development
|category1=Recreation
|category2=Transportation
|category3=Current
|category4=
|
|project=SkyDance Bridge
|address=aligned with Harvey axis, over new I-40 Crosstown Expressway (http://goo.gl/maps/pmuwb)
|status=completed
|owner=City of OKC
|cost=$5,800,000 ($3.5 million from ODOT, rest from G.O. bond authorizations)
|architect=S-X-L (collaboration that includes Laurent Massenat, Hans Butzer, Stan Carroll, David Wanzer, among others)
|start=Fall 2011
|finish=Spring 2012
|contractor=
|height=192 ft
|sq. feet=
|acreage=
|other=380 ft span; City website here (http://www.okc.gov/skybridge/index.html)
|
|image=http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/skydancewiki1.jpg
|

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Home team? I guess. Although this case may be more like cronyism, same as always. Butzer's been tight with the city, after all he was one of the Core to Shore "consultants". Then again, the good ol' boy system did bring us the Sonics- oops "Thunder".

pics?

Hey Great news- The City unveiled their choice for the New I -40 Pedestrian Bridge- Of the 4-5 finalists, they chose a design by Hans Butzer, inspired by Oklahoma's own scissor tail. I'm glad they chose someone from the home team!

It is very cool. I'll upload pix on Monday. I left the camera at work.

Iconic?

does anyone have pictures they can post? I would love to see it!!
Thanks

http://www.gribblenation.com/ncpics/raleigh/440-bikebridge-kerr.JPG

thanks for posting this, I meant to post a heads up yesterday. I have a rendering at home, I'll try to find it and scan it in if no one posts renderings

Is this a design-build project? If so, it's probably cheaper to go with someone local. If it's just the design, cronyism may come into play, but it's entirely possible, even likely, that Butzer simply knows the area better and knew how to make the design so that it would appeal to those who were going to make the award. Outside designers would have had to do extensive research to pull off the same - don't know that they'd go quite that far.

http://www.gribblenation.com/ncpics/raleigh/440-bikebridge-kerr.JPG

Yeah, that's not iconic...

Butzer Design Partnership (http://www.butzerdesignpartnership.com)

:bow:
Wow!!! That is beautiful! All these new developments are so exciting!

Now THAT'S iconic.

Ignore the picture Thunder posted. I'm not sure what that was. An example of what a pedestrian bridge is??

http://www.butzerdesignpartnership.com/images/skydance/skydance_12.jpg
http://www.butzerdesignpartnership.com/images/images/images/all_12.jpg

If it's just the design, cronyism may come into play, but it's entirely possible, even likely, that Butzer simply knows the area better and knew how to make the design so that it would appeal to those who were going to make the award. Outside designers would have had to do extensive research to pull off the same - don't know that they'd go quite that far.

I saw one of the models from one of the outside firms. This is way better.

Where exactly is that suppose to be located on the new I-40?

That has the same sort of feel as the boat houses, to me, which means it will feel like there is a theme to the river architecture. Hopefully we will have reason to have a pedestrian bridge over I-40.

Having seen all of the final presentations and models, I believe the winning team simply out-designed everybody else -- including one worldwide architectural firm who does nothing but bridges and another worldwide firm who has designed many of the new structures you've seen as part of the Beijing Olympics. The local guys went toe-to-toe in an international competition and won -- I think anyone who was there would agree that "cronyism" had nothing to do with it. Inspired design and practical building methods are what won. Who knew we had this kind of talent right here in Oklahoma City?

it is located just east of union station @ harvey

now that's cool!

that lives up to everything i was hoping for!

see guys... everyone who was saying that we just look for stuff to complain about is dead wrong. give us a crappy logo, we'll let you know it sucks. give us an iconic bridge, we applaud!

now i'm just waiting for tom elmore to pop up and start talking about a naked emperor and his new clothes.

Hey guys, I have added a post on the bridge here:

imagiNATIVEamerica » The NEW I-40 Pedestrian Bridge (http://imaginativeamerica.com/2008/09/i-40-pedestrian-bridge/)

Some Guy - I quoted you in the post. I think your comment about the competition provides a lot of insight into the quality of the work and how it stacked up against the other firms. Hope that is cool, if not, email me and let me know.

Thanks!

