Looks like Tannenbaum has some ideas for Lincoln Plaza:

http://journalrecord.com/files/2011/12/lincoln-plaza-renderings-3_12-06-11-300x158.jpg

Bringing back Lincoln Plaza (http://journalrecord.com/2011/12/05/bringing-back-lincoln-plaza-real-estate/)
Preliminary plans for the long-vacant Lincoln Plaza complex recently submitted to the city show the old hotel repurposed as a student housing development, but the renderings are only one of several possibilities for the property, developer Dick Tanenbaum said.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lincolnplaza1a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/lincolnplaza2a.jpg

Ugly renderings, but this property sure has tons of potential and some cool, mid-century modern architecture. Would love to see this restored somehow.

Bringing back Lincoln Plaza
Developer plots use for long-vacant landmark
By Brianna Bailey
Journal Reocrd
Oklahoma City reporter - Contact 405-278-2847
Posted: 09:44 PM Monday, December 5, 2011

OKLAHOMA CITY – Preliminary plans for the long-vacant Lincoln Plaza complex recently submitted to the city show the old hotel repurposed as a student housing development, but the renderings are only one of several possibilities for the property, developer Dick Tanenbaum said.

“This is just showing what can be done – there are maybe seven or eight different directions we could go,” Tanenbaum said.

Documents filed with the Oklahoma City Planning Department show the distinctive crescent-shaped hotel transformed into student housing units. The plans also include some type of food service in what was once the hotel restaurant, a lake, at least two pools and several outdoor tennis and basketball courts. It was unclear from the submitted documents how many units of housing were part of the proposal.

Developer Gardner Tanenbaum Group filed the plans as part of an effort to clean up the outdated zoning for the 24-acre property near the Oklahoma Capitol, and they don’t represent the final vision for the old hotel, Tanenbaum said.

“When we go before the Planning Commission, we have to show them something,” he said.

Tanenbaum said he planned to put the Lincoln Plaza project on the back burner until sometime next year.

The Oklahoma City Planning Commission was slated to consider the plans at its next meeting on Thursday, but asked for a continuance until February on Monday afternoon, said J.J. Chambless, a planner for Oklahoma City.

Gardner Tanenbaum had submitted plans to use the old hotel rooms for student housing for the nearby University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and convert some of the convention center rooms into additional housing units, Chambless said.

“I expect them to make a lot of changes before coming back in February,” he said.

Built in 1967, the Lincoln Plaza complex at 4345 N. Lincoln Blvd. includes a three-story hotel, seven-story convention center and a single-story restaurant.

Once a glamorous meeting place for politicos and executives, the complex has changed hands several times over the past 20 years and has been closed for more than a decade.

Oklahoma City developers Tom Parrish and David Aduddell purchased the property for $2.025 million in 2006, with plans to bring the closed hotel back to its former glory, but the project never moved forward. The developers handed the property back to the bank in June 2010, according to property records.

It looks like Lincoln is really starting to shape up all the way from downtown up to I-44. With the OIPIA headquarters, Medical District projects, potentially two new OUHSC hotels, several State government building projects, the Plaza Hotel restoration, the Old Surety office building, and Chesapeake moving in at the north end of the road--there is certainly more going on up and down Lincoln than I can remember in a long time. I wouldn't hesitate to say the most going on since the 1960s (and the heyday of that funky mid-century architecture) when Lincoln was fairly glamorous. And streetcar coming!

Could this really be a successfully run hotel? In this location? I could maybe see it as a conference hotel.

http://newsok.com/hotel-groups-look-at-reopening-oklahoma-citys-lincoln-plaza/article/3654201

I see no reason it can't be successful if properly marketed. It's near the Capitol, the medical center, and I44. Not a bad location at all.

What new cancer clinic is he talking about? I think it's in the city's interest to get hotels to develop closer to the OUHSC, not this far north of it. This structure almost reinforces the notion that you head north (on your way to Edmond) to sleep after spending anytime at the Capitol or OUHSC.

I think this property is a lot more successful as student housing. I like that idea in part because of its potential synergy with Tanenbaum's nearby "Central Park" apartments.

What new cancer clinic is he talking about? I think it's in the city's interest to get hotels to develop closer to the OUHSC, not this far north of it. This structure almost reinforces the notion that you head north (on your way to Edmond) to sleep after spending anytime at the Capitol or OUHSC.

