I just can't comprehend how the MBD thing, whatever it is, can get the right people involved, a full-time planner, or DOKC, whatever ... and zero results 4-5 years later, at a time that development has exploded. They can't be very serious about redevelopment of this site, and I'm curious why?

The full time planner was not a planner by education or trade... maybe had something to do with it. I think the MBD may also have too many disparate interests and involved parties - St. Anthony wants to do its thing, medical businesses want their thing, and the Midtown Redevelopment people have their own ideas.

I say give it to the Midtown group, require some medical-office space as part of the mixed use and then move on.

I say give it to the Midtown group, require some medical-office space as part of the mixed use and then move on.

This.

I don't see where Valir has room for a large expansion on their existing site without building a parking garage.

The full time planner was not a planner by education or trade... maybe had something to do with it. I think the MBD may also have too many disparate interests and involved parties - St. Anthony wants to do its thing, medical businesses want their thing, and the Midtown Redevelopment people have their own ideas.

I say give it to the Midtown group, require some medical-office space as part of the mixed use and then move on.

You mean Robbie Kienzle? (who NEVER returned my numerous phone calls and emails back when I wanted to blog about the site, leading me to believe it was in negotiations OR there wasn't really a plan.. but I've also heard she was quite competent, etc, not to rag on her or anything)

I absolutely agree that the Midtown group should be given the opportunity.

Well Valir's off - we're all shocked, for sure.

I'd be interested to compare the sell price that the MBD got for the site compared to the $700,000 MidtownR paid Valir for the site. Residential infill planned.

Well Valir's off - we're all shocked, for sure.

I'd be interested to compare the sell price that the MBD got for the site compared to the $700,000 MidtownR paid Valir for the site. Residential infill planned.


This is good news.

How did you learn this?

Well Valir's off - we're all shocked, for sure.

I'd be interested to compare the sell price that the MBD got for the site compared to the $700,000 MidtownR paid Valir for the site. Residential infill planned.

Source? If this is true (not doubting, just haven't heard anything about it) I can't wait to see what MidtownR does with the site, would this be their first new-construction project (as opposed to rehab projects)?

I never thought the Valir development was the best use for this location.

Lackmeyer's column for tomorrow...

As much as I'd love to say I had an inside source lol.

Spartan, since you didn't post the link to Steve's article, here it is.

Oklahoma City MidTown property sold; housing development possible | NewsOK.com (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-midtown-property-sold-housing-development-possible/article/3742560)

The side note to Steve's article states that the Medical Business Cooridor District is now being administered by Downtown OKC Inc. I don't know the details of this site's history, but should it not have been made available with an RFP, or at least marketed to the public? Midtown R is doing some great things, but Mr. Howard is on the board of Downtown OKC Inc. Seems like there should be some more disclosure here.

The side note to Steve's article states that the Medical Business Cooridor District is now being administered by Downtown OKC Inc. I don't know the details of this site's history, but should it not have been made available with an RFP, or at least marketed to the public? Midtown R is doing some great things, but Mr. Howard is on the board of Downtown OKC Inc. Seems like there should be some more disclosure here.

Well that's one reason I'm curious to match up the recent sale prices

$697k, same price it was sold to Valir in 2011

The article says that the Midtown Group now owns the entire block from Harvey to Hudson, 10th St. to Park Place. Is it really just the little strip of property that fronts 10th St. that they own, or is it the entire actual block? If it's just to Park Place, that doesn't seem like a whole lot of property.

Also in the side notes of Mr. Lackmeyer's column, there is mention of modifications to the 10th St. crossing of I-235. Does anyone know what they're considering modifying?

Also in the side notes of Mr. Lackmeyer's column, there is mention of modifications to the 10th St. crossing of I-235. Does anyone know what they're considering modifying?

If I remember correctly, plans call for:
-Southbound entrance from 10th to 235
-Northbound exit from 235 to 10th

Currently you can only enter/exit 235 if your going-to/coming-from the North side of town.

If I remember correctly, plans call for:
-Southbound entrance from 10th to 235
-Northbound exit from 235 to 10th

Currently you can only enter/exit 235 if your going-to/coming-from the North side of town.

Ah yes, I completely forgot that they're adding the NB exit. I didn't know they're planning to add a SB entrance. That's going to be a lot of exits in a short stretch for 235.

The side note to Steve's article states that the Medical Business Cooridor District is now being administered by Downtown OKC Inc. I don't know the details of this site's history, but should it not have been made available with an RFP, or at least marketed to the public? Midtown R is doing some great things, but Mr. Howard is on the board of Downtown OKC Inc. Seems like there should be some more disclosure here.

What's wrong with that? The District is a non-profit, so they can go to whomever they want to get things done... Who would they disclose it to other than their own members? If the District was a government body, then there'd be disclosure needs.

Non-profits do not typically do RFPs - they are more like corporations than government bodies.

