It's a parking garage. But it's really a sharp-looking parking garage.

The street-level work looks to be equally impressive.

There is black granite surrounding all the store fronts, nice metal canopies, etc.

Will be interesting to see who leases the state. I suspect in the short-term City offices may fill most of it.

I just received my parking contract from COTPA to park in the new garage. I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I was told Devon is taking up 60% or ~500 of the spots.

New art deco garage could help relieve parking problems in downtown Oklahoma City | KFOR.com (http://kfor.com/2014/10/03/new-art-deco-garage-could-help-relieve-parking-problems-in-downtown-oklahoma-city/)

I'm pretty sure that whoever wrote that headline has no idea what the term "Art Deco" means.

Yeah I thought the same thing.

definitely is not Art Deco. No comparison between it and the Civic Center complex or FNC/City Place (all art deco) or even the Bus Station (art moderne). ...

The story said they expect to open in the next 2 weeks.

Will took this today; looks like they are close to reopening Main Street:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BzSPDd4CIAAbCBK.jpg:large

I just received my parking contract from COTPA to park in the new garage. I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I was told Devon is taking up 60% or ~500 of the spots.

I've been told the library has ~100 (we hope). That would free up spots at Sheridan Walker & the County garage.

From https://twitter.com/braden_jarvis:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0UoaO_CYAABXoc.jpg:large

Wow, that really pops at night.

Yes, it has an amazing nighttime appeal. Getting the ground floor occupied will make it even better.

has a certain buzz to it

In post # 620, taking a look at the concrete support columns, the top of the garage was still built as if they could add more floors as first proposed.

Is the disco tunnel finished?

Is the disco tunnel finished?

Good question.

I'm checking on it and should have an answer soon.

Guys, Im a little confused by this one. Help me decipher what happened.

We all know that this was supposed to have housing on top (say 3 levels) to help spur momentum in this section of downtown and fully utilize that site. However, this was not included due to developer lack of interest (reported). However, now we have a very solid proposal for two residential skyscrapers a couple of blocks away and everyone thinks the demand is there to fill them (which I agree).

I'm confused? Which of the following happened?

1) Housing didn't happen at Main Street because there was inside information (behind the scenes) that Clayco was interested in spearheading housing and thus the city didn't want to distract from that effort - thereby downplayed Housing on top of the garage.

or

2) Local developers missed the boat with main street, clayco from Chicago (and Milhaus from Indy) think otherwise AND have the experience and finances to make it happen. AND with Clayco already developing the Stage Center block, it didn't make sense to have the competition of another 'high rise' housing option in the area that you couldn't make the numbers work due to those superior towers?

I suspect it is option 2 but it does beg one to wonder if the highrise demand is there why housing couldn't work and add to downtown (rather than compete with Clayco/Milhaus)?

My guess: the local developers with the money and foresight to make something like this happen were busy elsewhere. Plus the finances for a dedicated downtown luxury highrise may be different from that of a series of apartments above a parking garage. The Clayco designs scream "wow awesome", while living above a parking garage, even if there are great views, may be "ehh".

lol, technically Clayco would be above a garage too - but I can see your point about the 'response' to a condo above the Main Street highrise garage.

City Hall is holding back about 2,000 square feet on the first floor of the new Arts District parking garage to provide free health care for employees, rather than retail space.

Read more: Parking and pills: OKC Council votes to open free clinic for city employees | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2014/10/21/parking-and-pills-council-votes-to-open-free-clinic-for-city-employees-general-news/#ixzz3GqiOJlFU)

Just learned the public art display for the pedestrian corridor in this structure will not be installed until early next year for some reason.

Last time I checked, it was to open about the same time as the garage.

They must have decided to hold off until all construction was completely wrapped.

Pete - any word on leasing the retail spaces? I know the city is going to have a permit counter in a lot of the space, which will be a busy place.

There haven't been any building permits for tenant build out and I haven't heard of any tenants.

I bet the City will end up taking most if not all of it for their use, just like they did on the ground floor of the Sheridan Walker Garage.

There was a presentation about the garage in the council meeting. They stated that there was 18,500 sf of retail/office space in the garage. 14,500 sf is under negotiation, the city is setting up an employee health clinic in 2,000 sf, and only 2,000 sf is available.

Sidewalk open; looks like they are just about finished (from https://twitter.com/JaneAbraham5):

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0pGnwmCMAAttTh.jpg

Had never http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/04/25/y6evaram.jpgnoticed or paid attention to this little building before

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


One of the coolest buildings in OKC. I can't remember the details, but they told us about it on one of the bike tours a couple years ago. I think it was something about Mr Hightower loving the french architecture after visiting and so building himself a replica structure? Not sure...

