Bricktown improvements
The 20th anniversary of the opening of the Bricktown canal is coming up soon.
In light of this, I'm going to go ahead and post some items involving the latest improvement to the Bricktown canal and surrounding area.
Bricktown Canal plaza renovation
The west end of the canal was originally slated for a grand project to link it to the adjacent Santa Fe railroad station by way of a tunnel.
This would allow passengers arriving on the train to enter the canal area directly.
A number of improvements on the canal side were planned to accomodate this - specifically an upper terrace and a new stairway to the lower canal level.
However, it turned out not to be.
There were two bids received for the construction of the tunnel, and both came in over budget.
So this idea has been scrapped by the city, for the moment anyway.
I don't think it's dead - I do believe the tunnel may well be constructed at a future date.
The remaining improvements to the plaza, however, are still set to happen.
The upper viewing terrace and the grand staircase, as well as a landscaped lower plaza area are still in the works.
The grand staircase first emerged in late February:
https://twitter.com/watertaxi
Construction picked up pace in the spring.
https://twitter.com/dtokcbuilds
https://twitter.com/_Bricktown
This mural is called "El Pavo Real" (i.e. "The Peacock").
It's by artist Jack Fowler -- an appropriate name.
https://twitter.com/watertaxi
This mural was completed recently as part of the canal improvements.
Aerial view of the progress by mid April:
The latest progress shot from yesterday (6-15-2019) shows the handrails installed.
https://twitter.com/watertaxi
New pedestrian crosswalk
A new pedestrian crosswalk was set to be installed between the ballpark and the entry to the east end of the canal.
https://twitter.com/_bricktown/statu...08657504047105
This crosswalk somewhat recreates the original stretch of California Avenue that was eliminated when the canal was built.
This would include some placemaking art work.
https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?...ricktown-Canal
Construction began earlier this year:
https://twitter.com/dtokcbuilds
Cool aerial shot:
https://twitter.com/dtokcbuilds
The crosswalk was finished by early April.
Still remaining
There is still one section left along the side facing the railroad that is receiving attention.
There will be landscaping, benches, and new lighting added there.
Location:
Renderings:
I believe this is set to start very soon.
Also, the placemaking art that was to be positioned on the new crosswalk has yet to be installed.
I haven't heard any word as to whether there is some problem or why the delay.
https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=23542&page=89
https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?...ricktown-Canal
http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r...n-to-Bricktown