Watch Hogan trot out some fancy looking picture in the RFP, Cornett awards it to him, and then we get a bunch of stucco buildings... :rolleyes:

I think the city is taking the right track. Although, it seems to be taking them FOREVER to do anything. But, I think the RFP should stipulate that the proposals include hidden garage parking to replace the existing lots.

what the city is doing is all well and good in theory .. however .. if funk has a 17year lease for parking .. then he may just decide to do nothing ... for 17 years ..

and that would be worse for OKC ..then his 200mil investment ..

^

That is a good point... It sounds like the city may have the option of buying out his lease, though.

If they can't do that, then you are right in that we may have a nice piece of prime real estate sit empty due to the stalmate.

Has anyone ever seen a future master plan of Bricktown??

I would like to see how everything is supposed to come together with all of the new construction that is going on in Bricktown.

I have a hard time seeing the Funk project (Ritz Carlton Hotel, Crate & Barrell, Whole Foods, etc. ) located next door to the Bait Tackle Shop and the IHOP.

I am not sure what belongs in that location. Maybe more chain restaurants (Chillis or Fridays), a mid-range quality hotel (Fairfield Inn or Holiday Inn Express) and another parking garage. Also I could see a large affordable apartment tower would also fit in that location.

That end of Bricktown has an awkward feel to it, imo.

Whaaaa? No one has packed the relevant public trust with shills?

Frankly, I'd like to see tighter control over Bricktown in general. I'd love to see a Public Trust created specifically for Bricktown/downtown development. I'd love to see said trust have an open bidding process, *REALLY* select the right project, then closely supervise construction.

I wouldn't even be opposed to funding the project with revenue bonds and TIF money so long as whatever is done is done right.

I actually take this all as a good sign the OKC isn't willing just to act out of low self-esteem, no longer willing just to take whatever the first developer to come along offers.

We've given up enough great parcels of land for really disappointing developments. Typically, the developers cherry-pick the most profitable parts of the projects then take forever on the rest, often completely abandoning their original plans and always going for more simplistic and inexpensive designs.

Sounds like the mayor is finally saying "enough". We no longer need developers to build just *anything* in these areas... Time to the turn the tables and ask them how their projects would benefit the community. Then hold them accountable for doing what they promise.

It sounds like the city is doing the right thing here, IMO.

If Funk has the best proposal, he shouldn't mind competing with other developers.

It seems to me he's been trying to get a sweetheart deal from the city and Mick knows that land is very valuable and that we shouldn't be selling public property to developers, especially after it was the investment of citizens that generated that value.

I'm sure Funk released the renderings only after he realized the city wasn't just going to do what he wanted and was trying to get public sentiment in his favor. "Look! I'm trying to build this beautiful development and bring high-end retail and a grocery store, and the city is standing in my way!" Never mind he doesn't own the land, almost certainly doesn't have any sort of commitments from tenants, etc. There was an article in the Oklahoman today that mentiioned Whole Foods would not put their first location in a downtown area.

It's nice that he wants to invest money in OKC but he should have to compete like everyone else. And if his proposal isn't chosen then he could certainly build elsewhere, just like McDermid and others have done. That is the true test of a developer's intentions and there will be plenty of property to be developed once I-40 is relocated, for example.

I think Mick has done a great job and he's obviously not willing to give away the farm so a developer can get rich with public incentives, only to have them not build anywhere close to what they proposed, ala Hogan and Henderson (Legacy project). The mayor seems to be suspicious of Funk's intentions and he probably has a right to be based on the recent reporting in the Oklahoman.


I agree with Malibu and others for the most part, however it raises some concerns to me as well. Sweetheart deal, maybe so, however it's a new developer to the table so to speak AND to my knowledge $200 million is the biggest development of any kind OKC has ever seen. Furthermore, I'd rather see the city sell the property for a reasonable amount then hand prime property for free or dirt cheap as they have done with other developers. Hogan in Lower Bricktown and East Wharf, OCURA (Urban Renewal) with the Mercy Site, the Hill at Bricktown and other various projects.

