Things – They are a Changin’
by Dr. J. David Chapman May 2018
Things – They are a Changin’
The bad news first. Larry Lambrecht purchased the corner of Campbell and Broadway about a year ago with the intent of building a 30,000 SF office building. Larry has reconsidered that decision and simply doesn’t feel like it is prudent to build a “spec” office building of that size in Edmond at this time. As much as I like to see development in our city, I must agree with him. The time is probably not right for this project. Larry is actively marketing this corner for sale for $1.2 million. This is one of the two best corners in the city of Edmond. The other being the corner of Hurd and Broadway. Both would be perfect for what our city needs – a mixed-use, high-end apartment/condominium project above edgy new retail.
Speaking of the corner of Hurd and Broadway, that corner is also in the news. It’s been the home to a creative placemaking concept for two years known as KatieBugs shaved ice and hot chocolate. This corner has averaged about 100 customers a day in the summer and over 50 a day in the winter. I’m sad to say this business/traffic-generator for downtown Edmond is moving to a brick and mortar alternative in Automobile Alley in June. The good news is the property owner is actively pursuing new tenants and creative new concepts for the corner.
Now for the good news. By all accounts it appears the new board-game concept called Unplugged that opened several months ago in downtown Edmond is going gangbusters. Every time I go by there the tables are full of people competing and sipping on craft beer. What a great addition to neighborhood.
In an effort to increase entrepreneurism and serve small businesses in town, Citizen’s Bank of Edmond has opened an office sharing concept called 405 Vault. Providing all the necessities to small businesses from office space to coffee they can stay as little as an hour to a year.
The biggest potential game-changer for downtown Edmond is the implementation of a quiet zone to silence the horn of that pesky train. The City recently hosted a workshop focusing on the issue. The City of Edmond’s consultant did provide a plan for modifying every train crossing in city limits and the compliance costs seem to be less than feared. I’m going to go out on a limb and predict we will silence the train horns in Edmond within a three-year period – hopefully sooner.