Yea I made a mistake Steve's article through me off a bit...sorry

SandRidge is in the process of purchasing the Broadway/Kerr lot, which is directly east of their campus.

I didn't mean to leave any confusion on which parking garage is being purchased. Here is what I reported: "The company's purchase of the Broadway-Kerr Garage from the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority, meanwhile, is set for January."

You didn't Steve. It isn't uncommon for readers to sometimes accidentally misconstrue facts stated. We all know memory is fallable.

I drove by this the other day, and I originally thought it was a stairwell add-on. Lol.

I don't think that is so much "improvement" as it is sealing off the ragged wall left over from the India Shrine demo. That's EIFS, and it's probably running them about $12.39 to temporarily make the wall look better until they are able to get started on the new building. A good short-term patch job.

You didn't Steve. It isn't uncommon for readers to sometimes accidentally misconstrue facts stated. We all know memory is fallable.

I drove by this the other day, and I originally thought it was a stairwell add-on. Lol.

I'm pretty sure they did add a stairway there.

Expect something like this in width and height: 22 stories

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/826/evorenderok3.jpg

Something like that would be fantastic. Especially if it includes streetfront retail space along Broadway. Maybe a restaurant space at the corner of Kerr & Broadway overlooking the plaza. It would really liven up that area.

No skin off my back...

I hope you're right Steve, I'll say that.

I wouldn't hold my breathe on that one. Sandrdige still has plenty of room to grow in their current building and they really have given no indication that the new building they are planning is of any real size.

I wouldn't hold my breathe on that one. Sandrdige still has plenty of room to grow in their current building and they really have given no indication that the new building they are planning is of any real size.

Really?

I wouldn't hold my breathe on that one. Sandrdige still has plenty of room to grow in their current building and they really have given no indication that the new building they are planning is of any real size.

Certainly not what I am hearing from inside the company and among some developers around town. They think differently.

Certainly not what I am hearing from inside the company and among some developers around town. They think differently.

Can you tell us what you're hearing from inside SandRidge and developers around town?

I didn't mean to leave any confusion on which parking garage is being purchased. Here is what I reported: "The company's purchase of the Broadway-Kerr Garage from the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority, meanwhile, is set for January."

And what is going to happen to everyone else that parks in that garage?

And what is going to happen to everyone else that parks in that garage?

I think it goes like this:

Step 1 - Sandridge buys garage for future expected needs and current employees who already park in the garage.
Step 2 - City use money from sale to build another garage near by.
Step 3 - When new garage is opened the Broadway-Kerr becomes Sandridge-only
Step 4 - Non-Sandridge users move to the new garage

On a side note, what happened to the proceeds from the garage that was sold to Devon? I thought the city was going to build another garage to replace that one as well.

I thought the expansion of the Devon garage freed up around 1,000 spaces at the Santa Fe garage ? They may not need to build for a while ?

Can you tell us what you're hearing from inside SandRidge and developers around town?

It's not exactly insider knowledge. It's in Steve's articles. Tom Ward has been pretty forthright in saying they will have a building there and it will be a significant one.

So the question is, what part of Sandridge's plan have they not followed through on? They are on schedule and have acted on each thing they have released. If you look at the picture in this thread there is a building in that place. They wouldn't put it there just as a placeholder. They did it because it's part of the plan.

From Steve's 9/17/11 article:


O'Connor notes workers with Continental Resources and Enogex, along with SandRidge's growing workforce, will quickly absorb the space left behind at the Santa Fe Garage by Devon employees when they move to the expanded City Center West garage at Park and Hudson Avenues.

“That's why COTPA (Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority) is doing a study now that we're hoping to wrap up soon,” O'Connor said. “It's time to find new locations for parking garages, which I don't think anyone thought would happen as soon as it has.”


Read more: http://newsok.com/new-public-parking-cited-as-downtown-challenge/article/3586246#ixzz1ZATbeTAm

I had dinner with someone of knowledge there who indicated that they (SR) are much fuller in the tower than they expected to be at this time and the tower will be sooner than later. Some developer friends I visited with have indicated that what they hear among themselves is the same story and that Continental is already thinking they may have fairly immediate demand for up to 400-500 more workers than they thought. Chesapeake keeps leasing or buying every building I look at for possible leasing...it is insane. If you have looked for quality space in the 10,000-25,000 square foot range you would see how limited the good choices are these days.

