No, this is new info -- obtaining two substantial loans, one secured, one unsecured. A total of 2.45 billion dollars. That's a lot of kale!

I was wondering if they now have an official name, since they have actually secured loans ?

How about CenterGex for a name ???

I think I may have to amend my response to Sid just a bit.

The info about actually obtaining the loans is new, but the intent of getting the loans may have been out for awhile. A least it appears in the following investor summary:

http://mlpprotocol.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/cnp-oge-midstream-partnership-introduction-031513.pdf

This is a good read and has TONS of info about the new MLP. Go grab it.

According to the investory summary pdf, the 1.05 billion (secured) loan is being used to pay off debt CenterPoint owes to a subsidiary. The 1.4 billion (unsecured) loan is being used for liquidity -- i.e. startup cash. So any new headquarters would have to come out of the 1.4 B.

According to the investory summary pdf, the 1.05 billion (secured) loan is being used to pay off debt CenterPoint owes to a subsidiary. The 1.4 billion (unsecured) loan is being used for liquidity -- i.e. startup cash. So any new headquarters would have to come out of the 1.4 B.

I bet a billion would buy a nice sparkly tower in downtown OKC!

How much did the Devon tower cost BTW?

I bet a billion would buy a nice sparkly tower in downtown OKC!

How much did the Devon tower cost BTW?

It was reported at $750 million.

It was reported at $750 million.

...but I think it came in closer to $500 million, thus the P180 funding problem.

I was thinking today, there better not be announcement today. Would make all of our head's spin off trying to decide if real or not.

...but I think it came in closer to $500 million, thus the P180 funding problem.

No, it was still around $750 million.

What affected P180 was the fact that more went towards labor and less towards materials; the latter being taxable.

Hate to be so cryptic, but I want to give everyone something to look forward to this week following Steve's guidance on another 90 days until something is solid on the Stage Center site. Look for an exciting announcement soon that will be very impressive for OKC. NOT tower or Enogex/CNP related.

Hate to be so cryptic, but I want to give everyone something to look forward to this week following Steve's guidance on another 90 days until something is solid on the Stage Center site. Look for an exciting announcement soon that will be very impressive for OKC. NOT tower or Enogex/CNP related.

Is this announcement for something permanent, or an event?

Give me the skyline of Edmonton any day over a couple 1000' buildings. Their tallest building is only 479'.

http://photos.edmonton.ca/City-Scenes/City-of-Edmonton-photos/i-vhzvfdD/0/M/Skyline%20Night-Large-M.jpg

I agree. It's hard to tell how tall buildings are in the distance. A skyline like the above looks great. I wish ours had that density. I think it really becomes impressive when buildings start to overlap each other, when you look past one and see part of another behind it.

Just for fun, I was looking for cost estimates to build a generic office building. I didn't think I'd actually find anything. But I wanted at least a ballpark figure to see what it would cost to build, say, a 10 story brick building similar to the Hightower. I think OKC could use a ton more buildings of this size, and there should be many, many entities in the city that could afford to finance something of that scale (as opposed to Devon Tower, where there are a tiny handful of businesses that could afford it and you just have to keep your fingers crossed and hope that they do it).

Anyway, I ran across this website:

Construction costs (http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/rsmeans/models/offices4/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/)

If these are accurate, I think it's quite reasonable to think we could spur much more downtown development with a lot more midrises.

I'd kill to see more midrises in downtown. I love sleek, shiny buildings like Devon, but smaller scale buildings will do so much more for the skyline in terms of density. I like huge skyscrapers, but OKC's skyline is not matured enough to be worried about a super-tall. I do think we'll see some 350-750 footers though over the next 10 years or so.

Hate to be so cryptic, but I want to give everyone something to look forward to this week following Steve's guidance on another 90 days until something is solid on the Stage Center site. Look for an exciting announcement soon that will be very impressive for OKC. NOT tower or Enogex/CNP related.

You mean, like a movie being filmed in okc?

Just for fun, I was looking for cost estimates to build a generic office building. I didn't think I'd actually find anything. But I wanted at least a ballpark figure to see what it would cost to build, say, a 10 story brick building similar to the Hightower. I think OKC could use a ton more buildings of this size, and there should be many, many entities in the city that could afford to finance something of that scale (as opposed to Devon Tower, where there are a tiny handful of businesses that could afford it and you just have to keep your fingers crossed and hope that they do it).

