The 19 most popular stories from 2019

Editor’s note: As we embark upon a new year, a look back at the most popular stories on VeloCity from the past year gives us a chance to reflect on 2019, what we’ve accomplished as a Chamber and city – and thank our readers. We appreciate you clicking, reading and sharing these as well as all of the other stories we’ve posted (by our count, 781 in total this year) on VeloCity!

• 19. Big changes under way at OKC's airport - the expansion and renovations to Will Rogers World Airport, in many ways our city's "front door," was and is a popular topic.
• 18. Central Exchange developers expect to be open before fall – and indeed they were! Home to Parlor OKC, Eote coffee and more, the opening of this mixed-use facility had OKCitians talking.
• 17. Kings of Leon to kick off Scissortail Park’s opening with free concert – the opening of Scissortail Park is undoubtedly a landmark day in the history of our city, and the success and popularity of this show is a big part of it.
• 16. Q&A with Automobile Alley, Plaza developer Steve Mason: ‘The place to be is in the urban core’ – thanks to Steve Mason for giving us such an engaging, wide-ranging interview!
• 15. Innovation District supporters present MAPS 4 proposal – MAPS 4 will allow the District to implement much of the first phase of the Land Use and Strategic Development Plan that was unveiled earlier in the summer (see #8 below), creating jobs and diversifying / stimulating our economy.
• 14. Kratos Defense and Oklahoma leaders announce OKC as future production home of the XQ-58-Valkyrie – there is only one word to describe the Valkyrie itself, as well as the fact that it will be made here, and that’s “badass.”
• 13. Heartland looking forward to new downtown headquarters – one of the coolest and largest infill projects you’ll see garnered much attention from readers.
• 12. New ‘Meet in OKC’ video updates popular ‘flyover’ imagery – this video cleverly introduces actual footage of some of OKC’s new assets (Streetcar, Scissortail Park) into the popular “OKC in 2020 Flyover” video.
• 11. West OKC growth fuels Westgate Park Development – construction and curiosity go hand-in-hand in this fast-growing area of the city.
• 10. Get ready to Van Gogh to the OKCMOA’s French art exhibition – the latest in a string of successful special exhibitions for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.
• 9. Construction on Convention Center, Omni Hotel and Scissortail Park is on schedule – even with the Convention Center and Omni still under construction, if you haven’t seen this area recently, prepare to have your mind blown.
• 8. Land Use and Strategic Development Plan for Innovation District introduced – with so much potential economic growth in play, the results of a study and plan for the future of the Innovation District rightfully garnered plenty of attention.
• 7. Learn more about OKC City Council candidates on the Feb. 12 ballot – look who’s an engaged citizen! That’s right, the VeloCityOKC reader.
• 6. Yale Theater set to return to center stage as Capitol Hill anchor – the story on this fantastic redevelopment project definitely piqued readers’ interests.
• 5. Scissortail Park opens in 100 days – excitement for the park’s opening was only exceeded by enjoyment of the actual park itself.
• 4. OKC Streetcar How-to: Brewery taproom crawl – what better way to experience the streetcar than using it for a jaunt to sample fabulous fermentables from some of OKC’s downtown breweries?
• 3. OU Medical Center making history with new patient tower – when people see tall cranes, they often wonder, “What’s that they’re building?” In this case, one of the largest hospital expansion projects in the nation that will have a positive effect the metro’s physical and economic health.
• BONUS 2018 story: OKC Streetcar Park & Ride Guide – the enduring popularity of this story as well as #4 above goes to show how streetcar interest has only grown since launch.
• 2. Upcoming special election set for amendments to OKC Charter, ONG franchise agreement – again, look who’s an engaged citizen! That’s right, the VeloCityOKC reader.
• 1. New gun law goes into effect Nov. 1 – Evidently, you were curious as to how this would change things!