http://www.thelostogle.com/2016/06/08/the-oklahoman-is-having-mandatory-staff-meetings-today/

Wonder what this is all about.......

Probably belongs in a different thread, especially since it isn't about AFA.

I saw a story yesterday where OPUBCO is no longer going to be utilizing the print shop there and is outsourcing their paper production to Tulsa World. It's going to be interesting to see what American Fidelity decides to do with the print shop. Tearing it down and building another office building should be high on the priority list so they can consolidate their workforce from around the city

I believe they plan to repurpose the print facility.

All their conceptual plans show it staying, with new office space being built to the east of the current tower.

nm

It took American Fidelity three years to plan, renovate, and move to the existing space. So I wouldn't expect any immediate changes.

^

A big part of that was that OPUBCO continued to occupy space and they had to completely renovate every floor around them, then the floors they ultimately vacated for the Century Center.

It sounds like they will cease printing in October and should be completely out by then.

As many know my wife works for AFA. She got an email today that said they plan on starting doing some work starting in July. Sounds like they are wanting to get to it at this point.

Between the warehouse and loading dock area and the print shop, there's a ton of space that could be renovated and utilized into office space. I'm just not sure how the employees would enjoy working in a windowless building like the print shop. Though I imagine they could install windows.

There is a similar concern at the old Lucent plant, aka OKCWorks. One company moved into a space that can hold ~500 people. They moved into an area that had once been part of the warehouse, so no windows. Their solution was to add a skylight structure in the middle of the suite, thin a greenhouse placed on top of a roof, that let in the natural light to most of the space. For them, most of it is 2-story open space (exposed structure look, etc), so it's a bit noisy, but that's how the tenant wanted it. I poked my head in an open door not long ago just to see how it looked since my office has a large portion of the traditional office building up front.

Future plans are to cut window holes in that same wall so there are two levels of windows for future office tenants. With over a million square feet in the place, they are actually doing some great things to get space leased out. And i think you'd be surprised at the percentage of the space that is leased, considering how much the place LOOKS empty, but really isn't. That all to make the point that you can get natural light in to a space even if you are in the middle of a dungeon. It may not be the same as having an actual window, but that little bit of light makes a big difference in morale.

AF just filed 2 building permits totaling $550K to renovate the print facility into offices.

I have a friend who works security at AF (old OPUBCO), and he told me that there's been some serious issues with a water line bursting under the production building and may actually condemn the building and build a second tower in it's place.

Dang. They have need for a second tower?

I have a friend who works security at AF (old OPUBCO), and he told me that there's been some serious issues with a water line bursting under the production building and may actually condemn the building and build a second tower in it's place.

What is the current use of the production facility?

OPUBCO was leasing it back for a while but recently shifted all their printing to Tulsa.

I don't think they're using it for anything. Sounds like they're just do renovations when the water line broke under it.

Apparently AFA bought/is buying the land to the South that was owned previously by McClendon. They got quite a bit of land over there now.

Apparently AFA bought/is buying the land to the South that was owned previously by McClendon. They got quite a bit of land over there now.

Yep, paid $5.8 million for it.

Yep, paid $5.8 million for it.

Sounds like at some point they are going to build a complex. Just seems like their projects are always slow moving.

They bought the land shown in blue below; already own yellow and green:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1696&d=1337526507

Wow that is a massive amount of land they own now.

There are plans to do a mixed-use commercial development on this land, but there is not necessarily a timeline on it, and as mentioned above they don't move quickly on anything.

Yeah I mean they were supposed to have a functioning daycare 3 years ago and still haven't started. Delays are just all too common place with them.

American Fidelity buys large parcel from McClendon estate (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=398-American-Fidelity-buys-large-parcel-from-McClendon-estate)

American Fidelity continues to add to its real estate empire along Broadway Extension in north Oklahoma City.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af062517a.jpg


After acquiring an office tower, printing plant, parking structure and a large amount of acreage from Oklahoma Publishing Company in 2012, last month the company purchased approximately 80 acres immediately south, property which had been owned by an LLC headed by Aubrey McClendon.

