development
|category1=Stockyards
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|project=
|address=1312 S. Agnew
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|height=2 stories
|sq. feet=13,680
|acreage=.1963
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|image=http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/1312sagnewwiki1.jpg
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Information & Latest News
Built in 1921;hHome to Stockyards Mercantile and Cattlemen's Rooms

1/6/14: $600K building permit (http://www.okc.gov/Access/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Permits&TabName=Permits&capID1=14BRE&capID2=00000&capID3=00133&agencyCode=OKC&IsToShowInspection=)
1/6/14: Design application (http://www.okc.gov/Access/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=Permits&TabName=Permits&capID1=14BRE&capID2=00000&capID3=00133&agencyCode=OKC&IsToShowInspection=)

Exterior renovation of existing structure, removal of addition, removal of arcade in front and removal of awnings. Removal of interior second floor
Links
Stockyards City (http://www.stockyardscity.org/)
County Assessor Record (http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R102923925)
Gallery

We haven't given the Stockyards much love, but it's a vibrant little district with a lot of merchants and a few restaurants.

This project will be a $600,000 renovation and it sounds like they are going to remove the second floor and make it a big, open space. $600K is a lot of money for a building permit.

Much more on Stockyards City (as they call it) here: Stockyards City Main Street (http://www.stockyardscity.org/)

The majority of the UMB bank just north and west of this could be torn down because it doesn't serve much use. The drive-thru teller line is more of a toll booth set up than a typical drive thru teller set up. There is an underground walkway from the main bank under the lanes and then the employee has to take a spiral staircase up to their three by five booth. The area above the drive thru used to be conference rooms and higher up's offices. The building used to be the main Oklahoma operations center until the consolidated all operation to Kansas City. Now, the entire upper floor is virtually unused save for a break room and two out of 15 offices. It's pretty creepy at night or at least it was ten years ago.

It's a cool old structure built in 1921 and right across the street from Cattleman's Cafe:

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/5789d1389041919-1312-s-agnew-1312sagnew.jpg

The majority of the UMB bank just north and west of this could be torn down because it doesn't serve much use. The drive-thru teller line is more of a toll booth set up than a typical drive thru teller set up. There is an underground walkway from the main bank under the lanes and then the employee has to take a spiral staircase up to their three by five booth. The area above the drive thru used to be conference rooms and higher up's offices. The building used to be the main Oklahoma operations center until the consolidated all operation to Kansas City. Now, the entire upper floor is virtually unused save for a break room and two out of 15 offices. It's pretty creepy at night or at least it was ten years ago.


All of the old drive thru has been closed for 3-4 years now. And a new drive thru was built to replace the existing. There is a ton of land in and around that area and the land is relatively cheap in comparison to surrounding areas. It would be a great place to have a large honky tonk like Billy Bobs in Ft. worth.

All of the old drive thru has been closed for 3-4 years now. And a new drive thru was built to replace the existing. There is a ton of land in and around that area and the land is relatively cheap in comparison to surrounding areas. It would be a great place to have a large honky tonk like Billy Bobs in Ft. worth.

Huh, I didn't know that. It seems like that whole area west of the main structure could be torn down if it isn't used any more. When I was there, it was just storage.

Stockyards City is awesome. They recently hired a Main Street staffer a while ago so they must have some organizational capacity and thus decent momentum.

Stockyards City is awesome. They recently hired a Main Street staffer a while ago so they must have some organizational capacity and thus decent momentum.

I'd love it if they would do a once-monthly event ala Live on the Plaza, Premier, and First Friday at the Paseo.

Yeah maybe that could spur some more street life.

boom.

The district really has so much potential as it offers something truly unique to this part of the country.

But I'm embarrassed to say, I've never even been to Stockyards City and it doesn't seem to promote itself very well.

Stockyards City is awesome. They recently hired a Main Street staffer a while ago so they must have some organizational capacity and thus decent momentum.