I think this property is a lot more successful as student housing. I like that idea in part because of its potential synergy with Tanenbaum's nearby "Central Park" apartments.

Probably referring to the Stephenson Cancer Center (http://www.oumedicine.com/cancer/about-the-cancer-center).

There has been a proposal for some time for an Embassy Suites in the medical center area which hasn't happened yet. This development as a hotel should have no bearing though on that proposal. I don't know why you would want student housing further from the medical complex instead of a hotel.

It seems a bit far away from OUHSC for student housing.

The Lincoln Plaza reminds me a lot of the Hyatt Century Plaza in Los Angeles. It's also a curved, mid-century style hotel that's hosted many political events and dignitaries and is still considered pretty swanky.

http://centuryplaza.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp?null

http://prevolv.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/l-a-obama-victory-party-at-hyatt-century-plaza-hotel_2709354_56.jpg
http://www.orbitz.com/hotelimages/651/120651/2631759-Hyatt-Regency-Century-Plaza-Hotel-Exterior-1.jpg
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2008_3rd/HospitiumChart9Aug2008.jpg

So I'd say it's certainly possible to revive it as a hotel.

I agree. Century Center in L.A. IS a pretty hip place to be seen.

Are you guys really comparing Century Center in LA with north Lincoln?

Interestingly, the Lincoln Corridor seems to be an example of a large urban renewal project that has worked well.

The state basically bought and tore down dozens of seedy little hotels and other blighted buildings in the area and at least the area looked cleaned up almost immediately.

Then, slowly but surely several government-related agencies have built new structures where old ones stood, and there is some private development as well. Tanenbaum's Lincoln at Central Park apartments have been very successful, Old Surety Insurance is building a nice new HQ, etc.

Now, finally this big white elephant looks viable again which was almost unthinkable 10 years ago.

I disagree there. Nobody wants to walk along Lincoln, and there is that reputation of "you'll get shot if you walk down Lincoln!" A lot of those seedy hotels, which definitely DID need to go in my opinion, have still yet to be replaced by buildings as most of that land along Lincoln north of the Capitol is still greenfield. Tanenbaum's apartment complex is a suburban development, doesn't even have any actual frontage facing Lincoln. If Lincoln Plaza does come back, and I'm confident that it will now with Tanenbaum behind it, it will be due to the proximity to the capitol and OUHSC and that it's about time some stuff finally happens on Lincoln.

I just don't think that this is an example of good urban renewal. Lincoln is under the management of the state unfortunately, and I'm just not ready to give them praise for competent execution of urban renewal, considering that they nixed the Lincoln Renaissance program two years ago and the grounds crew has to beg for funding each year that a new building is needed. And they have let the beautiful new Capitol dome get to the point of near collapse, which is the height of irresponsibility and bad management.

In my opinion, and I definitely agree with the general assessment that things appear to be going quite well along Lincoln, this is one of many areas that are now developing IN SPITE of government actions taken along here.

this is one of many areas that are now developing IN SPITE of government actions taken along here.

Specific examples of how their actions have improved the area can be cited, not the least of which being a bunch of government construction and bringing a good number of employees to the area.

What specific examples can you provide of how their actions have hindered the area's improvement?

That stretch or road was never, ever walkable or particularly desirable. The point being it's way better now than before the urban renewal project commenced.

Spartan, the capitol dome is near collapse?

I missed that story. Have a link handy anywhere? Or were you meaning the basic capitol structure suffers from some serious neglect issues?

My only regret regarding the clearing out of places along Lincoln was the loss of an absolutely killer (though mostly derelict) sign inventory. There were some incredible motel signs from the golden era of Route 66. I hope someone has them stored away somewhere.

Any objective analysis of Lincoln has to acknowledge the vast improvements of the last decade. To disparage the government actions which have cleaned it up and made it an area worth investing in is off base.

Any objective analysis of Lincoln has to acknowledge the vast improvements of the last decade. To disparage the government actions which have cleaned it up and made it an area worth investing in is off base.

Agreed, Rover. And any attempt to categorize plans there as "urban renewal" is also off base. That area has never been urban.

Urban renewal is a process of acquiring blighted areas by a government entity, clearing them and then aiding in redevelopment... Which is exactly what has happened along Lincoln. There have been lots of similar projects in areas not particularly dense. OCURA (and now the Economic Development Trust) owns all sorts of properties around town.