Purchase price was $5.8 million.

Prior to his death in 2016, McClendon had planned to build a campus for his American Energy Partners on the property located at the northeast corner of Wilshire and Broadway Extension.

American Fidelity had for some time owned 55 acres south of Wilshire as well as some small industrial buildings and this latest acquisition creates contiguous ownership for a large swath along the east side of the freeway.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af062517b.jpg


Since the 2012 purchase from OPUBCO, American Fidelity systematically renovated the 12-story tower and relocated the large majority of their employees from a complex at 2000 N. Classen

Plans found on the TAP Architecture site show the company plans to expand their corporate campus with new office structures and more parking.

before McClendon's demise, there had been discussions regarding a large mixed-use development that would have been located between the American Fidelity and American Energy Partners campuses.

Now, almost prime 300 acres are under singular ownership.

American Fidelity Corporation is privately owned with its primary business being American Fidelity Assurance, a health insurance company.

The Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce shows the enterprise as one of OKC's largest employers at approximately 1,650 employees.



http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af062517c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af062517d.jpg


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Pete, sorry if this is a bit off topic, but while we're in this area, I never did hear about what that small tower is that's being constructed behind McBride.

Based on the deed (Book 13444 page 892) I pulled, it appears to that 9000 Broadway, LLC (American Fidelity) only purchased 15.407 acres at $5.8 million, or $8.70/sf.
American Fidelity sold that same property to Wilshire Development (Aubrey McClendon) in 2015 (Book 12825 page 673) for the exact same sale price as the sale last month.
It also appears that American Fidelity carried the mortgage on the sale of the property in 2015.

I could be wrong, but when I pulled the deed (Book 13444, page 892), it indicated that 9000 Broadway, LLC (American Fidelity) purchased from Wilshire Development, LLC (Aubrey McClendon) 15.407 acres for $5,841,500 or $8.70/sf. The 15.407 acres appear to be located north of NE 82nd Street.

9000 Broadway sold this 15+/- acre tract to Wilshire Development in May of 2015 for $5,841,500 as well (Book 12825, page 673).
9000 Broadway carried the mortgage in the sum of $5,006,032 due 11/1/2016, and later extended to 6/30/2017.

Am I looking at the right transaction, or am I missing something?

Also, I think this acquisition may have something to do with this development. http://newsok.com/article/5550755

Pete, sorry if this is a bit off topic, but while we're in this area, I never did hear about what that small tower is that's being constructed behind McBride.
It is a McBride expansion

13950

This was bugging the tar out of me, and when I started updating the map I couldn't stop. When I pulled public records, this is the American Fidelity assemblage north of Wilshire I could verify. (I didn't have time for all that part south of Wilshire)

American Fidelity has sold off all their vacant land north of Britton except for the 2.5 acres the childcare center is on.

July 30, 2013 - The first sale was of the larger L Shaped parcel extending from Oklahoma to Lincoln (red). 9000 Broadway, LLC sold said 16.151 acre parcel to H&C Ventures, LLC for $4,320,000 or $6.14/sf

April 11, 2016 - H&C Ventures, LLC sold 4.82 acres immediately south of the Thunder Training Facility (blue) to The Professional Basketball Club, LLC for $1,890,000 or $9.00/sf. I'm not sure if they are planning an expansion, or just want the security of knowing they could if they wanted to.

April 12, 2016 - 9000 Broadway, LLC sold another 2.5 acres (red) just east of the childcare center to H&C Ventures, LLC for $980,000 or $9.00/sf. The timing and similarity of price per square foot were peculiar, but I'm not sure what was going on but these transactions seem related.

The area shaded on green is the 15.407 acres I was saying yesterday that I think American Fidelity purchased from Wilshire Development, LLC for $8.70/sf.

Based on this summary, American Fidelity owns 132.0877 acres north of Wilshire.

