I don't know, but I highly doubt we will get an announcement this month. This reminds of the beginning March, where "sources" were saying we would have an announcement by the end of March, and we had a countown and everything, but nothing. 5 months later and we are still waiting, so how resourceful are these so called "sources"?

Luckily, all of my sources have said that it wasn't their company, so my sources are still showing to be resourceful

These deals often take years to come together and it's always been that way.

The difference is that we now get wind of things much earlier and have many more sources for information.

Used to be we'd find out when there was a press release. In those cases, the deal had been brewing for a long time, we just didn't know about it.

"Special" OKC Central Live Chat 10 a.m. Today | News OK (http://newsok.com/special-okc-central-live-chat-10-a.m.-today/article/3861565)

I doubt he would break the Mystery Tower story in a chat, unless its that the deal has fallen through. It will be interesting to see what he has to say.

maybe the topic is waffle house

maybe the topic is waffle house

I hope not. A Waffle House is the last thing downtown OKC needs. Now an authentic diner with character would be awesome.

I doubt he would break the Mystery Tower story in a chat, unless its that the deal has fallen through. It will be interesting to see what he has to say.

With it maybe getting close to an announcement, he may have more details to share and probably can expand a little more on the topic. But I am sure he won't give specifics on who is building, cost, etc.

Not getting my hopes up, the chat will got like this:

Nick: "Steve, any updates on the Mystery Tower and Stage Center location?"

Steve: "I'm not worried."

I actually hope it is related to downtown housing - like that rumored 1000 unit development.

As per the link

"I’m back, I’ve been busy, and today I’m prepared to address a topic that seems to come up every week in OKC Central Live Chat."

I actually hope it is related to downtown housing - like that rumored 1000 unit development.

I hope it's announcing what MidtownR is doing with their property at 10th & Hudson. I'm way more interested in that.

What about a downtown Target?

Doubt it is anything relating to the mystery tower, which will probably release a wave of hand wringing from the peanut gallery on here.

I'm frankly hoping its some sort of for-sale housing, since its been discussed on there a lot lately.

So the tease was that he is at the Waffle House live chatting. This has come up several times in past chats so that is what his tease was about. Moving on...

called it

I don't get why people want a chain, subpar diner downtown when we could have one with character and that could be a destination in our city. I wish somebody would bring a real diner to Midtown or 23rd St or even east Bricktown.

I don't get why people want a chain, subpar diner downtown when we could have one with character and that could be a destination in our city. I wish somebody would bring a real diner to Midtown or 23rd St or even east Bricktown.

Especially when one motivation for many people looking at downtown is to escape the glut of mediocre national chain restaurants in OKC.

Is the locally owned and operated diner going to be open 24/7 or is it going to be open from 8AM to 2PM M-F like most of the current ones?

I don't get why people want a chain, subpar diner downtown when we could have one with character and that could be a destination in our city. I wish somebody would bring a real diner to Midtown or 23rd St or even east Bricktown.

You do realize it's a joke, right?

I wish we had this downtown, preferably in place of the Myriad Gardens restaurant building.

4118

I'm done with these chats.

All Steve does is say something in the title or little tidbits to get everybody excited then says nothing at all. Literally doesn't say anything or says "yes" "no" or "I don't know"

not that i expect him to announce anything, but don't lead it on to get participants.

I'm done with these chats.

All Steve does is say something in the title or little tidbits to get everybody excited then says nothing at all. Literally doesn't say anything or says "yes" "no" or "I don't know"

not that i expect him to announce anything, but don't lead it on to get participants.

I think the trick is to get your question in early. An hour in, he is annoyed with all the Waffle House, continuous mystery tower questions and other questions not in his rhelm of coverage. That is why I always get mine in early.

I'm done with these chats.

All Steve does is say something in the title or little tidbits to get everybody excited then says nothing at all. Literally doesn't say anything or says "yes" "no" or "I don't know"

not that i expect him to announce anything, but don't lead it on to get participants.

Very true, but one of the posters mentioned that his month-to-month parking lease at Stage Center is ended, effective 31 July, due to impending ownership change. Granted, Steve replied with a "Yep" but that's still some small amount of new information that this may be getting close.

If they're taking soil samples, then I would say things are definitely on the 'imminent' side.

One thing that did come up in that chat -- and has also been shared here on this site -- is that those parking at Stage Center are being cut off by 7/31/13 and being told the property will be under new ownership.

I really do think we are going to get an announcement by the end of the month, or very shortly thereafter.

The California easement issue should come to head pretty quick. Any way to find if this is scheduled by the appropriate parties ?

The California easement issue should come to head pretty quick. Any way to find if this is scheduled by the appropriate parties ?