The way things are going, by the time SR is done with the Braniff and Amenities buildings, they will be ready to start on their new tower.

And it seems that CLR may need more space then they purchased -- and soon. At the very least they could take some of the space to be vacated by Devon at Chase and several other downtown buildings. Then, they can build their own tower!

The way things are going, by the time SR is done with the Braniff and Amenities buildings, they will be ready to start on their new tower.

And it seems that CLR may need more space then they purchased -- and soon. At the very least they could take some of the space to be vacated by Devon at Chase and several other downtown buildings. Then, they can build their own tower!

In other words: follow in the footsteps of greatness!

If CHK and other oil companies are buying up regular office space, why don't they build some spec space. If anyone in OKC has the funds, it's them. Class A space is very tight, yet no one is building any on spec or to meet the demand, unless you talk about suburban house type space.

The reason CHK isn't building spec space is that it can't build space fast enough to absorb it's own employees, which is it's first priority.

Even with 8 different projects under construction on their campus, they've still had to buy and lease space all over NW OKC.

I wouldn't be surprised if they eventually built some spec office space, but not until they can house all they own employees. Or at the very least, turn properties like Central Park and the Atrium Towers out for lease once they are able to consolidate all their employees to their campus.

Also, they've already built spec retail and certainly will create a lot more (NH Plaza, etc.) down the line.

The way things are going, by the time SR is done with the Braniff and Amenities buildings, they will be ready to start on their new tower.

And it seems that CLR may need more space then they purchased -- and soon. At the very least they could take some of the space to be vacated by Devon at Chase and several other downtown buildings. Then, they can build their own tower!

CLR is already in Corporate tower and taking up space in Oklahoma Tower. They have leased all the empty space in Oklahoma Tower. They are however very conservative, so I see them moving everyone into the Devon building and then leasing as space is needed. I did hear that they are going to do some work on the interior of the Devon Building before they move in. I don't know what they need to do, it is a really really nice building.

Well like I said, i'm not going to hold my breath that they are going to build anything more than 10 floors..if that. I'd love to be wrong, but i prefer to be pessimistic on such things.

But we're definitely not looking at the hhuge void we thought we would in space downtown after the Devon move. The question will be though, are we going to have class A space or just B and C still (FNC)? If Class A hits a high % occupancy rate, it really should ping some investors to look at building something...not neccessarily driven by one corporation. Single tenant buildings are always scary for leasing companies. If your client leaves, you're empty. BUt mix it up a bit and you're good.

CLR is already in Corporate tower and taking up space in Oklahoma Tower. They have leased all the empty space in Oklahoma Tower. They are however very conservative, so I see them moving everyone into the Devon building and then leasing as space is needed. I did hear that they are going to do some work on the interior of the Devon Building before they move in. I don't know what they need to do, it is a really really nice building.

I know its been said that Devon is vacating quite a bit of space in Chase Tower. Does anyone know how much? I've noticed quite a few companies with the Chase address. I would think that if Continental would outgrow Devon Bldg (Mid Continent Tower) then it wouldn't be as simple as moving across the street.

Isn't Devon vacating quite a bit of space in Chase Tower? I would think that if Continental would outgrow Devon Bldg (Mid Continent Tower) then they would just move across the street.

I'm willing to bet that Continental takes up all the vacated space Devon leaves before they get serious about building anything if they do build something.

While sitting on my front porch (NW 19th in Mesta Park) yesterday afternoon around 5-6 p.m., a young man walked by and identified himself as working on a project for SandRidge ... a public relations video, he said ... and that SandRidge would be in the general neighborhood this morning to work on that project. He asked that we not park our cars on the street today so that SandRidge-related vehicles working on this project could park there.