Recently? They've been a Main Street program, with a staff person and sometimes an intern, for quite a few years.

The district really has so much potential as it offers something truly unique to this part of the country.

But I'm embarrassed to say, I've never even been to Stockyards City and it doesn't seem to promote itself very well.

A lot of positive promotion ended when Erin resigned as the District/Main Street Director to do other things. She really pushed some new events.

The area is ripe for more tourist, and local, growth. Unfortunately, the surrounding neighborhood is one of the poorest in the city. I did some property value analysis ($/sqft) in Planning and found that the single-family homes in the area have some of the lowest overall value in the City.

And finally, Pete, do you know who owns this building and who is undertaking the renovation? (I may or may not know the answer. :) )

This are could really benefit from being so close to the river; after all, the Downtown Airpark is only a mile to the west and the freeway is a mile the other direction.

Yet another district that could come to life and really turn things around with the proper leadership.


On the application, it shows Barney Brown as the owner and the designer is Smith Design.

Urbanized and cafe: Not sure on my own recognizance how long they've been a Main Street but I remember Steve doing a write-up on the new hire right before I left. When did Erin leave?

Imagine this area full of honkey tonks, Saturday night rodeo, and move the Oklahoma Opry down here. It is time this city really embrace its country roots and make it a fun destination area. It can have a real country urban future. Country is not my cup of tea, but this could be a great area and lots of fun.

The Oklahoma Opry is a landmark in Capitol Hill

Oklahoma Opry moved to the Stockyards a couple of years ago.

Yeah, the district has so much potential. In many ways it has limped along. It has been a Main Street for maybe 20 years. I know that when the City was assisting the Automobile Alley Main Street Program with funding they were very anxious for AA to find its own funding source. AAMSP's City assistance came from the Murrah District Revitalization Fund, which was a finite pool. And while the City was happy with much of the progress in Stockyards, they also had to keep paying the Stockyard Main Street's matching dollars out of the City of OKC's general fund, and they couldn't find a way to get them off of the dole. They didn't want AAMSP to end up the same way, which was a major part of the impetus to get the original downtown BID and the creation of DOKC done.

IIRC, Stockyards finally passed their own BID a few years ago..? Either way, the potential is DEFINITELY there. It is an often-overlooked asset, perhaps because locals perceive it to be too touristy or kitchy. It's really not too much of either, though attracting more tourists while increasing appeal for locals would surely not be a bad thing.

The Oklahoma Opry is a landmark in Capitol Hill

It's been an empty building for awhile now.

With the the huge improvements to the Fairgrounds mainly around horse and livestock shows and the two only being a mile or two apart, it seems like Stockyards City has tons of potential just from that.

And, there are now five or six large, new hotels on 15th & Meridian, which is an easy, straight two-mile shot.

Oklahoma Opry moved to the Stockyards a couple of years ago.

Its called the Rodeo Opry and its across the street North of Langstons western wear. Randy Earhart was a past Chairman which also owns Part of Taco Mayo. They pack the house every saturday night and the only restaurant that reaps the benefits is Cattleman's. The stockyards cafe is also always packed throughout breakfast and lunch, I am really surprised that nothing else has attempted other than the High noon Saloon which was always packed and it was a shock when they closed. Now Cattlemens uses the old building as a annex and party room. Something as simple as a Coney Island just open for lunch would dominate….

Stockyards City is one of OKC's most unique districts being that it has maintained that country/old west feel. It tends to get overlooked, but it as well as Capitol Hill will both be part of OKC's future urban fabric.

Erin left about 18 months ago...

Yes, Stockyards City has a BID now too. I think it's on its 5th year? They already had to do the 2nd assessment, which I believe happens every 2nd or 3rd year, can't recall.

One of our favorite taco places is in the area, so Cattleman's isn't the only one that benefits.

If I recall correctly, this building used to have a hotel on top... very recently in fact. One of those rent-by-the-hour type places. :)

Grody

Its called the Rodeo Opry and its across the street North of Langstons western wear. Randy Earhart was a past Chairman which also owns Part of Taco Mayo. They pack the house every saturday night and the only restaurant that reaps the benefits is Cattleman's. The stockyards cafe is also always packed throughout breakfast and lunch, I am really surprised that nothing else has attempted other than the High noon Saloon which was always packed and it was a shock when they closed. Now Cattlemens uses the old building as a annex and party room. Something as simple as a Coney Island just open for lunch would dominate….

Is that the haunted Langstons? Don't they do a Christmas Parade every year? I don't recall hearing about it this year.

Yes they have the Christmas parade still.. Not sure if Langstons is haunted or not have to check into that though.

You can still rent a room at the Cattlemens rooms for the night or the week.

Great to hear about this much needed project. I agree Stockyards get overlooked, and are an underutilized asset, but in some respects, rightfully so. To reply to comments above, I don't think locals overlook it so much as "kitchy or touristy" as much as there just isn't much to do, you've got Cattlemen's (which is touristy, and you can get a much better steak elsewhere in the City a la Red Prime, Mickey Mantles, Ranch, Mahogany, etc.) and then you've got a couple western wear stores, that's it. Until it gets more night life options besides Rodeo Opry, then locals don't have much to do besides get a cheap steak, or do some brief western wear shopping (in which those who enjoy those things, often do, but it's not a place to linger, at least not yet). I'm hoping this renovation will spark more interest and investment in the district. If they got a good bar, another restaurant, and a boutique hotel, I could see this district really taking off. I bet an investor that had the money to do so, could really make a huge ROI and a name for themselves, because no one has really invested in this district (literally).

Pete - seriously can't believe you've never made time to get over there, it's a must stop on your next trip. On another note, can we try and drum up a rendering?

Oklahoma Opry moved to the Stockyards a couple of years ago.

Doh. Didn't know that, thanks for clarifying that.

Doh. Didn't know that, thanks for clarifying that.

No problem... and as someone else pointed out it is now called Rodeo Opry but the Capitol Hill opry is vacant.

I thinkthe Rodeo Opry broadcasts a show on KSBi but I'm not sure what night it is on.

Is the fact that the stockyards are not technically part of the city a contributor to why they get overlooked (e.g. for MAPS projects, etc)?

At one time there was the Long Branch Saloon a little south of the main drag. They used to have to pretty good bands come through. I think Harley Davidson moved in after the Long Branch closed. It could get pretty rowdy in that place but it was always full when open on the weekends.

Is the fact that the stockyards are not technically part of the city a contributor to why they get overlooked (e.g. for MAPS projects, etc)?

No, because the business district IS in the City. I heard an interesting theory yesterday - that the Mayor and some others don't want to promote it because they don't want the image of a cow town being too loudly portrayed anymore.

I thought it was unincorporated county land and thus why it's reflected as a white hole in the city ward map?

No, because the business district IS in the City. I heard an interesting theory yesterday - that the Mayor and some others don't want to promote it because they don't want the image of a cow town being too loudly portrayed anymore.


I know it used to smell pretty bad around there. Don't know if that's still the case but everyone would always comment on the stench coming from the stockyards. Wouldn't blame the mayor for not wanting to promote that.

Here are the boundaries for the separate Stockyards municipality; all the commercial businesses on Agnew are in OKC:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/stockyards.JPG

Oh okay, that must have been my confusion. I presumed the boundary included the businesses on Agnew...

I know it used to smell pretty bad around there. Don't know if that's still the case but everyone would always comment on the stench coming from the stockyards. Wouldn't blame the mayor for not wanting to promote that.

The smell went away when the packing plant closed down.

I heard an interesting theory yesterday - that the Mayor and some others don't want to promote it because they don't want the image of a cow town being too loudly portrayed anymore.

If true, that would be unfortunate -- much like the idea that the State Fair is being transmogrified into some boring trade show by some municipal authorities or powers behind the throne.

I heard an interesting theory yesterday - that the Mayor and some others don't want to promote it because they don't want the image of a cow town being too loudly portrayed anymore.

I'm guessing the Mayor and other leaders have seen the numbers associated with "cow town" activities like horse shows and rodeos. It would be hard for them to take that position if they understand the economic importance of country lifestyle events to the city.

I believe Stockyards City was actually one of the first to be part of the Main Street program. It's kind of interesting to think that Stockyards City was probably the first example in OKC of a successful urban district revitalization. Maybe second to bricktown....

Stockyards City was the first urban Main Street program in Oklahoma, which by the way has one of the top 2-3 statewide Main Street organizations in the United States. It originated the model for Automobile Alley, Plaza District, 23rd, Capitol Hill and other urban Main Street programs past and present in OKC.

If true, that would be unfortunate -- much like the idea that the State Fair is being transmogrified into some boring trade show by some municipal authorities or powers behind the throne.

It sure hasn't hurt Fort Worth....

Plus I don't know of any other restaurants in this state that average two thousand guests a day through the week and three thousand on the weekend.

Everything inside the stockyards boundaries only charges state taxes only also.

There is also a large amount of homeless right there as well to contend with.

I liked the idea someone tossed out about having horse rides along the river that start out at the stockyards. That would be a pretty cool tourist attraction that would play up our cowboy heritage while at the same time bringing people to both that district and the river.

I liked the idea someone tossed out about having horse rides along the river that start out at the stockyards. That would be a pretty cool tourist attraction that would play up our cowboy heritage while at the same time bringing people to both that district and the river.

I really doubt that the city leaders want OKC portrayed as a cowtown. OKC is a progressive new city.

I really doubt that the city leaders want OKC portrayed as a cowtown. OKC is a progressive new city.

That's really dumb and shortsighted then, Fort Worth has proven emphatically that it's possible be both. I guess the city shouldn't promote the cowboy hall of fame, finish the land run monument or finish the American Indian Cultural Center either, I would hate for people to see those things and think we are a cow town...If I remember correctly, someone from the city or the boathouse district suggested the horse ride thing. We have one of the largest cattle markets in the world in stockyard city. We're really missing an opportunity by not promoting it more. For a place that doesn't have much recorded history, it's stupid to ignore the history we do have. Like it or not, our cowboy heritage is a huge part of our history.

I liked the idea someone tossed out about having horse rides along the river that start out at the stockyards. That would be a pretty cool tourist attraction that would play up our cowboy heritage while at the same time bringing people to both that district and the river.

Just had a flashback of The string of pearls project. The one and only horseback riding experience of my life, I remember it being a lot of fun.

I really doubt that the city leaders want OKC portrayed as a cowtown. OKC is a progressive new city.

It's understandable, given OKC's national perception, that civic boosters would want to downplay the area's country/western heritage and promote other aspects of life here. The rest of the US needs to see there is more to OKC than rodeos and pop country music. The 2013 chamber of commerce video did a good job at portraying that. There is a danger of taking it too far though. The country heritage is an important part of this town's history and definitely shouldn't be ignored, but it also shouldn't be the primary focus if civic boosters are serious about changing this city's image. Fort Worth and Nashville have both found a very good balance.

This project goes to design review next month... Absolutely love the old photo that was included in the application. Looks like this building has already been gutted.


The project proposal involves alterations and renovations of an existing 2-story brick structure in the historic Stockyard District. It is our intent to restore the existing structure to its original 1921 appearance for future commercial and retail tenants. Alterations and renovations include the removal of current awnings, canopies, and incorporated additions to regain the historical integrity of the building. Also included in the renovations are the replacement of windows, door and storefront elements to match the original façade of the original building.


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6599d1391810812-1312-s-agnew-1312sagnew2.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6598d1391810811-1312-s-agnew-1312sagnew3.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6597d1391810810-1312-s-agnew-1312sagnew4.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6600d1391810814-1312-s-agnew-1312sagnew1.jpg

It's understandable, given OKC's national perception, that civic boosters would want to downplay the area's country/western heritage and promote other aspects of life here. The rest of the US needs to see there is more to OKC than rodeos and pop country music. The 2013 chamber of commerce video did a good job at portraying that. There is a danger of taking it too far though. The country heritage is an important part of this town's history and definitely shouldn't be ignored, but it also shouldn't be the primary focus if civic boosters are serious about changing this city's image. Fort Worth and Nashville have both found a very good balance.

Austin found a way to make country urban cool in a big way. Sometimes you have to embrace your roots and not run away from them. Austin shows how...cowboy urban and high tech chic. We can get there too if we quit apologizing and start capitalizing.

Austin found a way to make country urban cool in a big way. Sometimes you have to embrace your roots and not run away from them. Austin shows how...cowboy urban and high tech chic. We can get there too if we quit apologizing and start capitalizing.

That area is pretty run down and needs a lot of help. There's some decent and a lot of run down as I drove down Agnew yesterday. The surrounding area needs a lot of help. It has possibilities but it still has a ways to go IMO. It's no Austin,that's for sure.

Austin found a way to make country urban cool in a big way. Sometimes you have to embrace your roots and not run away from them. Austin shows how...cowboy urban and high tech chic. We can get there too if we quit apologizing and start capitalizing.

Amen.

Austin found a way to make country urban cool in a big way. Sometimes you have to embrace your roots and not run away from them. Austin shows how...cowboy urban and high tech chic. We can get there too if we quit apologizing and start capitalizing.

Agreed. Mayor Micky and Red Roy Williams need to learn this. They keep hiding this fact, instead of embracing it; it's why many people come to visit here in the first place, because of our cool western roots and western way of life. Embrace the history along with the modern folks.

[QUOTE=Pete;744613]This project goes to design review next month... Absolutely love the old photo that was included in the application. Looks like this building has already been gutted.



[center]http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/6599d1391810812-1312-s-agnew-1312sagnew2.jpg






I would love it if they found some way to use the "Joe Grogan Cafe and Meat Market" name when this is finished. And looking at the woman standing in front, overweight people is not a new problem for OKC. LOL

Agreed. Mayor Micky and Red Roy Williams need to learn this. They keep hiding this fact, instead of embracing it; it's why many people come to visit here in the first place, because of our cool western roots and western way of life. Embrace the history along with the modern folks.

I OKC does a good job of promoting the Stockyards. Stockyards City | Oklahoma City District (http://www.visitokc.com/visitor-info/okc-districts/stockyards-city/) It is promoted along with everything else, arts, adventure district, bricktown ect. The horse show group especially focus on the stock yards but I don't think that is true for most of the other visitor groups. They all seem to have their favorites.

This renovation is moving along (thanks to shawnw for the photo):

http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7938d1401120947-1312-s-agnew-1312sagnew5.jpg

The district really has so much potential as it offers something truly unique to this part of the country.

But I'm embarrassed to say, I've never even been to Stockyards City and it doesn't seem to promote itself very well.

What?

the district really has so much potential as it offers something truly unique to this part of the country.

But i'm embarrassed to say, i've never even been to stockyards city and it doesn't seem to promote itself very well.

holy cow.

I promise to go next time I'm in town!


Especially because I just learned Arbuckle Fried Pies just opened a location there on Exchange:

http://arbucklemountainfriedpies.yolasite.com/

I gotta agree with Pete. I've lived in the okc area my entire life, and for the first 20 or so years I thought stockyards city was some rural city an hour outside of the metro. Never knew I had any good reason to go there. But I was also raised in a very urban manner, so country culture has never appealed to me or my family.

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