I forgot to add: Wow, that is a beautiful bridge! Wish we didn't have to wait to see this constructed.

anybody know the height?

Wow, this is exciting on a couple of levels. One it is an iconic symbol for our city. Anybody from out of town passing through will certainly remember this and I think in a positive way. Second, it was designed by someone locally (with international competition it seems) using local themes. Just another reminder of how much our city has changed in the last 10 years.

That's pretty cool. I hope we can get some more, too, as these will be the only thing some people see when driving through Oklahoma City on the new I-40.

I also liked the inclusion of the devon tower in the renderings. Gave it some perspective and you might be able to see it when driving through.

Is this included in the regular I-40 funding, or is the city paying for it and, if so, do we have the money in place for it?

I think this is city funded-3 million? City also has an outside engineering firm who will be administrating the project. Butzer of course is heading up the design team, including several newbie interns, and Stan Carrol, whose been around. Carrol's most interesting stuff has actually been since he focused on his creative metal work. His influence on the design is apparent if you're familiar with his work.

That is cool

Would be even cooler if they painted buffaloes on the side of it :bright_id

Is that our ferris wheel in the lower rh corner rendering?

That's pretty cool. I hope we can get some more, too, as these will be the only thing some people see when driving through Oklahoma City on the new I-40.

I also liked the inclusion of the devon tower in the renderings. Gave it some perspective and you might be able to see it when driving through.

Is this included in the regular I-40 funding, or is the city paying for it and, if so, do we have the money in place for it?

The city has a budget of 3.3 mil for this. They're also bringing in an engineering firm to administrate the project, which makes me feel better. Stan Carrol, the only licensed architect on the team, has done great work in the past, particularly since he branched off into creative metal work. Still, he's not done anything this big, so engineering firm should ensure this vision come to fruitition properly. The design has his influence all over it. Hats off to Stan!

It's the Birdman, Baby, BDR-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R-R!!!!!!

...That means it's FLY, literally
...That means I like it a lot....

I also liked the inclusion of the devon tower in the renderings. Gave it some perspective and you might be able to see it when driving through.



thanx for pointing that out... i didn't even notice.

I like the name too. Skydance Bridge.

Is that our ferris wheel in the lower rh corner rendering?

I'm pretty sure those are fireworks... not the ferris wheel.

So this would be in the Core to Shore area then?

Yes, connecting the parks on either side of I-40. Near Union Station.

When exactly will they start construction on the bridge? After I-40 is complete?

The city has a budget of 3.3 mil for this. They're also bringing in an engineering firm to administrate the project, which makes me feel better. Stan Carrol, the only licensed architect on the team, has done great work in the past, particularly since he branched off into creative metal work. Still, he's not done anything this big, so engineering firm should ensure this vision come to fruitition properly. The design has his influence all over it. Hats off to Stan!

Aahhh. So is that how Butzer was able to enter at all? The call went out to Engineering and Architecture firms, and on his own, Hans isn't even licensed to actually practice architecture. Well, he certainly knows then how to put together a team. With Carrol, he got a big dose to talent and an entry ticket.

Stunning . . . yet another example of the wealth of design talent hard at work right here in our little city.

According to C2S drawings, it will be between Hudson and Robinson on a straight line from new Devon Tower.

Stan is not the only licensed architect on the team. Kenneth Fitzsimmons of TASK design, inc. is licensed as well.

The city has a budget of 3.3 mil for this. They're also bringing in an engineering firm to administrate the project, which makes me feel better. Stan Carrol, the only licensed architect on the team, has done great work in the past, particularly since he branched off into creative metal work. Still, he's not done anything this big, so engineering firm should ensure this vision come to fruitition properly. The design has his influence all over it. Hats off to Stan!

Actually, Stan is NOT the only licensed architect on the team. Kenneth Fitzsimmons of TASK design, inc. is licensed as well.

Sorry for the duplicate posts!!!

Looks great. Will this be built after I-40 is complete or will they do it while they're building the new highway?

I hope they can make this bridge glow white at night.

Stan Carrol is also the designer who created the art bike racks for Urban Neighbors and Downtown OKC Inc.

Love it. It will really stand out from the neighborhood for a while tho...lol.

