Uhhh...I just kinda wonder if Devon has it in their plans to make their building earthquake proof? I know as stated before in the article on newsok.com that anything under a 5.0 is usually not serious enough to cause damage but there were a lot of reports, including my own, of feeling the earthquakes today over vast distances.

Uhhh...I just kinda wonder if Devon has it in their plans to make their building earthquake proof? I know as stated before in the article on newsok.com that anything under a 5.0 is usually not serious enough to cause damage but there were a lot of reports, including my own, of feeling the earthquakes today over vast distances.

I would guess that it is built to withstand something on the order of a 6.0 simply because its not very cost prohibitive and we have had earthquakes in the area that registered above a 5. But they do not put the money into earthquaking proofing that you would in say California for obvious reasons.

Would love some shots of the west area of the parking garage as someone reported that they are beginning to expand it now. Additionally, if any one could get some shots of the main tower area it would be great to see how many columns have been drillled and poured. It might be a nice indicator of how soon they will be ready to support the load of the structure. Thanks for all of you who regularly post them as this gives me my fix for the day!:yourock:

I know as stated before in the article on newsok.com that anything under a 5.0 is usually not serious enough to cause damage but there were a lot of reports, including my own, of feeling the earthquakes today over vast distances.

Thankfully the Richter scale is exponential, so we'd have to have an earthquake 10 times the size of today's for it to even be a 5.0. A 6.0 would be 100 times greater.

I would probably expect more damage, if any, to homes and smaller, less well constructed buildings than to most of the high rises downtown. The X factor is that downtown foundations are affected by its proximity to the river. Still, I'd be worried about bricktown before the CBD if there was a significant earthquake nearby.

Would love some shots of the west area of the parking garage as someone reported that they are beginning to expand it now. Additionally, if any one could get some shots of the main tower area it would be great to see how many columns have been drillled and poured. It might be a nice indicator of how soon they will be ready to support the load of the structure. Thanks for all of you who regularly post them as this gives me my fix for the day!:yourock:

me too....and I agree


Thankfully the Richter scale is exponential, so we'd have to have an earthquake 10 times the size of today's for it to even be a 5.0. A 6.0 would be 100 times greater.

I would probably expect more damage, if any, to homes and smaller, less well constructed buildings than to most of the high rises downtown. The X factor is that downtown foundations are affected by its proximity to the river. Still, I'd be worried about bricktown before the CBD if there was a significant earthquake nearby.

I was thinking about that last night when I made my post on the "earthquake thread" concerning the New Madrid fault and all the older brick buildings in cities like Memphis and St Louis. Depending on what the soil is like in Bricktown....I'm guessing its alot of sand, a 5.0+ centered closer to B-town might cause some damage. Doubtful it would cause any damage to new steel reinforced buildings. Might cause some folks to have to change their pants though. :ohno:

OK - I'm going to try and post latest pics via my new Flickr account.
These were all taken on 1/15/2010 - night views were at 5 AM, rest about noon.

Flickr: Lauri101's Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauri101/?saved=1)

I still can't figure out how to post each picture through Flickr - but these are all visible to public. Anyone who can tell me how to post images within post, I'll be grateful!

Thank you for the photos that you posted! They highlight that there is tremendously more activity on the site than is visible from the Web Cam! It is great to see the real story as there are piers being poured and wearing slabs on the garage and all sorts of stuff transpiring! They are rocking that site!:woowoo:

OK - I'm going to try and post latest pics via my new Flickr account.
These were all taken on 1/15/2010 - night views were at 5 AM, rest about noon.

Flickr: Lauri101's Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauri101/?saved=1)

I still can't figure out how to post each picture through Flickr - but these are all visible to public. Anyone who can tell me how to post images within post, I'll be grateful!
Lauri, if you mean how to post your Flickr images so that they are visible here, here's how:

1st, open a pic that you've uploaded to your Flickr account and right-click on it. In the popup menu, select Copy Image Location (I'm using Firefox so it might be different but will be similar in IE Explorer).

