The Ellison Hotel, set to open in 2021, will stand in The Triangle at Classen Curve and work in partnership with Ralph Ellison Foundation. It will mark Marriott International’s first foray into Oklahoma under its Tribute Portfolio brand, which focuses on independent boutique hotels “rooted in their local community.” The 75,000 square-foot hotel will house […]
Nikki Nice
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Feeding Oklahomans
Northeast Oklahoma City has dealt with food insecurity for years, but a new grocery store and a potential rezoning could significantly improve access to fresh, quality food. Since 1993, Ward 7 council representatives have tried to bring a full-service grocery store to northeast Oklahoma City. Those efforts, started by Willa Johnson and now primarily carried […]
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City investments
Sixteen projects are in the MAPS 4 package that was unanimously approved by Oklahoma City Council last week. Allocations are based on an estimated $978 million revenue from a one-cent sales tax set to last eight years. During the Aug. 27 meeting in which the package was voted on, many councilmembers said they did not […]
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Building’s fate
The old city jail was saved from demolition for now, but there are no concrete plans to move forward with redevelopment. The resolution to apply for demolition was deferred four times before a decision was made. It was first discussed June 4 and then every two weeks until Aug. 13, with councilmembers disagreeing on the […]
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MAPS package
Oklahoma City council and mayor vote on a MAPS 4 slate tomorrow that includes all 16 proposals with formal presentations at the special meetings. Allocations are based on an estimate that the temporary 1-cent sales tax will generate $978 million in revenue. If passed by council, the package goes to a Dec. 10 vote for […]
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Chicken-Fried News: Food desert drama
Local grocery chain Buy For Less gave a textbook example in how not to handle public relations correctly last week, after it announced the closing of its Smart Saver store at 23rd Street and Martin Luther King Avenue, which was the only full-service grocery option in the city’s unhealthiest zip code, 73111. Step 1 in […]
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Chief enforcer
Oklahoma City Police Department’s (OKCPD) new police chief is a 30-year police veteran. Wade Gourley is the 50th police chief, succeeding former chief Bill Citty, who retired May 2 after 15 years on the job. City manager Craig Freeman announced the selection of Gourley at a July 8 press conference. He thanked Ward 7 councilwoman […]
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Summer recreation
We Got This: A Fundraiser for Kids at the Douglass Center 7 p.m. Sunday Tower Theatre 425 NW 23rd St. towertheatreokc.com 405-708-6937 Free with donation Jabee Williams feels called to use his platform to stand up for issues when others might not be able to speak out. That is why he hosts a fundraising concert […]
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Jail choice
Oklahoma City Council deferred a resolution to demolish the old city jail, police headquarters and municipal court buildings. The council will discuss the resolution at the June 18 meeting. The buildings, none of which are on the National Register of Historic Places, are in councilwoman JoBeth Hamon’s Ward 6. She asked for the resolution to […]
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Food emergency
Oklahoma City Council passed a 180-day moratorium on “small box discount stores” in the 73111 ZIP code. Ward 7 councilwoman Nikki Nice proposed the measure, which was signed May 8, because she was concerned about the area’s lack of access to fresh, healthy foods. She was also alarmed with the proliferation of dollar and discount […]