The city is apparently beginning to address the problem according to a recent article.


City seeks to strengthen efforts to address vacant and abandoned buildings
(July 2, 2013) - Oklahoma City Council today directed staff to act on study recommendations that address the City’s growing vacant and abandoned building problem. The study revealed that there are 12,000 vacant and abandoned buildings scattered throughout the City.

According to the Census Bureau, the number of long-term vacant housing units in the City grew by 25 percent between 2000 and 2010, twice the rate of the normal housing growth.

“Vacant and abandoned homes cause a variety of problems for both residents and the City,” Planning Director Russell Claus said. “These neglected buildings strain the City’s resources, lower property values, hamper community reinvestment and infringe on neighboring property owner’s rights.”

According to the study, vacant and abandoned buildings can reduce the value of neighboring homes by 12 to 29 percent, resulting in an estimated $2.7 billion reduction in real estate value city-wide. They generate little revenue from property or sales tax, while requiring disproportionate City services through police, fire, animal welfare and code enforcement.

“Oklahoma City spends approximately $6.5 million annually to respond to the extra fire and police calls that these buildings generate,” Claus added.

The study recommends implementing a comprehensive program that includes a combination of enforcement measures, penalties and rewards. An effective program will likely require changes to state laws that will allow the City to impose liens on problem properties, recover cost and enable the City to return these properties to productive use.

City of Oklahoma City | News from OKCGOV (http://www.okc.gov/news/2013_07/City_seeks_to_strengthen_efforts_to_address_vacant _and_abandoned_buildings.html)

https://www.facebook.com/cityofokc/posts/10151482799897312

Here is the .pdf document for view:https://www.okc.gov/documents/Vacant%20and%20Abandoned%20Home%20Study.pdf

According to a recent study, there are more than 12,000 vacant and abandoned buildings scattered through the city. Now, the state's largest city will start tackling that problem.

In a city council session Tuesday, the council directed staff members to act on study recommendations that address the growing problem of vacant and abandoned buildings. According to the Census Bureau, from 2000 to 2010, the number of long-term vacant housing units grew by 25%. That rate is twice as high as the normal housing growth.


The empty buildings generate little revenue from property or sales tax, while requiring an increase of city services through police, fire, animal welfare and code enforcement. According to Planning Director Russell Clau, that costs the city roughly $6.5 million a year to respond to extra police and fire calls in those buildings.

Not only are vacant houses a drain on the city, they're a drain on the neighborhood. The study says vacant and abandoned buildings can reduce the value of neighboring homes by 12 to 29%, causing about $2.7 billion reduction in real estate value across the city.

The study recommends the city implement a program that includes enforcement measures, penalties, and rewards, which require changes to state laws to allow the city impose liens on problem properties and return the properties to productive use.


Link to Full Study (http://www.okctalk.com/images/wikiphotos/vacantstudy.pdf)


STUDY FINDINGS
Over the past decade the number of long-term vacant housing units in Oklahoma City has increased by roughly
25 percent. The primary cause is low property carrying costs, meaning that vacant buildings cost so little to
own that owners prefer to keep them vacant rather than putting them into productive use.
While the cost to VAB owners is low, the cost of VABs to the City, affected neighborhoods and owners of
occupied properties is substantial. VABs generate little or no revenue from property or sales tax, while they
utilize disproportionate public safety and other city services, lower neighboring property values, discourage
private investment, and contribute to neighborhood decline.

The Problem Quantified
• An estimated 12,000 buildings in Oklahoma City have been vacant six months or longer.
• More than half of these have been vacant two years or longer.
• The City spends approximately $6.5 million annually for services (police, fire, and animal welfare)
attributable to VABs.
• The City loses nearly $20 million in potential revenue every year because of VABs.
• VABs reduce the value of neighboring homes by 12 to 29 percent, depending on proximity, resulting in an
estimated $2.7 billion reduction in real estate value city-wide.

The Problem Qualified
• There are few incentives or disincentives to encourage VAB owners to maintain or reinvest in their
properties.
• Reinvestment in neighborhoods decreases as the number of VABs increases.
• VABs are undesirable and unwanted neighbors. They decrease the marketability and value of commercial
and residential properties. Residents living near VABs feel less safe and less secure.
• The cost to maintain, service, and secure VABs is subsidized by owners of occupied properties.

