View Full Version : OKC Net-Zero Velodrome: dream thesis of an OU grad student



Praedura
11-14-2012, 02:55 AM
I have recently come across a very interesting site.

OKC Net-Zero Velodrome - Blog (http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com)

This is the blog of an OU architecture graduate student named Andrew Stevens. He's doing a research thesis for a proposal to build a velodrome in downtown OKC. A velodrome being an arena for track cycling.

Furthermore, he plans additional biking facilities beyond just the arena. In his words:

The velodrome I am proposing is going to be the cycling hub to the city. Not only will there be a velodrome, but there will be outdoor tracks for mountain biking, cyclocross, and criterium racing.

Not just that, but he proposes that the building be designed as a "zero net energy" structure. Andrew's definition for this:

Zero-net-energy: buildings and communities that produce all of their own energy from onsite renewable sources or that purchase energy from those who produce it from renewable resources.

A formidable challenge!


He has picked his site here:
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/4424852_orig.jpg


This is a 59.5 acre triangular area just south of Boathouse Row, bounded on the east by 1-35 and on the south by railroad tracks.
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/4571499_orig.jpg


To get an idea of what the arena could look like, he offers a few comparisons:

Berlin Velodrom: exterior
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/7424561_orig.jpg

Berlin Velodrom: interior
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/622349_orig.jpg

London velodrome interior
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/956858.jpg


A hand drawing shows the velodrome placement on the proposed site:
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/9428872_orig.jpg


The preliminary floor plan for his structure looks like this:
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/8223672_orig.jpg

There are more detailed floor plans given, as well as a cross section diagram that looks like this:
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/4942584_orig.jpg

He's created a model of his green roof design:
http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/3532209_orig.jpg

And more.

Start reading here to see the initial proposal and why he wants to see this built:
Blog Archives - OKC Net-Zero Velodrome (http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/1/archives/03-2012/1.html)

He has covered a whole slew of topics dealing with all the aspects needed to create this velodrome/cycling-hub. This includes engineering concepts for energy creation and distribution, architectural considerations for the arena and its amenities, integration with the surrounding riverfront area, and more.

He's even done climate analysis to help determine energy consumption patterns and building materials requirements. There's so much detail, it's a bit dizzying.

He has a whole host of ideas for various parts of his plan. For example, using VIVACE (Vortex Induced Vibrations for Aquatic Clean Energy) for energy generation. This is a device that sits along the bottom of a river (or other waterway) and uses passing water currents to generate hydro-kinetic power.

Pretty amazing stuff.

Will any of this come to pass? Probably not. But then again... who knows. In any event, it's awesome dream material.

Plutonic Panda
11-14-2012, 03:07 AM
Wow this would be freakin incredible!!!! One can only hope though.

Praedura
03-07-2013, 03:55 PM
Andrew is back at it, with some updates and a flurry of activity on his thesis.

He has decided, however, to change the location based on a discussion with the director of the Boathouse District Foundation.



After talking to the Boathouse District Foundation Director a few weeks ago I got the impression he was very impressed with that I was designing for the area.

His major concern was my location and the feasibility of being able to build there with the railroad currently owning the property.
He said it was do able and he liked it but it was at least a 20 year project just get obtain the property and move the rail lines.

He proposed to me a secondary location for my project (a site he is looking to develop in the near future).
It is currently the "Pull-a-Part" Salvage yard North of the River between the main N/S railroad tracks and the Chesapeake Boathouse.


So new plans have been developed for the suggested alternate site.

http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/2338516_orig.jpg?362


Evidently, the Boathouse Foundation director really was impressed with Andrew's thesis.
Here's a further quote of what the director had to say:



He said this new location is the missing piece between the boathouse district and the new Downtown Park system the City is building as part of MAPS 3.

He also said they are looking at trying to introduce more commercial spaces in that area as well to help draw people into the boathouse district.
He listed a restaurant and office space being two of the more critical spaces.

He then went on and stated that from what he has seen on my blog thus far that this would be something he would be interested in submitting to the city of Oklahoma City.


That's very cool. And very impressive.

Of course, nothing may come of this, but it's a fascinating project idea nevertheless.