Anyway, the Lincoln Corridor has vastly improved which is evidenced by a hotel even being a possibility at Lincoln Plaza. It's probably better suited for that than housing but either way, once this property is resurrected we should see even more development in the area.

I suppose there may be more than one definition of urban renewal but here's something, including Merriam Webster, to support my idea.

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/urban-renewal.html

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urban%20renewal

It may have acquired a broader general meaning somewhere along the way.

Spartan, the capitol dome is near collapse?

I missed that story. Have a link handy anywhere? Or were you meaning the basic capitol structure suffers from some serious neglect issues?

Yes, please elaborate, Nick!

My only regret regarding the clearing out of places along Lincoln was the loss of an absolutely killer (though mostly derelict) sign inventory. There were some incredible motel signs from the golden era of Route 66. I hope someone has them stored away somewhere.

Or at least photographs. The signs were all gone by the time I started getting serious about photo-documentation. :(

Gardner/Tanenbaum just sold the Lincoln at Central Park apartments for $77 million.

Hopefully they'll put a big chunk of that into Lincoln Plaza.

Gardner/Tanenbaum just sold the Lincoln at Central Park apartments for $77 million.

Hopefully they'll put a big chunk of that into Lincoln Plaza.

One thing for sure - if he doesn't spend it on something other than extra cheese he has a lot of taxes to pay.

No hotel for Lincoln Plaza which is probably a wise decision.

http://newsok.com/hotel-is-ruled-out-for-oklahoma-citys-former-lincoln-plaza/article/3675832

Considering the success at Tanenbaum's nearby Lincoln at Central Park apartments, I hope Lincoln Plaza becomes housing.

It would be a shame to waste that great pool area.

I can confirm there is a 95% chance Lincoln Plaza is going to be converted into office space with covered parking added and a possible addition to the building that would extend it closer to the street. The building will house a state government agency. Expect movement on this very soon, with it completed within approximately 9-10 months.

I can confirm there is a 95% chance Lincoln Plaza is going to be converted into office space with covered parking added and a possible addition to the building that would extend it closer to the street. The building will house a state government agency. Expect movement on this very soon, with it completed within approximately 9-10 months.

Is Tanenbaum still involved?

I can confirm there is a 95% chance Lincoln Plaza is going to be converted into office space with covered parking added and a possible addition to the building that would extend it closer to the street. The building will house a state government agency. Expect movement on this very soon, with it completed within approximately 9-10 months.

He'll still have to apply for a permit, but it will be an expedited process with no DDRC to go through... obviously

Is Tanenbaum still involved?

Yes. It's all Tanenbaum on this project, which is one of the reasons the state chose to move forward with it.

Thanks so much for the info.


However, this is a bit of a bummer as that area needs more housing and/or a hotel. There are tons of vacant lots along Lincoln that the state owns for housing various agencies.

Still, it will be good to see that place come back to life.

I can confirm there is a 95% chance Lincoln Plaza is going to be converted into office space with covered parking added and a possible addition to the building that would extend it closer to the street. The building will house a state government agency. Expect movement on this very soon, with it completed within approximately 9-10 months.

I'm going to guess that Tanenbaum won the competition to land the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority.... this ought to make the plight of the current Lincoln Plaza office complex more intriguing....

I can confirm there is a 95% chance Lincoln Plaza is going to be converted into office space with covered parking added and a possible addition to the building that would extend it closer to the street. The building will house a state government agency. Expect movement on this very soon, with it completed within approximately 9-10 months.

King, any idea about what he'll do with the pool area and restaurant if he goes with office use?

King, any idea about what he'll do with the pool area and restaurant if he goes with office use?

I'm not sure, but I'll check on that Monday and see if I can sneak a peak at the actual plans (if they're even available at this point).

I can confirm there is a 95% chance Lincoln Plaza is going to be converted into office space with covered parking added and a possible addition to the building that would extend it closer to the street. The building will house a state government agency. Expect movement on this very soon, with it completed within approximately 9-10 months.

It would have to be a pretty big agency to take up the whole building. Any chance it's multiple agencies? Give us a hint, King!

It would have to be a pretty big agency to take up the whole building. Any chance it's multiple agencies? Give us a hint, King!

It will be the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. They have approximately 400-500 employees.