In a utopia, yeah, an RFP would be ideal and the best project wins, but as recent and not so recent OKC history has shown us, it's usually the good ole boy system that wins the day and not fairness and the proposal that has the public's best interest in hand. The Hill and Overholser Green clearly were not the best use of public space in recent history, but obviously they were given the property due to their "connections". Bass Pro Shops isn't a much different deal with the city. We got duped by the city and officials pumping that up. I'm not saying Funk's $200 million is the best use of the land, however $200 million on anything won't be shabby either. I have a STRONG feeling this will end up in stalemate with hopes of something grander or a MAPS3 and nothing will materialize for years if ever.

I do hope you're right in that the city is finally saying enough, we know what we're doing now when it comes to downtown development, at least somewhat. But so far, we have no evidence to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Mornin'

Funny.... we have been discussing Bricktown quite often recently. Specifically, that it would be more of a destination if there were other things to do aside from eating, drinking &/or going to the movies. Not that there is anything wrong with these choices. <grin> However, speaking for ourselves & family/friends (from here & visitors), we would spend more time in Bricktown if there were art galleries, cool shops, bookstores & the like to keep our attention. This would also make it a daytime destination as well as nighttime. We eat, see our movie, stop for a drink, perhaps walk along the canal for the 12,564th time... then what? Of course, a friend told us that the cost of renting a space is so high it wouldn't be possible for her to open a small, local gift shop. :( If corporate cube stores were the only ones who could afford to be in Bricktown, that would be too depressing.

Take care ~
Kandye

Sat June 2, 2007
City considers building compromise

By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer

Oklahoma City officials are weighing a compromise offered by RedHawks owners Bob Funk and Scott Pruitt as talks continue on whether the pair should get a shot at building a $200 million mixed-use development east of the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.


The two sides appeared to be at a standstill earlier this week, with Mayor Mick Cornett ruling out an option for the pair to buy the parking areas they now control as part of a 17-year lease with the city. Cornett and City Manager Jim Couch insisted Funk and Pruitt only can buy and develop the land if they first sell their interest to the city and then respond to a request for a development proposals.

Both sides agree that because of the lease, neither can proceed with development without the other side's consent.

"We don't have an interest in selling our interest,” Pruitt said. "We want to be the quarterback; we want to be a part of this process to some degree. And since we can't do anything with the city, and they can't do anything without us, the proposal is, if they want to do an RFP, they can RFP their just interest and have an open process to buy that interest.”

Couch said Friday the new proposal is being considered and described talks as progressing. But he declined to discuss the matter further, citing a concern the matter not be negotiated in the media.

Pruitt said his proposal would allow the team to have a say in any development on the site if a different developer won the RFP process. The proposal also calls for the team's 17-year lease to continue under either scenario, with requirements that parking remain available for season-ticket holders.

"If we don't buy it, then we have a private partner we have to deal with,” Pruitt said. "We don't want the land to sit empty, and they don't want the land to sit empty. And we're proposing being part of a significant investment that is going to add retail, which is desperately needed, and additional parking.”

It's nice that he wants to invest money in OKC but he should have to compete like everyone else. And if his proposal isn't chosen then he could certainly build elsewhere, just like McDermid and others have done. That is the true test of a developer's intentions and there will be plenty of property to be developed once I-40 is relocated, for example.

Totally agree. But that was not the city's original contention. They basically said they don't want it because they might want to do something with it someday. I agree that any development that involves city controlled or owned lands should have a minimum required time period for competing bids after the first bid is presented. Competition is good, but we also have to remember how that has panned out in the past. The political element of this city has generally favored those with preexisting relationships (to put it nicely) and Cornett has never shown to be any different in that regard.


I think Mick has done a great job and he's obviously not willing to give away the farm so a developer can get rich with public incentives, only to have them not build anywhere close to what they proposed, ala Hogan and Henderson (Legacy project). The mayor seems to be suspicious of Funk's intentions and he probably has a right to be based on the recent reporting in the Oklahoman.

Maybe so, but I really don't have any reason to believe that Cornett is acting in any more good faith here than Funk is. Cornett may just as easily see political leverage in the land and wants to make sure that he retains the ability to use it as such if needed.


I actually take this all as a good sign the OKC isn't willing just to act out of low self-esteem, no longer willing just to take whatever the first developer to come along offers.