The Response
A comprehensive program that includes a combination of enforcement measures, penalties, and rewards is
recommended to address the problem. The program should be designed to incentivize reuse and rehabilitation
of properties and to uphold the property rights of all owners, including restoring the property rights of owners
near VABs.



THE PROGRAM
The study recommends a three-phased approach to implementing a fully operational program. Phase one can
be initiated immediately with City Council authorization. Additional legal authority is required to implement
phases two and three:

1. Vacant Building Registry (VBR): During this phase a database of VABs will be established; data and start-up
equipment purchased; and staff hired to identify, inspect and manage VAB cases. The VBR will allow
the City to target enforcement by address/owner and to monitor impact on adjacent properties and affected
neighborhoods. A per-building fee structure will be implemented to cover administrative costs of the
program.

2. Cost recovery fees: The VABs program assesses a cost recovery fee on VABs to offset the cost of City
services attributable to VABs. This second phase fee assessment should be further supported by fines for
unpaid administrative and cost recovery fees. Additional statutory authority (changes to state law) will be
required to institute this phase, as well as to impose liens on VABs for the value of unpaid fees and fines.
The phase two fee structure will be based on 100% cost recovery. Revenue will ensure a self-sufficient
program; surplus may be invested in phase three revitalization efforts and/or public safety and other related
city services.

3. Land Bank: Phase 3 enables the City to fully mitigate VAB issues. This phase also requires changes to state
statute, to provide the City with the legal authority to foreclose on VAB liens and establish a process for the
acquisition, maintenance, and redevelopment of VABs for private sector use. To make the land bank and
overall VABs program more effective, the City should consider utilizing incentives such as tax abatement or
fee reductions for VAB owners who reinvest in their properties or transfer ownership of their property to the
land bank.

Once fully operational, the VABs program will provide a long-term solution for reducing and preventing
vacancy, increasing property values, and revitalizing Oklahoma City neighborhoods.

Thought this was very interesting a good summary of the nature of the problem:


CAUSES
Vacant and abandoned buildings are not unique to Oklahoma City. However, the causes in Oklahoma City are not
related to a poor economy. In fact, the economy of Oklahoma City and the State of Oklahoma was healthier than
the country as a whole during the recession.

An imbalance between the costs of holding a vacant building versus the market-based benefit to investing in the
unit is the primary cause of the growing VABs problem in Oklahoma City. There is currently a “reverse rewards”
situation for property owners – the longer the vacancy the less it costs to keep the building vacant.

INCENTIVES
The following incentives may be appropriate during each of the three phases of program implementation:

• Reduced fees for initial voluntary compliance with the VBR program.
• Waived or reduced fees for owners who voluntarily transfer ownership of their property to a City-approved
redeveloper or the land bank.
• City or leveraged private/public funds in the form of grants or loans to assist with VAB housing redevelopment
and occupancy to address:
- Title clearance,
- Façade improvement or emergency repair,
- Full scale rehabilitation or reconstruction, and
- Down payment and closing cost assistance for homebuyers of VAB properties.
• Tax incentives or certain economic benefits directly provided to owners or investors of VAB properties in
specific City-designated revitalization areas.

I found this one yesterday along with the really beautiful red brick one next door that is an attorney's office (http://www.dlb.net/). Know anything about it? I took a few photos I can post once they are edited. This is right next to Central High School. I wish we could see more new development in Bricktown that shares the same style and fill all the empty lots.

Map (http://goo.gl/maps/BbSQs)

Here is the county assessor page for the property. Looks like it has been owned by Mid Continent since 1991.

Leonard Sullivan Oklahoma County Assessor Real Property Detail Sheet (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R011286160)

That's the old Merkel X-Ray building at 229 NW 9th, now for sale for $775,000 (which seems extremely high):

LoopNet - 229 9th, Office Building, 229 NW 9th St., Oklahoma City, OK (http://www.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=16130557&PreviousLinkCode=10850&PreviousSourceCode=1lww2t006a00001&&LinkCode=10850&SourceCode=1lww2t006a00001)

That's the old Merkel X-Ray building at 229 NW 9th, now for sale for $775,000 (which seems extremely high):

LoopNet - 229 9th, Office Building, 229 NW 9th St., Oklahoma City, OK (http://www.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=16130557&PreviousLinkCode=10850&PreviousSourceCode=1lww2t006a00001&&LinkCode=10850&SourceCode=1lww2t006a00001)

Yeah, especially with as much work as there needs to be done with it.

