The Botanical Gardens have tables and chairs with probably less security around than these do; I don't believe there's been a problem there.

TNT just showed a GREAT aerial shot of our skyline

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon53112nba.jpg

Why is it taking so long to finish the windows in the tower?

I believe they've replaced the ones higher up.... What remains are actually panels that are in between the windows from the old construction elevator.

I think there may be an issue with the maintenance crane on top of the building. It's the only way to access these panels and for some reason it's been in very limited use. For that same reason, the LED lighting won't be completely finished until at least July.

They did not have the LED lighting on after the game last night. In previous playoff games, it's been partially on.

Is there an issue on replacing the glass panel that was busted out by the crane in the wind storm on the eastern side? I heard that there was more than just glass damage and there was structural damage involved. Anyone know when this will be replace??

Is there an issue on replacing the glass panel that was busted out by the crane in the wind storm on the eastern side? I heard that there was more than just glass damage and there was structural damage involved. Anyone know when this will be replace??

Been wondering this for quite some time now!

Went to Nebu today and snapped a few more of the entryway:

http://i.imgur.com/XHyZX.jpg (http://imgur.com/XHyZX)
http://i.imgur.com/Ltqm1.jpg (http://imgur.com/Ltqm1)
http://i.imgur.com/N9y1Z.jpg (http://imgur.com/N9y1Z)

Is there an issue on replacing the glass panel that was busted out by the crane in the wind storm on the eastern side? I heard that there was more than just glass damage and there was structural damage involved. Anyone know when this will be replace??
At the time of the damage they said window only (which would also include the frame system around the window). Since it is a glass curtain wall system on a unique building with considerable structural detail, most of the the windows and frames around them are likely unique themselves. This is probably especially true in the area of this window, since the point of the crane impact was right around the floors where the building begins to taper. That means that the window company would need to spit out a new custom window based on the custom dimensions in their CAD system. Not a big deal, but perhaps subject to production delays.

Since nearly all of the windows for this project had been produced and delivered by the time this incident had happened, the company producing the curtain wall system had probably moved on to other projects. This might have required this one window to move to the back of the line, production-wise.

I brought this up in this thread when the incident happened a while back, but was derided as an idiot by a few posters who were quite certain that there must be a whole bunch of extra windows for this building down in the basement somewhere and it was just a matter of sending a workman down to fetch it and install.

Yes, I'm sure they've just had to fashion a replacement window, and that takes time.

However, there are also issues regarding the maintenance crane at the top of the building. For some reason it's not been available which is why the LED lighting is lagging and there are still a bunch of missing window panels on the west side of the building.

Yeah, I've noticed they have had it out a few times, and then brought it back in apparently without doing anything. There are still three other missing windows on the east side; the last of the tower crane attachment points.

It may be dedicated to finishing work on the roof and the back of the crown, but it seems there is some other issue.

I know for a fact it's lack of availability -- for whatever reason -- is holding up the LED lighting and I would assume the windows too.

They did not have the LED lighting on after the game last night. In previous playoff games, it's been partially on.

Conserving energy due to fewer peeps DT to see it?
[/snark]

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon531122.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon531127.jpg


FYI: Don't let your kids touch these water features. Devon's security folks aren't too keen on that.

I'm just guessing here, but I'll bet eventually those water features in the last post will fill the box all the way to the top edge and spill down the granite walls into the gap below. It is entirely plausible that they are still setting up or troubleshooting the pump system that does that. Seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up.

I'm just guessing here, but I'll bet eventually those water features in the last post will fill the box all the way to the top edge and spill down the granite walls into the gap below. It is entirely plausible that they are still setting up or troubleshooting the pump system that does that. Seems like too good of an opportunity to pass up.

From those pictures it looks like water flowing over the top and pooling would kill the plants adjacent to it.

I'm assuming that the catchment sill surrounding the water features flows into a reservoir - the water features are too extensive to not come with something like that.

Yes, those are the same type of overflow fountains that are inside the rotunda.

I just don't think they have them operating quite yet.

They were fully operating last night.

Cam has been stuck for a few days!

Cam has been stuck for a few days!

You're better than me, I can't even find the cam ......

I heard from the owner of the company who cleans the windows that each window cost on average $17,000. I don't know if that's true, but with fiber optics running through 1/3 of them, I wouldn't doubt it.

You're better than me, I can't even find the cam ......

http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Devon+Construction+Cam&page=1&pagenumber=1

Who cares if it is stuck. Only good to watch the changing skies. Bldg isn't going to change.

Who cares if it is stuck. Only good to watch the changing skies. Bldg isn't going to change.

My thoughts.

To add to those sentiments and NOT to belittle Devon, and I do seriously love seeing all the pics, but I will admit I don't understand why this is always the most recent thread.

For me, if it's major developments, it's on to the next one..

