OKC Central Chat transcript, Jan. 25, 2013

The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer took questions from readers in today's OKC Central Live Chat. You can join Steve's Q&A's on Fridays at 10 a.m. and submit your questions about the happenings in and around downtown Oklahoma City. Below is an unedited transcript of the chat.

NewsOK 9:29 a.m. Good morning everyone! Steve will be logging in at 10 a.m., but you can start submitting your questions and comments now.

Steve Lackmeyer 9:58 a.m. Hello everybody.

Steve Lackmeyer 9:59 a.m. Let's start off with a reminder: questions are posted as they get answered. So there will be delays in when you post a question or comment, and when they appear.

BethanySooner 9:59 a.m. Good morning Steve. Appreciated your update on Project 180. I may have missed it, but do you recall getting confirmation that the furniture, artwork, and monuments were still included in this project?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:00 a.m. The furnishings are already out with the completed streetscapes. I'm not sure that I recall monuments ever being called for. There were some fountain/public art style items considered for Park Avenue as part of the Project 180 master plan, but its uncertain whether that will actually happen until the design is done.

BethanySooner 10:00 a.m. Is there anything you can tell us about Ron Bradshaw's Maywood Flats. Will these completely finish out those blocks where the Brownstones are now located. Also, I don't recall seeing any renderings for these. Have you seen anything yet?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:01 a.m. Good question - let me get back to you on it.

Carrie 10:01 a.m. testing testing

Steve Lackmeyer 10:01 a.m. Your test is successful.

Doc 10:01 a.m. Perhaps you know Steve; What ever happened to talk of Grand Prix racing coming to OKC? Have not heard anything about this in some time.

Steve Lackmeyer 10:03 a.m. I spoke to the two competing groups about a year ago and they indicated they still wanted to make a race a reality. I've heard more from the group led by Mike McAuliffe who wants to do a race by the zoo. I'm not sure either effort, however, will be successful due to the mixed track record of similar races that have taken place across the country.

Ray 10:03 a.m. Why has no one from the Historic Society asked or presented reasons to keep the Film Exchange buildings from being destroyed by the new Central Park. Only one person asked the question to the landscape architects wanting to destroy the buildings at their presentation last night.

Steve Lackmeyer 10:03 a.m. I don't know.

Nick 10:03 a.m. Do you ever see a day where the canal is extended into the business district? Would be a cool feature along CHK Arena, Myriad Gardens, etc..

Steve Lackmeyer 10:04 a.m. There was an effort to do just this during the planning for the MAPS 3 campaign. Parties in Bricktown went to quite the effort to pitch such an extension, but Mayor Mick Cornett shot it down. it's hard to visualize such an effort taking place again.

Cole Perryman 10:04 a.m. Who owns the land along the east side of Broadway north of 13th near the Dolese offices? Why hasn't that been developed? Is it due to railroad and I-235 ROW, zoning, or what? Lots of open space between Dolese and that 16th St. cut-through road under I-235.

Steve Lackmeyer 10:05 a.m. I believe the land is owned by Dolese, and from what I've heard, they want the area for future growth and for protection of their operation.

Squidworth 10:05 a.m. With the plans for the parks I see that Bethany Imports on Robinson will be moved. Any idea what the plan for that move is?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:05 a.m. Nope.

Chase R. 10:06 a.m. Good morning Steve. Have you heard anything about how business is going at Native Roots Market?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:07 a.m. They seem to be doing alright. They're adjusting their product mix, taking feedback from customers, figuring out what they need to carry. They are definitely in new territory. I'll be there on Monday, so I'll let you know what I find out.

Carrie 10:07 a.m. Do you think the Grand Prix might be waiting for some incentives?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:09 a.m. That's certainly a part of the equation. But I'm not sure if that's why a race hasn't taken place. Consider that the Baltimore Grand Prix, launched the same year the Oklahoma City Council said no to a $7.1 million incentive request for a race downtown, went bankrupt and had all sorts of problems.

JD 10:10 a.m. Is there movement on the okcidea space buying downtown?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:10 a.m. JD, I'm not sure I follow what you're asking.

Miles 10:10 a.m. Wondering if you have gotten a sense from community leaders about the news coming from Chesapeake and Sandridge. Seems like both of those men got caught up with an arms race of renovating and building, and seeing who could have the biggest non-profit footprint. Now it all may fall apart.

Steve Lackmeyer 10:13 a.m. Community leaders I've spoken to aren't going to come straight out and publicly voice their concerns. But they are worried. No one is predicting either company is going to disappear. But Chesapeake is a major player in the non-profit world and in real estate, and the sort of pull back being discussed is seen as having serious implications on what can and can't be done in OKC. SandRidge is also being watched closely.

Nick 10:13 a.m. What is going in across from Cafe 7 on Corner of Robinson and Park? Southside of Park and West side of Robinson