Andrew is posting chapters of his thesis as he goes.
Here's a sample diagram:

http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com/uploads/1/1/2/3/11234584/7124324_orig.jpg

You can read all the nitty gritties here:

OKC Net-Zero Velodrome - Blog (http://okcnet-zerovelodrome.weebly.com)

Praedura
03-07-2013, 09:47 PM
Andrew has also created a facebook page for this to gauge interest in actually creating a downtown velodrome.

https://www.facebook.com/OKCAreaVelodrome


Here's a good view of the new proposed location:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/559999_565437286800348_1125524845_n.jpg?dl=1

(yeah, that's an old Core-To-Shore map -- out of date, really, but it does show well enough where the proposed site is located)


Some design sketches for various sections:

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/480887_568089629868447_422772404_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/563167_568088429868567_1082405932_n.jpg

http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/602018_568088439868566_1197914090_n.jpg

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/6554_568088159868594_366371188_n.jpg

Praedura
03-07-2013, 10:03 PM
The latest diagram for the velodrome building:

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/480311_575704395773637_767175423_n.jpg

Mississippi Blues
03-07-2013, 10:10 PM
I honestly think this would be one of the coolest things built in this city in awhile.

Snowman
03-07-2013, 10:16 PM
After the original site was proposed I kind of liked the idea of putting the stadium on the south bank opposite this new site, with the idea of developing the current site proposed here for dense mixed-use/residential housing with an emphasis of catering toward cyclists. Since the bridge between is four lanes and the railroad constricts SW 15th to two lanes past it, it seems like it would be a good candidate to change to having dedicated bike lanes flanking a road with two lanes and a turn lane. Optionally adding a trail bridge near the railroad track.

Praedura
03-07-2013, 10:21 PM
I honestly think this would be one of the coolest things built in this city in awhile.

Yeah, not only is the "cool factor" extremely high for this idea, but it also fits in beautifully with the other sporting/adventure style developments taking place on the river front.

Mel
03-07-2013, 10:28 PM
Can they use the skate track for Roller Derby?

Plutonic Panda
03-07-2013, 10:37 PM
Is this really happening or is it "possibly planned"?

Snowman
03-07-2013, 10:43 PM
Is this really happening or is it "possibly planned"?

It is a OU architecture grad students thesis.

OKCisOK4me
03-07-2013, 10:47 PM
My first thought after looking over post #1 is, that that railyard is going nowhere in the foreseeable future. Looking along further in the thread, the secondary location is much much better. This would be a most spectacular thing for OKC. Looking forward to updates.

Praedura
03-07-2013, 10:49 PM
Is this really happening or is it "possibly planned"?

At this point, it's merely a concept -- one thought up by a graduate architect student who's using it for his thesis.

Now apparently this student, Andrew Stevens, recently had a conversation with the Boathouse Foundation director who was so impressed that he indicated that he might actually submit the plan to the city.

So for now, it probably means nothing. We'll just have to wait and see if this actually goes anywhere.

Plutonic Panda
03-07-2013, 10:53 PM
Hope it does! :D

Snowman
03-07-2013, 11:17 PM
Now apparently this student, Andrew Stevens, recently had a conversation with the Boathouse Foundation director who was so impressed that he indicated that he might actually submit the plan to the city.

Sweet

Praedura
03-07-2013, 11:18 PM
There's a lively discussion of this concept at a bicycling forum here:

Oklahoma City Proposed Velodrome - Topic (http://forums.bicycling.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/632104717/m/4171038977/p/1)

Andrew introduced the subject and answers questions about it. His thesis is getting attacked pretty hard by a number of commenters, but Andrew keeps his cool rather nicely.

Mississippi Blues
03-07-2013, 11:24 PM
Yeah, not only is the "cool factor" extremely high for this idea, but it also fits in beautifully with the other sporting/adventure style developments taking place on the river front.

Absolutely!

Praedura
05-03-2013, 11:40 PM
Apparently, Andrew Stevens is meeting with some city officials to present his velodrome ideas.

Facebook entry:



Just confirmed my location for my meeting next week with various city planners from
OKC, Yukon, Edmond & Norman. It just so happens to overlook my site perfectly.
Also confirmed my coffee order with elemental!


http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/461270_598970443447032_820269523_o.jpg

Source: Timeline Photos | Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=598970443447032&set=a.570467852963958.126891.565226326821444&type=1&relevant_count=1)

Praedura
05-03-2013, 11:56 PM
Note that Andrew has been hard at work for many weeks on his scale model.

This is a roughly 3 foot by 5 foot model, laid out on a board and painted, with models and simulated scenery placed on top.

Early stage:

http://sphotos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/554952_589340864409990_438739413_n.jpg

Blue is obviously the river, the dark curved paths are the railroad lines, and in the center goes the velodrome.


