View Full Version : Devon Energy Center




Anonymous.
06-24-2020, 11:39 AM
Oil went down yesterday so they packed the crane up. Also don't forget, ThE wInDoWs ArE cUsToM aNd TaKe TiMe To ReMaKe.

Whether they just suck at hiring contractors to do their work or whatever it is - Devon has shown they have no idea how to properly run a tower. The lighting, the windows.

They should just be playing Yakety Sax on repeat in the lobby.

shawnw
06-24-2020, 11:58 AM
I don't know how much a crane like that is to rent, but when my company has had to rent a crane (to put HVAC unit on a roof), it's been [I think, might be mis-remembering the exact amount] $4K/hr and we have to pay it whether they use it or not, just for showing up. So if they crane showed up, they probably had to pay regardless, so why not get SOMEthing done?

GoGators
06-24-2020, 12:34 PM
Not sure what the crane was for but it was never there to replace all the windows on that tower. It simply can’t reach high enough. There isn’t a mobile crane on earth that can reach to the top of Devon tower.

Pete
06-24-2020, 12:45 PM
Not sure what the crane was for but it was never there to replace all the windows on that tower. It simply can’t reach high enough. There isn’t a mobile crane on earth that can reach to the top of Devon tower.

The city's announcement of street closure specifically mentioned glass replacement at Devon Tower.

But of course you are right and it doesn't seem like it was used even for the lower floors.

This whole thing is perplexing. I know they've had the required glass on site for months.

3nglnd
06-24-2020, 12:56 PM
If we are stretching for positives, I drove on Sheridan a minute ago and it does **look** like the north sidewalk is now accessible

DowntownMan
06-24-2020, 01:05 PM
I wonder if they ran into issues. When I walked by yesterday I was curious how the crane was going to swivel without having to remove and of the trees in the myriad gardens. It seemed like a tight fit. I wonder if there were some issues on that kind of nature that weren’t thought about until they got the machinery out there.

GoGators
06-24-2020, 02:52 PM
The city's announcement of street closure specifically mentioned glass replacement at Devon Tower.

But of course you are right and it doesn't seem like it was used even for the lower floors.

This whole thing is perplexing. I know they've had the required glass on site for months.

This makes me think the crane was brought in for a very specific scope that needed to be done before the glass itself starts going in. It could be something that took almost no time to complete and they did it at like 6am and no one saw it. They could have got a road closure permit for multiple days as a buffer in case of possible high wind delays but got lucky and found a window first thing and got out.

IMO this makes more sense than them pulling permits a week before, bringing in the entire crane and completely building it (which takes several hours and multiple trucks) just to call it off after all this work is already done.

Just because the glass isn't replaced doesn't necessarily mean this crane didn't do whatever it was that it was supposed to do.I really cant fathom them waiting until this thing was completely built to decide to change their mind.

Pete
06-24-2020, 03:03 PM
It could be that there was required work on top of the atrium where the crane was quickly used.

That's the only thing that I can think of.

GoGators
06-24-2020, 03:15 PM
It could be that there was required work on top of the atrium where the crane was quickly used.

That's the only thing that I can think of.

From where the crane was actually set up in the photos, the atrium makes a lot of sense. There would be no reason to set the crane up that far west on Sheridan to work on the tower itself.

Pete
06-24-2020, 03:24 PM
^

It would also make sense from the aspect there would be no way to see that type of damage and it was directly under where the other windows were broken.

Good chance some debris fell and did some damage up there.

I did see the crane briefly extended yesterday and it was almost straight out above the atrium and it didn't make sense as I was expecting them to be working on the windows farther up.

OkiePoke
06-24-2020, 05:19 PM
But to get to the top of the atrium, did they need a 400 ton crane?

GoGators
06-24-2020, 06:35 PM
But to get to the top of the atrium, did they need a 400 ton crane?

Absolutely. That’s about a 250’ radius to center of The atrium to the street on google maps. You’d need a crane that big to set a 50 lb sack of concrete at that distance.

DowntownMan
06-24-2020, 08:25 PM
Absolutely. That’s about a 250’ radius to center of The atrium to the street on google maps. You’d need a crane that big to set a 50 lb sack of concrete at that distance.

There was a sign yesterday in the garage that said east entrance closed for atrium repair work

Pete
07-02-2020, 08:51 AM
If we are stretching for positives, I drove on Sheridan a minute ago and it does **look** like the north sidewalk is now accessible

The fences were still up and the sidewalk blocked just a couple of days ago.

It did look like they have fixed a few of the lower windows.

3nglnd
07-02-2020, 09:46 AM
The fences were still up and the sidewalk blocked just a couple of days ago.

It did look like they have fixed a few of the lower windows.

The fence is still up, but pushed back. I was able to walk on that sidewalk as recently as Monday. Kinda nice..