These Walls: Hightower Annex

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record October 24, 20140

OKLAHOMA CITY – The new Arts District Parking Garage near the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall and the Hightower Building sandwich a much smaller structure known as the Hightower Annex.

The annex was built as a separate structure. It was previously home to the Woodmansee Abbot Music Co. In the early 1950s, the Hightower family purchased the building and eventually connected it to the Hightower Building. Since then, the annex has been listed as the Hightower Building.

The three-story annex building once looked more like the Hightower Building and originally had a Main Street-facing entryway. That all changed when Frank Johnson Hightower purchased the building.

A graduate of Yale University, Frank J. Hightower appreciated the finer things in life and didn’t want people to leave the city to find them. He opened a specialty store and gift shop on the first floor of the Hightower Building, which included space in the annex building. The archways in the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority office were once the entryways into the annex space from the Hightower Building.

“The whole purpose in Dad doing this was he was concerned with what was happening with urban renewal downtown,” said Johnson Hightower, Frank J. Hightower’s son. “He was concerned people would stop coming downtown.”

Hightower renovated the building’s exterior, making the north side into the entrance. The Main Street side was updated to look more like the Hightower Building.

“Dad wanted (the north side) to look like a New York storefront,” said Hightower.

The building’s awning was previously dotted with four statues that represented the four seasons: winter, spring, summer and fall. The store featured Baccarat crystal, Marghab linens, Julius Cohen custom-made jewelry and furniture by Oklahoma City-based interior decorator Warren Ramsey.

“Anyone that was anyone shopped down there,” said Chuck Ainsworth, commercial real estate developer and president of The Ainsworth Co. Ainsworth could even remember the woman who handled his account at the store. She was named Dorothy.

“We had a lot of Dorothys,” said Hightower.

The second floor was previously home to a cooking school where The Cellar’s chef, Louise Liebmann-Berry, held weekly cooking classes.

The annex’s interior still has the curved walls and cabinets of the store. The walls are gray with white accents. The store was in operation from 1956 to 1980.

Once the store closed, it was immediately converted into commercial office space. Johnson Hightower said his father had a tenant who needed a whole floor, and he knew he had just the space to offer him. The first floor is now home to The Ainsworth Co., commercial real estate services. The second floor is home to Hightower Properties, where Johnson Hightower has offices with Alldredge Accounting Plus. The third floor is used for tenant storage. Hightower said the third floor was previously home to a law firm, but it has since been used for tenant storage.

He said it’s difficult to use the building for multiple tenants because there are limited entryways. The original Hightower Building connects to the space through one door on each floor. The doors are discrete, so customers could have difficulty finding an entrance. The annex’s original front wooden doors are hard to open, and are often difficult to reach because of the Arts District parking garage’s construction.

Flintco ( https://twitter.com/Flintco) just tweeted this photo and said the grand opening will be Tuesday:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B0vxyd1IMAAXS6x.jpg:large

Very cool, I like it.

Does anyone know if this will be open in the evening for people attending events at the Civic Center Music Hall?

Here is a layout showing all the tenants; see this thread for more details: OKCTalk - Union Station to be renovated, become home to Arts Council (http://www.okctalk.com/content/66-union-station-renovated-become-home-arts-council.html)


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maingarage103114.jpg

Any word on the coffee shop operator?

Not a coffee person, myself, but would be interesting to see if they land a national chain or if it is locally owned.

perfect place for a Starbucks. Not a fan personally, but you can not deny the amount of foot traffic a Starbucks generates. And with this garage near the school, city civic center complex, and soon to be a multitude of office workers - I predict a smash hit with Starbucks sort of driving visits to the other businesses/orgs.

Every big city has numerous Sbucks in their downtown, it's OKC's time; I think the locals can compete.

A Starbucks would be awesome there!

Does anyone know if this will be open in the evening for people attending events at the Civic Center Music Hall?

I believe one of my coworkers said they went by the other night and it was open for event parking for $6. There were a few parkers starting last week. The library was added in today to the parking.

I'm sure they will have some hourly parking -- all City garages do.

As far as the coffee shop, it may just be a conceptual plan at this point without a specific operator identified.

perfect place for a Starbucks. Not a fan personally, but you can not deny the amount of foot traffic a Starbucks generates. And with this garage near the school, city civic center complex, and soon to be a multitude of office workers - I predict a smash hit with Starbucks sort of driving visits to the other businesses/orgs.

Every big city has numerous Sbucks in their downtown, it's OKC's time; I think the locals can compete.

