Does anyone know if the city is finally doing the "Asian-themed" streetscaping in the Asian District? I've noticed a lot of work in the medians being done on Classen between NW 23rd and about NW 30th. I know the city had a proposal for it in a bond package a few years ago, but it seems as if I read something about a bond issue selling a few weeks back that would include these improvements.

Anyone know anything more? Maybe I'll snap some pics this weekend.

No one knows anything? Steve, perhaps we could get an article in the Oklahoman with an update?

According to the Parks Department, this looks to be completed sometime in Fall 2008. Much is dependent upon Oklahoma weather, though, so if we get the rain we did last year, there may be delays.

They are working on preliminary ground leveling and engineering now.

FritterGirl, can you please elaborate more on what they are actually doing? What changes shall we see?

Here's what I know:

Each intersection corner between NW 23rd and NW 30th will be made ADA compliant. Decorative pavers will also be placed in the area. In addition, each of the area medians will be hardscaped and landscaped, with new trees, shrubs and other plant materials. The landscaping will be low-maintenance and carry as close as possible an "Asian" look in plant selection. In addition, Asian-themed elements, such as a pagoda, arch, "foo dogs," and Asian District markers will be placed along the streetscape.

The idea is to create a multi-regional Asian theme, and not one that is specific to any one Asian culture.

Thanks for answering, I was wondering as well.

I sure hope the Asian District markers are bigger and better than the current ones. Unless you're looking for them, you don't really notice them. They are definitely an eyesore and unimpressive to locals, let alone visitors. Glad to see these changes finally coming. I could tell some of the ada sidewalks/crosswalks are already finished and some of the hardscaping has begun. I drove by and took pics tonight, I'll try to post tomorrow or this weekend.

I drove by and snapped some quick drive by pics of the Asian landscaping (kids don't try this at home).

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/asiandistrict1.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/asiandistrict2.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/asiandistrict3.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/asiandistrict_4.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/asiandistrict_5.JPG

anyone know anything more yet? Basically the city has it tore up for over a month now and hardly any progress has been made. In fact, I haven't seen crews out there in weeks. They've also got all of downtown and west downtown/MidTown tore up at each intersection for the new ADA compliant sidewalks. It sure would make more sense to me if they did one intersection at a time instead of tearing up 30 or more intersections and then going back and pouring concrete one intersection at a time.


I found this, but it doesn't really go into detail at all.

http://www.okc.gov/planning/planningaccomplishments.pdf

Anyhow, I'd really like to see a rendering of the final asian streetscape plan if anyone has a link. Steve, any chance we could get an article??

Also found this:

Asian District Oklahoma City :: Home Page (http://www.okcasiandistrict.com/)

Doesn't the marathon go down this stretch of Classen? I hope it looks better for next year but it is a shame that it has to look like this for this year's race.

Yes, CCOKC, it does. Agreed, next year it might actually look like an official Asian District, that is if the city finished the work they started a month ago. I know the city has an official plan called "The Plan for the Asian District" and it was made in 2005, I have the front cover of it from the link I posted above to the city, but I can't seem to find the actual plan anywhere on the city's website. I'm going to go to city hall eventually and see if I can track some documents down if no one else here can find them online. I'd really like to see what "asian" features they are doing for the streetscaping.

i hope they have it in tip-top shape before august, i'm getting married down there this summer. . . . i wish there were strict codes for the businesses in this area, for instance, destroy that ugly taco mayo sign.

Yes, destroy the taco mayo sign!

i live behind kamp's... my buddy/landlord has a rendering of the arch/gateway that is to be built across the street at 25th. however, the only times our paths cross is either at the clubs or when he comes by my house (typically with a bang of people). i do plan on snapping a pic when i see it tho.

Okay, I finally got my hands on the 2000 and the 2005 Asian District master plans from the city planning dept. today. I will try to scan them into my computer next week. I don't have a site I can host them on (maybe I can wrangle DougDawg into helping me out on this one). The person at the planning dept. I needed to talk to about this was gone for the day, so I'm not sure if they are still following this 100% or not. To no surprise, I can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone on this issue. Hopefully, we'll have an official looking Asian District before too long.

I drove by this yesterday and was impressed with the progress. Seems they have replaced several trees with Asian trees (I kept wanting to scream out "BONZAI!!!" from Karate Kid but my wife wouldn't let me.) There are several blocks of "pavers" in the median now that look like nothing I have ever seen and I like it. I think the irrigation systems were in as well. That is all I have for now.