Later, after adding some simulated grass:

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/10060_593291697348240_811641914_n.jpg


Later still, with miniature trees and the velodrome model added:

http://sphotos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/381410_595314373812639_373209528_n.jpg


Close ups of the velodrome model:

http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/61946_594868170523926_1283848117_n.jpg

http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/532936_594868410523902_1319260547_n.jpg


Finally, the whole model laid outside for an outdoor shot:

http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/461308_595528000457943_374263039_o.jpg

Plutonic Panda
05-04-2013, 10:15 AM
That's awesome!!!!!! I've been following his Facebook page. I really hope this passes.

Also, any ideas of how much this would cost?

Praedura
07-04-2013, 11:44 AM
Apparently, Andrew Stevens is meeting with some city officials to present his velodrome ideas.
...

Well, Andrew never did follow this up with any mention of how the meeting went. Perhaps it went without any apparent success.
Or maybe it went very well -- so well, that Andrew has been asked not to comment on what was said. Heh, I'm just speculating here. :)

However, just yesterday Andrew puts a link on the facebook page to this article:

Oklahoma City's young urban professionals ditch cars, ask for bicycles | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-citys-young-urban-professionals-ditch-cars-ask-for-bicycles/article/3858157)

Which has the following quote:



Riversport Adventures also operates biking programs along the Oklahoma River, and Mike Knopp,
director of the Boathouse Foundation, confirms he is looking at the possibility of adding a biking track
to the riverfront attractions.


And this is on top of a NewsOK article from just a few days earlier on the Oklahoma River attractions:

River Attraction: Oklahoma River is becoming a big draw for Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/3857471?slideout=1)

Which has this little snippet:



Knopp, meanwhile, is looking at the possibility of adding a bicycle track to the mix, which would
enhance the foundation's Riversports existing biking program.


Could Knopp be referring to Andrew's Velodrome project?

Hmm...

Snowman
07-04-2013, 12:50 PM
Could Knopp be referring to Andrew's Velodrome project?

They have been talking about putting in a 'pump' track for bikes over the last few years now. Though things do have a tendency to change, something like this is more inline with what was already on the district's master plan.

http://cdn4.coresites.mpora.com/dirt_new/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/297773_183540911722408_109472799129220_377237_1179 992893_n.jpg

Kokopelli
07-04-2013, 01:51 PM
Could Knopp be referring to Andrew's Velodrome project? Hmm...


I had the same thoughts when I seen the article. The velodrome is a very intriguing and exciting concept. And from a sports theme standpoint it would be a natural and complimentary extension to the Boathouse district. (at the Pull-a-Part Location)

I really like the sustainability perspective of his design and without question lower operating cost could be a critical element in bringing the project to fruition. But I have to say the design also camouflages the velodrome itself to the point (al least in the model) that it appears to be just another park.

If the project picks up steam it will be interesting to see aesthetics comes into play. Its easy to see a scenario were a park with an outdoor velodrome and the outdoor trails is built within the next couple of years. Then a more stylish indoor velodrome could be built as a MAPS IV project


They have been talking about putting in a 'pump' track for bikes over the last few years now. Though things do have a tendency to change, something like this is more inline with what was already on the district's master plan.

http://cdn4.coresites.mpora.com/dirt_new/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/297773_183540911722408_109472799129220_377237_1179 992893_n.jpg

Is that something they are considering for Wiley Post Park next to the Matt Hoffman Action Sports Park or is that be considered for the Boathouse district?

Snowman
07-04-2013, 01:56 PM
Is that something they are considering for Wiley Post Park next to the Matt Hoffman Action Sports Park or is that be considered for the Boathouse district?

Boathouse district, though the location has shifted around within it over time, the two most recent proposed locations I have seen were between one the parking lots near Devon boathouse and Lincoln boulevard or in the grassy area north of the railroad, south of i40 and west of the new pedestrian bridge by the Chesapeake boathouse.

OKVision4U
03-08-2014, 11:05 AM
This concept is gaining momentum & moving past the idea "only" stage. Maybe it should be in the General Real Estate section ???

OKVision4U
03-08-2014, 11:14 AM
Andrew, after seeing our performance in Sochi on the large Ice Skating track, we could use more practice / training facilities. Or just need a greater access for our Oklahoma athletes, then we could bring home the gold.

Plutonic Panda
03-08-2014, 11:16 AM
This concept is gaining momentum & moving past the idea "only" stage. Maybe it should be in the General Real Estate section ???Just curious, where do get that from? I really want this happen though.