Interesting thought. The relative vacuum of coffee shops downtown* does argue for a Starbucks. Right now a ton of people both from Devon and from the surrounding corner of downtown go to Aravalli. I think a Starbucks would't hurt Aravalli too badly but might further erode the traffic at the Library Cafe thing. And Starbucks has a built in loyal base. I know people that make a detour to St. Anthony's on their morning commute into downtown just to get Starbucks, even though there are other, more convenient options.

*Cue everyone on this board pointing out how many coffee shops/places that serve coffee there are. I get it. You can get a cup of coffee downtown if you want one. That being said there is still a low density of coffee shops compared to other city's downtowns.

Interesting thought. The relative vacuum of coffee shops downtown* does argue for a Starbucks. Right now a ton of people both from Devon and from the surrounding corner of downtown go to Aravalli. I think a Starbucks would't hurt Aravalli too badly but might further erode the traffic at the Library Cafe thing. And Starbucks has a built in loyal base. I know people that make a detour to St. Anthony's on their morning commute into downtown just to get Starbucks, even though there are other, more convenient, BETTER options.

*Cue everyone on this board pointing out how many coffee shops/places that serve coffee there are. I get it. You can get a cup of coffee downtown if you want one. That being said there is still a low density of coffee shops compared to other city's downtowns.

I agree with all of that, with the one change I made in bold. I'd love to see a great local, but Starbucks would probably be a good fit there.

There are relatively few coffee shops in the CBD - I can think of three, and two restaurants with espresso machines. Wishful thinking, but it would be nice if this one could be open on weekends, due to its proximity to Myriad Gardens and Civic Center.

Will all the coming new development in the core, it will bring many more workers, visitors and residents.

That critical mass will help support a lot more services, and with extended hours as well.

I would think this location would do well due to all the City employees in the immediate area and all the new groups moving into the garage itself.

I believe one of my coworkers said they went by the other night and it was open for event parking for $6. There were a few parkers starting last week. The library was added in today to the parking.It was. I parked there.

It was. I parked there.

I was at the Civic Center Saturday night. I thought about checking out the garage but found a place on the street right in front of the Civic Center and parked for free.

I was at the Civic Center Saturday night. I thought about checking out the garage but found a place on the street right in front of the Civic Center and parked for free.Well, I actually didn't go see the Grinch, but I wish I would've known about it and I would've. I just drove by and wanted to park there, so I did just to check it out. Only 6 bucks and I like helping out the local businesses. I also walked around the garage and it is a first class deal! I love it!


The views of 2-3 more stories of living units would've been great :/

Well, I actually didn't go see the Grinch, but I wish I would've known about it and I would've. I just drove by and wanted to park there, so I did just to check it out. Only 6 bucks and I like helping out the local businesses. I also walked around the garage and it is a first class deal! I love it!


The views of 2-3 more stories of living units would've been great :/

A little off topic, but I didn't go to see the Grinch. I went to "Carrie the Musical". I wasn't in the mood to contribute $6.00 to the city when I could park closer for free. LOL

A little off topic, but I didn't go to see the Grinch. I went to "Carrie the Musical". I wasn't in the mood to contribute $6.00 to the city when I could park closer for free. LOLLike from the horror movie? That's interesting... although I did see a Nightmare on Elm Street musical in Dallas one time

As per Steve.

Arts District Garage Now Open | News OK (http://newsok.com/arts-district-garage-now-open/article/5363747)


Flintco was the general contractor. The building was poured in place, making it more structurally sound than concrete panels erected in place. More stories can be added to the garage as future development dictates.

New Parking Garage Opens In Downtown OKC - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/27283929/new-parking-garage-opens-in-downtown-okc)

As per Steve.

Arts District Garage Now Open | News OK (http://newsok.com/arts-district-garage-now-open/article/5363747)
I'm glad to hear it might be expanded to include housing in the future.

Impressions of the garage so far:

Overall decent. I will say it has been disappointing that since the garage has been open, the elevators have been down at least 2 or 3 times. One thing is for certain: The design of this garage in no way keeps out the weather. Snow, rain, fog, etc all easily make their way into the garage, which is a bit disappointing. The coating they have on the floor also, while good for cars apparently posed issues for people walking when wet. Personally I won't complain though, glad to have good parking! One thing I will note - compared to the County garage at Hudson & Kerr, this poured in place garage is solid as a rock. That garage you can feel every car that drives by, kinda spooky. Have never felt the slightest shimmer in this new garage.

Are the shops on the ground floor open?

Are the shops on the ground floor open?

Not even close. Just gravel on the ground, no floors, walls, ceilings, lights etc.