Hey Metro, how bout those pics?

mmonroe, I'll post pics soon, not much progress really has taken place, not like warreng is claiming. It hasn't changed much in over a month. I finally saw workers out there the last few days, but work is going slowwwww.

warreng, I ate in the Asian District tonight and drove by a few times. I usually drive by every day or at least several times a week. I still have not noticed any new planted trees yet. The pavers and a few small boulders are about all that's taken place so far, and a few sidewalks and crosswalks. I imagine if weather stays good for a few weeks, we'll start to see more progress soon. Seems like workers lately around Midtown/downtown are working on the bad weather days and are nowhere to be found on the good weather days.

I just want to see a great looking asian district, pagodas and everything.

I drove by this yesterday and was impressed with the progress. Seems they have replaced several trees with Asian trees (I kept wanting to scream out "BONZAI!!!" from Karate Kid but my wife wouldn't let me.) There are several blocks of "pavers" in the median now that look like nothing I have ever seen and I like it. I think the irrigation systems were in as well. That is all I have for now.

I noticed the trees the other day too, but I'm not sure whether or not they actually planted new trees. They might have just trimmed the trees so that they appear more "Asian-looking."

LOL, i'm curious to know how to trim a tree to look "asian", not to belittle you or anything, I just wonder how one does such a thing.

:demonslay

citizenkane, I think you're dead on witht the tree trimming. I looked very carefully last night and it appears that was so. These are very old mature trees, you can clearly see the pruned branches, etc. They shaped them more like a bonzai even though they might be an elm or something. I do know the streetscaping plan originally calls for asian inspired trees and new plantings, but I have not seen any new plantings yet. This thing is really going slow, but looks like it finally might be picking up some speed.

I went down to the city planning dept. a few weeks back and got a color copy of the 2000 and 2005 Asian District Plans. They are kind of weak and seemed more lofty and "dreams" and not necessarily reality; and no one at the city planning really seems to know exactly what work is being done. I'm just glad finally some work/money is being poured into our Asian District. The city should have done this decades ago, we're losing tourist dollars over not having it branded better.

I ate at Lido last night, the concrete cinder block fence behind them they are putting up new columns and have "asian style" lanterns on top of them. On about 26th or 27th street, just one property behind Classen a new industrial building of some sorts is going up. On Classen and about 28th or so, that strip center with ZAX club or whatever, the new building on the corner has now received some Asian inspired awnings, etc. It's still under construction though so I look forward to the final product. There are plans for an Asian pagoda/plaza in Military Park across from Lido and Super Cao Nguyen. There are also plans on the drawing board for an asian archway over the street by Super Cao Nguyen. Not sure about the Sun Moon Plaza on NW 23rd that Steve reported on a year or so ago. If all this pans out, we'll have a pretty cool Asian District.

Metro, thanks for clearing that up. I guess the last time I was down there before this week was about a month ago and I guess there was some progress, although not a lot like I had origianally thought. Sorry to get everyone's hopes up.

they've actually gotten a lot done here recently. at least enough that one can tell what the final design will be. but what confuses me is the midget street sign.

i heard that taco mayo was adding "asian landscaping" and silk screen windows to mask the out of place vibe...j/k

citizenkane, I think you're dead on witht the tree trimming. I looked very carefully last night and it appears that was so. These are very old mature trees, you can clearly see the pruned branches, etc. They shaped them more like a bonzai even though they might be an elm or something. I do know the streetscaping plan originally calls for asian inspired trees and new plantings, but I have not seen any new plantings yet. This thing is really going slow, but looks like it finally might be picking up some speed.

I went down to the city planning dept. a few weeks back and got a color copy of the 2000 and 2005 Asian District Plans. They are kind of weak and seemed more lofty and "dreams" and not necessarily reality; and no one at the city planning really seems to know exactly what work is being done. I'm just glad finally some work/money is being poured into our Asian District. The city should have done this decades ago, we're losing tourist dollars over not having it branded better.

I ate at Lido last night, the concrete cinder block fence behind them they are putting up new columns and have "asian style" lanterns on top of them. On about 26th or 27th street, just one property behind Classen a new industrial building of some sorts is going up. On Classen and about 28th or so, that strip center with ZAX club or whatever, the new building on the corner has now received some Asian inspired awnings, etc. It's still under construction though so I look forward to the final product. There are plans for an Asian pagoda/plaza in Military Park across from Lido and Super Cao Nguyen. There are also plans on the drawing board for an asian archway over the street by Super Cao Nguyen. Not sure about the Sun Moon Plaza on NW 23rd that Steve reported on a year or so ago. If all this pans out, we'll have a pretty cool Asian District.