I heard from the owner of the company who cleans the windows that each window cost on average $17,000. I don't know if that's true, but with fiber optics running through 1/3 of them, I wouldn't doubt it.

I could be mistaken but I don't think any of the fiber optics are embedded in the windows. That has always appeared to be in the thin tubes surrounding the windows.

An update on the move into the tower.

http://newsok.com/energy-companies-making-progress-in-oklahoma-city-moves/article/3682378

Planning a grand opening in October.

On this, I agree w/ Spartan - isn't it about time to close this thread and let it go in peace w/ dignity ?

Some of us look forward to seeing the LED lighting on here! There is also a lot of displaced okies watching this.

They're not suggesting the thread be deleted... Just lose the sticky.

Was driving across town tonight and they were testing the LED lighting again. this time all in blue with it lit up higher than I have ever seen before.. i wonder if they are working to see how much they can get lit before the NBA finals.. was a nice Blue Glow about 75% of the building..

This is still the biggest project in the history of the state with much work left to be done.

We are not closing the thread (we never do this) or removing the sticky any time soon.

no need to be snitty about it.

Marland Oil's company town in Ponca City was, pretty sure;
in constant dollars, Williams Center was also bigger.
In square footage, City of Faith Medical and Research Center was 20% larger.
In both, Cities Service headquarters when they moved from Manhattan was a nearly equivalent project - big enough that it too had to be cut down midway.
But Devon probably comes in #4 of top five, at least when project is defined as something both intended and carried out at one go.

Was driving across town tonight and they were testing the LED lighting again. this time all in blue with it lit up higher than I have ever seen before.. i wonder if they are working to see how much they can get lit before the NBA finals.. was a nice Blue Glow about 75% of the building..

Five will get you ten--
they will be able to light up at least the vertical LED's blue in the indentations, and maybe racing or flashing or something big-time, if the Thunder wins the NBA.
Maybe not a lot of other features, but the vertical blues, I think so.
That is, if they win it all, and it happens in OKC.

no need to be snitty about it.


I read no "snittiness" in his statement.

Marland Oil's company town in Ponca City was, pretty sure;
in constant dollars, Williams Center was also bigger.
In square footage, City of Faith Medical and Research Center was 20% larger.
In both, Cities Service headquarters when they moved from Manhattan was a nearly equivalent project - big enough that it too had to be cut down midway.
But Devon probably comes in #4 of top five, at least when project is defined as something both intended and carried out at one go.

I have no idea about the Ponca City project but I seriously doubt it was larger than 1.8 million square feet and cost more than $750 million in today's dollars. Please provide a link to valid information if you have one.

Williams Center was a series of projects spanning over 10 years, all built separately and none approaching the scope of Devon Tower. If you want to use that criteria, the Health Sciences Center in OKC or Tinker AFB are way bigger in both size and cost; the American Airlines facilities in Tulsa probably are too. And, the Chesapeake campus will soon have more square footage and will have cost more than Devon, but again, that includes dozens of separate projects. OU has spent more than a billion on capital improvements over the last 10 years.

City of Faith was built for $250 million in 1981, that equates to $653 million today.

Cities Services only built half their building; many other projects are bigger than what was actually completed.

Official completion is in October. Im sure people can wait five months for the Devon sticky to be removed.

Marland Oil's company town in Ponca City was, pretty sure;
in constant dollars, Williams Center was also bigger.
In square footage, City of Faith Medical and Research Center was 20% larger.
In both, Cities Service headquarters when they moved from Manhattan was a nearly equivalent project - big enough that it too had to be cut down midway.
But Devon probably comes in #4 of top five, at least when project is defined as something both intended and carried out at one go.

I'd take the Devon project over any of these.....850 ft plus the high tech features....... no comparison.

Was driving across town tonight and they were testing the LED lighting again. this time all in blue with it lit up higher than I have ever seen before.. i wonder if they are working to see how much they can get lit before the NBA finals.. was a nice Blue Glow about 75% of the building..

Yes! The blue was beautiful. I took pics that I'll put up here in a few..

Btw, Pete - didn't Devon come in closer to $400 mil rather than the projected $750 mil? (As one of the major reasons for the P180 debacle, lower than expected TIF revenue)

They are still planning to spend the full $750 million, the P180 issue was that the distribution between construction and furniture and fixtures changed and that had an impact on the TIF sales tax. But the total is still the same.

Regarding the lighting, I've noticed in recent photos the Building Maintenance Unit (crane on top of the building) has been back in action, so hopefully the lighting will start moving along again. Last I heard the target date for completion was late July (at the earliest) but perhaps they can at least get a good chunk of the indentions operational for the finals.

I thought TIF captured ad valorem only, and not sales tax for construction equipment?

The Devon TIF generates revenue from the sales tax on construction materials and fixtures and from property taxes.