There will only be one true shop as far as I know.
That will be a coffee shop of some sort. 1 space will be used for a chealth clinic for City employess, 1 space is vacant -- all of the other space will be used by arts council offices that will be displaced by the development south of stage center.

From the JR:

Destined for downtown: Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools to move into Arts District garage

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record January 21, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – A nonprofit foundation focused on students will soon have a downtown presence.

The Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools will lease 1,500 square feet of first-floor retail space in the new Arts District parking garage, said Mary Mélon, president and CEO. The organization currently has an office at 5225 N. Shartel Ave.

“This will be right-sizing for us,” she said. “We have about 2,700 square feet now, and we don’t need that much. We’ve got four employees, and this 1,500 square feet will give us the potential to grow a bit.”

The parking garage between City Hall and the municipal offices building on Main Street has 18,000 square feet of retail space. The city plans to use 2,000 square feet for an employee medical clinic, and the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority will have an office in the space.

The remaining 14,500 square feet has drawn attention from five interested parties, including a coffee shop, said Michael Scroggins, COTPA spokesman. He could not give any further information about the tenants because leasing contracts had not been approved. COTPA will approve the tenants during its Feb. 6 meeting.

“There’s been an overwhelming amount of interest in it,” he said. “It’s definitely been considered prime real estate.”

Mélon said she was looking for a space on the ground floor and had trouble finding one. She heard about the spot during a meeting of the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, on which she serves. It was the last place available.

“It was a perfect aligning of the planets,” she said.

Other nonprofits are expected to move into the remaining spaces as well. Mélon said all of the organizations will share a conference room, a workroom and a kitchen. The shared areas will save everyone money.

No one can move in anytime soon, as the space still must be built-out. Scroggins said COTPA plans to approve sending the construction requests for qualified proposals out in February. TAP Architecture has already designed the interior. Construction is slated to start in March.

Mélon said she expects to move in June.

“This will be a world of difference,” she said. “We’re just south of City Hall, so the city is one of our partners. We’re closer to the district offices. We’re closer to the Central Business District, which is our primary donor base. We’re going to be right in the middle of where we need to be. Everything about this is so good for us.”

Just learned they have a signed lease for the coffee shop space. Not sure yet of the operator:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/maingarage103114.jpg

I'm a little irritated the is using this for office space instead of retail space.

Also, the "Future Tenant" space has been leased to another non-profit.

While the office space is not ideal vs actual retail, I'll take it all day long vs an empty wall. If we had this many leaseable (as useful) spaces on all street-facing walls with the forthcoming preftakes block garages it wouldn't be nearly as much of a problem as it might end up being.

From the JR:
Mystery spaces: COTPA can’t yet name final tenants in Arts District garage
By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record February 10, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – The future tenant mix in the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority’s Arts District parking garage is still being discussed. COTPA had previously expected to approve the first-floor retail space residents during its Feb. 6 meeting.

Three entities have announced plans to move to the space. The city of Oklahoma City, the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools and the COTPA parking division will all office in the building. The trio will share a workroom, break room, conference center and small conference area. Another unnamed tenant will operate a coffee-and-sandwich shop.

Three other potential tenants have not yet signed contracts for the remaining 14,500 square feet, said Michael Scroggins, COTPA spokesman.

“They were waiting on the build-out plans to be finalized,” Scroggins said.

He said the unnamed entities must receive approval from their boards of directors before contracts can go before COTPA. During its February meeting, COTPA approved the Oklahoma City Municipal Facilities Authority’s five-year lease of 2,200 square feet for a municipal employee health clinic, costing $33,216 annually. The deal comes with eight parking spaces for clinic operator CareATC’s employees, and two-hour transient parking passes for patients visiting the clinic. The contract mandates that the base rent will increase 6 percent per renewed period.

Also during its February meeting, COTPA approved sending out a request for qualified proposals to complete the retail spaces’ build-out. Tap Architecture designed the areas, and construction is expected to start in March.

The only other group to announce moving to the garage, the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools, will lease 1,500 square feet. Foundation President and CEO Mary Mélon said she expects to move to the space in June.

Businesses or organizations looking for downtown first-floor space can find it in the Santa Fe Parking Garage, which COTPA also operates. The authority has four spaces available. The sizes available are about 5,290 square feet, with a 780-square-foot lobby; two spaces measuring 1,040 square feet; and a 962-square-foot area. The largest area is divided into offices. The smaller areas face N. Broadway Avenue.

What is the status of hte art project that was to be installed in the walkway?

New specialty coffee shop coming to downtown (http://www.okctalk.com/search.php?searchid=2576946)