What's funny though is that we generally don't end up with very imprewssive developments through this process either. I don't think that working with a $200 million investment would ever appear to be a product of low self esteem. Certainly financing an outdoor retailer is, but this seems different. I have no problem with the city saying "prove it" or "let's see if someone else can top you", but that just doesn't seem to be the underlying reason for skepticism here. The city has every right to be skeptical and that's generally prudent. But instead of brushing off $200 mil, they should call their bluff and get some commitments.



In a utopia, yeah, an RFP would be ideal and the best project wins, but as recent and not so recent OKC history has shown us, it's usually the good ole boy system that wins the day and not fairness and the proposal that has the public's best interest in hand.

Totally agree. I think, if anything, the city is pissed that they have stepped outside of the political process to garner support for the project. They've sold the idea to the public before selling it to the Mayor's office. I think that's hurt his ego a bit and he realizes that there are political costs to that. Now if he goes with another project it will always be compared to what this one was sold as. Instead of the city always saying to us "we just don't believe these guys can do it in Oklahoma City", why can't they ever look at us and say "hey, we will make sure that they build something impressive for the city and that they build what they promised".

Again, personally, I don't think this is any different than any other recent development the city has been involved in. The city leaders seem to look at public land as their personal political bargaining chips more so than land in which they are charged with making sure that any developments advance Oklahoma City forward in ways that strictly private developments can't.

Pruitt said his proposal would allow the team to have a say in any development on the site if a different developer won the RFP process. The proposal also calls for the team's 17-year lease to continue under either scenario, with requirements that parking remain available for season-ticket holders.

"If we don't buy it, then we have a private partner we have to deal with,” Pruitt said. "We don't want the land to sit empty, and they don't want the land to sit empty. And we're proposing being part of a significant investment that is going to add retail, which is desperately needed, and additional parking.”


Sounds like a good compromise. Pruitt and Funk are being very classy about this. Obviously they just see that there is a need for that to be developed, and if it's not going to be them, they at least want a say in what it's going to look like, since they own the Redhawks.

I agree, jbrown. I think it is not only reasonable Pruitt and Funk have a say if they aren't the developer because of how it will look, but because their customers (RedHawks attendees) will have to park there.

hmmm, anyone know anymore about the project lately.... I havent heard anything at all.

Mornin'

Funny.... we have been discussing Bricktown quite often recently. Specifically, that it would be more of a destination if there were other things to do aside from eating, drinking &/or going to the movies. Not that there is anything wrong with these choices. <grin> However, speaking for ourselves & family/friends (from here & visitors), we would spend more time in Bricktown if there were art galleries, cool shops, bookstores & the like to keep our attention. This would also make it a daytime destination as well as nighttime. We eat, see our movie, stop for a drink, perhaps walk along the canal for the 12,564th time... then what? Of course, a friend told us that the cost of renting a space is so high it wouldn't be possible for her to open a small, local gift shop. :( If corporate cube stores were the only ones who could afford to be in Bricktown, that would be too depressing.

Take care ~
Kandye

Kandye i think u hit the nail on the head... we need more different developments in bricktown. we have enough restaurants ands bars and clubs what we dont have is enough retail or entertainment in bricktown... i love bt but if it doesnt start to move in a different direction soon it will no longer be a viable entertainment district in our city... and as far as ballpark expansion goes... its just a bad idea. we shouldnt try to expand it instead we should just build a new one espicially if it is to be a mixed use stadium

The latest from the DOK:

Oklahoma RedHawks owners Bob Funk and Scott Pruitt will have to bid against other potential buyers for a city-owned parking lot in Bricktown.

Funk and Pruitt, who have a long-term lease for the lot, have spent months in negotiations with the city over their desire to develop the property into a mix of housing, retail and lodging.

Oklahoma City Council members are set today to vote on solicitation of bids and set a minimum bid price. Similar properties in Bricktown have sold at $3 million and higher.

Funk and Pruitt declined to comment Monday

It sounds like the city is actually selling the property instead of a doing a public-private development.

I think that's a good thing. I dont like the idea of the city still owning it. There are always pro's and cons.

I just want to see those old metal building come down and the drawings that were posted on here go up.

I heard Wal-Mart wants to buy property in the eastern side of Bricktown, but they are waiting to see what happens with the McDonalds proposal first.

Just a rumor though.

Ugh. No Walmart in Bricktown. That's a disgusting thought. Why wouldn't Funk that this opportunity to purchase the land outright, since he seems to want to develop it? I'm hoping the city will use the proceeds from the sale to purchase the Post Office property on SW 5th. That land we need to extend the Myriad Gardens.