This area seems to be a pretty hot land market in my opinion. It'll be exciting to see what we can expect in the future.

I heard a rumor that Paul Martin's American Grill may be coming to this area.

Anyone know how they are re-purposing the old printing plant (work seen in the foreground)?

Just converting it to more office space?

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/americanfidelity052718.jpg

I believe it's going to be demolished and not repurposed. At least that's what I've heard.

I'd like to see some computer generated imagery of the development they're starting here pretty soon. Not just the overhead blueprints.

I believe it's going to be demolished and not repurposed. At least that's what I've heard.

I just checked and there was a demolition permit issued about 2 weeks ago to Flintco.

It says "demolish existing printing plant".


So, what will happen in this area?

I think they're clearing it for future office space. I don't know for sure, but I'm hoping for another tower. There's certainly the space there.

I was told maybe a year and a half, two years ago by someone working for the company who should know, a second tower on the property was being considered as they made other improvements.

The stretch from Wiltshire to Hefner on the East side of the expressway is really starting to heat up. Lots of site work and some new structures starting. Broadway Ext has been a mystery why it hasn’t developed more considering the traffic counts and demographics of the commuters. Seems logical for this area to grow fast.

I just checked and there was a demolition permit issued about 2 weeks ago to Flintco.

It says "demolish existing printing plant".


So, what will happen in this area?

We just had a corporate meeting a month or so ago and the latest information for the printing press area is it will be demolished completely due to foundation damages that could not be fixed or repaired that resulted from a water main break some time ago. At this time, American Fidelity is not going to be developing or building on the site. I believe we will see the development to the south of our tower first before an expansion to our existing work space comes in.

We had a pretty massive restructure internally which resulted in re configuring our floors to accommodate more employees. However, we saw an increased in the number of colleagues working from home, so we have a lot of work spaces that might be shared between two or three people throughout the week. Thus we no longer have a space issue.

^

Thanks for the information!

It would make more sense for AF to build new along that very nice lake, as there is plenty of room and before long employees will be able to walk over to the new mixed-use development on the south side of the lakes, as there will likely be several restaurants as well as Flix.

It sucks that American Fidelity isn't downtown. They would have been a great addition. But I'm glad to see them flourishing in their new digs.

http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=505-Old-OPUBCO-printing-plant-being-demolished-Flix-Brewhouse-work-starts

Former OPUBCO printing site to be demolished

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record June 5, 2018

OKLAHOMA CITY – The former printing plant of the Oklahoma Publishing Co. is being demolished to make room for new development under current owner American Fidelity Assurance, officials said Tuesday.

The benefits provider company at Broadway Extension and Britton Road is also continuing to work with local developer Randy Hogan on a mixed-use project on 50 acres immediately to the south of its corporate headquarters. Hogan said Tuesday that an Austin, Texas-based microbrewery and movie theater company is expected to open as an anchor by the last quarter of 2019.

The Flix Brewhouse pad will feature restaurants, office space and hotels overlooking a pond and several acres of landscaping with trails. Hogan Property Co. is in discussions with several likely tenants, he said.

“We’re in the early stages of dirt work and utilities,” Hogan said. “We’ve got a lot of activity, but it’s still a little premature to announce who will be involved in the project.”

Hogan confirmed the impending demolition of the vacant printing plant, but he deferred to American Fidelity for more details. Company spokeswoman Lindsey Sparks said there are no plans to announce yet.

The plant is held under the name 9000 Broadway LLC, according to Oklahoma County assessor records. The 14.3-acre property’s market value has dropped from $25.6 million in 2015 to $8.4 million this year, according to the assessor.

OPUBCO sold the property in 2012 when the news publishing company moved downtown. That move was prompted by OPUBCO’s purchase by Colorado billionaire Philip Anschutz a year earlier. The company continued to use the massive printing presses inside the building until 2016.

Is this the same Randy Hogan responsible for Lower Bricktown?

Nice rip-off of OKCTalk reporting without proper attribution.