Jersey Boss
07-02-2020, 10:45 AM
It is amazing to me that there is no communication with the building owner and local officials about the lack of progress and a timeline for repairs.
Why is there no accountability?

TheTravellers
07-02-2020, 10:50 AM
It is amazing to me that there is no communication with the building owner and local officials about the lack of progress and a timeline for repairs.
Why is there no accountability?

Perfect question for Lackmeyer's chat tomorrow (assuming he has one).

shawnw
07-02-2020, 11:00 AM
If building condition accountability was a priority the Dowell Center would be not how it is today I suspect.

Pete
07-02-2020, 11:24 AM
The fence is still up, but pushed back. I was able to walk on that sidewalk as recently as Monday. Kinda nice..

Why on earth, then, didn't they do this months and months ago?

The windows are still not fixed and that sidewalk was completely blocked for a full year.

3nglnd
07-02-2020, 11:33 AM
Why on earth, then, didn't they do this months and months ago?

The windows are still not fixed and that sidewalk was completely blocked for a full year.

maybe they needed the crane to move the chainlink ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

BoulderSooner
07-02-2020, 12:28 PM
Why on earth, then, didn't they do this months and months ago?

The windows are still not fixed and that sidewalk was completely blocked for a full year.

it was and has been a liability issue

Pete
07-02-2020, 12:38 PM
it was and has been a liability issue

Obviously. But the question is what changed?

Windows are still broken.

Pete
07-06-2020, 07:40 AM
It looks like they've repaired all but one window and maybe the tip of the very top:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon070520a.jpg

3nglnd
07-06-2020, 09:29 AM
Very nice to see this actually being completed! Also, here's the adjacent sidewalk

16219

https://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16219&d=1594045690

Laramie
07-06-2020, 02:06 PM
Glad they were able to replace the Devon Tower windows before BancFirst finished its reskin. Our skyline should glow once Sandridge is filled with the state's relocation of some of its tenants.

Notice some improvements of the Skyline lighting July 4th weekend; can't wait to see how First National Center's lighting will add to OKC skyline. Should be IMO a game-changer.

DowntownMan
07-09-2020, 11:59 AM
Glad they were able to replace the Devon Tower windows before BancFirst finished its reskin. Our skyline should glow once Sandridge is filled with the state's relocation of some of its tenants.

Notice some improvements of the Skyline lighting July 4th weekend; can't wait to see how First National Center's lighting will add to OKC skyline. Should be IMO a game-changer.

FYI there are still lots of windows to replace. When you get up close you can see there are still probably 10-15 out.
But progress at least

Jersey Boss
07-09-2020, 02:57 PM
Just fix the windows already. Yeah there are a lot of windows to replace but Devon has had a lot of time and a lot of money to address their responsibility to be a good citizen.

TheTravellers
07-10-2020, 10:58 AM
Well, I tried...

Guest said:
Why aren't all the windows on the Devon Tower fixed yet, why has it taken so long, and why can't/won't the city do anything about it? It's been over a year, it's embarrassing.

Steve Lackmeyer replied:
Sigh.

dankrutka
07-11-2020, 12:36 PM
I only noticed a couple window that need replacement this morning.

16241

Pete
09-21-2020, 11:01 AM
Last night I noticed there were still a bunch of windows that have not been repaired.

They were broken on May 15th, 2019; that was 495 days ago.

shawnw
09-21-2020, 11:04 AM
And the plaza (but not the sidewalks) are still closed off by "temporary" fencing.

Teo9969
09-21-2020, 04:20 PM
Probably an excuse so they don't have to pay for the Christmas decorations this year (assuming they didn't do it last year).

Pete
09-21-2020, 04:26 PM
^

They did some last year, but not what they typically do.

They also have hosted Saturdays with Santa as part of Downtown in December, but last year that had to move to the Myriad Gardens.

Pete
10-12-2020, 07:35 PM
The shorter days allows you to see how many floors are completely dark at Devon:

HTTP://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/devon101220a.jpg

Southsider2
10-12-2020, 09:43 PM
What’s funny is without those dark floors, Devon Tower would fall largely in line with the rest of our skyline in terms of height. Perhaps they should’ve gone with two smaller structures instead of one behemoth (easier to divest excess space if no longer needed). Or perhaps they’ll scale up again sometime in the future.

SEMIweather
10-12-2020, 10:49 PM
The decision to build that tall may not be aging well for Devon but I'm glad that they did it, it's a great asset for the city.

Bellaboo
10-13-2020, 07:28 AM
The WPX acquisition should brighten that tower some.

Plutonic Panda
10-13-2020, 08:02 AM
I’m very glad they built it this tall if you could send me back in time I’d try to still convince them to go with the originally proposed super tall which was scaled back. ;)

Jersey Boss
10-13-2020, 08:10 AM
So are all the the widows repaired yet?