Anyway, I ran across this website:

Construction costs (http://www.reedconstructiondata.com/rsmeans/models/offices4/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/)

If these are accurate, I think it's quite reasonable to think we could spur much more downtown development with a lot more midrises.

Thanks for posting that link. As my curent line of work seems to be a dying industry I have been working on what to do next and I would love to get into developing 5 to 10 story buildings. I agree with your assesment of the Edmonton skyline. My favorite skylines are the ones where buildings are all about the same size and close together.

JTF, are you at all involved in Jacksonville stuff? Do they have a forum like this one? As you know, my son lives in Springfield and he tells me things are starting to stir there and on Main St. If he weren't leaving for business school in Chicago this fall, I'd tell him to start a site like this and get involved in JAX politics. I think there's a lot of potential there.

And back to topic, not holding my breath on any tower. Surprise me, someone!

Hate to be so cryptic, but I want to give everyone something to look forward to this week following Steve's guidance on another 90 days until something is solid on the Stage Center site. Look for an exciting announcement soon that will be very impressive for OKC. NOT tower or Enogex/CNP related.

Is this to do with William H. Macy's directorial debut filming in Guthrie? Can you give us a little more so we'll at least know when the announcement is made? Or are you just blowing smoke?

JTF, are you at all involved in Jacksonville stuff? Do they have a forum like this one? As you know, my son lives in Springfield and he tells me things are starting to stir there and on Main St. If he weren't leaving for business school in Chicago this fall, I'd tell him to start a site like this and get involved in JAX politics. I think there's a lot of potential there.

And back to topic, not holding my breath on any tower. Surprise me, someone!

Jacksonville has something a little similar but not on this level.

Metro Jacksonville | Covering Downtown Jacksonville FL, Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Transit, History, Neighborhoods, Photos (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/)

The problems here in Jax are really hard to put a finger on. We have all the right ingredients but for some reason it taste like crap when you mix them together. In addition to downtown we have no less than 9 really great walkable urban neighborhoods, and several more that could easily be revitalized.

The challenge is that a lot of our residents come from the NE and all they want to do is buy a single family home on 1/5 acre in a subdivision and complain about suburban traffic. There is also a lot on animosity between the oldtimers as well. Back in the 60's Jacksonville had a lot of suburbs but they started annexing all of them to create the City/County combo. A lot of the oldtimers hated that so you get pockets of resistance every time an initiative is announced.

And finally, the suburban mindset is just too ingrained into too many people. A lot of businesses in Jacksonville are back-office operations of NE companies and they are 100% sold on the office park idea. We have some really high profile companies here that employ 10’s of thousands, but they want them spread across 50 acres with parking lots all around them. It would take 20 years or more to get people here to the same spot the residents of OKC are now. That is a fight I am not up for.

Jacksonville claim to fame: Home of the first office park and we took it to the extreme.

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-mar-midtown-centre-the-nations-first-office-park

Is this to do with William H. Macy's directorial debut filming in Guthrie? Can you give us a little more so we'll at least know when the announcement is made? Or are you just blowing smoke?

This week's news is substantially more important than this guy's movie.

This week's news is substantially more important than this guy's movie.

Please give us a clue. Thanks

This week's news is substantially more important than this guy's movie.

So, pickles knows about huskysooner's mystery news, but no one else does...?

Not that it isn't a nice thing that he's filming here, but still...

Maybe its Trader Joe's opening downtown.

Not that it isn't a nice thing that he's filming here, but still...

So can you give us a better clue as to what this might be?

Anything new in the last month have not been around for awhile

Anything new in the last month have not been around for awhile

Not really - everyone is just in 'wait and see' mode. The biggest item is that OG&E and CenterPoint are forming a joint $11 billion company and the hope is that it will be located in OKC.

Oh, and also there is a guy who knows someone who overheard something and a big annoucement is coming up in a few weeks, or maybe it was few months. Anyhow, once the big annoucment is made he'll let us know that is what he was talking about.

Grand Prix race in OK maybe? I know it's still a strong possibility.

So can you give us a better clue as to what this might be?

Announcement is tomorrow! Gov. Fallen is going to hold a press conference.

Jacksonville has something a little similar but not on this level.

Metro Jacksonville | Covering Downtown Jacksonville FL, Northeast Florida, Jacksonville Transit, History, Neighborhoods, Photos (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/)

The problems here in Jax are really hard to put a finger on. We have all the right ingredients but for some reason it taste like crap when you mix them together. In addition to downtown we have no less than 9 really great walkable urban neighborhoods, and several more that could easily be revitalized.