And yes, it's the same Randy Hogan.

Taken this afternoon.

42k0kbOKnxo&feature=youtu.be

Taken this afternoon.

42k0kbOKnxo&feature=youtu.be

pete... off subject, but that's pretty good video. what kind of drone are you using?

pete... off subject, but that's pretty good video. what kind of drone are you using?

Mavic Pro.

Couple of stills:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af080718a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af080718b.jpg

Excellent work Pete. Really nice video and stills.

From NewsOK:

: https://newsok.com/article/5605756/dolese-moving-headquarters-out-of-automobile-alley



Dolese moving headquarters out of Automobile Alley
Steve Lackmeyer

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af100118a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af100118b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/af100118c.jpg

As we have been talking about contamination of sites in the Co-Op thread, one of the major issues that was cited as to why we didn't refurbish this building, along with the foundation issues, was the level of contamination from the chemicals of the printing press. If you are familiar with the building complex, there is a long walkway from the tower to printing area. American Fidelity was intending to build out the walkway and first part of the building into more office space but decided not to due to the level of contamination from the printing press building. It was confirmed in a corporate meeting a couple of days ago that this site will sit vacant once everything is cleared off for a while.

Wow! That is a lot of debris. Does anyone know where such debris ends up? I wonder the same thing with that massive amount of concrete debris from redoing I-35 near Edmond. Does a particular landfill receive construction debris only?

^

They recycle a lot of that, which is why the steel is in one pile, concrete in another, etc.

Wow! That is a lot of debris. Does anyone know where such debris ends up? I wonder the same thing with that massive amount of concrete debris from redoing I-35 near Edmond. Does a particular landfill receive construction debris only?

I don't know which contractor is doing the demolition, but if it's Midwest Wrecking, it's probably just being added to their huge and unsightly mountain of debris behind their office (south of Hefner and east of I-35).

I've been wondering why the demolition has taken so long. Sounds like the contamination issue might be the reason.

As we have been talking about contamination of sites in the Co-Op thread, one of the major issues that was cited as to why we didn't refurbish this building, along with the foundation issues, was the level of contamination from the chemicals of the printing press. If you are familiar with the building complex, there is a long walkway from the tower to printing area. American Fidelity was intending to build out the walkway and first part of the building into more office space but decided not to due to the level of contamination from the printing press building. It was confirmed in a corporate meeting a couple of days ago that this site will sit vacant once everything is cleared off for a while.

That's just bizarre that there would be that much contamination. It was built in the 1980s, weren't there fairly decent environmental regulations around by then (unlike with the oil fields in/around the co-op site 80 years earlier)? Or were the regulations more lax than I thought or did they just ignore them or .....?

Wow! That is a lot of debris. Does anyone know where such debris ends up? I wonder the same thing with that massive amount of concrete debris from redoing I-35 near Edmond. Does a particular landfill receive construction debris only?

There is an interesting podcast from USA Today called "The City" which tells the story of an illegal dumping site in North Lawndale outside of Chicago. Your comment made me think of it.

That's just bizarre that there would be that much contamination. It was built in the 1980s, weren't there fairly decent environmental regulations around by then (unlike with the oil fields in/around the co-op site 80 years earlier)? Or were the regulations more lax than I thought or did they just ignore them or .....?

I am wondering if printing press facilities didn't have such strict environmental regulations then, or maybe the facility was unknowingly leeching contaminates.

There was a lot of retrofit to fix original construction issues after the presses were fired up. My father said you could feel the presses running in the parking lots at first. There were some structural and slab issues that they had Benham fix after construction. Retrofitting that type of stuff can complicate demolition, especially if you are trying to sort for recycling. Another firm did the original design. Benham did the OPUBCO tower (I worked a little on it) and some other projects for the Gaylord's after that. I worked some on the Fiesta Texas amusement park in San Antonio.

Thank you for the explanation!

This is going to be a whole lot of space with nothing in it.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/opubco122218.jpg