I said, "Sure. What's this about, SandRidge working on a video to enhance its image?" He affirmed that purpose. I said, "You know, SandRidge took a PR hit with some of us about the demolition of a couple of historic buildings recently," and I said that while smiling.

Whether that video project happened, I do not know. I've not been out of the house today to see if anything actually took place with regard to the described SandRidge video. I'm just reporting on the conversation with the young man who spoke with me while I was smoking a cig on my front porch last afternoon.

Thanks for the info Doug Dawg. Did you poke and prod with any more questions? I'd like to know more about the agenda behind this.

No, I didn't. I began to wonder if anything was going to happen since by mid-afternoon there weren't any vehicles. But, by or before 5 pm, the street in front of my house was loaded with vehicles, some rather large, taking up the whole street. The people were located somewhere else, though. A police car blocked the entrance to NW 19th at Walker for quite a while. That's all that I know.

OK, so I have an over-active imagination! Nonetheless, I had some fun with what COULD happen to the Sandridge tower provided they are REALLY ambitious!

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8318229/Sandridge%20tower.jpg

^I love it!

No, I didn't. I began to wonder if anything was going to happen since by mid-afternoon there weren't any vehicles. But, by or before 5 pm, the street in front of my house was loaded with vehicles, some rather large, taking up the whole street. The people were located somewhere else, though. A police car blocked the entrance to NW 19th at Walker for quite a while. That's all that I know.

Probably filming a new commercial since they just reworked their brand.

David, that right there is probably the best argument I've heard yet as to why the chamber hq shouldn't be built on that spot.

Probably filming a new commercial since they just reworked their brand.

They recently had a casting call for a new commercial so that is probably a safe assumption.

David, that right there is probably the best argument I've heard yet as to why the chamber hq shouldn't be built on that spot.

At least not the way it was proposed.

But I thought the CoC was going to be across the street?

Metro's right guys. Lol...


David, that right there is probably the best argument I've heard yet as to why the chamber hq shouldn't be built on that spot.

That looks good. He obviously understands massing and perspective, I love the tri-point layout.

Unfortunately we know that three towers aren't going to happen, especially if one is debatable.

Steve reported today that SandRidge closed on the Broadway-Kerr garage for $8.6 million.

Sounds like the city is getting serious about building a new one, perhaps in Auto Alley or Bricktown.

Maybe they are looking at building more than one. Just throwing that out there.

I think Bricktown would be the first place to build one. Then one in downtown then AA if those are completed. They need a detailed plan with phases. Garage one will be here. Then garage two here....

I think a garage in Bricktown would also help in growing bricktown, which as become more stagnant than other districts right now.

The garage in Bricktown would also sell for prime dollars!

There is a study underway to determine exact need and best locations.

It also sounds like they have the money to make this happen when they are ready.

Broadway-Kerr Garage sold by city to SandRidge; new garage possible (http://newsok.com/broadway-kerr-garage-sold-by-city-to-sandridge-new-garage-possible/article/3612580)

BY STEVE LACKMEYER slackmeyer@opubco.com
Published: October 12, 2011

The Oklahoma City Council approved an $8.6 million sale of the Broadway-Kerr Parking Garage to SandRidge Energy, a move that clears all remaining debt for the public parking system downtown.

I moved a bunch of posts to the Downtown Parking thread.

Please keep this about SandRidge. Thanks.

Thanks Pete. Any chance we can merge the two Sandridge threads into one while your at it? Seems kind of redundant.

We aren't debating whether to save the building or not - they are gone. We are just trying to set the historical record correctly. Comments and assumptions were made by people in this thread that are simply not true. You can't just let stuff like that go by without correcting it.

Well, I was chastising the person who brought it up again, not you...yeah I'm with you on this. Always happy to set the record straight going forward...even if everyone on here thinks I'm just biased against SR for life.

I'm not biased against SR for life. I am starting to get a little more optimistic about SR, for one reason only: the parking deal. To me, that is the first proof I have seen of SR expansion beyond the current phase, plus we know this will cause some pretty cool benefits further down the line in other places.

Instead, they're going to build a 2 story building with retail on first floor and surface parking on the top floor...oh wait, that's someone else.