Abandoned building on NE 2nd St & N Lindsay Ave (March 27 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157629320324680/)

And this is the crux of the problem...

Property owners sit on buildings and either do nothing with them, or try to sell them for absurd prices (that Merkel building is probably only worth about a third of what they are asking).

In the meantime, these buildings are left in a state of disrepair and there aren't financial incentives/penalties to do anything at all.


We really need to implement this program and start forcing change.

Imagine all those abandoned properties sold for reasonable prices to people who actually want to do something with them. Would be a huge game-changer.

I found this one yesterday along with the really beautiful red brick one next door that is an attorney's office (http://www.dlb.net/). Know anything about it? I took a few photos I can post once they are edited. This is right next to Central High School. I wish we could see more new development in Bricktown that shares the same style and fill all the empty lots.

Map (http://goo.gl/maps/BbSQs)

Merkel X-Ray Co. Building: The Mullet of Midtown | Midtowner (http://okcmidtowner.com/merkel-x-ray-co-building-the-mullet-of-midtown/)

That's the old Merkel X-Ray building at 229 NW 9th, now for sale for $775,000 (which seems extremely high):

LoopNet - 229 9th, Office Building, 229 NW 9th St., Oklahoma City, OK (http://www.loopnet.com/xnet/mainsite/listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=16130557&PreviousLinkCode=10850&PreviousSourceCode=1lww2t006a00001&&LinkCode=10850&SourceCode=1lww2t006a00001)

A local midtown blogger, OKCMidtowner, okcmidtowner.com, refers to that building as the Mullet of Midtown.

Never mind. Mr. Cotter beat me to it.

One article I read a couple of years ago(?) said that part of the problem is absentee, out of state landlords. That it just wsn't worth the trouble for the City to try to enforce anything against them and as a result, only targeted local owners. Seems that would just encourage more bad out of state owners since they don't have to worry.

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6876766134_8653f18a7b_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6238/6876767480_a97a886e34_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6039/6876769306_36effefd59_b.jpg

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6040/7022873723_f330d40c08_b.jpg

One article I read a couple of years ago(?) said that part of the problem is absentee, out of state landlords. That it just wsn't worth the trouble for the City to try to enforce anything against them and as a result, only targeted local owners. Seems that would just encourage more bad out of state owners since they don't have to worry.

Where the owner lives shouldn't matter.

The property is still subject to code compliance and the owner has to make things right or be fined, or the City may even do some of the work themselves (like chop down weeds) then bill them. If they don't pay, a lien is put on the property.

Ultimately, if they don't pay the fines and taxes, the city/county can force a sale and then recover their money.


The problem is that none of this has been even remotely enforced. Hopefully that will soon change.

Jewel Theatre (March 10 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157629555145309/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6969987673_b9f009d5ce_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6970003445_c99bea8313_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7177/6823932596_cb3a812fc2_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6823931384_c41e20e304_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6823930574_e4a2ebb6be_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7191/6970058647_b863fec21d_b.jpg

Maybe an urban homesteading program for residential properties similar to what Buffalo is doing? Urban Homestead Program - City of Buffalo (http://www.ci.buffalo.ny.us/Home/City_Departments/RealEstate/UrbanHomesteadProgram)

Pete, you think we could add a "Vacant and Abandoned Buildings" Summary to the summary page? It would be cool to have something similar to what you set up for deep deuce. I would do it, but don't have anything to add.

Pete, you think we could add a "Vacant and Abandoned Buildings" Summary to the summary page? It would be cool to have something similar to what you set up for deep deuce. I would do it, but don't have anything to add.

Very good idea.

At the very least, we could call attention to some really cool old structures before they get to the point of no return.

Very good idea.

At the very least, we could call attention to some really cool old structures before they get to the point of no return.

Agreed!

Morgan Building (March 10 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157629190536578/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6970088949_4cb3a3ee52_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/6970098209_f293a01d0a_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6823974446_558094edc6_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6970094889_77c3ffe12c_b.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.501892!3d35.471443!2m2!1f153.25!2f86!4f75!2m5!1 e1!2m3!1ss483y0NCODlzJZmzmRnwGQ!2e0!7e11&fid=5)

A while back Tulsa I think took a look at some areas with old long vacant buildings and planned to institute a do something or pay fine, tax rate, etc. If memory serves, Tulsa ended up with some empty lots because owners decided to raze and then sit again rather than just sit. Possible I am remembering this wrong. It happens sometimes. too many if you ask my lovely.