It would only be a problem if there was ever any public money in the site. I believe the MBDC originally put this site out via an RFP. That's how Valir ended up with it. I could be mistaken, but I think Grant Humphreys and Richard Tanenbaum both submitted proposals for this site. I assumed there was some city or other public money involved with this site, because of the original RFP. I'm going off memory, so I could wrong.

Ah yes, I completely forgot that they're adding the NB exit. I didn't know they're planning to add a SB entrance. That's going to be a lot of exits in a short stretch for 235.

Yet it still won't be enough probably. Need more both North and South.

The article says that the Midtown Group now owns the entire block from Harvey to Hudson, 10th St. to Park Place. Is it really just the little strip of property that fronts 10th St. that they own, or is it the entire actual block? If it's just to Park Place, that doesn't seem like a whole lot of property.

Also in the side notes of Mr. Lackmeyer's column, there is mention of modifications to the 10th St. crossing of I-235. Does anyone know what they're considering modifying?

MidtownR now ownes 3/4 of the block every thing except the north west corner

MidtownR now ownes 3/4 of the block every thing except the north west corner

Thanks for the answer.

MidtownR now ownes 3/4 of the block every thing except the north west corner

Are they gunning for the entire block?

Are they gunning for the entire block?

I thought NorthCare was part of the entire package? Did it not get transferred? I thought the original proposal had them moving out eventually...

I thought NorthCare was part of the entire package? Did it not get transferred? I thought the original proposal had them moving out eventually...

That site was never transferred to Valir and has not been transferred to MidtownR.

I had never heard about their property being part of this development.

Help me out, MidtownR owns all of the block bound by 10th, 11th, Hudson, Harvey, with the exception of the northwest corner of that block?

Help me out, MidtownR owns all of the block bound by 10th, 11th, Hudson, Harvey, with the exception of the northwest corner of that block?

As I understand it and with Boulder's clarification, yes, Midtown R owns exactly what you're saying.

Maybe we'll see some mixed use here...?

As I understand it and with Boulder's clarification, yes, Midtown R owns exactly what you're saying.

Maybe we'll see some mixed use here...?

If they nab that last corner, I'd think you'd see another block development like the Edge since those seem to be gaining popularity downtown (Level, Edge, Maywood x2)

To date, MidtownR has only targeted renovations so it would be very interesting to see what completely new construction might look like.

It may be getting time to start thinking about some for-sale units in Midtown. The rental market is hot right now but I'd like to see some diversification.


Regardless, I'm glad these properties are in their hands. I think MidtownR has proven to be the best developer in town... Love every one of their projects.

If they nab that last corner, I'd think you'd see another block development like the Edge since those seem to be gaining popularity downtown (Level, Edge, Maywood x2)

This was my initial thought as well, but I think that kind of development would be a disappointment. I want to see something better, like what Marva Ellard had proposed a long time ago. I'll see if I can dig up the rendering. I have hopes with the Midtown group being involved, but who knows what completely new construction would like from them as we haven't yet seen any.

This was my initial thought as well, but I think that kind of development would be a disappointment. I want to see something better, like what Marva Ellard had proposed a long time ago. I'll see if I can dig up the rendering. I have hopes with the Midtown group being involved, but who knows what completely new construction would like from them as we haven't yet seen any.

I don't know that I'd call it a disappointment, but certainly not the most exciting of scenarios. With Midtown being as patchy as it is, anything that "urbanizes" a whole block is a welcome addition...certainly better than 100k sq. ft. of grass

That site was never transferred to Valir and has not been transferred to MidtownR.

I had never heard about their property being part of this development.

I heard it internally at the City - I seem to recall people talking about their efforts to help them find a new facility... maybe they couldn't and that's why it didn't transfer.

I heard it internally at the City - I seem to recall people talking about their efforts to help them find a new facility... maybe they couldn't and that's why it didn't transfer.

I know you were/are more connected on these projects, I just meant that I never saw anything about this in any of the reports and don't think it was ever a public part of this project.

Sounds likely it was discussed but never went forward for some reason.


I'll plot out all the MidtownR properties in that immediate area... They control a lot of vacant lots already so they have plenty of room to do most anything.

Hopefully MRG will incorporate a much needed parking garage in the new construction.

The county assessor now shows this site sold to an LLC controlled by the Midtown Renaissance group.

They paid exactly what Valir paid about 1.5 years ago: $697,000.

I heard it internally at the City - I seem to recall people talking about their efforts to help them find a new facility... maybe they couldn't and that's why it didn't transfer.

i was told at one point that there was/is a handshake agreement for the northcare site to sell for development and relocate to a new location

The building foundation has been removed. They've laid strips of sod grass across the property and due to poor grading it currently is holding a fair amount of water. Not sure what part of the plan this comes in.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/88102950@N03/8653360601/

puddle | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/88102950@N03/8653360601/)

I saw that last night and thought a pipe had ruptured somewhere.