A wal-mart wouldn't surprise me. It goes well with Bass Pro and we're their favorite market. At one point I held out hope that Bricktown's urban nature and character would be expanded to the undeveloped areas, but I just don't think city leaders and developers see it the same way.

If and only if it was a true urban walmart i.e. multiple stories with a parking garage.

the mere thought of walmart in bricktown makes me want to throw up. excuse me...

As much as we all hate WalMart, a well-designed store would be beneficial to a TRUE urban neighborhood.

But there are other places that would be better than next to the Redhawks stadium and on Reno. The Triangle district has plenty of land that would actually be improved by almost anything, and an urban style Wal-mart is not as horrifying an idea there, especially since there will be a bigger volume of residential housing in that area. Land on the fringes of the Core to Shore area would be feasible too, if we have to have one. I'd far, far, far rather see a Target than Wal-mart and neither on Reno.

I'm not saying in Bricktown. Just addressing the Walmart issue. Kinda off topic.

No one steps to plate to bid on city land

By Steve Lackmeyer
Business Writer

Oklahoma City received no takers Tuesday on its request for development bids for a public parking lot just east of the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark.
The lot at Joe Carter and Reno avenues was pursued for more than two years by Oklahoma RedHawks owners Bob Funk and Scott Pruitt, who had proposed a $200 million mixed-use development for the property.

Pruitt said the city's process rather than an $8.53 million minimum bid led to his decision not to pursue the project further.

"The parameters of the bidding process have made it difficult for any sincere, qualified party to submit a bid to purchase the necessary property,” Pruitt said. "The RedHawks still have close to 17 years left on our lease of the property. So given our limited options, we will continue to pursue its best use for the enjoyment of Bricktown patrons.”

Funk and Pruitt were the only ones to ever publicly reveal an interest in the property. Their proposal was for a mixed-use town center valued at up to $200 million that would have included structured parking, retail, housing and a hotel.

The pair originally asked the city to consider that they already had a lease on the property and to sell the land without putting it out to bid.

Mayor Mick Cornett said he wasn't surprised by the lack of response. He noted the city never sought to develop the lot, but that the city was simply responding to the interest expressed by Funk and Pruitt.

"This might show that the time isn't right to develop it,” Cornett said.

Assistant City Manager Cathy O'Connor said city staff will spend the next few days analyzing what steps, if any, should be taken next.

"It really is up to city council as to how they want to proceed,” O'Connor said. "The mayor and council were very concerned that there be a fair and open process and that there be a fair value for that property.”

OKC should realize that when it gets a jewel of a project like Pruitt's that they should not hold it up with a two year long bid process. This is ridiculous, hopefully they learned a lesson.

I imagine the city did this extremely long bid process because they realize the mistakes they have done dealing with Hogan and Bass Pro (essentially giving them the land for those), but come on - you had a world class design with local people intent on making it happen. What did we do?

The city drug them into and out of the water, and all of the ink has washed off and now nobody bid on the land.

Hopefully, perhaps cooler heads can convince Pruitt and Funk to reconsider and build OR maybe somebody else will come in with something even Bigger/Better.

It's a two edge sword, but it seems that the city is very eager to get developments like Hogans (no bid process, giving him land, very subpar developments) while at the same time scuffing at urban progressive developments like Funk, factory, so on (lengthy bid process, red tape that has a negative effect).

Why can't this be the other way around? Why couldn't the city give away the Lower Bricktown land to somebody like Funk, who would build an urban development (not a cookie ccutter suburban subpar village that we see today there....).

i hope the city learned a valuable lesson that you can't act so high and mighty when somebody comes forth with a tremendous investment that would have been urban, progressive, and definitely big time. These are the projects that should be expedited not shunned!

No kidding. I'm all for scrutiny, however make it a stipulation that by giving them the land, they have to build within whatever standards within a reasonable amount of time instead of like Hogan where he was GIVEN prime land with no time frame to build subpar suburban crap. If the developer doesn't build a development that meets quality minimum standards, than the city should have the right to pull ownership out from them.