That reminds me... me and Steve took a tour one day of the area south of the proposed Boulevard area that was south of the old I-40. I really hope these buildings can be used for the new developments instead of laid waste to.

Abandoned area between old and new Interstate 40 (February 25 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157629464258273/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7063/6787920108_0d484a16c3_b.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.527703!3d35.463198!2m2!1f168.06!2f93.85!4f75!2m 5!1e1!2m3!1sLWWtZl0HPAuL_DD7lFUbSA!2e0!7e11&fid=5)

There are many others in this Set that you can find in the same area on Google Maps.

A while back Tulsa I think took a look at some areas with old long vacant buildings and planned to institute a do something or pay fine, tax rate, etc. If memory serves, Tulsa ended up with some empty lots because owners decided to raze and then sit again rather than just sit. Possible I am remembering this wrong. It happens sometimes. too many if you ask my lovely.

The law of unintended consequences, I suppose. Doesn't Philadelphia have some sort of tax penalty for vacant land in the core?

Abandoned area between old and new Interstate 40 (March 3 2012) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157629505016407/)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7176/6803804150_02905e138a_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/6949920627_70394fa7aa_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7204/6949920877_b098d795da_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7041/6949919993_fbfc29dfec_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6949923461_c6c37654b4_b.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.521779!3d35.462191!2m2!1f205.88!2f96.97!4f75!2m 5!1e1!2m3!1soZu57dKgIbHk_oTabR8Klg!2e0!7e11&fid=5)

The buildings in the most danger right now are all the above properties and the future Central Park.

Doug already did a ton of work.

Oklahoma City: Core To Shore Resources (http://www.dougloudenback.com/oklahomacity/coretoshore.htm)

International Harvester

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49/DougLoudenback/coretoshore/internationalharvester_sw5th_08_-1.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Old%20Oklahoma%20City/Bricktown/bricktown_collection_044.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.514683!3d35.460058!2m2!1f62.56!2f97.78!4f75!2m5 !1e1!2m3!1sysM6xMUZN9DTuUv8dOPjTA!2e0!7e11&fid=5)

Who would want to see this go? You can see it in the background in this shot.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3773/8963554355_a19dca5a8e_b.jpg

Union Station and Little Flower Church are also in the background.

If OKCTalk can help rally against crappy development and make a difference, I hope it can do the same for these buildings that can be redeveloped rather than knocked down and trees put in their place. Why not plant trees around it and you already have a building ready for another use.

Something that I think could be really helpful in this regard is if there were a resource that could do basic artists' renderings of what a vacant building might look like remodeled. It's my experience that many (if not most) people lack the ability to look at a building and see it in their mind's eye as a finished, renovated product. This is precisely why real estate agents tell clients listing their homes to repaint colored walls white or beige, and to "stage" rooms in homes on the market. The general public just has a difficult time picturing space as something different than it currently is.

I've thought about this for years, and it resurfaced in my mind at the posting of the homes and buildings on NE 3rd, among others. When people see a derelict building that is not only not contributing to the area around it but in fact detracting from it, it becomes very easy for them to begin or join the refrain to demolish. We've seen it on this very board, when a building that was otherwise minding its own business for many years, sitting derelict with no comment from the outside, gets the white hot spotlight and people who might not have even known it existed before start calling for it to be torn down. I believe in many cases this is merely because they can't picture the building being brought back and once again contributing to the neighborhood. They become antagonists, or at the very least apathetic.

When I have attended Main Street and other preservation and urban economic development conferences and meetings, it is always interesting to see the responses of even seasoned preservationists when presentations include "before and after" shots of reclaimed buildings. It is ALWAYS the highlight of these conferences. These people already KNOW what can be done, yet are often flabbergasted by the transformations, with the entire room oohing and ahing.

I think Main Street actually offers a good model for this proposed service. They have a full time preservation architect on staff. Each active local Main Street program gets a set number of "design grants" each year. This is a FREE service. The architect turns out a rendering of what the building might look like renovated, and makes suggestions regarding building/period/neighborhood-appropriate materials, colors and other modifications. Sometimes seeing their building in one of these drawings is all it takes for a reticent owner (who usually never would have hired an architect on their own, or perhaps could not have afforded one) to get excited and jump on the renovation bandwagon. If a building receiving a design grant is renovated within the year, the Main Street program is then awarded ANOTHER design grant for different building.

