You Me and OKC

      I recently had the privilege of attending “OKC Moving Forward”, a panel discussion on the future of our great city.  The distinguished panelists were as follows:  Roy Williams – President, Greater OKC Chamber of Commerce, Janet Yowell – Executive Director, Edmond Economic Development Authority, Pat Ryan – OKC City Council, and Brett Hamm – President, Downtown OKC Inc. I will share the highlights of this discussion and provide my own take on what you and I may do to participate in the renaissance which is currently under way in our city.

      Brett Hamm discussed the progress with our downtown strategy.  Our strategy consisted of three parts:

1. Increase the units of downtown living;
2. Increase the number of downtown hotel units, and;
3. Increase the amount of tourism visitors.

      Mr. Hamm reported we were well on our way to achieving the targets of our first two goals and we have far surpassed the target of our third goal.

      Pat Ryan spoke of the need for us to create an environment conducive to business.  He spoke of the need for city employees/civil service people to learn to say “YES” first.  He said there is a culture often to say “NO” first.  Why?  Because “NO” is safe.  No one has ever been fired for saying “NO”, but what we need is an atmosphere where we say, “How can we make it happen?”  Mr. Ryan also spoke of two major decisions in which we the citizens of Oklahoma City will take part.  The first is a 750 million General Obligation Bond to be voted on in December which will be used for infrastructure improvement.  The second is the possibility of MAPS 3.  Mr. Ryan was careful to draw a distinction between the bond and MAPS 3.  The bond is routine housekeeping as opposed to MAPS 3 which he sees as money to be used beyond the normal.  He feels MAPS 3 should be used for a specific purpose or project which we the citizens identify as our greatest need to advance us forward into the future.  The suggestions put forward thus far by the citizenry can be viewed at http://www.okc.gov/about_okc/maps_3_survey.html.  The list is as follows:

• Transit (light rail, streetcars, etc.) 668
• Infrastructure, Including Streets 188
• Trails 140
• General Parks Improvement/Expansion 123
• Beautification (includes trees, streetscapes) 117
• Sidewalks 100
• Education 77
• Downtown Retail 69
• Football or Soccer Stadium 65
• Ford Center Improvements 41
• Major League Sports/NBA Practice Facility 40
• New Convention Center 40
• Downtown “Central Park” 36
• Senior Citizen Centers 36
• Free Downtown Parking 33
• Lengthen Bricktown Canal 29
• Police 29
• Visual Icon 28
• Outdoor Amphitheater 27
• Homeless 27
• Senior Citizen Housing 25
• Citywide Wireless Internet 23
• Youth Athletic Facility 23
• Fairgrounds 22
• Amusement Parks 20
• Community Centers 20
• Downtown General Improvements 20
• Economic Development 20
• Old Neighborhood Restoration 17
• New Skyscraper 16
• Opportunity Fund 16
• Health Care 15
• Aquarium 13
• Arts Funding 13
• More Retail in General 13
• Gateways to City 12
• More Museums 12
• Cox Center Improvements 11
• Fire Department 11
• Omniplex 11
• Public Art 11
• Downtown Housing 10
• Ensure Future Water Supply 10
• More Outdoor Lighting 10

      Another project which was mentioned was the Hefner-Overholser Trail which he reported was near completion.  The 5.3 mile trail will connect Hefner Lake to Overholser Lake with parking at either lake.

      Next to speak was Janet Yowell.  She spoke predominantly about the need for intergovernmental projects.  She reported on an airport project between Edmond and Guthrie.  She also reported on the success of Edmond as a major growth area and noted the development of a nationally significant Forensic Science center.  Students graduating from this new center may be able to find employment right across the street at the new OSBI building which is being built.  This was mentioned in the context of the need for graduate retention.

      The theme of cooperation was continued by Brett Hamm.  He noted it was important for us to think of ourselves as more than just a city.  He said we should think of ourselves as a region.  Why is this important?  Because that is how we are being viewed by others.  Companies considering a move here view us as a region.  Even people who choose to live here view us as more than just one city, but instead as a region with its own culture.

      The next idea introduced by Mr. Hamm was one of Growth Industry Clusters.  He identified three areas of strength which we should continue to develop.  The first cluster is the Aviation/Aerospace Industry.  The second cluster is the Bioscience Industry.  The third is Energy.  These three clusters collectively represent almost one third of the total industry of the Metro area.

      I entitled this article “You Me and OKC”.  Thus far I have reported to you, as reported to me, the “State of the City”; the OKC, if you will.  Now I would like to talk about the YOU and the ME.  I will not try to tie this all into one great unifying idea but instead just present to you some of my personal observations.

      One is this:  Have you ever heard the saying that the three most important things in real estate are “Location, Location, Location?”  I am sure you have.  But what does it mean?  Many will tell you it has something to do with geography.  But I contend that it has more to do with the location of people in relation to other people.  What makes an area nice or not?  Is it buildings or materials?  No, it is the people.  What makes an HOA?  It is the people.  What increases the quality of life?  It is the people.  What makes up a neighborhood but neighbors?  What makes up a city but neighborhoods?  And what makes a region or metropolitan area but cities?  In the end it is us, each one of us, and all of us interacting.

      Another observation I have made is that property values and economies are directly related to education.  So, whether you have a direct interest in education or not, I assure you the quality of education in your area impacts the quality of your life.

      A third idea I would like to put forth is that the young adults are important to achieving a thriving city.  Simply put it is the proverbial “things to do.”  Our city must have things to do.  Not that we don’t.  But the more we have the more attractive we will become.  One of the things mentioned by the panelists was the need to retain more of our university graduates.  It was reported we graduate 25,000 students a year in our region, yet we lose a large number to other cities.  Why is this important?  Because the quality of the work force is one of the major considerations of companies looking to relocate.  Remember the “it’s all about the people” mantra?   New companies are a driving force behind any regional economy.  Also, it was mentioned that graduates in today’s market first pick a city and then find a job.  As opposed to the past when graduates would find a job and then move to that city.  As a real estate professional, I can personally attest to this phenomenon.

      The company I work for has a very large internet presence.  As such we attract many out-of-state buyers.  One of the things that surprised me was the number of people that contact us saying they are trying to choose between Oklahoma City and some other city (Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Austin, and St. Louis are common candidates). This puts us in the position of selling our city.  I find we are doing this more and more often.  The more there is to do the easier the sell is going to be.  Some things from the list of ideas for MAPS 3 which may appeal to these young adults are things that are going to create more to do.  Trails, Outdoor Amphitheater, convention centers, parking, community centers, museums, or anything else that would create an entertainment venue would add to our allure.  Austin is a prime example of how live entertainment can enhance a city.  Oklahoma City must create its own charisma which is made from the collective expression of what we are individually.  We must first define our culture before we can promote it.

      That brings us around to the YOU.  We have covered OKC and ME.  Tell me what you think it is that defines us as a region.  Tell me what you think we should do as we progress as a city.  Go to ThisOldNeighborhood.com and tell me what we should do with a MAPS 3 fund.  Give me your ideas and I will share them with your neighbors.  Neighbor-to-neighbor we will build a great city that is uniquely Oklahoma City which has an allure that cannot be denied.

If you’re looking to buy or sell a house, be sure to visit us at www.PaulaAndCompany.com!