2nd, between a pair of opening and closing codes which you can type in, press Ctrl+V to insert the link. Then, what you've done will look like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2693/4282891010_68f9028877.jpg

I don't use Flickr (I use Photobucket) and am not particularly familiar with with it so there may be a quicker way to get the photo link than I've described (but I didn't see it) like there is in Photobucket.

Is this what you were asking?

Lauri, if you mean how to post your Flickr images so that they are visible here, here's how:

(snip)
Is this what you were asking?

Doug - yes it is - thank you very much!

ETA - well, I thought it would, but no choice in IE. I attempted to copy url via properties on each picture, but no luck - just an X-in-a-box.

I give up for today - will continue to use Flickr and post link until I can come up with another way to use with both iphone and internet.

Ok, using using IE Explorer 7 this time, I see that the right-click menu does not contain the choice that I earlier described for Firefox ... I just assumed that it would. The actual address of the larger photo appear in the address bar in Flickr (where it could be more easily copied), either.

Here's a work-around:

(1) Right-click on the larger image and from the right-click menu, select Properties. The actual address of the larger photo will be shown in the Properties dialog.

(2) Drag over that address in the properties dialog and, with the address fully selected, press Ctrl+C to copy it. Close the dialog.

(3) Then, in a message you are completing back here, between an opening and closing code, press Ctrl+V to paste the address.

That should work:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2716/4282144413_f157eccbd9.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4282144075_899a8affe0_m.jpg

tada!

thanks so much, Doug!

Shot taken at 5 AM on 1/15 - place was well-lit!

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4282889944_36eb517b00_m.jpg

Another 5 AM shot - no one looked sleepy either!

I give up for today - will continue to use Flickr and post link until I can come up with another way to use with both iphone and internet.

Photobucket has an app for the iPhone that allows you to take pictures with your iphone and upload them to your photobucket account. Once the pictures are uploaded, you just copy and paste the image URL as Doug indicated into this thread and they show up. That has worked well for me. I imagine Flickr has an app for the iPhone as well but I've never used it because they block Flickr at my place of employment.

Devon must want something visible by the time the NBA playoffs arrive so the cameras have another interesting view of progress in OKC.

Devon must want something visible by the time the NBA playoffs arrive so the cameras have another interesting view of progress in OKC.

Yes, I'm sure thats exactly what they are thinking.... :doh:

Yes, I'm sure thats exactly what they are thinking.... :doh:Well, tongue in cheek.
It may have crossed their minds, though.

Today at noon...Sorry for the glare from the windows.

I did notice they poured a top coat on the South part of the top floor of the parking garage.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/ndobbs84/10e6a807.jpg


The crane in the middle of this image below is lifting all of the hardware for the Elevators on the Southeast corner of the garage.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/ndobbs84/74b9347f.jpg

The last Lego piece is going up for the parking garage as I type.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/ndobbs84/22213ff9.jpg

Cool! Thanks for those NDMoore!

I had a difficult time working today - there was so much going on I kept going to window to look! Thank goodness for speaker phones

I know they're two different projects, but has anyone else noticed the incredible difference in time it has taken the Devon project to add on to this parking garage versus how long it took to build the new garage at the airport? The airport took forever and this thing is almost done in a few months. Maybe it's quicker to add on than start from scratch?

No. Private construction with unobstructed funds goes faster. Public funds have more strings and always takes longer to bid and assign contracts.

No. Private construction with unobstructed funds goes faster. Public funds have more strings and always takes longer to bid and assign contracts.

That's true, but once the airport garage was bid and awarded, it was about 1 year late...

Fortune Magazine came out with their "100 Best Companies to Work For" and Devon Corp. came in at number 20!

The North side of the garage is complete with the exception of the caulking between the joins and whatever they are doing with the NE stairwell/elevators.

No. Private construction with unobstructed funds goes faster. Public funds have more strings and always takes longer to bid and assign contracts.

Under the table deals and political shenanigans take longer than honest straight forward business.

Great Thread! Now that the garage is wrapping up major construction, how long will it be before they start laying concrete for the substructure of the tower? Or will they begin on the smaller Atrium structure first?