Hey Metro, what is the latest on the landscaping here? also, I drove by several days ago and noticed that they were tearing down one of the older dilapitated buidlings on the east side of the street. Any idea what they are going to put there?

warreng, unfortunately not much has changed. You can definitely tell this is a city staff project and not a private landscaper. A private landscaper would have had this done in a few weeks to a month, where the city has been working on this for 6 months or more, and not much to show for it yet. They have almost all the "hardscaping" done, paver stones, small boulders, etc. And pruned a few trees, really that is about all they've done. It boggles my mind what they do all day and where our bond money is going to. They have fairly large crews out there working all day, but what the heck they are doing and why it's taking so long for just a few blocks of minor landscaping is astounding to me. I know we are supposed to be getting a few pagodas, asian style light posts, a sign, etc. but so far none of that has come in yet. Maybe in another 6-12 months, they'll start getting to it? Us taxpayers got bamboozled on this one. It's sad because the Asian district has sooooo much tourist potential and we don't take advantage of it. The old building your talking about that got torn down, I personally think it was a nice building that had lots of character and could have been restored fairly easily. If you look slightly behind it, you will see they are building an asian style strip center with 2-3 tenant spaces. Personally, I liked the street front urban building they tore down, instead of this building, set way back from the street that will have a big parking lot. They are ruining the urban-ness of the area with more and more new developments with larger parking lots.

Personally, I liked the street front urban building they tore down, instead of this building, set way back from the street that will have a big parking lot. They are ruining the urban-ness of the area with more and more new developments with larger parking lots.

I thought they were going to build something in its place, not turn it into a parking lot. Something street side would have been a lot bette looking than a parking lot, I can agree with that. Thanks for the update.

well finally this afternoon I noticed some dramatic improvements. they just put most of this stuff out this afternoon. On the street corners that have the asian design of brickwork, they have put two red benches on each street corner, also you can see the new "panda plaza" recently built and the awnings and pandas just went up today. there are a few panda's outside the plaza but it's hard to tell from the pic, I'll try to get better pics soon. also the one picture on NW 25th and Classen looks like they are fixing to put a quality sign up for the district. I read the city council minutes from last minute and they put re-bids for proposal (apparently they didn't budget enough the first time) out for asian style street lighting, so hopefully that will come through quickly. They are from my iPhone so not the best quality. Enjoy!

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2724076564_acca54288f.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2724087022_3e2e7ce762.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3030/2723264803_5dcc15460d.jpg?v=0

i saw that today on 25th n classen and i figured it had to do with the gateway that is to be built right there.

I'm going to assume that building shown is the "Panda Plaza".

Where is that located? Is it off of Classen? I prefer most of the new developments be built along Classen which seems like the main street for me. Then after they get it good-looking again, they can go ahead and start expanding it outwards and infilling along side other current asian places outlying Classen.

the panda plaza is on the NW corner of classen and 28th or 29th.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3199/2724076564_acca54288f.jpg?v=0



This first thing I pictured when I saw those four poles was something like the following only smaller to fit in the median. All the way down the median you can see where "foundations" of different sizes where I think there will be the other Asian things (pagodas, etc.) at 30th and Classen there are two side by side... I'm guessing the is where the foo dogs will go? Ya think?

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/1023_01_4---Chinatown--Liverpool_we.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/ChinatownLandmark.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/chinatown.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/chinatown1.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/chinatown6.gif

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/sydney-chinatown.jpg

http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/victoria-chinatown_816.jpg

They started putting down sod rolls in the medians yesterday and today. The new sprinkler system was also on watering the new sod. Hopefully we'll see some pagodas, foo dogs, signage and theme lighting soon.

hmm, platemaker - your pics don't show up.

They do for me.

still none for me. Maybe it's a Seattle thing? lol.

could you provide the direct links?

hmm, platemaker - your pics don't show up.


I can't see them either. Just placeholders that say "Photobucket" and "image has been moved or deleted"

yeah, I can't see them either, they used to show up. I'm wondering if he edited his photobucket account and added or deleted pictures and the url's to the individual pictures have changed.

Sorry, Guys... I never noticed that the edit button goes away after awhile... that's weird.