I believe this is one of those issues that has been explored and those involved feel confident it can be resolved.

Once there is an announcement, then specifics like the easement will be dealt with in the usual public way.


Remember, Devon had to get all types of assurances from the City about the existing parking garage but it's not like that deal was done before their announcement; and it certainly wasn't discussed in public meetings. They still had to go through a process, settle on the price, etc. The sale of the land and garage didn't close until after the announcement.

Flashback:

Steve Lackmeyer: Announcement of new downtown OKC tower may come in the next 30 days | News OK (http://newsok.com/steve-lackmeyer-announcement-of-new-downtown-okc-tower-may-come-in-the-next-30-days/article/3760305)

So 2 for 1?:

Steve Lackmeyer: New tower announcement could be coming later this month | News OK (http://newsok.com/new-okc-tower-announcement-could-be-coming-soon/article/3861627)

I wish we had this downtown, preferably in place of the Myriad Gardens restaurant building.

4118

Agreed. That's exactly what I am talking about. Charlotte had two of them, Little Rock has one, and Tulsa has one. All open 24/7. Such an establishment is probably in my top 5 list of things I wish OKC had but doesn't.

Very true, but one of the posters mentioned that his month-to-month parking lease at Stage Center is ended, effective 31 July, due to impending ownership change. Granted, Steve replied with a "Yep" but that's still some small amount of new information that this may be getting close.

I was the poster. My firm leases the driveway for parking on month to month and they notified us that the property was changing hands and that our month to month was being terminated July 31

You gotta give it up to whoever the company is, that in today's age with instant communications that it is still a "mystery" up to the end.

You gotta give it up to whoever the company is, that in today's age with instant communications that it is still a "mystery" up to the end.

The only company that can pull that off is a company that doesn't exist yet, which would be the Enogex/CenterPoint MLP, lol.

I'm done with these chats.

All Steve does is say something in the title or little tidbits to get everybody excited then says nothing at all. Literally doesn't say anything or says "yes" "no" or "I don't know"

not that i expect him to announce anything, but don't lead it on to get participants.
You are dead right on. I concluded some time ago, he is just jerkin people to keep the attention.

You are dead right on. I concluded some time ago, he is just jerkin people to keep the attention.

The only reason I ever skim his chats is to find out other useful information that he doesn't have to play the role of Slylock Fox...

That's why I just come to this thread after the chats to get a summary of any good info without having to put up with the drama queen. :cool:

Agreed. That's exactly what I am talking about. Charlotte had two of them, Little Rock has one, and Tulsa has one. All open 24/7. Such an establishment is probably in my top 5 list of things I wish OKC had but doesn't.

I don't remember seeing it the last time I was there, but I ate at a car like that in Wellington, KS (pop. ~8,000) in 2005.

I'm hearing it's going to be a 50 story Waffle House that's shaped like a syrup bottle!

I'm hearing it's going to be a 50 story Waffle House that's shaped like a syrup bottle!

That sounds like a sticky mess for whoever is involved

So the tease was that he is at the Waffle House live chatting. This has come up several times in past chats so that is what his tease was about. Moving on...

Seriously? Wow.

Well folks, I'm still here, manning the old keyboard, patiently (ahem) waiting for some kind of news or announcement. Just hanging by in case, ya know, something happens...

http://www.adclinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/man-asleep-keyboard.jpg

This is the rest of us...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/39559-OP-will-surely-deliver-We-just-4lFx.jpeg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/9287602493_f3c8dc1047_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/9290377482_9699d15dbe_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/9287601631_4a38bb5e4a_b.jpg

Such a cool looking building too. Sad to see it go.

I hope they get to put on-street parking on that side of Sheridan eventually.

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5502/9287602493_f3c8dc1047_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/9290377482_9699d15dbe_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5461/9287601631_4a38bb5e4a_b.jpg

Am I the only one who imagined the Jaws music while scrolling through those pics? lol

That would be a great location for a tower cam!

Not sure it'd be too logical, but it'd be pretty neat if they could incorporate the small structure next to Sheridan into their parking garage or some other facility. The other two structures take up too much room, they'll more than likely have to go.

It could be a small bar/resturant with an outdoor patio or something.

I'd be more conflicted about losing this structure if it hadn't spent almost it's entire existence in extreme disrepair.

I can't remember a time where that place didn't look like absolute crap and/or showed even the smallest amount of life.

And amazingly, I've never even been in it -- one of the very few structures in the central core I can say that about.


As long as we get a great tower in it's place, I'm ready for the next chapter where that corner is teeming with life and activity.

Will also draw many more into the park and downtown in general.