Pete
10-13-2020, 08:11 AM
So are all the the widows repaired yet?

Nope, not at all.

Been 1.5 years and they still have the front of the building blocked off with fencing.

Jersey Boss
10-13-2020, 08:14 AM
Nope, not at all.

Been 1.5 years and they still have the front of the building blocked off with fencing.

Very poor stewards of what they built and bad neighbor.
Why are the pols who represent this area not holding this inaction accountable?

Pete
10-13-2020, 08:21 AM
Absolutely no one is ever going to question Larry Nichols & Co.

He's still the head of OCURA and the Alliance.

SagerMichael
10-13-2020, 09:27 AM
I’m going to predict that BancFirst finishes all the glass on their tower before Devon fixes the 13 windows on theirs

TheTravellers
10-13-2020, 09:57 AM
Very poor stewards of what they built and bad neighbor.
Why are the pols who represent this area not holding this inaction accountable?

Holt and Hamon

jn1780
10-13-2020, 05:01 PM
I’m going to predict that BancFirst finishes all the glass on their tower before Devon fixes the 13 windows on theirs

I wouldn't bet against you.

thunderbird
10-13-2020, 06:56 PM
It’s not like they just don’t care. There’s literally only one or two days a year, if that, that they can replace them. It’s not for a lack of trying. There are only so many days weather wise and so many people available to fix it.

TheTravellers
10-13-2020, 07:25 PM
It’s not like they just don’t care. There’s literally only one or two days a year, if that, that they can replace them. It’s not for a lack of trying. There are only so many days weather wise and so many people available to fix it.

So when high-rises in other buildings need windows replaced, is it the same? How do other cities handle replacement high-rise windows? Or is OKC just so windy/whatever 360 days per year, the equipment/personnel so specialized and rare that everything has to converge on those one or two days and that's absolutely the only time they can replace a window?

Pete
10-13-2020, 07:28 PM
It’s not like they just don’t care. There’s literally only one or two days a year, if that, that they can replace them. It’s not for a lack of trying. There are only so many days weather wise and so many people available to fix it.

One block over, Bancfirst has crews replacing dozens of windows almost every day.

gopokes88
10-13-2020, 09:33 PM
Holt and Hamon

I assure you Devon couldn’t care less what Hamon thinks

Jersey Boss
10-14-2020, 08:26 AM
I assure you Devon couldn’t care less what Hamon thinks

I don't think anyone will argue their indifference to the area, the pedestrians in the area or being a good neighbor. They couldn't care less.
The proof is in not remediating the broken windows in a timely manner.

dankrutka
10-14-2020, 11:24 PM
I assure you Devon couldn’t care less what Hamon thinks

The leading capitalists in OKC don’t give a crap about citizens, democracy, or transparency. It’s their way or the highway. No accountability to anyone. They run the city, waste taxpayer money, and generally do what they want. So, yeah, of course they don’t care what their elected rep or her constituents want. They’ve been bossing everyone around in this city for so long I’m sure they think they’re running an oligarchy.

Plutonic Panda
10-15-2020, 03:29 AM
They’ve also contributed to positive developments in the city as well.

BoulderSooner
10-15-2020, 07:57 AM
Devon has done more for downtown and for the city then about any other company .. they are and have been a wonderful corp citizen

Anonymous.
10-15-2020, 09:39 AM
Doing a lot for downtown in general and doing sh!tty on window replacement are not mutually exclusive.

BoulderSooner
10-15-2020, 09:40 AM
Doing a lot for downtown in general and doing sh!tty on window replacement are not mutually exclusive.

agreed

rjstone208
12-10-2020, 08:06 AM
Was downtown last afternoon & evening enjoying the parks and lights. All is really nice except this place. It looks so shabby and abandoned. It's an embarrassment to the City and the area around it. We live in Norman so don't have a city councilman to complain to about this but I can't believe that City government isn't aware of this eyesore and isn't taking some kind of action. Don't they have a system to force property owners to clean up and repair properties or tear them down? Put a big sign on the door: fix it or we'll declare it abandoned and sell it to Hamm. He-he.

Pete
12-10-2020, 08:09 AM
It's now two years in a row they've had that fencing up and not put out their customary Christmas decorations.

Year and a half since the windows were broken.

TheTravellers
12-10-2020, 09:36 AM
It's now two years in a row they've had that fencing up and not put out their customary Christmas decorations.

Year and a half since the windows were broken.

Wish we could get a national story out there about this, maybe that's the only thing that would force them to give a ****.

DowntownMan
12-10-2020, 09:51 AM
Wish we could get a national story out there about this, maybe that's the only thing that would force them to give a ****.

How long did they take to build this building vs time to repair these windows

TheTravellers
12-10-2020, 09:54 AM
How long did they take to build this building vs time to repair these windows

Not comparable at all, but since you asked, I looked it up - 3 years. So it's even more pathetic.