Anyway...I mucked up my photobucket... here are three of the images... you get the idea:

Something lit up like this would be rad!
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Arch2.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Arch3.jpg
http://i284.photobucket.com/albums/ll14/Platemaker_photos/Arch1.jpg

They started putting down sod rolls in the medians yesterday and today. The new sprinkler system was also on watering the new sod. Hopefully we'll see some pagodas, foo dogs, signage and theme lighting soon.

When I've driven by the past few days, the sprinklers are getting more water on Classen than the median. Sucks because I drive w/ my windows down and have gotten splashed twice already.

I drove by earlier and it appears they may be doing a more detailed streetscaping in front of Grand House than I originally thought. It first looked like they were doing the same sort of brick walkway/sidewalk they've been doing (similar to a greek key pattern in tan and black bricks) but they've gone further up into the Grand House lawn and created a "wall". Hard to explain, will take pics soon.

i saw that this morning, looks really good. i am making it my mission to get pics of the arch/gate that is planned over classen. my friend says his mom has the plans up at kamp's and she gets back in town tomorrow.

To my knowledge, there isn't going to be an arch over classen, although I could be wrong. I think just that gateway in the median at about NW 27th or whatever that is. I have the official plan from the city's planning dept. One of these days I'll get to scanning it in and posting it.

that's why i want to see what they have cuz james vu has told me it goes over the street (and that's what was posted by someone on okmet as well). however, the placement of the poles leads mr to believe what you are saying, metro.

To my knowledge, there isn't going to be an arch over classen, although I could be wrong. I think just that gateway in the median at about NW 27th or whatever that is. I have the official plan from the city's planning dept. One of these days I'll get to scanning it in and posting it.

It's supposed to be over the intersection of 25th and Military... though I don't know which direction.

This is true. It may not be part of the city-funded streetscape project, metro.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this area gradually shapes up (I drive by it a few times a week), though I wish I could find a link to some renderings of what exactly the city has planned for the Asian District. Waiting for substantial progress to be made as far as construction goes could kill me. :(

grass has been planted and looks good, interesting garden structures are in place and plantings were beginning as I drove by this afternoon. No pagodas, foo dogs or lighting yet.

Okay, I finally got my hands on the 2000 and the 2005 Asian District master plans from the city planning dept. today. I will try to scan them into my computer next week.

That was in May metro... don't keep us waiting!!!

Sorry, I don't have a scanner, but if someone wants to donate one......... I'll see if I can get access to one shortly. In the meantime, I did notice yesterday and early this morning crews finally got some of the landscaping plants and were planting them. It already looks much nicer.

I'm glad they're finnaly wrapping it all up. I travel that stretch of Classen multiple times a day, and I'm tired of the orange cones and lane closures. Though I look forward to the end result.
I hope it accomplishes more than the 23rd streetscaping between Shartel and Broadway. They did all that work and it still looks like a slum.

I was on Classen this afternoon. . .lots of planting going in between NW 27th and 30th. It's really going to look nice!! The selection of plants look to be hardy (variagated liarope/monkey grass, junipers, and boxwood??--lot's of traffic, just got a quick look). Hopefully after they are established, they won't require a lot of hands on maintenance.

i saw the plans a few days ago and james vu was wrong about the gate / arch goin over the road way at 25th & classen. it is gonna be a gate, similar but not as ornate as the gates that PLATEMAKER posted earlier. i took a pic, which is way fuzzy. however, my cat knocked over my plate of steak and worchestershire sauce on my laptop.... so i'm waiting to see if it works when it's dry. if so, i'll post it tonight when i get home.

Drove by this morning and two pallets of grey concrete tiles were laying by the what I'm assuming will be a miniture "gateway" sign. I'm assuming they will go on the sign. Also more trees and plants were planted and delivered. This is really shaping up these last few days. As soon as the foo dogs and such get in, this will be really an improvement. I wish we would have done this years ago. I think the end result will help unify the district and bring some much needed tourism to the area (but locals who don't know or visit and out of towners). I hear a lot of problems in the district because the interested parties don't agree or get along. I think the potential this project has to drive new money into the district will hopefully help unify them so we'll throw more money at the district in the near future. Maybe one day we will get that large gateway spanning all of Classen at NW 23rd!

The streetscape will look nice but so many of the buildings just look terrible and rundown...

I'd like to see Military Park converted to an Asian Garden.

I'd like to see Military Park converted to an Asian Garden.

Now that is a great idea and really add a nice touch to the area.

It's already planned (not a true Asian "garden" per se, but at an Asian-inspired park with significant landscaping), just a few years out. Not sure if it was from the 2000 or 2007 bond issue.