OKVision4U
03-08-2014, 11:32 AM
This is what someone posted in the past couple of weeks:

Andrew had a meeting the OKC Chamber a few days ago. Here is what he had to say about the meeting.

""WOW! That was awesome... They liked my concept, they liked my building design, they liked everything I presented. Lots of questions, not design questions like what I am use to. Who owns the land? How do I see this being funded? Have I started contacting people/organizations about this? where are the current headquarters for each sport listed? What is it's "Olympic potential"? What am I doing to move this project forward...

They are going to do some research to help answer some of these questions and there are others they want to send my information to so they can look it over. All in all a very productive meeting. Looks to be moving in the right direction and talks about another meeting at a future date with more people involved!"

Panda, I just felt it should be moved out of "idea only" and into "concept w/ legs" since Andrew met w/ the OKC Chamber. I like this project too. ( I don't own a bike, but this would definately put me in the market to buy a couple. )

Plutonic Panda
03-08-2014, 04:24 PM
This is what someone posted in the past couple of weeks:

Andrew had a meeting the OKC Chamber a few days ago. Here is what he had to say about the meeting.

""WOW! That was awesome... They liked my concept, they liked my building design, they liked everything I presented. Lots of questions, not design questions like what I am use to. Who owns the land? How do I see this being funded? Have I started contacting people/organizations about this? where are the current headquarters for each sport listed? What is it's "Olympic potential"? What am I doing to move this project forward...

They are going to do some research to help answer some of these questions and there are others they want to send my information to so they can look it over. All in all a very productive meeting. Looks to be moving in the right direction and talks about another meeting at a future date with more people involved!"

Panda, I just felt it should be moved out of "idea only" and into "concept w/ legs" since Andrew met w/ the OKC Chamber. I like this project too. ( I don't own a bike, but this would definately put me in the market to buy a couple. )That's awesome! I am looking to spend some good money on a new road bike and I can assure you I would frequent this! I believe this building would be the only of it's kind in the U.S. They have an awesome one in Frankfurt, Germany. OKC has yet another chance to do something truly amazing, let's hope it happens and get it done!

Servicetech571
03-08-2014, 05:53 PM
Who is going to pay for it?
Any chance for sponsors or will the taxpayers get the bill?

Snowman
03-08-2014, 06:00 PM
This concept is gaining momentum & moving past the idea "only" stage. Maybe it should be in the General Real Estate section ???

For now we might as well just keep tracking it either on this thread and/or the general river thread. Even under the most optimistic circumstances we are at least a few years away from seeing any construction, plus this early in the process every detail of the concept is possible to change.


Who is going to pay for it?
Any chance for sponsors or will the taxpayers get the bill?

It is too early in the process to even guess, given how well the process for collecting funds for the boathouses has gone it is plausible it could be entirely private donations, though either taxpayers or it not gathering enough support to happen at all are also possible. If it is private donations, the most likely name would probably be American Energy Partners Velodrome.

Plutonic Panda
03-26-2014, 03:19 PM
Just wanted to bump this thread and remind people of the FB page if anyone who hasn't done so wants to show support. I am super excited about this and hope it becomes a reality. This would be huge, imo.

https://www.facebook.com/OKCAreaVelodrome?ref=profile

From the FB Page:


Want to get involved? Want to help? The city has asked me what kind of interest is out there for this type of facility. Type up something describing yourself, (accomplishments, involvement in community, cycling experience, etc...) and what you think a facility like this would do for the area and OKC as a whole. Message me either the word document or PDF so I can include it in my next email to the city to show what interest is out there...

https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t1.0-9/1979614_759289934081748_2014371208_n.jpg

Plutonic Panda
03-28-2014, 02:53 PM
https://scontent-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1511907_760650873945654_411010804_n.jpg

OKCisOK4me
03-29-2014, 07:52 AM
I invited a ton of my health concious friends or friends that recognize a good thing for OKC and the region when they see it. So far, 12 have responded.

OKCisOK4me
03-29-2014, 09:48 PM
Actually, 11, cause you invited me ;-)

Plutonic Panda
04-18-2014, 05:15 PM
Had a meeting this afternoon...

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10259715_771594139517994_7196728310163723923_n.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/OKCAreaVelodrome/photos/a.746091122068296.1073741829.565226326821444/771594139517994/?type=1

Not sure how it went, but lord how this would be super sweet for OKC!

OKCisOK4me
04-18-2014, 05:34 PM
He did have a presentation at McNellies two Wednesdays ago if I remember correctly. I wonder how feedback went.


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