Don't forget Hogan was promising to build a better version of LoDo, which is in Denver. I think the Funk proposal was similar to the proposal that Hogan gave the city, only this time Okc isn't buying it. Funk was throwing out names like Whole foods, Crate Barrell and a Ritz Carlton.

I could see it now, once Funk had the property he would then say oops, I can't get any of those to sign a lease, but here is a Wal-Mart and Home Depot.

We can't scoff at every proposal and just ASSUME that they can't pull it off a la Hogan.

It's just a matter of holding the developer to it and in a reasonable time frame. Hogan got no time limit and no oversight over what he built. I don't personally remember ever seeing so much as a rendering from him in the early stages. With Funk presenting a rendering it can be assumed he has preliminary designs that he can be held to.

As was documented by Steve Lackmeyer, the mayor and city manager have a strong distrust of Funk due to previous dealings.

I never thought their proposal was legitimate anyway... Using the press to make a fuss when they didn't get their way and throwing out names that we've all heard before from developers.

I got the strong impression -- and it's obvious key city leaders felt the same way -- Funk was trying to leverage his land lease into a sweetheart deal. Spending $8 million for land when you SAY you are going to invest $200 million is a drop in the bucket, yet when it was time to open their pocketbooks they do nothing.

If he really believes in this idea, there are plenty of other properties in and around Bricktown. Plus, perhaps he can go back to the city and ask them to take a little less since there were no other bidders.

Yeah, but the city put him through the wringer for 2 years on this - which is unacceptable considering what the project would have done for Bricktown.

I think the city could have at least reviewed the proposal and financials - and use that to make their decision, instead of waiting so long then putting the land up to bid.

Looks like the city got burned on this and it might have a lasting effect on the value of land in Bricktown. What a pitty!

[QUOTE=MalibuSooner;119730]As was documented by Steve Lackmeyer, the mayor and city manager have a strong distrust of Funk due to previous dealings.

I never thought their proposal was legitimate anyway... Using the press to make a fuss when they didn't get their way and throwing out names that we've all heard before from developers.

I got the strong impression -- and it's obvious key city leaders felt the same way -- Funk was trying to leverage his land lease into a sweetheart deal. Spending $8 million for land when you SAY you are going to invest $200 million is a drop in the bucket, yet when it was time to open their pocketbooks they do nothing.

If he really believes in this idea, there are plenty of other properties in and around Bricktown. Plus, perhaps he can go back to the city and ask them to take a little less since there were no other bidders. [QUOTE]

Actually there were no bidders period. Funk and Pruitt were the only ones to express publicly interest in the property. I'm sure for the right price, there would be more interested parties, public or not. Now it just seems like it was a publicity stunt from Funk and Co. If the city does another round of bidding seeking a lower minimum bid, we may see more interested parties come out of the woodwork, just like it took 3 rounds of bidding for the old downtown library.

IMO the developers and the city both had better realize the money they want for property in BT is inflated and start looking at some reasonable prices before it is to late. Once C2S is under way and Midtown keeps rolling the way it is BT is going to be an afterthought. Seriously look at the most recent "exciting" developments they have all happened in Midtown. Red Prime, 1492 and many others are just now happening and they are happening in Midtown for 2 main reasons. 1 parking is not a conceived problem there and 2 the prices for rent and or purchase are comparable with the market.

There is an inherent problem with a city selling a big piece of prime property to a developer.

As much as we all want to see the municipality place tough restrictions and hold developers accountable, they really have to trust their private partners. No developer can just go out and build some big project until they have anchor tenants and what if that doesn't go well? And even then, banks will only loan in phases and won't release funds until the previous phase is substantially leased.

A developer can set out the most grandiose plans in the world but in the end no one can force them to build it if they don't bring in the tenants and/or buyers or can't get the thing financed.

Now, you certainly can stipulate design parameters and mandate a certain density, but in the end you'd better really trust the developer you choose because once they control the property, you pretty much leave it up to them to market and build it.

You can always take the land back if they don't fully perform but then you've got a failed project on your hands which is that much harder to hold or sell.


There were obviously reasons the city drug their feet on this deal. Mayor Mick and everyone else are clearly pro-growth and the city has lots of aggressive plans that can only be accomplished with a lot of help from the private sector.

So to me, the city's actions in this situation speak pretty loudly and the total inaction -- despite making a lot of noise in the press -- speak loudly for Funk as well.