Yeah, well lots of exciting development going around lol..

First building permit issued for Braniff Building (324 N. Robinson).

It's only for $50K but it means they are getting ready to start.

Really looking forward to the remodel and that building being brought back to life.

Heh, just finally sold my PS3 to this guy from Craigslist... We started talking and he mentioned he works for SandRidge. When he left I noticed the black shirt. He said that he thought he recognized me around the Globe Life building. I told him I do videography work. I guess I'm that noticeable. I would have mentioned more about it, but it's really late and I had to get to bed. I mentioned the India Temple building but he didn't say much. Thought that was kind of funny.

Anyone have any idea when they are going to start tearing down the old Globe Life/parking garage? I mean the structure itself. I know they have been torching and tearing up the inside of the garage for weeks now. And it looks like the skybridge to City Place is being torn down piece by piece. I was thinking they would get a couple of cranes and lower the thing some weekend. A little disappointed to see it being dismantled little bits at a time.

Anyone have any idea when they are going to start tearing down the old Globe Life/parking garage? I mean the structure itself. I know they have been torching and tearing up the inside of the garage for weeks now. And it looks like the skybridge to City Place is being torn down piece by piece. I was thinking they would get a couple of cranes and lower the thing some weekend. A little disappointed to see it being dismantled little bits at a time.

Maybe they don't want us seeing the original facade underneath. I kid.

OSUMom, when the renovation plans for the Braniff building were approved in June, a SR spokesman said demolition on that old building and garage would start "before the end of the year".

I'm not sure when the whole structure will be razed but I would bet in will happen in the next few months.

Maybe they don't want us seeing the original facade underneath. I kid.

: ) But really, the whole top is almost gone. You can see sky through it. But surely they can't just take it apart like that, can they? Maybe they can get it down just beams or something then lift the beams down. Guess I thought something more dramatic would happen.

I'm sure it will have to come down in small chunks because it is almost touching the Dowell Center to the west.

It will be an interesting process to watch, but I bet a methodical rather than cataclysmic one.

Its going to be even more interesting to see if the tearing down of the GlobeLife Parking structure will cause the Occupy OKC Folks to get out of their tents and possibly out of Kerr Park!

I know you are being facetious but Kerr Park will be renovated at the same time the former Globe building is demolished and the new amenities building rises in it's place.

And BTW, I double-checked and there has been no demolition permit issued for that Globe/parking structure (123 Robert S. Kerr). They really can't do much to the outside without a permit, so until then, at least the exterior will remain in tact.

Its going to be even more interesting to see if the tearing down of the GlobeLife Parking structure will cause the Occupy OKC Folks to get out of their tents and possibly out of Kerr Park!


I did see one of the construction worker guys talking to the occupiers. He was gesturing at the tents that are right by the building. Don't know if he was telling them that wasn't the best place to be or what.

http://newsok.com/13-story-high-pedestrian-skybridge-set-to-be-removed-as-development-of-sandridge-commons-enters-next-phase/article/3617241?custom_click=lead_story_title

Beat me to it. Oh well. Lol

Nice article. Answered all my questions. Might have to take the trip downtown on the weekend this happens. Here at work we have speculated enough about how it is going to come down, would be nice to actually see it happen.

I'm really curious about the plans for the park now. Is the air force monument going to be moved? I don't care too much about the rest of the stuff in the park, but I would hate to see the monument and the 89er statue gone. Replacing the marble tiles with grass I think would be good. They are always having to break up and replace the tiles due to buckling. But then, I don't know the cost of that vs the cost of maintaining a green lawn.

The monument was recently restored. So I doubt that it will move, or move far due to the community fundraising effort to preserve it.

They are gutting the Globe Life from the inside now. It sounds as though they are cutting out the old elevators.

Its going to be even more interesting to see if the tearing down of the GlobeLife Parking structure will cause the Occupy OKC Folks to get out of their tents and possibly out of Kerr Park!

just found a bit of info from the OCT 19th parks commission meeting Lingo (sandridge) is asking to close kerr park starting NOV 28th unitl they complete the park renovation and the completion of their new building