They have been drilling and pouring concrete piers for the foundation for quite some time now it is just sub-grade so not as evident. I would guess based on construction sequencing that it would have to be really soon that we should be seeing them form and begin to tie the steel for the mat foundation, then they will have to pour it and then they can begin the structures vertical ascent.

It was reported that someone had heard early in February for the steel structure to begin to rise. We shall see!

FYI the garage is only 1/2 done. They still are doubling the size by extending it west.

FYI the garage is only 1/2 done. They still are doubling the size by extending it west.

From what I've seen the garage addition will add another 60 foot wide by N/S length 90 degree parking bay and a separate ramp to serve this addtion.......this addition won't double the size, but I would agree with the entire garage being 1/2 done.

FYI the garage is only 1/2 done. They still are doubling the size by extending it west.

Yeah agreed - not doubling at all - I still am not sure what they will do because the surface lot that was outside before was not very big - so they aren't adding a ton in comparison to what is there. Will be interesting to see how they tie it in the the existing building.

For the record, in my post I said they were mostly done with the north side (facing the library, which many of you can't see).

Part of the garage expansion to the west includes the new fitness center for their employees. I have no idea if it will be a multiple level facility or what but I know that's part of the west expansion. Along with more parking for sure. At one point someone had mentioned possible retail locations at street level in the parking garage. Not sure if that was true or not.

Pictures taken on January 21 have been uploaded.
I'm short of time, so just posting Flickr link for now. There is also a short video of action at 5 AM

Flickr: Lauri101's Photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lauri101/)

I took a quick pick of the work on NW corner of the garage on my way in to work.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Mad_Monk/DevonTower/IMG00164.jpg

MM, Were you standing in the street? Great pic..

MM, Were you standing in the street? Great pic..
No, just in the allyway between the library and the garage.

Devon’s garage gets built promptly
BY STEVE LACKMEYER
The Oklahoman
Published: February 4, 2010

Klay Kimker sends his apologies.

Sure, Devon promised that it would start reopening spaces at the City Center West Garage by Feb. 8 – just three months after contractors started work to expand it from five to 10 stories.

But after having to overcome two major winter storms, crews with Holder/Flintco Construction were only able to beat the deadline by one week.

The first 100 Devon employees were relocated from the Broadway-Kerr garage to the reopened City Center West on Wednesday. Another 200 will be added on Monday, and within the next week or so 700 spaces will return to use – restoring the downtown parking supply to just slightly under what was available before construction started.

Read the rest of Steve's article at:

NewsOK (http://newsok.com/devons-garage-gets-built-promptly/article/3436954?custom_click=lead_story_title)

Wow, I had no idea that people would be parking there within 10 days!

Pretty incredible if you look at the state of the place... Credit to Devon for really going the extra mile (and no doubt spending lots of extra money) to speed up this process for the benefit of all of downtown.

I been wondering if the east pg will be open when they start flying steel on the tower?

Wow, I had no idea that people would be parking there within 10 days!

Pretty incredible if you look at the state of the place... Credit to Devon for really going the extra mile (and no doubt spending lots of extra money) to speed up this process for the benefit of all of downtown.

People actually are already parking there. They moved 200 Devon employees into the garage yesterday.

Double post but thought worth putting in this thread too:

there was just an accident on the parking garage site - a large pillar was knocked over as well as a slab - don't know if there was anyone under it, but may wanna keep the workers in your thoughts and prayers.

small accident today....

That does not look good. Good thing there were no cars in any of those empty spots. Man...scary.

Newsok story about the fallen pillar
NewsOK (http://www.newsok.com/feed/pillar-at-city-center-west-parking-garage-collapses-during-construction/article/3437983?custom_click=pod_headline_news)

Ok, can post more about it now - basically they were lifting a wall section into place which was apparently caught by the wind and hit one of the columns. I believe there were actually two columns that went down as well as pieces of the parking area itself - I wasn't looking until a few seconds later, but there was obviously a lot of running going on to get away from the collapsing sections. From what I heard there were no serious injuries. Five minutes later, library employees would have been walking in that alley.

I'm honestly surprised they let the library employees walk that close to the garage! I bet they won't after this incident.

