Nearly the same thing happened in DeepDeuce with Brownstone and Maywood Loft owners not being happy with the eventual Maywood apartments and now Mosaic. It's almost as if people who move there first have a perceived entitlement to the area.
What you are seeing here is the first appearance of that kind of density in the Midtown area.
OKC will see pockets of this density growing over the next 20 years or so. Gradually these places will grow together, and then I expect development to really take off. At some point you'll be able to walk from Bricktown, through Deep Deuce, down Automobile Alley, through Midtown, down through SoSA, to Film Row, and over to the Farmer's Market, and you won't pass any empty lots. We aren't there yet, but that day is not far away. I think you're going to see a lot more of this kind of development once it proves to be successful. The less land there is available, the more dense these projects will get.
Although I do feel sorry for those opposed it is not for the reasons you might think. I feel sorry that they didn't put much (or more) effort into developing their lots appropriate for a major city's downtown. Sure, OKC was desolate and those opposed were urban pioneers who we all greatly thank and appreciate getting downtown started. But, you have to realize that this is downtown and an urban neighbourhood at that, so once things get rolling you have to expect dense development and taller buildings to be erected. One other clue on this is existing city codes have no height or density RESTRICTIONS. clue clue clue - you're in a major downtown setting that likely will take off just like the other side of said downtown did - so plan accordingly.
When I think of SoSa I think of Chicago's Near North Side (in development). There, you have multi-million dollar homes just down the street from major development and attractions of the global world city that Chicago is; homeowners likely built to retain some sort of view as development took off as was expected in Streeterville and River North. SOSA is similar and there should ahve been planning/thought into how it would develop as OKC's Near North Side.
The 'nice' thing for the op-posers is that 1) you can sell your home/land for likely FAR more than you paid/invested into it OR 2) just wait as high-rise development will likely spread NW and the views will be 'back' - ala Chicago Near North side but smaller scale of course.
Oklahoma City, the RENAISSANCE CITY!
There are height restrictions; I believe they are 3 stories or 50'. This was to preserve the cottage in cottage district, though cottages are few and far between.
The ironic thing is that there are no height restrictions on the south side of 6th Street (I believe), so this proposal stands a strong chance of having a "view" of nothing in the not too distant future.
As as previous land owner in SOSA... One major reason we decided to sell our properties was due to the previous projects being built by this developer. Their projects lack the quality of all the other projects in SOSA as well are architecture design If you have been thru any of the houses in SOSA you can tell a total difference in quality construction between their projects and others. Now this developer has been able to flip these properties and make good money but at who's expense. The houses they are building will be falling apart in 15 years or need major remodeling. It is really disheartening for me to see another property by northline bc they are totally moving in a different direction than any of the other property owners in SOSA. Now I realize I have no fight in this decision due to selling my property. Just my 2 cents.
815 nw 8th duplex and 828 nw 8th
I believe their plan is to also build exact replica duplex to 815 right to the east of it. Terrible
I am not sure which ones kjones is referring to but they built 828 NW 8th which is under contract and was on the AIA tour. They also built the duplex at 813 NW 8th. They may also be doing the house under construction at 916 NW 8th but not totally sure as that has been transferred to another LLC. These may not be the ones he is referring to though.
The previous Northline SOSA projects are relatively dumpy and unimaginative. This proposed project looks much better and more professionally designed. And they are going along a busier, 4 lane street where I dont think single residences make sense. Could this proposed project be a little better and have more variation among unuts? Yes. Do the nearby neighbors to the north have a reason to be upset? Absolutely, and I cant blame them for that. But I dont see why this project should be stopped. There is no glaring issue with these 14 units that should give the city any reason to block it.
Besides, if this were shot down, it could be likely that a denser and taller apartment/condo building could locate on this property and make things even worse for the neighbors.
IIRC, you sold one lot in SoSA to buy the one at 809 NW 7th from Dennis Wells. Then when asked about selling that lot you said:
You also sold that second lot before the second Northline project was even started. Both their projects are on 8th and your lot was on 7th.My wife and I had planned to build our dream home. Due to many factors (cost,time and finding another home we love we decided to sell the lot.)
Also, Ken Fitzsimmons designed 828 NW 8th, and he's designed several houses in SoSA:
Here is the Northline duplex at 815 NW 8th:
This project received approval from the UDC today.
Only person voting against was Brian Fitzsimmons who lives to the north. His wife spoke against the project at the meeting.
Seems a bit unusual that Brian was still able to vote. Conflict of interest?
Love what Brian Fitzsimmons has done for this city.
This was not a proud moment for him though. I'd hope in the future that he recuses himself from a vote in a situation like this, especially if his wife is actively protesting to the committee. You have 0% chance of being swayed by a better argument if the other side of the argument is your wife…unless of course you're certifiably insane hahaha!!!
Glad to see this was approved.
SoSA is on the up and up! I really like the modern-style houses and they are very unique for OKC. Hopefully the next bond package in 2017 includes street resurfacing, sidewalks, and streetlights in the neighborhood.
It's a conflict of interest for sure. And his wife made it worse by protesting, because now you don't know if he was voting under direction of his wife, or himself. And he may have told her he would not vote at all, but she may have swayed him to vote anyhow.
The good thing is it passed, despite NIMBY opposition of an unreasonable issue.
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