The $750 million for the project was partially labor and possibly materials and fixtures. It ended up being more labor and less materials, and thus they collected less sales tax (no sales tax is generated on labor costs).

Property taxes will not start until 2013, after the finished property is assessed, and will go directly to the TIF until 2033.


The Project 180 issue is a whole other matter, as they ended up being short on sales tax but actually had more money available to them overall. This is what had made me furious about the way the project managers keep reporting on this project, saying vastly reduced scope is due to revenue shortfalls. There were some shortfalls in some categories but they actually have more in their total budget than originally anticipated. I still don't think people understand this because Jim Couch & Co. keep harping on revenue shortfalls, which to me is completely disingenuous and misleading. And every single article on this subject keeps repeating that "fact" without putting it in the proper perspective.

Devon Tower looking great in Thunder Blue. Took these tonight:

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7220/7360452970_2ebbb4c4bf_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7360452970/) Devon Tower 6.10.2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7360452970/) by dani1262 (http://www.flickr.com/people/54186309@N04/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7223/7175228253_30908594fa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7175228253/) Devon Tower (2) 6.10.2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7175228253/) by dani1262 (http://www.flickr.com/people/54186309@N04/), on Flickr

The Money Shot
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7242/7175228845_a89bf150d7_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7175228845/) Blue Man Statue at Myriad Gardens 6.10.2012 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/54186309@N04/7175228845/) by dani1262 (http://www.flickr.com/people/54186309@N04/), on Flickr
Actually talked to an ABC Cameraman who was working to incorporate the above shot into their footage. So hopefully the whole world will be seeing this.

Thanks so much for the photos!

Looks like the LED lighting is up to about the 40th floor now.

They've made some real progress in the last week or so, so hopefully it will continue and we'll see more before the finals are over.

Any chance of getting the cam unstuck?

Are the LED lights just on the sides of the tower or All around?

Just on the veins.

Are the LED lights just on the sides of the tower or All around?

I was posting a reply on this two hours ago but got busy with customers. Only in the inlets and the triangular facades at the top of the tower.

I was posting a reply on this two hours ago but got busy with customers. Only in the inlets and the triangular facades at the top of the tower.

I wish they could be all around, that would be awesome at night

Got some shots last night of the LED's, also a couple of the entrance at night and Skydance Bridge.
From Skydance Bridge (Bridge is cycling Thunder Blue/Orange)
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3498.jpg
View from the North side of Skydance
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3504.jpg
View from NW corner of Myriad Gardens
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3512.jpg
South Pointing side view
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3508.jpg
South pointing side direct view
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3507.jpg
NW Point - Up close view of Orange test? - section under the orange was blue chasing side to side.
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3510.jpg
Rotunda and grounds at night. - Striping on Sheridan was going down while I was there.
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3509.jpg
Band shell at Myriad Gardens (looks 1000x better in person - the mix of lights with the design is top notch... had doubts at first but I'm sold!)
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3506.jpg
Skydance Bridge in Thunder Blue!
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3495.jpg
Orange
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3496.jpg
Looking towards Devon
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/l527/mrktguy29/Devon%20Tower%202%2027%2011/IMG_3500.jpg

Thunder up!

Excellent pics everyone. Here are some I took on my phone the night of the deadCENTER public showing in the Myriad Gardens:

http://oi45.tinypic.com/jfbzhk.jpg

This one I resized, original (http://oi45.tinypic.com/358tjyc.jpg) with better detail of lighting strips:
http://oi48.tinypic.com/fe2mnk.jpg

By the way, in case anyone has a good camera with a zoom that can take decent night pics, the absolute best view of the skyline lit up at night is from Harvey around SW 24th at the top of Capitol Hill - but I'm not sure I'd pull up and start taking pics around there at night. Just in case anyone wanted to..

And it's about time for some striping on Sheridan!

Last night, nearly the entire frame of the building was light a singular "Thunder Blue". I'd say they are rapidly trying to resolve the LED issues for the game. Even more than in the pics.

Fan-tastic!!!!!

Regarding the LED lighting, I'm told that the entire project won't be complete until August.

Also, there will not be the capability to provide movement at this early stage, so for the finals the best we can hope for is Thunder blue with a little bit of color shifting.

I don't understand, the lights in the indentures already transition - they're synchronized with the Myriad Gardens.

My understanding is that the programming isn't complete so they can't do racing movement and that sort of thing.

My understanding is that the programming isn't complete so they can't do racing movement and that sort of thing.

I was down there Sunday night around 10 pm, ate at Flint, and when we came out, there were sections in the indentation at the top that were 'racing'..... just a couple of small sections on the southwest side.

Oh, right. Yeah it just transitions as a whole.

Indentations is a tough word to digest.

I like "vertical channels".
Does anyone know a good architectural phrase to use that sounds good?