Personally, I think with technology available today, someone (an architectural student or other trained volunteer, perhaps?) could easily perform this function for an organization seeking to encourage rehabs and discourage needless demolitions downtown- or city-wide.

Urbanized, that is a great idea. I tried doing it for something as simple as pedestrian fences in AA but I can't draw a crooked line.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/9246555666_64657a831b_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7388/9243772673_a6a03fb617_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2810/9246554434_e8b7932602_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7434/9246553808_502d314483_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/9246552540_c6868b805a_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/9252796883_7263560606_h.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/9255578632_5d595fc6ae_h.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.511949!3d35.467606!2m2!1f359.53!2f86!4f75!2m5!1 e1!2m3!1sxkMLyQuFruXWmcheL-E5CA!2e0!7e11&fid=5)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/9246546302_a2b14ef824_b.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.509319!3d35.467554!2m2!1f16.17!2f88.07!4f75!2m5 !1e1!2m3!1sLPb7m5mr_fFi23_Ero3-ow!2e0!7e11&fid=5)

I love that old warehouse and think it could be very cool restored. It reminds me of an older version of the building the Floataway Cafe is in in Atlanta.

Something that I think could be really helpful in this regard is if there were a resource that could do basic artists' renderings of what a vacant building might look like remodeled. It's my experience that many (if not most) people lack the ability to look at a building and see it in their mind's eye as a finished, renovated product. This is precisely why real estate agents tell clients listing their homes to repaint colored walls white or beige, and to "stage" rooms in homes on the market. The general public just has a difficult time picturing space as something different than it currently is.

I've thought about this for years, and it resurfaced in my mind at the posting of the homes and buildings on NE 3rd, among others. When people see a derelict building that is not only not contributing to the area around it but in fact detracting from it, it becomes very easy for them to begin or join the refrain to demolish. We've seen it on this very board, when a building that was otherwise minding its own business for many years, sitting derelict with no comment from the outside, gets the white hot spotlight and people who might not have even known it existed before start calling for it to be torn down. I believe in many cases this is merely because they can't picture the building being brought back and once again contributing to the neighborhood. They become antagonists, or at the very least apathetic.
It is amazing how many people holding onto these properties have no vision of the possibilities for their own properties. Driving through a bunch of older small towns between Denver and West Texas many times it amazes me how many buildings are just sitting derelict. The same could be said for many in the cities, some of them were purchased by speculators who can't afford to redo the buildings and were hoping to catch a hot market to flip them but ended up asking too much for them and they have sat vacant ever since.


When I have attended Main Street and other preservation and urban economic development conferences and meetings, it is always interesting to see the responses of even seasoned preservationists when presentations include "before and after" shots of reclaimed buildings. It is ALWAYS the highlight of these conferences. These people already KNOW what can be done, yet are often flabbergasted by the transformations, with the entire room oohing and ahing.

I think Main Street actually offers a good model for this proposed service. They have a full time preservation architect on staff. Each active local Main Street program gets a set number of "design grants" each year. This is a FREE service. The architect turns out a rendering of what the building might look like renovated, and makes suggestions regarding building/period/neighborhood-appropriate materials, colors and other modifications. Sometimes seeing their building in one of these drawings is all it takes for a reticent owner (who usually never would have hired an architect on their own, or perhaps could not have afforded one) to get excited and jump on the renovation bandwagon. If a building receiving a design grant is renovated within the year, the Main Street program is then awarded ANOTHER design grant for different building.

Personally, I think with technology available today, someone (an architectural student or other trained volunteer, perhaps?) could easily perform this function for an organization seeking to encourage rehabs and discourage needless demolitions downtown- or city-wide.
I remember when Ron Frantz started working on the Main Street Program, he used to come into Triangle A&E a lot and I got to know him there.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/9272838492_e34c7cb1a7_b.jpg

Here is the other building next door. I wish new buildings in Bricktown borrowed from this style.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3673/9269995821_ff8566b0c5_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3707/9246555666_64657a831b_b.jpg

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/9252796883_7263560606_h.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/9255578632_5d595fc6ae_h.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.511949!3d35.467606!2m2!1f359.53!2f86!4f75!2m5!1 e1!2m3!1sxkMLyQuFruXWmcheL-E5CA!2e0!7e11&fid=5)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2857/9246546302_a2b14ef824_b.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0#!data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.509319!3d35.467554!2m2!1f16.17!2f88.07!4f75!2m5 !1e1!2m3!1sLPb7m5mr_fFi23_Ero3-ow!2e0!7e11&fid=5)That would be cool if they opened up a 24 hour diner there and had a miniature put-put course in that lawn with a patio fronting the street. . .