I'd be more conflicted about losing this structure if it hadn't spent almost it's entire existence in extreme disrepair.
...
As long as we get a great tower in it's place, I'm ready for the next chapter where that corner is teeming with life and activity.


I just hope that it's a great tower with lots of Curb interaction and appeal.

Does anyone know what was on this site before it was turned into Stage Center?

I've been encouraged by the development trends of late... Developers and companies making much more of a commitment to doing things right.

Plus, public involvement has made a big difference and the design review committees seem to be stepping up to the plate.

I'm optimistic.

Made my peace with demise of SC being inevitable a while back. At this point, bring on the machinery, take it down and move on. The only thing sadder than seeing it go would be to see bits of it moved over at the new park to the south. If it isn't worth saving, there is no need to have a shrine to its failure taking up space in the new park (which isn't really all that spacious.)

I just hope they don't tear it down unless there are plans approved and a company poised to break ground the minute demotion is complete. I don't want to look at a patch of ground created by a company that suddenly doesn't have the money or interest to build.

I just hope they don't tear it down unless there are plans approved and a company poised to break ground the minute demotion is complete. I don't want to look at a patch of ground created by a company that suddenly doesn't have the money or interest to build.

I would imagine demolishing SC will be far more expensive than traditional demolitions. So a company spending the money on the land + demo is already a great committment. I would be beyond shocked to see it purhcased, demo'd, and then left to rot.

And amazingly, I've never even been in it

I think that's true of a lot of its critics. It was a really unique place to see plays, art shows, and bands. It was truly one of a kind. We've lost a lot of theater venues in Oklahoma City over the years, many of them ornate treasures, but not necessarily unique. It was certainly unlike any other theater/art complex I have visited and in a lot ways was much more fun and engaging.

Yes, but the fact I lived for there for 29 years, get back a couple times of years now, and have always been into the arts/culture/downtown/nightlife... And yet never happened across an opportunity to go there, speaks volumes.

Might have been cool in the very limited time it was actually functional, but the point is that was a very small amount of time over this structure's life.

And the reason so few people have actually been inside the place.

Back in the 70's not too long after it was opened...I performed there during a high school one act play contest. I also attended another performance or two there after that. In truth, it wasn't that great of a venue in my opinion. It was avant garde, yes...but it wasn't that great. And the back stage area was poor. Very small and very little room. It was only built for minor one act type of plays. Thrust stages are not designed for Broadway type of productions. And the smaller in the round type of stage was even more difficult for must in the way of sets and set movement. I was never a fan of performing there.

Yes, but the fact I lived for there for 29 years, get back a couple times of years now, and have always been into the arts/culture/downtown/nightlife... And yet never happened across an opportunity to go there, speaks volumes.

Might have been cool in the very limited time it was actually functional, but the point is that was a very small amount of time over this structure's life.

And the reason so few people have actually been inside the place.

That is interesting. I moved back in 99 and went there at least half a dozen times since I'd been back. Went to Momentum there one year, a couple of tribute shows, a local production of Hair, a production of Suburbia, and The Arts Festival used to house exhibits there. It actually wasn't until I moved back that I realized what a great multi-use facility it was.

It was only built for minor one act type of plays.

Yeah, and it kicks the sh*t out of most local art theater houses.

No doubt Stage Center is not ideal for housing large traveling productions of Cats or anything. Nor is it some Grand venue. But that doesn't make it worthless. As a performer, I know you know that most playhouses, even in the country's largest cities, are very nondescript rooms with very little seating and modest intimate green rooms, if at all. I'm pretty amazed that a city like Oklahoma City, with it's less than stellar history of supporting local arts, was ever at a place where it was willing to spend the time, energy and money to go out on a limb and build something like Stage Center at all, honestly. Ironically, it is probably more in a position to do so now than it has been for awhile, but instead will be losing another intimate venue.

Aren't there 2 or 3 intimate theaters at the Civic Center?

Among other things I've seen a really nice production of Glengarry Glen Ross and an ACM@UCO masterclass with Steven Drozd of the Flaming Lips. I've also been to a couple of parties, including the re-opening after Rand Elliott oversaw preservation work. And as BDP mentions, many times I have been inside during Festival of the Arts for displays, etc. The thing that I came away from at productions there was a feeling of intimacy that you just could not get on a traditional stage. The Glengarry Glen Ross production really stood out in that regard. I felt like I was part of it, and it made me more invested in the characters. I really do think that it added a wonderful wrinkle to the performing arts. It really is a tragedy more people have not been able to interact with the interior of the building, because I believe inside is where the real magic of the structure is revealed, at least to a member of the audience if not the production folks.

The shame of the matter was that group was able to make it work long term for their needs. I personally believe that had more to do with the groups themselves than the building, which makes the whole thing even more difficult to accept.