That thing has more water than Canton!

What is being developed on this property?

No one is saying for certain, but Steve has mentioned that it's likely to be some sort of housing project.

What is being developed on this property?

apparently a lake...

apparently a lake...

I see what you did there.

The Lakes at Midtown! :)

It's in violation of municipal code 24-81
DIVISION 2. - EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS (http://library.municode.com/HTML/17000/level4/OKMUCO2010_CH24HOPRMACO_ARTIVEXPRMA_DIV2EXPRAR.htm l#OKMUCO2010_CH24HOPRMACO_ARTIVEXPRMA_DIV2EXPRAR_S 24-81GRDR)
Also county level health violations regarding standing water.
City of Oklahoma City | West Nile Virus (http://www.okc.gov/westnile/)

Since it's MidtownR and I know they take care of properties and care in general, I presume this is temporary. Although I'm not sure why they laid sod in the lake.

The Lakes at Midtown! :)

It's in violation of municipal code 24-81
DIVISION 2. - EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS (http://library.municode.com/HTML/17000/level4/OKMUCO2010_CH24HOPRMACO_ARTIVEXPRMA_DIV2EXPRAR.htm l#OKMUCO2010_CH24HOPRMACO_ARTIVEXPRMA_DIV2EXPRAR_S 24-81GRDR)
Also county level health violations regarding standing water.
City of Oklahoma City | West Nile Virus (http://www.okc.gov/westnile/)

Since it's MidtownR and I know they take care of properties and care in general, I presume this is temporary. Although I'm not sure why they laid sod in the lake.

The water is from the last big rain

Yep.

Here is a picture taken at 7:15am this morning for comparison

1 week later | Flickr - Photo Sharing! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/88102950@N03/8658111446/)

It's not too bad although I thought there would be less water by now. I think because water has been sitting there since the first week of April that the ground is fully saturated already and it's going to have to evaporate to go away. Then again I'm not a water drainage expert.

I'm glad someone else has noticed this. As someone who lives within 2 blocks of this, all I can think of this mini-lake around in the summer and full of mosquitos.

I'm glad someone else has noticed this. As someone who lives within 2 blocks of this, all I can think of this mini-lake around in the summer and full of mosquitos.

Same here. I grew up in Louisiana so I'm well acquainted with mosquito spawning pools and West Nile virus issues.

I'm starting to grow fond of the little lake in Midtown now. I wonder if MidtownRenaissance would allow a Midtown Mud Wrestling or Mud Volleyball tournament there later this Spring.

We should be so lucky as to have standing watering the ground this summer.

Standing water ON the ground this summer. Sheesh.

Standing water ON the ground this summer. Sheesh.

stay out a little late last night?

I wish! I'm pretty sure I was asleep on the couch when I typed that first one...

The Midtown Lake grew again overnight.

I think because they dug away the topsoil that the ground beneath it, also compacted from having a building foundation on it for many years, just isn't going to quickly absorb any water.

Word on the street is there are already plans to develop this by MidtownR. Only a matter of time now. Can't wait to see exactly what it's going to be.

What is in the building on the NW corner of 10th and Hudson. I've seen people in there and have never know what it is.

What is in the building on the NW corner of 10th and Hudson. I've seen people in there and have never know what it is.

It's vacant and been for sale for a while.

I believe they occasionally hold auctions there.

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but this is what has recently moved into this building. 4117

Not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but this is what has recently moved into this building. 4117

That building on the NW corner has not yet sold, so I believe this is just a tenant.

Isn't this where they were going to put that concept in outta Tulsa?

I believe Midtown Renaissance is getting ready to kickoff a big project on the NE corner of 10th & Hudson (which is actually the original subject of this thread).

They own almost everything on that block except the NorthCare property, but they are well along on building a new facility on General Pershing and it's been rumored that MidtownR will be acquiring this old site once they make the move.

Sounds like there are plans for housing and other uses.

NorthCare is probably a year away from moving into their new facility.

I believe Midtown Renaissance is getting ready to kickoff a big project on the NE corner of 10th & Hudson (which is actually the original subject of this thread).

They own almost everything on that block except the NorCare property, but they are well along on building a new facility on General Pershing and it's been rumored that MidtownR will be acquiring this old site once they make the move.

Sounds like there are plans for housing and other uses.

NorCare is probably a year away from moving into their new facility.

Is the NorthCare facility in that old theater? Any number of cool things could be done with that.

Is the NorthCare facility in that old theater? Any number of cool things could be done with that.

No, it's a non-descript 2-story building of no historical value.

I'm sure it will be demolished; the rest of that entire block has already been scraped.

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/2006.1140nhudson.jpg

You are probably thinking of the the old Uptown Theater at 1212 N. Hudson, which is due north of NorthCare:

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/2006.1212nhudson.jpg

http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtown/1949.1212nhudson.jpg