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/9255578632_5d595fc6ae_h.jpg

Who let the buffalo out???

There is a good article in the gazette titles "Pretty Vacant" that I am reading on my iPad, but I can't link to it from my computer. It points out specifically the Walcourt Building on NE 13th and Walnut Avenue.

Oklahoma Gazette News: Features: Vacant buildings (http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-18785-pretty-vacant.html)

Forgot this one... If only I was rich...

First Church of Christ, Scientist (July 9 2013) - a set on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/williamhider/sets/72157634686232392/)

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/9269880291_51fcfc8fa9_b.jpg

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/9272662468_ac9291293e_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/9269879163_2db305033c_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7307/9269878125_f71ab5d386_b.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5509/9272661806_a1cfb2a8a5_b.jpg

I first noticed this one over a year ago but didn't know anything about it. It's down the street from Kamp's on 10th in Midtown.

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2736/R020141125001qA.jpg

Leonard Sullivan Oklahoma County Assessor Real Property Detail Sheet (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R020141125)

Map (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0&hl=en#!q=Kamp's+1910+Caf%C3%A9%2C+Northeast+10th+S treet%2C+Oklahoma+City%2C+OK&data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.510798!3d35.478065!2m2!1f164.14!2f89.37!4f39.39 !2m4!1e1!2m2!1sJKlaVjDTUMl02P7oHA8PrQ!2e0!4m10!1m9 !4m8!1m3!1d2032!2d-97.5190116!3d35.4600938!3m2!1i1577!2i800!4f35&fid=5)

I first noticed this one over a year ago but didn't know anything about it. It's down the street from Kamp's on 10th in Midtown.

http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2736/R020141125001qA.jpg

Leonard Sullivan Oklahoma County Assessor Real Property Detail Sheet (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R020141125)

Map (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0&hl=en#!q=Kamp's+1910+Caf%C3%A9%2C+Northeast+10th+S treet%2C+Oklahoma+City%2C+OK&data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.510798!3d35.478065!2m2!1f164.14!2f89.37!4f39.39 !2m4!1e1!2m2!1sJKlaVjDTUMl02P7oHA8PrQ!2e0!4m10!1m9 !4m8!1m3!1d2032!2d-97.5190116!3d35.4600938!3m2!1i1577!2i800!4f35&fid=5)

There was a plan to renovate this and turn it into four apartments if I remember correctly. Not sure who would take it on, but it would be a great gateway into AA/DD coming off 235 south.

Maybe with Metropolitan coming in, it will spur development of it. You could make it into just about anything.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/SouthRobinsonampSW4th.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/filmexchangebuilding.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/filmexchangebuilding2.jpg

International Harvester

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/Downtown%20OKC/internationalharvesterbuilding2013.jpg

StreetView (https://www.google.com/maps/preview?authuser=0&hl=en#!q=saturn&data=!1m8!1m3!1d3!2d-97.514504!3d35.460047!2m2!1f29.89!2f109.09!4f75!2m 4!1e1!2m2!1s2JXCRUXmyAjEtVj-0si4dQ!2e0!4m10!1m9!4m8!1m3!1d1321!2d-97.5211965!3d35.4778757!3m2!1i1577!2i800!4f35&fid=5) is actally from last month.

Live chat:


Good Morning, Steve! How will OKC's new vacant and abandoned building policy affect the city's real estate market? For instance, do you see the Walcourt owners finally giving in and selling? What about other vacant and abandoned buildings like the Marion?


Steve Lackmeyer: Read my story in today's paper about the Marion - it's already about to be renovated and brought back to life. As for the Walcourt, it's going to require a special person to sell a vision to the lady who owns it. The new policy, if it is approved by the city council (it's only been introduced), may have a major impact on the real estate market, but I don't see it being a panacea.