I always thought, for reasons such as this, that this is why Devon Energy bought The Colcord Hotel. I remember seeing a story just a couple of years ago about a construction crane in NYC that collapsed, or dropped a load, into another building nearby the worksite. So dangerous. I know that these construction companies have an outstanding record when it comes to the jobs they do so I do hope this is the only accident for the next several years. Could of been a big deal if more people had been around, as previously stated!

I'm honestly surprised they let the library employees walk that close to the garage! I bet they won't after this incident.


They probably stop them when movement is ongoing, - they have flagmen at the top and bottom - but you can't prevent traffic back there since it is also now the dock for deliveries for the Oklahoma tower as well...there are warning signs and such. I suppose more people will go around front now.

I work for a major Fire Alarm company in Ft Worth owned by the evil corporate giant, Tyco International, and I was just wondering what brand of FA has been contracted?

Rick

Holy crap! I can't tell you how many times I've walked down that ramp on the way to work over the last few months. It's a convenient shortcut rather than going around the library. I just started parking in the garage again today. I hadn't heard anything about the accident until I checked this post once I got home this evening. I parked really close to that corner of the garage today and took a couple snapshots just as I was leaving. Now I understand why the construction worker in the garage was asking me not to take pictures. I thought he was just being pissy and now I feel bad about smarting off to him. :)

My shots. I didn't know I was risking life and limb getting them!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Mad_Monk/DevonTower/IMG00207.jpg


On this shot, I thought that they had just broken a piece and layed it there.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v291/Mad_Monk/DevonTower/IMG00208.jpg

Yeah I can't believe how lucky the guys beneath there were and how unbelievable that no one was in that parking spot in the alley. The first couple of spots are for vendors and such but the third is assigned to someone and usually has someone in it! :-O

3 Pillars. 3 floors collapsed. Watched it from the HT Building. What happened was the crane was lifting another wall into place. It clipped the southern most pillar, which fell northwardly and clipped another pillar. These two fell into the alley between the Library and the parking garage. Concurrently, when these fell, they loosed the pipe supports on a third pillar located in the sw corner of this section. It fell inwardly (towards the east) and onto the third floor of the newly constructed portion. The third floor collapsed and pancaked downward onto the 2nd and 1st floors, settling in the basement of the garage. This is exactly what I saw yesterday at about 445 pm.

It was actually right at 4:25 PM. Hipsterdoofus and I get off at 4:30 (we both work at the library) and we immediately looked up the surveillance video to watch it after it happened and the video shows 4:25:04.

Channel 9 has a copy of the surveillance video that we recorded. You can watch it here:

Video Page 2009 - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/Global/category.asp?C=116601&clipId=4527193&autostart=true)

Did you guys about crap yourselves? LOL. Hightower provides an excellent view of this stuff. Guess I left work about 445 and that's what I remember. I have some pretty decent pics of it though. Watching those floors pancake was freaky.

Hey Plainsman! Please post those pics when you get a chance. It would be good to see in more detail what will have to be repaired.

Did you guys about crap yourselves? LOL. Hightower provides an excellent view of this stuff. Guess I left work about 445 and that's what I remember. I have some pretty decent pics of it though. Watching those floors pancake was freaky.

We were further down the building - we do have staff though that were within feet of where it fell. The fact that there were no injuries is still amazing to me.

We were further down the building - we do have staff though that were within feet of where it fell. The fact that there were no injuries is still amazing to me.

Seriously that was a miracle, that no one was injured. Let's hope that was this build outs token accident and that we can somehow avoid future accidents as this magnificent structure emerges.

Has anyone in the know heard who the sub-contractors on the job will be? I am curious about who the plumbing, mechanical, and electrical contractors will be.

I have heard rumor that Oil Capital Electric got the job with approx $60 million bid.

February 9, 2010 around 5pm on the first floor of the parking garage.

http://i177.photobucket.com/albums/w219/ndobbs84/4f0088b2.jpg

February 10, 2010 around 5pm on the first floor of the parking garage.


You mean the 9th? Today's the 10th. :tiphat: