Here's an interesting thought... Among the OKC rich and powerful, I don't think any of them are preservationists.

Tom Ward. Aubrey McClendon and now Pete Delaney and Rainey Williams have certainly demonstrated they are the polar opposite. The Gaylords left downtown and built a suburban campus. David Green has shown zero interest in downtown (understandable given Hobby Lobby's needs) and it's too soon to tell about Harold Hamm, but I believe he was very interested in Stage Center at one time, and not to preserve it. Bill Cameron bought the old OPUBCO campus, Jeff Records fled downtown for I-44 and Broadway.

And if several of the buildings come down as expected on the Preftakes block, you can put Larry Nichols in that category as well. Although he has pumped millions into the Colcord.

Bob Howard is a notable exception.

The remainder of the restoration work has been done by the smaller local developer, not the big movers and shakers.

PO is totally reliant on Devon, which threatened to pull funding for opposing SandRidge. So there's that.

I do not always agree with the DO editorial board, however, I have to agree with the one below! They summed it up quite accurately! As I mentioned in an earlier thread, no one came up with a "viable" repurposing of this structure?




Unique Oklahoma City theater slated for its closing act | News OK (http://newsok.com/unique-oklahoma-city-theater-slated-for-its-closing-act/article/3924860)

I do not always agree with the DO editorial board, however, I have to agree with the one below! They summed it up quite accurately! As I mentioned in an earlier thread, no one came up with a "viable" repurposing of this structure?

Unique Oklahoma City theater slated for its closing act | News OK (http://newsok.com/unique-oklahoma-city-theater-slated-for-its-closing-act/article/3924860)

Are you a proponent of buildings that have been restored and put to a viable use?

PO is totally reliant on Devon, which threatened to pull funding for opposing SandRidge. So there's that.


What is the PO?

And how do you know they were trying to pull strings for SandRidge? I'm not saying it isn't true but I don't remember this.

We all talk about the State Center and it being leveled but what can anyone do to speed up the process to getting that nasty, disgusting cotton oil mill to go away? It has to be by FAR the most embarrassing part of our downtown area. I literally cringe every time I drive by it and wonder what other people from out of the area must think about OKC when they see this? At least with with SC, some saw it as interesting and had a cool factor to some.

What a good area that nasty eyesore cotton oil mill sits on. Someone could do some great things to connect it to the Bricktown and the river walk or even eventually the Park and River. I would like to see the Chickasaw Nation buy that and put some cool Hard Rock Hotel and Casino or as someone else mentioned a Margarittaville and have all lit up and really work it with the other developments because that would be awesome. Heck, it's going to be years before we ever get a convention center hotel so why not go ahead and build a cool one and force the hand of our leaders to get their heads out of their rear and get the ball rolling for the CC and Hotel.

What is the PO?

And how do you know they were trying to pull strings for SandRidge? I'm not saying it isn't true but I don't remember this.

Preservation Oklahoma.

Are you a proponent of buildings that have been restored and put to a viable use? In most cases, I am definitely a proponent of restoration, especially to structures that are historical and can be re adapted into a viable option. I would love to see the Film Exchange restored as I strongly believe it can be incorporated into the new Central Park. Another loss to OKC was the India Shrine building that could have been saved from the wrecking ball! The one exception is the SC. It is no longer functional and makes no sense from an "economic" standpoint! I feel it is just a big money pit and no person ever can forward with a "viable" option and "deep pockets". I have accepted the board decision and it is time to move forward.

We all talk about the State Center and it being leveled but what can anyone do to speed up the process to getting that nasty, disgusting cotton oil mill to go away? It has to be by FAR the most embarrassing part of our downtown area. I literally cringe every time I drive by it and wonder what other people from out of the area must think about OKC when they see this? At least with with SC, some saw it as interesting and had a cool factor to some.

What a good area that nasty eyesore cotton oil mill sits on. Someone could do some great things to connect it to the Bricktown and the river walk or even eventually the Park and River. I would like to see the Chickasaw Nation buy that and put some cool Hard Rock Hotel and Casino or as someone else mentioned a Margarittaville and have all lit up and really work it with the other developments because that would be awesome. Heck, it's going to be years before we ever get a convention center hotel so why not go ahead and build a cool one and force the hand of our leaders to get their heads out of their rear and get the ball rolling for the CC and Hotel.

I agree 1,000 %. They are not just an Eye Sore, but to the "outside investment" community, they are the one thing that could hold them back on any significant developments. We don't need to give them any reasons to hesitate or pause when making their initial accessments. It has to go quickly.

I agree 1,000 %. They are not just an Eye Sore, but to the "outside investment" community, they are the one thing that could hold them back on any significant developments. We don't need to give them any reasons to hesitate or pause when making their initial accessments. It has to go quickly.

How can that happen without imminent domain?

I also agree that it is the most embarrassing part of downtown OKC, and it has such a high profile to people driving in from the east. It needs to go ASAP.

What a good area that nasty eyesore cotton oil mill sits on. ... I would like to see the Chickasaw Nation buy that and put some cool Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

I'd rather give the cotton mill a lease in perpetuity on that land and leave the thing there forever than to have another ghastly casino on the Oklahoma landscape. They're a menace...but I realize this is the wrong thread for a discussion on the cotton gin...

In most cases, I am definitely a proponent of restoration, especially to structures that are historical and can be re adapted into a viable option. I would love to see the Film Exchange restored as I strongly believe it can be incorporated into the new Central Park. Another loss to OKC was the India Shrine building that could have been saved from the wrecking ball! The one exception is the SC. It is no longer functional and makes no sense from an "economic" standpoint! I feel it is just a big money pit and no person ever can forward with a "viable" option and "deep pockets". I have accepted the board decision and it is time to move forward.

So what does moving forward mean? Would you want to see Stage Center pods go in parks or just vanish from the face of the earth?

Yes, the Hard Rock in Tulsa is definitely a menace. It is probably one of the most recognizable structures that anyone from out of town could identify. It looks nice, has a cool factor to it, brings in lots of entertainers, and you almost feel like you are not in Oklahoma. It is somewhat a destination for many from out of the area. It is responsible for quite a few jobs and has started a growth in that area with business and highway construction because of it- contributing to even more construction jobs.

Sorry, I am not buying that Casino menace story. I am by no means a fan of all these casinos but I think a Hard Rock with a 20-25 story hotel would be great in that spot. They could even link it to the river somehow. That Cotton Mill is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen in a big city and in a big pain in our side when it comes to growth. Could the city not make an offer and re-locate them elsewhere? Also, could they use the grounds of it being such an hindrance in neighboring properties that it hurts other land owners values because no one will want to build and develop around it. That would be the approach or angle I think the city should use. It shouldn't be hard to prove that nobody would want to build next to that eyesore and it costs them lots of money because of it. Pay them and re-locate them and do something great in that spot.

Yes, the Hard Rock in Tulsa is definitely a menace. It is probably one of the most recognizable structures that anyone from out of town could identify. It looks nice, has a cool factor to it, brings in lots of entertainers, and you almost feel like you are not in Oklahoma. It is somewhat a destination for many from out of the area. It is responsible for quite a few jobs and has started a growth in that area with business and highway construction because of it- contributing to even more construction jobs.

Sorry, I am not buying that Casino menace story. I am by no means a fan of all these casinos but I think a Hard Rock with a 20-25 story hotel would be great in that spot. They could even link it to the river somehow. That Cotton Mill is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen in a big city and in a big pain in our side when it comes to growth. Could the city not make an offer and re-locate them elsewhere? Also, could they use the grounds of it being such an hindrance in neighboring properties that it hurts other land owners values because no one will want to build and develop around it. That would be the approach or angle I think the city should use. It shouldn't be hard to prove that nobody would want to build next to that eyesore and it costs them lots of money because of it. Pay them and re-locate them and do something great in that spot.

..and this could not happen soon enough. It is what we call a "deal" killer.

A High-End Casino w/ a 30 story tower, ....that would be a great location.

Yes, the Hard Rock in Tulsa is definitely a menace. It is probably one of the most recognizable structures that anyone from out of town could identify. It looks nice, has a cool factor to it, brings in lots of entertainers, and you almost feel like you are not in Oklahoma. It is somewhat a destination for many from out of the area. It is responsible for quite a few jobs and has started a growth in that area with business and highway construction because of it- contributing to even more construction jobs.

Sorry, I am not buying that Casino menace story. I am by no means a fan of all these casinos but I think a Hard Rock with a 20-25 story hotel would be great in that spot. They could even link it to the river somehow. That Cotton Mill is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen in a big city and in a big pain in our side when it comes to growth. Could the city not make an offer and re-locate them elsewhere? Also, could they use the grounds of it being such an hindrance in neighboring properties that it hurts other land owners values because no one will want to build and develop around it. That would be the approach or angle I think the city should use. It shouldn't be hard to prove that nobody would want to build next to that eyesore and it costs them lots of money because of it. Pay them and re-locate them and do something great in that spot.

I agree completely.

As for casinos, I would be against a run of the mill casino like the numerous ones lining I-40 between here and Arkansas in that location. However, something like what Tulsa has in the Hard Rock or what they are getting in the Margaritaville would be an entirely different ballgame and could integrate well with downtown and would be a much better use of the land than the Producers Coop.

That said, I am not advocating a casino per-say. I simply want to see the Producers Coop gone and something cool developed in its place. A casino would be better than the eyesore and stereotype-confirming menace that currently sits there.

So, is that where we are putting the Stage Center Tower? :ot:

Red Rover Red Rover- let's start a new topic on over! Lets start a new thread about the Producer's Co-op Cotton Mill and see if it can gain some steam and maybe grow some legs for people to take action. I have never started a thread so if someone could be so generous that would be great. I am tech challenged so could someone also find some really nice (ugly) pics of this place for all to see.

Take what action?

The owners of that location put it up for sale a few years back. The price per acre was intense as I recall, but it was there on the market. Still is as far as I know.
The present owners even bought land elsewhere to develop on their timetable.

So isn't all that is actually necessary is for folk who don't want property owners to use their property in the manner they have used it for decades to just step up and buy the land and then do with it as they choose as the new owner. Easy peasy ... provided one has the wallet for it. Sans the wallet for it, it's just griping about a private property owner doing what its done for ages.

Red Rover Red Rover- let's start a new topic on over! Lets start a new thread about the Producer's Co-op Cotton Mill and see if it can gain some steam and maybe grow some legs for people to take action. I have never started a thread so if someone could be so generous that would be great. I am tech challenged so could someone also find some really nice (ugly) pics of this place for all to see.

I tried to start one but couldn't figure out how to do it. Maybe somebody who has the template code can do it.

[QUOTE=kevinpate;735665]Take what action?

The owners of that location put it up for sale a few years back. The price per acre was intense as I recall, but it was there on the market. Still is as far as I know.
The present owners even bought land elsewhere to develop on their timetable.

So isn't all that is actually necessary is for folk who don't want property owners to use their property in the manner they have used it for decades to just step up and buy the land and then do with it as they choose as the new owner. Easy peasy ... provided one has the wallet for it. Sans the wallet for it, it's just griping about a private property owner doing what its done for ages.[/QUOTE

It was on the market in 2010 for $120 million. The property consists of 43 acres so just shy of 3 million per acre. Pretty steep. However, I agree with Mark. This property owner has been there for decades doing the exact same thing. May seem like a steep price but considering they don't have to move and I am sure any move would require building a new facility, the price may be justified. It isn't like the property owner is just sitting on non productive property. It is a going concern making money and they have a specialized facility that they shouldn't lose money on just because someone thinks it distracts from the view or isn't the best use of the property.

When the State took over Bob Moore Ford on I240, they paid him enough where he could build the new dealership/facility around the corner as his facility wasn't that old when they bought it.

Yes, the Hard Rock in Tulsa is definitely a menace. It is probably one of the most recognizable structures that anyone from out of town could identify. It looks nice, has a cool factor to it, brings in lots of entertainers, and you almost feel like you are not in Oklahoma. It is somewhat a destination for many from out of the area. It is responsible for quite a few jobs and has started a growth in that area with business and highway construction because of it- contributing to even more construction jobs.

Sorry, I am not buying that Casino menace story. I am by no means a fan of all these casinos but I think a Hard Rock with a 20-25 story hotel would be great in that spot. They could even link it to the river somehow. That Cotton Mill is one of the ugliest things I have ever seen in a big city and in a big pain in our side when it comes to growth. Could the city not make an offer and re-locate them elsewhere? Also, could they use the grounds of it being such an hindrance in neighboring properties that it hurts other land owners values because no one will want to build and develop around it. That would be the approach or angle I think the city should use. It shouldn't be hard to prove that nobody would want to build next to that eyesore and it costs them lots of money because of it. Pay them and re-locate them and do something great in that spot.

The Hard Rock in Tulsa is a pretty generic design style, take out the hotel tower and it looks like a regional mall.

As for relocation the Mill they are already in the process of moving to the old Firestone site, I believe they said it would take at least five years to do (a lot of which was permits) so but they might not actually make the move till they have a solid bid on the current site, I think they said this around the time MAPS3 was being voted on since that was one of the preferred sites for the convention center which would have been 2009.

The reality of this is, the Stage Center's only use for the past several years has been as a storm water retention facility.

Many of the arguments against saving Stage Center ("if you want to save it let's see you buy it. No? Then shut up") apply to leaving the Cotton Mill where it is. You want to see it leave? Buy the land and build something.

The Cotton Mill may be ugly as sin, but it's also unique and it is functional. A lot of cities have ugly things built into their urban fabric. I was in Seattle a few years ago and all the cranes and port facilities aren't exactly pretty. Industrial cities have big ugly factories easily visible from downtown. Massive rail yards are hideous. But all these are accepted as part of a city's economic life. Rather than being ashamed of the Cotton Mill, we should provide information on it to visitors. "This is the world's largest cotton mill. Over 2 million cottons are milled every day here. The seeds that they produce grow into beautiful cotton trees all over the world." Or whatever it does. It's ugly and it's industrial, but so what. I'm much more concerned with the miles of run down warehouses up and down I-40 as you approach downtown. "You are now passing through the scrapyard section of town. It continues for the next 12 miles."

Many of the arguments against saving Stage Center ("if you want to save it let's see you buy it. No? Then shut up") apply to leaving the Cotton Mill where it is. You want to see it leave? Buy the land and build something.

The Cotton Mill may be ugly as sin, but it's also unique and it is functional. A lot of cities have ugly things built into their urban fabric. I was in Seattle a few years ago and all the cranes and port facilities aren't exactly pretty. Industrial cities have big ugly factories easily visible from downtown. Massive rail yards are hideous. But all these are accepted as part of a city's economic life. Rather than being ashamed of the Cotton Mill, we should provide information on it to visitors. "This is the world's largest cotton mill. Over 2 million cottons are milled every day here. The seeds that they produce grow into beautiful cotton trees all over the world." Or whatever it does. It's ugly and it's industrial, but so what. I'm much more concerned with the miles of run down warehouses up and down I-40 as you approach downtown. "You are now passing through the scrapyard section of town. It continues for the next 12 miles."

I am sure you are referring to the area south of the railroad tracks sandwiched between Reno and I-40 between I-235 and I-35 north. Short-term the city could put up a barrier wall to shield that area from view from I-40. That is quite common in a lot of other cities.

http://media.cleveland.com/metro/photo/9002782-large.jpg

I am sure you are referring to the area south of the railroad tracks sandwiched between Reno and I-40 between I-235 and I-35 north. Short-term the city could put up a barrier wall to shield that area from view from I-40. That is quite common in a lot of other cities.



As well as the area from Western out to the Fairgrounds.

The reality of this is, the Stage Center's only use for the past several years has been as a storm water retention facility.

Sad, but true.

Just to add, if the ugly warehouses are functional and part of ongoing business concerns, like the cotton mill, unless someone is going to buy the property up and help cover relocation expenses as part of their purchase, those properties too ought to be left alone. A little grit that is producing honest work for local citizens, irrespective of the color of their collars, ain't nothing to be ashamed of nor anything to try and shut down just so something prettier can be inserted in the space. Ugly isn't always dysfunctional or undesirable.

If we could just get all the Oklahoma City out of Oklahoma City we would have something!

Before the I-40 Crosstown was moved, the co op had that separation point. Sorry, but it has been a drag on the city's progress for a long time.

Now, it is even placed in a more visible point from Bricktown / CBD / Crosswtown / The Oklahoma River ...it is nestled nicely in the middle of everything.

If we could just get all the Oklahoma City out of Oklahoma City we would have something!

Actually getting the AMARILLO out of Oklahoma City would be a huge step forward.


Before the I-40 Crosstown was moved, the co op had that separation point. Sorry, but it has been a drag on the city's progress for a long time.

Now, it is even placed in a more visible point from Bricktown / CBD / Crosswtown / The Oklahoma River ...it is nestled nicely in the middle of everything.

Especially that it will now be a focal point along the new Boulevard. Sorry but I think it should be relocated.

Do we really expect anyone to take OKC seriously when we have a COOP sitting next to The Peake? ...This should have been moved 20 years ago.

When the Thunder are playing, the networks never seam to get a "daytime" image of the COOP... OKC looks good at night, but only from the right angles. Let's help OKC and get this relocated IMMEDIATELY. Not 10 years, not 5 years, not even 2 years, but by 11/14. THis will let OKC go to the next level.

As for relocation the Mill they are already in the process of moving to the old Firestone site, I believe they said it would take at least five years to do (a lot of which was permits) so but they might not actually make the move till they have a solid bid on the current site, I think they said this around the time MAPS3 was being voted on since that was one of the preferred sites for the convention center which would have been 2009.

Is this true? I had no idea they were in the process of moving.

Do we really expect anyone to take OKC seriously when we have a COOP sitting next to The Peake? ...This should have been moved 20 years ago.

When the Thunder are playing, the networks never seam to get a "daytime" image of the COOP... OKC looks good at night, but only from the right angles. Let's help OKC and get this relocated IMMEDIATELY. Not 10 years, not 5 years, not even 2 years, but by 11/14. THis will let OKC go to the next level.

How much money will you be contributing to this goal?

Do we really expect anyone to take OKC seriously when we have a COOP sitting next to The Peake? ...This should have been moved 20 years ago.

When the Thunder are playing, the networks never seam to get a "daytime" image of the COOP... OKC looks good at night, but only from the right angles. Let's help OKC and get this relocated IMMEDIATELY. Not 10 years, not 5 years, not even 2 years, but by 11/14. THis will let OKC go to the next level.


This needs to be brought up in Steve's chat and what is currently going on with this property. Perhaps he can shed some light on the status and if anyone can make some progress to get this eyesore go away. That land would prime for an amazing project or multiple projects connecting it to Bricktown/DT/CTS/Boulevard/River and Park.

Is this true? I had no idea they were in the process of moving.

Looked it up yesterday. Oklahoma City seed mill mulls moving | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-seed-mill-mulls-moving/article/3342150)

I was at a City Council meeting a few years ago where a topic was the new school built on SW 15th Street and Council Rd. A rep for the mill was there speaking up about the mill's plans to move and how placing the school there might be a future issue for the school when the plant moves next door per their plans and the zoning.

:ot:

And this has to do with the Stage Center Tower how?

(I'm for the removal of the COOP, but questions remain)

Even if they moved tomorrow, who would be responsible to demo the site? Who would pay? Seems like the cost would be non-trivial due to the size and number of buildings. I suspect this is one of those rare times when people would prefer to have the site leveled even without a new owner (where nothing on that site is better than what is there now). If that is the case, do we lobby the city to expend money from the general fund to clear the site? Could the city even do that if the site didn't sell? What if the site doesn't sell (due to the crazy price they're demanding) and sits vacant for ten years?

Do we really expect anyone to take OKC seriously when we have a COOP sitting next to The Peake? ...This should have been moved 20 years ago.

When the Thunder are playing, the networks never seam to get a "daytime" image of the COOP... OKC looks good at night, but only from the right angles. Let's help OKC and get this relocated IMMEDIATELY. Not 10 years, not 5 years, not even 2 years, but by 11/14. THis will let OKC go to the next level.

This is being worked on as we speak. The co op probably has it's own thread, but it's going to the old Dayton Tire plant. Part of the delay is that they asked 120 million for the site thinking it would sell for that. The last I remember is that they've brought the price down.

Again, as we sit on the sidelines, we can't demand and wish from our view that things happen now.
Remember the old saying ... wish in one hand and crap in the other and take note of which hand gets fullest the fastest ?

Please discuss the co-op on this thread (lots of photos and links to articles):

Producers Cooperative Oil Mill - OKCTalk (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Producers+Cooperative+Oil+Mill)

Here's an interesting thought... Among the OKC rich and powerful, I don't think any of them are preservationists.

Tom Ward. Aubrey McClendon and now Pete Delaney and Rainey Williams have certainly demonstrated they are the polar opposite. The Gaylords left downtown and built a suburban campus. David Green has shown zero interest in downtown (understandable given Hobby Lobby's needs) and it's too soon to tell about Harold Hamm, but I believe he was very interested in Stage Center at one time, and not to preserve it. Bill Cameron bought the old OPUBCO campus, Jeff Records fled downtown for I-44 and Broadway.

Also interesting: The campuses they built evoked old fashioned buildings. Chesapeake's campus has a lot of cherokee gothic feel to it (IMO). MidFirsts banks look like cozy little english manors.

Just to add, if the ugly warehouses are functional and part of ongoing business concerns, like the cotton mill, unless someone is going to buy the property up and help cover relocation expenses as part of their purchase, those properties too ought to be left alone. A little grit that is producing honest work for local citizens, irrespective of the color of their collars, ain't nothing to be ashamed of nor anything to try and shut down just so something prettier can be inserted in the space. Ugly isn't always dysfunctional or undesirable.

If you'll look above, you'll see I was arguing that the Cotton Mill isn't really that bad. So I understand that ugly isn't the worst thing in the world. But I do believe that scrapyards and cheap metal warehouses are far more detrimental to the city's main entryway than the Cotton Mill is. They don't have to be scrapped tomorrow, but the city should be looking for a way to relocate certain eyesores.

Also interesting: The campuses they built evoked old fashioned buildings. Chesapeake's campus has a lot of cherokee gothic feel to it (IMO). MidFirsts banks look like cozy little english manors.

You need to drive by Chesapeake then. Almost all of their development the last few years has been the most contemporary office buildings in the city. And their older buildings were not Cherokee Gothic, but Georgian, I believe (OSU stlyle vs. OU style - LOL, Rand Elliot graduated OSU)

And most Peakies came from OSU at the height of the company's excess

And most Peakies came from OSU at the height of the company's excess

Yes, and Burns was a director.

That Co-Op just screams NFL Stadium. I mean that would be the perfect spot for a big time state of the art stadium. Move over jerry World-OKC is the new kid in Town. We are gonna steal the Raiders and build many hotels and fine dining and get the 2025 Super Bowl. Just like Indy did in the past. This is OKCs destiny,right?

so... we're kind of having this conversation already over the the COOP thead...

Producers Cooperative Oil Mill - OKCTalk (http://www.okctalk.com/showwiki.php?title=Producers+Cooperative+Oil+Mill&highlight=coop)

Now to the Stage Center. Has the plans changed or is RW still planning on building that short little building on that prime land next to the World Class Devon building? Surely he has come to his senses and realized that this land is just too good for what he and OG&E want to put there. If they would stack that other 10 story hotel on top of the 15 story OG&E building at least that would be a move in the right direction. Still wouldn't be tall enough but it would make a dent in the skyline at least. If OG&E is just leasing then why couldn't RW get together with someone else that wants to build the hotel and just keep going up instead of stopping at OG&Es level?

You need to drive by Chesapeake then. Almost all of their development the last few years has been the most contemporary office buildings in the city. And their older buildings were not Cherokee Gothic, but Georgian, I believe (OSU stlyle vs. OU style - LOL, Rand Elliot graduated OSU)

I was thinking the same thing, unless I remembered incorrectly, Chesapeake reminded me of OSU Stillwater campus - Georgian Colonial. I was wondering if the owners or architect had been a OSU alum. At one time OSU had a more eclectic campus, but when they expanded in the 1950's they choose a architectural style for the campus - Georgian Colonial. Some of the buildings on campus were already done in Federalist style, and since it is a related style to Georgian Colonial all they had to do was add new roofs, etc. to make them similar to what the 'newer' buildings around, and including the Library and Student Union looked like. One of the things I liked about the OU campus was, Despite being set in a Neo-Gothic style, they weren't 'religious' about it. In recent years they have gone back to Gothic uniformity - in a much more 'watered down' flexibility.

Now to the Stage Center. Has the plans changed or is RW still planning on building that short little building on that prime land next to the World Class Devon building? Surely he has come to his senses and realized that this land is just too good for what he and OG&E want to put there. If they would stack that other 10 story hotel on top of the 15 story OG&E building at least that would be a move in the right direction. Still wouldn't be tall enough but it would make a dent in the skyline at least. If OG&E is just leasing then why couldn't RW get together with someone else that wants to build the hotel and just keep going up instead of stopping at OG&Es level?

I have to agree, to replace Stage Center with this building is a travesty. While I disagree that Stage Center should be destroyed, what's going to happen is going to happen. And something desired and useful should be built. The tower atop the 'mall' is 'adequate' in design, but should go all the wall to the ground and be higher. The Style of this project is right out of urban modern concept from the 1950's-60's. Seen all over NYC (Pan Am complex) and spread across the world. Even OKC had such a project built some time ago - 50 Penn Place. It creates an uninviting street wall with the front entrance (facing east) in afternoon shade. Worse, it puts the new school with a ugly wall across the street instead of an inviting - or at least interesting - view.

That Co-Op just screams NFL Stadium. I mean that would be the perfect spot for a big time state of the art stadium. Move over jerry World-OKC is the new kid in Town. We are gonna steal the Raiders and build many hotels and fine dining and get the 2025 Super Bowl. Just like Indy did in the past. This is OKCs destiny,right?

Nope. It will never happen. OKC simply does not meet NFL requirements most particularily population density and income level. As to Stage Center the debacle of a monstrosity cannot be gone soon enough.

This should add to the discussion that this board is having on Stage Center design, land re-purpose, and place in history.

Does Lauderdale library's 'brutal' design make it a landmark? - Sun Sentinel (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/sfl-brutalist-lauderdale-library-p2p-only,0,7117035.story)

If Indy can do it so can OKC. Indy is not much bigger than we are and OKC is growing at a better clip I believe.

Live chat


10:52
Comment From Randall
Stage Center bit the dust and now a really hip, stylish OG&E HQ will be build there. Do we have any quarantee that the 12-16 story building will be built as advertized, or they change it at the last minute and build another Kerr-McGee-type corporate HQ? (Nobody can ID the Kerr McGee Bldg in downdown, my point, it's anonymous)

10:53
Steve Lackmeyer: I can guarantee it won't be built as advertized because you didn't read the full "ad." The renderings released so far are conceptual site plan models, and not a depiction of the final exterior design.

Yeah, those conceptual renderings are totally hip and stylish! lol

Considering the majority of posts on this thread are opinion and emotionally based take it for what it is worth.

Yeah, those conceptual renderings are totally hip and stylish! lol

When I read that it sounded like sarcasm to me.

When I read that it sounded like sarcasm to me.

I hope so, lol.

Live chat

Yes, that has been mentioned numerous times. Many people just don't realize it so it has to be repeated.

If we could just get all the Oklahoma City out of Oklahoma City we would have something!

Perfect!

I'm just glad that we finally figured out a way to get that pesky sunlight off of Myriad Gardens a little earlier in the day. *insert sarcasm

Seriously bummed about the demise of Stage Center. I've never seen another building like it anywhere and I have done my fair share of traveling. Every time I look at it I smile and I think about when I was a kid and used to make forts and tree houses and cardboard box mazes.

I'm just glad that we finally figured out a way to get that pesky sunlight off of Myriad Gardens a little earlier in the day. *insert sarcasm

Seriously bummed about the demise of Stage Center. I've never seen another building like it anywhere and I have done my fair share of traveling. Every time I look at it I smile and I think about when I was a kid and used to make forts and tree houses and cardboard box mazes.

Me too. If I were a multimillionaire I would find a way to be part owner of the Thunder and save the Stage Center. Sigh.