Downtown Oklahoma City survivor getting new lease on life | News OK (http://newsok.com/downtown-oklahoma-city-survivor-getting-new-lease-on-life/article/3907156)

This issue comes before City Council next Tuesday:

Battle lines drawn in dispute over vacant buildings ordinance | News OK (http://newsok.com/article/3909203)


The city has more than 12,000 vacant and abandoned buildings, and a study says they cost taxpayers millions of dollars in lost revenue and excessive demands on services such as fire and police protection.

The cost to property owners in lost value due to blighted neighborhoods is estimated to be $2.7 billion.

Owners of blighted properties pay an average of $112.39 annually in property tax, sales tax, franchise fees and other charges. Contrast that to the more than $1,200 paid by owners of occupied homes.

The city council is considering creation of a vacant buildings registry to track rundown properties and more effectively address code violations.

burn em all down!

http://oklahoman.com/okc-council-approves-vacant-buildings-registry/article/3910788

This is still embargoed for the moment.



Oklahoma City will create a registry as a first step toward reducing the negative impact on neighborhoods of thousands of vacant and abandoned buildings.

..

A study found there are more than 12,000 vacant and abandoned buildings in Oklahoma City.

The study showed those blighted properties cost taxpayers millions of dollars in lost revenue and place excessive demands on services such as fire and police protection.


The cost to property owners in lost value due is estimated to be $2.7 billion.

Owners of blighted properties pay an average of $112.39 annually in property tax, sales tax, franchise fees and other charges, the study found.

That stands in contrast to the more than $1,200 paid by owners of occupied homes.

The city council approved the registry in a unanimous vote Tuesday after hearing comments from about 15 people. About 70 people attended the meeting.

The measure was adjusted to meet concerns of commercial property managers after a public hearing two weeks ago.

Further measures, such as creation of a land bank to finance neighborhood revitalization, will require legislative action.

Does anyone know what this actually means? Does this thing have teeth or is it just a list? What were the concessions made to property managers?

What do you mean it's still embargoed for the moment?

What do you mean it's still embargoed for the moment?

I mean at the moment you can only read it if you are an Oklahoman subscriber. It was not out on newsok.com yet as of my posting the link.

Steve's take in his blog.

No More Free Rides for Blighted Properties | News OK (http://newsok.com/no-more-free-rides-for-blighted-properties/article/3911106)

No More Public Incentives for Blighted Properties? | News OK (http://newsok.com/no-more-public-incentives-for-blighted-properties/article/3911106)

No More Public Incentives for Blighted Properties? | News OK (http://newsok.com/no-more-public-incentives-for-blighted-properties/article/3911106) It is about time the city drafted an ordinance concerning blighted properties. OKC has way to many "Slum lords" causing the city to look nasty looking and decreasing property values and tax rolls for the city. Hope this ordinance will be enforceable and have some bite to it. OKC slumlords beware, It is time to clean up the city.

Sorry, didn't read every post, so the answer may be somewhere above. But I just saw a story about this on the news and it sounded like the only penalty is a couple hundred dollar fine for an entire year. Doesn't seem like much incentive to change to me.

Sorry, didn't read every post, so the answer may be somewhere above. But I just saw a story about this on the news and it sounded like the only penalty is a couple hundred dollar fine for an entire year. Doesn't seem like much incentive to change to me.

This is essentially step one. Next up is trying to get state laws changed to allow more things to be done. One part would be a land-banking system. In our current political climate, I see that being tough to pass, but, if it does, it would be great. Various iterations can happen - I studied this one in grad school: Genesee County Land Bank - (http://www.thelandbank.org/)

This is essentially step one. Next up is trying to get state laws changed to allow more things to be done. One part would be a land-banking system. In our current political climate, I see that being tough to pass, but, if it does, it would be great. Various iterations can happen - I studied this one in grad school: Genesee County Land Bank - (http://www.thelandbank.org/)

Can they not use existing nuisance abatement laws/consequences to give more incentive?

Can they not use existing nuisance abatement laws/consequences to give more incentive?

Nope. The laws essentially create a set-up where it's better to board up and keep it secured than it is to keep things occupied and in good shape. The Walcourt is a good example (NE 13th & Walnut). Been boarded up for 30 years, and in relatively good shape. Many, many people would love it buy it and re-use it.

Its kind of shocking to me that the type of landowner that doesnt care about their property becoming junk would also be the type that turns down money offers to buy them. Why would they hate money so much but love properties in disrepair? Do they all think a Walgreens is going to come make a million dollar offer for their slum house?

Also, what was the reasons opponents didnt like this change from the city?