The challenge is that a lot of our residents come from the NE and all they want to do is buy a single family home on 1/5 acre in a subdivision and complain about suburban traffic. There is also a lot on animosity between the oldtimers as well. Back in the 60's Jacksonville had a lot of suburbs but they started annexing all of them to create the City/County combo. A lot of the oldtimers hated that so you get pockets of resistance every time an initiative is announced.

And finally, the suburban mindset is just too ingrained into too many people. A lot of businesses in Jacksonville are back-office operations of NE companies and they are 100% sold on the office park idea. We have some really high profile companies here that employ 10’s of thousands, but they want them spread across 50 acres with parking lots all around them. It would take 20 years or more to get people here to the same spot the residents of OKC are now. That is a fight I am not up for.

Jacksonville claim to fame: Home of the first office park and we took it to the extreme.

Midtown Centre: The Nation's First Office Park | Metro Jacksonville (http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2013-mar-midtown-centre-the-nations-first-office-park)

Interesting perspective on Jax. Over on City-Data forums they insist that Jacksonville is a good ways ahead of OKC. With the exception of having beaches nearby, I don't think that is the case. OKC is fortunate to have people that get that a great downtown makes a great city. A lot of places, even today, are still focused on suburbs.

Announcement is tomorrow! Gov. Fallen is going to hold a press conference.

Aha! Some corporation is opening a new branch (or expanding an existing one) in OKC that will result in hundreds of new high paying jobs -- a la Boeing!

That's my guess anyway.

Call me naive, but it sure does feel like a drawn out April Fools joke. I started this thread 152 pages ago. I'm becoming cynical. Yep, the guy who started this thread is becoming OnlyOne. A very cynical poster.

Anything announced April 1 you can't believe until you see it.

Call me naive, but it sure does feel like a drawn out April Fools joke. I started this thread 152 pages ago. I'm becoming cynical. Yep, the guy who started this thread is becoming OnlyOne. A very cynical poster.

There can only be one OnlyOne!

Hate to be so cryptic, but I want to give everyone something to look forward to this week following Steve's guidance on another 90 days until something is solid on the Stage Center site. Look for an exciting announcement soon that will be very impressive for OKC. NOT tower or Enogex/CNP related.

Possibly the Astros minor league contract will be signed with Red Hawks? Fc Oklahoma schedule? HSR update. Do tell!

Aha! Some corporation is opening a new branch (or expanding an existing one) in OKC that will result in hundreds of new high paying jobs -- a la Boeing!

That's my guess anyway.

That would be a good thing, right?

Governor Mary Fallin
6 hours ago.

Tomorrow, we'll have a major jobs and economic development announcement for Oklahoma! Stay tuned for the details!


That is from Gov Fallin's facebook page.

Not really - everyone is just in 'wait and see' mode. The biggest item is that OG&E and CenterPoint are forming a joint $11 billion company and the hope is that it will be located in OKC.

Oh, and also there is a guy who knows someone who overheard something and a big annoucement is coming up in a few weeks, or maybe it was few months. Anyhow, once the big annoucment is made he'll let us know that is what he was talking about.


Not exactly - endeavoring not to be one of those types. Guess we'll find out tomorrow! Hold on to your hats boys and girls...

I'm definitely not the only one that thinks this mystery tower isn't happening. But I'll take the cynical poster title.

...I started this thread 152 pages ago. I'm becoming cynical. Yep, the guy who started this thread...
Well, ahem, as the guy who owns the intellectual property for this thread (http://www.okctalk.com/other-urban-development/25997-oklahoma-citys-future-skyline-21.html#post506779), I am still quite optimistic about our chances of getting another towering masterpiece to grace our fair skyline soon, or a little later than soon.

I'm definitely not the only one that thinks this mystery tower isn't happening. But I'll take the cynical poster title.

That is pretty cynical based on the evidence. I don't assume anything is done until its announced and construction is underway (and even then it's not guaranteed). I also know plans can change, but if I had to guess, I think there will be one announced this year, and possibly within the next couple months. Time will tell.

I'm definitely not the only one that thinks this mystery tower isn't happening. But I'll take the cynical poster title.

Steve has said repeatedly he isn't worried. Yes, there is a chance the tower could not happen, but I think its more likely it will than wont until we hear differently.

Not exactly - endeavoring not to be one of those types. Guess we'll find out tomorrow! Hold on to your hats boys and girls...

Sorry, that comment wasn't aim at you or anyone else in particular. Just a general comment that we were still living off rumors and educated guesses. However, the press conference seems promissing.

