Mayor fields more questions on downtown

Have no doubt about it, I was being a bit mischievous with last week's column by offering some questions to members of Urban Neighbors to ask Mayor Mick Cornett during their visit Thursday at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel.

A couple of the questions did get asked: Cornett indicated he probably will be receptive to owners of the SuperSonics wanting the city to build a practice arena in suburban Oklahoma City instead of downtown. He also indicated a MAPS 3 probably won't be possible until 2010, and that he would like to see it include a convention center and a downtown light rail system.

But there were so many other questions I had listed that never got asked. Here they are — with his responses:

Q: If the Bricktown Canal is considered one of the most photographed areas of the city, why the delay replacing trees lost in the recent ice storms? Can't MAPS maintenance funds be used to bring back the greenery?

A: We're going to replace them. There were 15 to 20 trees lost. We'll start doing it next week.” Cornett added the city is looking to pursue a more ambitious planting program that would likely first address the most prominent corridors.

Q: Are you aware of the buildings in MidTown and Bricktown that have had broken windows for years, and if so, aren't these properties in violation of the city's code ordinances?

A: I can't say I'm much aware of that. I'm usually driving and not looking at windows. But I don't think they're a code violation as long as the buildings are secure.

(Cornett said even if such windows are not a code violation, he has at times called property owners asking them to make improvements. "Sometimes getting a call from the mayor can make a difference,” Cornett said. "It doesn't look good, and we don't need broken windows.”)

Q: What is the timetable for moving the city's detox center, which is surrounded by condominiums and apartments in Deep Deuce?

A: Soon.

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