Originally Posted by jedicurt

I would prefer a multi story building that is mixed use (perhaps have a couple of floors of apartments, and a non ground floor level of retail) and have it sit closer to the water, and to fully utilize the prime space that it is going to be sitting on, rather than looking like a building that could be sitting anywhere else in OKC. If this were going in Midtown, or Classen Curve, or up on Memorial, i would love it... but it is going to be on the canal, in Bricktown, our attempt to revitalize, what OKC used to be, and making a spectacular entertainment district. I want something that stands out as an example, something we can point to and say that represents OKC, and where we want to go...

think of it in this theme... Kevin Durant is a wonderful spokesman for OKC, so is the Thunder... it has shown the rest of the country that we are much more than they thought we were. since the restaurant is named for him, why can't that development do the same thing?

and maybe what i would prefer of a multistory mixed used building isnt the right idea to get that accomplished... but neither is the development that they have come up with

I could not agree more!!! OKC has the most mundane/ unimaginative looking architecture (aside from Devon Tower) of any major city (?) I have ever visited

Is it built yet? &

Originally Posted by jedicurt

I would prefer a multi story building that is mixed use (perhaps have a couple of floors of apartments, and a non ground floor level of retail) and have it sit closer to the water, and to fully utilize the prime space that it is going to be sitting on, rather than looking like a building that could be sitting anywhere else in OKC. If this were going in Midtown, or Classen Curve, or up on Memorial, i would love it... but it is going to be on the canal, in Bricktown, our attempt to revitalize, what OKC used to be, and making a spectacular entertainment district. I want something that stands out as an example, something we can point to and say that represents OKC, and where we want to go...

think of it in this theme... Kevin Durant is a wonderful spokesman for OKC, so is the Thunder... it has shown the rest of the country that we are much more than they thought we were. since the restaurant is named for him, why can't that development do the same thing?

and maybe what i would prefer of a multistory mixed used building isnt the right idea to get that accomplished... but neither is the development that they have come up with

THAT!! Couldn't have said it better.

Not a bad design for OKC, but it is horrible for Downtown OKC!!.

Originally Posted by Spartan

Is it built yet? &

No, but it has been approved after 2-3 redesigns and awaiting construction. Also take into the fact that hell was raised with the original design it "improved" somewhat.

Originally Posted by dcsooner

I could not agree more!!! OKC has the most mundane/ unimaginative looking architecture (aside from Devon Tower) of any major city (?) I have ever visited

So you're actually going to call OKC a major city? Maybe you aren't as negative as you always seem. LOL

Originally Posted by Plutonic Panda

No, but it has been approved after 2-3 redesigns and awaiting construction. Also take into the fact that hell was raised with the original design it "improved" somewhat.

As others have pointed out, the first design lowered the expectations so low that people were happy with a slightly-less-terrible design. Good strategy by Hogan, but it's still a crappy development for that spot.

Originally Posted by ljbab728

So you're actually going to call OKC a major city? Maybe you aren't as negative as you always seem. LOL

Duh, the question mark means I question the major city moniker being applied to OKC

Went to Fuzzy's Tacos today for lunch (which was really good), noticed dirt work as begun on this project, with construction fence up, and earth mover on site.

Originally Posted by G.Walker

Went to Fuzzy's Tacos today for lunch (which was really good), noticed dirt work as begun on this project, with construction fence up, and earth mover on site.

That's good to hear.

I was down there Sunday and noticed the same thing. The fence has taken a few of the prime parking spots in the lot to the south of the space. I can imagine there will be a few complaints about that.

Construction Starts on Kevin Durant Restaurant | OKC Central

From Sid:

Mention of this project on Savoy Network:

Kevin Durant announces plans to bring upscale Southern dining to Oklahoma City | Savoy Network



Is anything happening on this? Any dirt flying?

pretty sure they started a week or two ago

Yes, dirt is flying. Walked by last week. Didn't get a pick...

Originally Posted by shawnw

Yes, dirt is flying. Walked by last week. Didn't get a pick...

How about a shovel?

Originally Posted by metro

How about a shovel?

I would have asked for a backhoe...

Today, by me

Thats just my breakfast^^^ My bad, here it is lol

Originally Posted by skanaly

Thats just my breakfast^^^ My bad, here it is lol
Attachment 3574

hopefully you got further along with your breakfast this morning than they are with this project!

your breakfast was far more impressive than their dirt waffle.

From today, 4/7

Originally Posted by HOT ROD

THAT!! Couldn't have said it better.

Not a bad design for OKC, but it is horrible for Downtown OKC!!.

It fits with the standard that has been set in Lower Bricktown however. Lower Bricktown is suburban and has been since Bass Pro was allowed to plop in a standard big box right on the canal with surface parking up to the canal's edge. More of this stuff is going to be built until ordinances are enacted to require denser, more inspiring architecture in Bricktown. It's the same thing we are fighting with the Staybridge Suites.

The new KD restaurant isn't that bad looking though and is far from the worst looking construction on the Canal.

Originally Posted by bchris02

...More of this stuff is going to be built until ordinances are enacted to require denser, more inspiring architecture in Bricktown. It's the same thing we are fighting with the Staybridge Suites...

