O’Connor: OKC’s downtown housing mix continues to diversify
Cathy O’Connor
The Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority recently issued a request for proposals due July 30 for residential development in a section of The Hill at Bricktown. The site, located in OCURA’s Harrison-Walnut Urban Renewal Plan Area, is available for urban residential development close to downtown, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, State Capitol Complex and the OU Research Park.
The development site consists of nearly 122,000 square feet of land and looks to welcome new families and homeowners to the area. The RFP outlines that the architectural character be consistent with the surrounding area and achieve sustainability and energy efficiency in the design and construction. Developers are asked to include a ground level that engages the streets and sidewalks to encourage pedestrian activity. The parcels of land fall within the Downtown Tax Increment Financing project area – TIF and GO bonds have been effective tools to help Oklahoma City develop the right mix of housing in downtown.