If you look at Lincoln and Classen as major N/S routes for future rail, a loop emerges that connects Bell Isle to downtown as well.We had it until 1947, with the Belle Isle and Culbertson cars. Belle Isle was one end of the line, and the other end was behind the original Historical Society building about a block from the capitol building. It ran on NE 13 to Robinson Circle, from there down Broadway to Main, out Main to Olie (now known as Classen), and up Olie/Classen to Belle Isle. I rode the cars to and from school for three months of 1946, going from Robinson Circle to the 17th Street Station and back...

It will be the Oklahoma Health Care Authority. They have approximately 400-500 employees.

I doubt that it will be them, they had been their at one time but left under bad conditions

I doubt that it will be them, they had been their at one time but left under bad conditions

I know for a fact it will be them. And, we're talking about the old hotel, not the office building to the north.

The state put out an RFP for the new Health Care HQ, which generated 12 responses, however no decision has been made yet. The responses are not public.

I'm told the conversion and renovation of this hotel should be completed by this summer. Renderings should be available soon.

I'm told the conversion and renovation of this hotel should be completed by this summer. Renderings should be available soon.

As always, thanks for the info.


Oklahoma Healthcare Agency still going in?

Addition planned?

Know what's going to become of the pool area?

As always, thanks for the info.


Oklahoma Healthcare Agency still going in?

Addition planned?

Know what's going to become of the pool area?

Yes, OHCA will still be going in.

Last I heard an addition was still planned. Still haven't heard on the pool, but if I can get a look at the renderings I'll let you know as soon as I know.

I thought he is going to turn into "uglies into beauties"? Looking at the rending, it is still ugly

Wait, this project went from hotel, to student housing proposal, back to hotel, and now is going to be a state agency??

Wait, this project went from hotel, to student housing proposal, back to hotel, and now is going to be a state agency??

There are three large distinct buildings at the Lincoln Plaza site, I think the hotel/student housing was the building north of the one likely becoming a state agency

There are three large distinct buildings at the Lincoln Plaza site, I think the hotel/student housing was the building north of the one likely becoming a state agency

The one that has always been offices (furthest north) has been under separate ownership for some time and is full.

The remainder was the old hotel and that will all become the new home to the state agency discussed here.

The one that has always been offices (furthest north) has been under separate ownership for some time and is full.

The remainder was the old hotel and that will all become the new home to the state agency discussed here.

Correct. We're talking about the old, dilapidated hotel that faces Lincoln Blvd, not the larger office building immediately to the north of it, which is where OHCA and other state agencies were housed before it flooded in a storm a couple years ago.

I've heard from a person familiar with the situation that Richard Tanenbaum, the developer of the hotel building, is considering buying the larger office building from the current owner, who lives in California and is in deep financial trouble with the building.

The building to the north I ment was the curved building, not the one owned by the person in California, I did not realize the proposal for hotel/student housing included the south most building

The one that has always been offices (furthest north) has been under separate ownership for some time and is full.

The remainder was the old hotel and that will all become the new home to the state agency discussed here.

This sounds like basically the Lincoln Boulevard version of the AF-OPUBCO deal.

Something's going on over there now.


3352

3353

3351

Looks like they're gutting it out for redevelopment. I see three silhouettes in that second picture...

$12,000,000 building permit for this site issued to the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority.

Described as "add-on and remodel".



Gardner Tanenbaum is doing the work; perhaps they are leasing back to the OHA?

[QUOTE=UncleCyrus;618727]Something's going on over there now.

3353

I didn't know there were any covered bus stops outside of downtown; that's nice to see.

I didn't know there were any covered bus stops outside of downtown; that's nice to see.

That's a relatively recent addition. That stop was just a concrete bench until not long ago.

[QUOTE=UncleCyrus;618727]Something's going on over there now.

3353

I didn't know there were any covered bus stops outside of downtown; that's nice to see.

There's a few around town, just depends on where you're at. Edmond has several, as do most tourist areas, like Meridian Ave, etc.

$12,000,000 building permit for this site issued to the Oklahoma Healthcare Authority.

Described as "add-on and remodel".



Gardner Tanenbaum is doing the work; perhaps they are leasing back to the OHA?

A lease was recently signed, it will be OHCA's office space and they would like to be in by the end of the year.

A lease was recently signed, it will be OHCA's office space and they would like to be in by the end of the year.

Any idea how much space they'll be adding on?