the first floor. Some rooms also have individual balconies.

The rooms were designed with the elderly in mind, so there are no bathtubs, only walk-in showers. This helps prevent falls, Blackledge said. The rooms have alarm systems and fully equipped kitchens with Energy Star appliances.

Because of the amenities, finishes, land cost and project cost, unit leases could be market rate, but that won’t be the case. A $750,000 grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank will help reduce the loan needed to purchase the property. The rents are restricted to guidelines from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

“It’s really a wonderful partnership with one of the best federal programs still out there,” Chupik said.

The existing building is expected to be demolished in April, with construction starting soon after the remnants are removed.

The project has a 12- to 14-month build time; therefore, it could be done by summer 2016.

[Pete]

$5.5 million building permit application today.

Should see work start here soon.

[DoctorTaco]

$5.5 million building permit application today.

Should see work start here soon.

Yeah I saw movers moving out the current tenants a couple of weeks ago.

[seaofchange]

Full Set of Plans

[Buffalo Bill]

Construction fencing going up on this site right now. I'm not sure why they heve it on the street side of the sidewalk. Not very pedestrian friendly.

[Pete]

I'm sure they'll be reworking the sidewalk as a part of this project.

[Buffalo Bill]

I'm sure they'll be reworking the sidewalk as a part of this project.

You're right. From the demolition plans, Sheet 16 from post #190 above, most are being replaced.

[Urbanized]

...I'm not sure why they heve it on the street side of the sidewalk. Not very pedestrian friendly.

I'm sure they'll be reworking the sidewalk as a part of this project.

This has become a pet peeve of mine. In parts of the city where pedestrian use is prevalent, contractors should be required to provide barriers that create a protected walkway in the street when blocking the sidewalk. Lots of recent construction projects downtown have simply blocked the sidewalk and made no provision for pedestrians, other than making them walk across the street (and sometimes that's not really an option either) or IN the street with no protection. This happens every day in other cities; we need to catch up in this regard.

[Pete]

^

Absolutely right.

They haven't even done that at 499 Sheridan, which is blocking huge sections of sidewalk on 3 different blocks right in the middle of the CBD.

[AP]

This has become a pet peeve of mine. In parts of the city where pedestrian use is prevalent, contractors should be required to provide barriers that create a protected walkway in the street when blocking the sidewalk. Lots of recent construction projects downtown have simply blocked the sidewalk and made no provision for pedestrians, other than making them walk across the street (and sometimes that's not really an option either) or IN the street with no protection. This happens every day in other cities; we need to catch up in this regard.

+1

[Rover]

This has become a pet peeve of mine. In parts of the city where pedestrian use is prevalent, contractors should be required to provide barriers that create a protected walkway in the street when blocking the sidewalk. Lots of recent construction projects downtown have simply blocked the sidewalk and made no provision for pedestrians, other than making them walk across the street (and sometimes that's not really an option either) or IN the street with no protection. This happens every day in other cities; we need to catch up in this regard.

Is this something that just requires someone of authority at the city to demand it, or what specifically needs to be changed to make it mandatory? Sorry I don't know this.

[Urbanized]

Street and sidewalk closures must be permitted by the City. When they are applied for, the City could require an alternate sidewalk traffic plan that meets a minimum standard (set by the City). It's no different than requiring trash receptacles or portable johns when issuing revocable permits for events. This alternate sidewalk plan could be limited to urban areas, but would not have to be. At the end of the day, we could require it, and we just don't bother.

[Rover]

To whom do we start a write-in campaign to put pressure on this as a requirement?