Gov. Fallin Planning Announcement On Major Economic Development - News9.com (http://m.news9.com/story.aspx?story=21864155&catId=112032)

Okay, about 3 weeks ago, I sat next to an executive with the Chrysler Corporation from New York at the Thunder game. He told me that he was presenting 15 CNG trucks to the state and had a meeting with the Governor the next day. My tickets are Club level and the Thunder controls the six next to me. I meet all kinds of interesting people in those seats.


And by the way, this was his first visit to OKC, said he was duly impressed with the downtown area, and wanted to know how to get to the Memorial.

I've moved all the posts on the GE Global Research Center here:

http://www.okctalk.com/local-businesses/33656-ge-global-research-center.html

Looks like the Midland tower may actually come to pass:

MIDLAND | Energy Tower at City Center | 869 FT | 53 FLOORS - Page 2 - SkyscraperPage Forum (http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=6078060)


http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mywesttexas.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/f6/3f6d0173-6208-549e-8612-dd2d58df87e1/515cc2bd673df.preview-300.jpg

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mywesttexas.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/5e/c5e10de1-6e5e-5bbe-b20a-0a2dc8c19109/515d04f96f8ce.image.jpg

http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/mywesttexas.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/00/30076761-3da2-5d66-91db-4bc52cbc065d/515cc2c0aaac6.image.jpg

I hope not. It will be an urban disaster for them and will be a case study for the next 50 years on how NOT to rehab a downtown. But, people like tall shinny things so it will probably be built.

I hope not. It will be an urban disaster for them and will be a case study for the next 50 years on how NOT to rehab a downtown. But, people like tall shinny things so it will probably be built.

urban disaster?

urban disaster?

Yep, but 1) This isn't the right thread to discuss it, and 2) It's Midland, I really don't care that much what mistakes they make other than being able to reference them later as an example to others.

I will not say it will be a disaster. I will say it is not optimal.

I've moved all the posts on the GE Global Research Center here:

http://www.okctalk.com/local-businesses/33656-ge-global-research-center.html

So does anyone know if this was the long anticipated announcement wrt a Tower but really is a really significant research center. If so can we close this thread so that we can quit waiting for some sort of announcement of a DT tower?

The GE faciility was a topic just passing through on the Mystery Tower Thread. They aren't related.

So does anyone know if this was the long anticipated announcement wrt a Tower but really is a really significant research center. If so can we close this thread so that we can quit waiting for some sort of announcement of a DT tower?


Really?

Did you even try to find out that answer for yourself?

No

I hope not. It will be an urban disaster for them and will be a case study for the next 50 years on how NOT to rehab a downtown. But, people like tall shinny things so it will probably be built.

Or, it could serve it's intended purpose perfectly and become iconic beacause it stands out... even if it doesn't spur any other growth, it is still far from being a disaster. In fact, just being built will make it a success by pretty much any measure.

So does anyone know if this was the long anticipated announcement wrt a Tower but really is a really significant research center. If so can we close this thread so that we can quit waiting for some sort of announcement of a DT tower?

The Mystery Tower is rumored to be at the Stage Center location, it's presumed to be Enogex/Centerpoint Midstream MLP's combined functions to be a new HQ.

General Electrics research center is not related to the Mystery Tower, but a lot of icing on the cake.

Thank you Mr. Bellaboo

Thank you Mr. Bellaboo

You're welcome, I really think we'll find out all the details on this MLP in June. It seems the folks in the know are pretty confident it'll happen, but then again, if N. Korea starts shooting nukes..... who knows.

You're welcome, I really think we'll find out all the details on this MLP in June. It seems the folks in the know are pretty confident it'll happen, but then again, if N. Korea starts shooting nukes..... who knows.

I want the new tower info. by the end of this month or else!

Just another long time spectator and fan of anything that helps our state of Oklahoma in general here.

I, just like all of you, have been long anticipating another announcement ever since the rumors began flying. Although, at this point, my optimism has fallen. There's really nothing we can do but shut up and wait at this point.

You're welcome, I really think we'll find out all the details on this MLP in June. It seems the folks in the know are pretty confident it'll happen, but then again, if N. Korea starts shooting nukes..... who knows.

North Korea nukes can only make it to the west coast. I'd be more concerned with foreign or domestic terrorism with a dirty bomb (biological or nuclear being detonated deep within the US borders). I think fallout from the west coast would highly dissipate as it makes its way east. To be discovered, though...