I've added a blog article with some background on this project here: Doug Dawgz Blog: Core To Shore: The I-40 Pedestrian Bridge (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2008/09/core-to-shore-i-40-pedestrian-bridge.html)

I hope they can make this bridge glow white at night.
from one of the pics, it looks like one will be lit up red and one lit up blue...
unless that is the reflection from the fireworks.

This report at News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | ODOT faces funding crunch (http://www.kwtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8967403) is disconcerting. I happened to see Steve when arriving and mentioned the News9 article ... he didn't think there was much cause for concern, and I hope he is right! We shall see.

I went to City Hall this afternoon and took photos of the SkyDance model and have added them to my blog post at Doug Dawgz Blog: Core To Shore: The I-40 Pedestrian Bridge (http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/2008/09/core-to-shore-i-40-pedestrian-bridge.html) . Here are 3 of the 7 images:

Larger: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/coretoshore/9_8_08_02.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/coretoshore/9_8_08_02s.jpg

Larger: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/coretoshore/9_8_08_03.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/coretoshore/9_8_08_03s.jpg

Larger: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/coretoshore/9_8_08_06.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/coretoshore/9_8_08_06s.jpg

That is amazing. If something goes wrong, just ask Devon to accept the bill for it.

That is amazing. If something goes wrong, just ask Devon to accept the bill for it.
Well, I think that Devon is already doing more than its share, don't you? :)

Posted an update on the pedestrian bridge including video interview with Hans and Stan:

imagiNATIVEamerica » More on the I-40 Pedestrian Bridge (http://imaginativeamerica.com/2008/09/more-on-the-i-40-pedestrian-bridge/)

Doug - thanks for posting the pictures of the model. They help orientate the design and allow you to take in the whole thing.

Well, I think that Devon is already doing more than its share, don't you? :)

What they are doing is great for OKC, but the reason behind it is to have more office space for their own company.

It wouldn't hurt them at all to pay for this bridge. They should be interested in helping see to it that this bridge be built, since it is said to be directly a straight line from the Devon skyscraper. It would enhance their image.

We need an iconic parking garage on the other side. It would be nice to see a steady flow of people marching across the bridge to big events.

What they are doing is great for OKC, but the reason behind it is to have more office space for their own company.

It wouldn't hurt them at all to pay for this bridge. They should be interested in helping see to it that this bridge be built, since it is said to be directly a straight line from the Devon skyscraper. It would enhance their image.

We need an iconic parking garage on the other side. It would be nice to see a steady flow of people marching across the bridge to big events.
Last time I checked, it was up to me as to what, if any, charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic contributions I would make. Do you think that corporations, Devon in particular, should be held to a different standard? I haven't noticed that Devon has been chincy in its own philanthropic choices in this city, but, that said, what status does anyone else have to tell Devon what it should do in that regard? And, if such status exists, why would the same standards not be applicable to you, or to me, and to everyone else? You wouldn't like me telling you what you should do in that regard any more than I would you telling me.

why don't you pay for it Thunder?

Actually, Stan is NOT the only licensed architect on the team. Kenneth Fitzsimmons of TASK design, inc. is licensed as well.

Right, but he's a recent out of state transplant right? He was with his brother's firm, Fitzsimmons Architects, then switched to his own, and now is on the Butzer team, right? Has he done anything on his own here in Oklahoma?

It was just a thought for the officials to ask Devon to expand their skyscraper plans to include the bridge. Giving back to the community, isn't that a great way to do?

Well, this is nowhere near their building, and Devon is already committing to building a new park area and funding major upgrades to the Myriad Gardens. They also have given to the Zoo, the river boats, and St. Anthony. They are overwhelmingly philanthropic.

It was just a thought for the officials to ask Devon to expand their skyscraper plans to include the bridge. Giving back to the community, isn't that a great way to do?

Thunder, you've got to trust folks on this one.

Devon's building, which is costing approx. $750 million, will generate approximately $100 million (if not more) in TIF funds, that will go directly to improving the area around their building site. The TIF funds will pay for improvements to the Myriad Gardens, plus other city improvements.

If that is alone is not enough, Devon contributes significantly to multiple charitable and arts organizations annually. I'm not certain what their annual giving budget it, but it is significant.

I would think just the initial $750 investment is quite enough, given how it will completely spur ongoing development downtown, especially with Core 2 Shore.