This statement is not accurate. People seem to have the most difficult time understanding that Lower Bricktown (everything south of Reno) and Bricktown itself are separate entities with separate guidelines and oversight. Bricktown proper has very stringent guidelines regarding setback, use of materials and other issues. Those guidelines are what forced the Holiday Inn Express, for instance, to be built at zero setback and almost entirely of brick. Same for the two hotels going up along Sheridan. If the Staybridge Suites prevails with its suburban design, it will be in spite of the guidelines and likely thanks to a Board of Adjustment ruling.

LOWER Bricktown, OTOH, has no specific design oversight, other than the OCURA board, who awarded the land to the developer. It is effectively a shopping mall, and operates under its own rules in many ways.

From the Lower Bricktown facebook page, pics showing recent progress:

A couple more:

Still not too late to toward it into a strip mall. They have until the project is 95% complete and the LED Kevin Durant sign is installed. lol

Ok, I have to give credit where it is due. It took a lot of work to add that overhang on the east side.

The entire frame on this done yet?

Looks like the official name of this restaurant will be "KD's Southern Cuisine".

$1,000,000 building permit to finish the space in that name today.

Originally Posted by Pete

Looks like the official name of this restaurant will be "KD's Southern Cuisine".

$1,000,000 building permit to finish the space in that name today.

ugh... i was hoping for a back east type feel. something from the Maryland, DC, Virginia area (who know, where he is from)... not just to slap his name on a restaurant in which the menu was designed completely separate and without him in mind at all. i'm not exactly sure what the menu should look like... but it wouldn't be "Southern Cuisine"

Originally Posted by jedicurt

ugh... i was hoping for a back east type feel. something from the Maryland, DC, Virginia area (who know, where he is from)... not just to slap his name on a restaurant in which the menu was designed completely separate and without him in mind at all. i'm not exactly sure what the menu should look like... but it wouldn't be "Southern Cuisine"

the menu is based on things that kevin likes and eats

And on things that will be popular here.

Originally Posted by jedicurt

ugh... i was hoping for a back east type feel. something from the Maryland, DC, Virginia area (who know, where he is from)... not just to slap his name on a restaurant in which the menu was designed completely separate and without him in mind at all. i'm not exactly sure what the menu should look like... but it wouldn't be "Southern Cuisine"

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

Originally Posted by OnlyOne

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

This is a direct quote from the article in post # 516 -

about the menu -

Guests will be able to choose from items such as chicken satay, popcorn lobster, honey-dipped fried chicken, center cut pork chops, blackened catfish stuffed with crab meat, slow-smoked barbecue ribs and other comfort foods.

Originally Posted by OnlyOne

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

Was just about to type something similar.

One can be forgiven for thinking that food found in and around DC is typical "east coast" food given the fact that Northern Virginia and suburban Maryland have more in common with New Jersey than the south. But trust me, the roots of that area are very much of the old south. Some of the best crab cakes and fried chicken I ever had was in St Charles County MD, which is just a bit south of where KD is from in Prince Georges County.

Kevin Durant's Restaurant To Open In Bricktown In October - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports |

Originally Posted by OnlyOne

I think you're reading too much into the name. There have been several articles that stated the menu will reflect Kevin's east coast favorites (obviously along with stuff that will sell well here). And Maryland and Virginia are southern states.

You would be surprised how many people don't know the Mason-Dixon line is between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Probably even less know the capitol of the Confederacy was in Virginia.

Originally Posted by Just the facts

You would be surprised how many people don't know the Mason-Dixon line is between Maryland and Pennsylvania. Probably even less know the capitol of the Confederacy was in Virginia.

and before that it was in Montgomery .. survey those in north and south carolina, georgia, alabma and mississippi .. is they think maryland is in any way the south

Originally Posted by BoulderSooner

and before that it was in Montgomery .. survey those in north and south carolina, georgia, alabma and mississippi .. is they think maryland is in any way the south

You annoy me to no end with your insatiable desire to be a contrarian and constant one line responses of drivel. What in the hell are you talking about is Maryland the south? I polled 17 different family members - 3 from Georgia, 2 from South Carolina, 3 from Alabama, and 9 from North Carolina - and every one of them considered Maryland to be a part of the south.

ok... yes. both Maryland and Virginia were south of the Mason-Dixon line and therefor "Southern" States (something geographically that i was aware of). and so technically their food is "Southern" Cuisine. But Maryland and Virginia see much more use of pork and crap as the chief sources of protein rather than shrimp, chicken, and beef that you see across the rest of the south. you also see much more use of Sorgum and Honey as opposed to sugar or molasses as a sweetener. So while they are "Southern" States with "Southern" cuisine, they are much different than even the Low Country Cuisine area of the Carolinas and Georgia, and share much more in common with the cuisine of the Delaware and the Appalachian areas of Pennsylvania and West Virginia (which i know was also south of the Mason-Dixon line), than it does with what is common thought of as "Southern" Cuisine.

Local sourcing of food died with the interstate highway. National chains covered the casket with dirt.

Originally Posted by Just the facts

Local sourcing of food died with the interstate highway. National chains covered the casket with dirt.

but it didn't kill the cuisine associated with it... people still make that food. and that is the food i was hoping for

Originally Posted by Just the facts

Local sourcing of food died with the interstate highway. National chains covered the casket with dirt.

That's truer than most people know or are willing to admit.