Jewel Theater

[Spartan]

I disagree. I think that's exactly what we should be doing.

...until you look back and realize in what a short span we've torn down dozens of buildings, easily matching urban renewal. When you're realizing such a grim general trend, then you need to reevaluate.

[wsucougz]

I"m totally for preservation betts, but the buildings with trees growing out of them would basically have to be torn down and reconstructed.

How do you know this - do you have information about the structural condition, or are you going off what you see in the pictures? From the pictures alone, those trees look fairly superficial to me.

[UnFrSaKn]

The trees themselves don't look like much, but how far do the roots go? It looks like someone has already tried keeping the walls from falling down if you look at the East side.

[betts]

I've seen buildings a lot worse than those restored, though. Remember what the houses on 9th St. looked like before they were renovated? And my son's neighborhood in Jacksonville has some incredibly dilapidated houses that have been restored, because it's an historic district.

[metro]

I know the city doesn't do anything about buildings unless someone reports them.

Perhaps we could create a list of key properties and divide up responsibility for keeping watch and reporting any violations.

The problem is, if there isn't a process to take back and resell, then it won't matter anyway.

they rarely do anything AFTER you report them.

[betts]

Which probably means someone wants them, whether it's the University, someone wanting to build housing or something else. Speaking of housing, the empty school would make amazing housing. A lot of the residents and students live in apartments significantly farther away, so there is a market.

[zimmerokc]

Thanks for the pictures of those two buildings, UnFrSaKn. I drove by today and saw all the trees coming out of The Jewel. There are a few in there. I didn't get out of my car so didn't see the inside detail of the salon that you did. It always saddens me to see buildings in such a state. I know the owner was (and is!) proud to have The Jewel on the National Register.

Interesting discussion on how to keep important historic buildings in a more stable condition. I am interested in this and would like to be involved. Some states have given local governments the authority to fix up such buildings, Oklahoma is not one of them. The state has given cities the authority to demolish structures and place a lien on the property for the cost+, so that is what gets done.

[Spartan]

The trees themselves don't look like much, but how far do the roots go? It looks like someone has already tried keeping the walls from falling down if you look at the East side.

That's what I'm wondering. It all depends on how mature the tree's root structure is, and whether it can be uprooted without compromising the structural integrity of the building. You're almost assuredly going to have to knock a hole in the wall, which may or may not be a major obstacle depending on how big of a hole. One thing that is definitely inappropriate however is to condemn the building as early as the message board topic phase.

NW 9th Street is an incredibly valid mantra in cases like this...

[Urbanized]

As bad as they are, I promise those buildings are in no worse shape (probably better than) the less-remarkable buildings on 9th that now house Pachinko Parlor, Shop Good and Sara Sara Cupcake. Preservation just requires "want-to". That, and money.

[Spartan]

I am not under the impression that 9th Street broke the bank for Steve Mason?

[Urbanized]

You mean it did, or it didn't? I know Steve, but I don't pretend to know ANYBODY'S pocketbook. I know he (and his partners, and operators, AND customers, myself included) all seem to be very happy with his efforts over there, and everytime I look he has a new project coming to fruition. I don't get the impression that being Steve Mason is a bad gig.

[UnFrSaKn]

Piece of Okla. history in danger of being lost

http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-...,1024163.story

[Pete]

Sounds like everyone wants the building saved and I hope this is a step in the right direction:

Hurst now has 30 days to come up with a plan to rehab the building or to sell it.

Still, buildings like this should never be allowed to get to this point. This one is even on a busy street where it was known by all to be a complete mess for decades. Yet, the city does nothing until 30 years have passed and it may be beyond saving.

If we really cared about historical buildings there would be much more proactive measures in place to make sure property owners kept them up. Since the current owner hasn't had the means, that would have meant probably forcing him to sell it some time ago.

And beyond that, historical or otherwise, the City should never, ever allow properties to be this bad -- let alone for decades.

[gracefor24]

Sounds like everyone wants the building saved and I hope this is a step in the right direction:




Still, buildings like this should never be allowed to get to this point. This one is even on a busy street where it was known by all to be a complete mess for decades. Yet, the city does nothing until 30 years have passed and it may be beyond saving.

If we really cared about historical buildings there would be much more proactive measures in place to make sure property owners kept them up. Since the current owner hasn't had the means, that would have meant probably forcing him to sell it some time ago.

And beyond that, historical or otherwise, the City should never, ever allow properties to be this bad -- let alone for decades.

The NE side is full of these types of beauties. The saddest one is the Walcourt Apts on 13 and Walnut. Incredibly beautiful building.

[UnFrSaKn]

http://www.abandonedok.com/the-walcourt-revisited/

[CaptDave]

http://www.abandonedok.com/the-walcourt-revisited/

What a beautiful building. The exterior alone is impressive, but you can see the possibilities of the interior from some of the detail work that survived. I think the interior would have to be stripped to the studs, new electrical, plumbing, HVAC etc before you could even begin to worry about architectural details though. What a sad state for such a great building. I now have a new rehabilitation dream should I ever come into a sizable sum of money. What is the lottery up to now??

[Pete]

My renovation dream would be the Page-Woodson school on NE 6th. Would make a great condo conversion.

I'll have to start a new thread on dream renovations because I bet most people here have pet buildings that may be lesser known.

[UnFrSaKn]

My renovation dream would be the Page-Woodson school on NE 6th. Would make a great condo conversion.

http://www.abandonedok.com/page-wood...ool-revisited/

[betts]

I think the same thing. I'm amazed no one has bought it to turn into apartments or condos for students and residents.

[UncleCyrus]

I know there are several here that go to or watch the city council meetings. Has anyone heard what the decision was on the Jewel Theater?

[Bailey80]

I know there are several here that go to or watch the city council meetings. Has anyone heard what the decision was on the Jewel Theater?

The council voted to declare the Jewel a "dilapidated structure," but said they would work with the owner to get the building up to code and wouldn't pursue tearing it down, yet anyway.

[UncleCyrus]

Thank you. I knew someone here would know!

[Pete]

March 10 2012

Ora’s Beauty Salon

http://www.flickr.com/photos/william...7629555122401/

A demolition permit was just issued for this structure. It may already be down.

[UnFrSaKn]

They've indeed started tearing this down. Got some photos this morning.

[Pete]

Good thing you took these photos when you did...

Just goes to show by the time these buildings come to the attention of the city, they are usually too far gone to save.