6/20/14: Kimray closes on purchase of 78 acres for $2,312,000
County Assessor Record
(http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/AN-R.asp?ACCOUNTNO=R168514050)

Kimray to build new headquarters in Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/kimray-to-build-new-headquarters-in-oklahoma-city/article/3928941)


Kimray Inc. plans to move its headquarters to a spacious new campus at Britton and Eastern, the equipment manufacturer announced Thursday.


Kimray intends to develop about 35 acres in a 136-acre tract on the northwest corner of Britton and Eastern, although the additional space gives it room to grow.

Kimray's new campus will allow the company to consolidate its facilities.

Construction will not begin until 2015 at the earliest.

Kimray to build new headquarters in Oklahoma City | News OK (http://newsok.com/kimray-to-build-new-headquarters-in-oklahoma-city/article/3928941)

I first learned of Kimray as rabid supporters of The John Birch Society. They were frequent advertisers in the old John Birch magazine and various newsletters. I'm talking decades ago when TJBS was labled a "radical" organization by the FBI.

Looks like nothing has changed:

YouTube video OCPAC Weekly Meeting 03/28/2012 - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jud_Cvb1YzI)

Published on Mar 29, 2012
Our speaker for this Wednesday will be Mr. Tom Hill, former CEO of Kimray Inc. a major manufacturer of oil field equipment, specializing in valves. In addition, Mr. Hill is the founder of the Character First Ministry and a former recipient of Oklahoma City's Salt and Light Award. Over the years Tom has been a significant supporter of OCPAC and he and his wife Kay are lifetime members of the John Birch Society. He will be speaking about his new book, MAKING CHARACTER FIRST - BUILDING A CULTURE OF CHARACTER IN ANY ORGANIZATION. While Tom has attended several OCPAC meetings when his youngest son, David has been a speaker, I believe this will be the first time for him to actually be the speaker at OCPAC. I consider Tom a mentor and a friend and as such, am really happy to have him as a speaker.

Tom Hill goes way back to when the John Birch Society was considered a nationalist anti-American right-wing organization.

Just thought some might find this interesting.

This is the 136 acres that is mentioned.

It still hasn't changed hands; currently owned by Aubrey McClendon / Arcadia Farms:


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

This is the 136 acres that is mentioned.

It still hasn't changed hands; currently owned by Aubrey McClendon / Arcadia Farms:

I believe that would have to be re-zoned as well, unless it was already done. I'd have to check. That may receive some opposition by nearby landowners. It'll introduce heavy truck traffic into the area. Very interesting.

The Oklahoman has the current location wrong - it's EAST of I-235...

The site is perplexing because it is equidistant (emphasis in the distant) between two highways. What type of development does the master plan call for here? I'm assuming residential neighborhoods..

Then land sale is contingent on the rezoning, which is why it is not final yet per the county assessor. The facility will consist of approx. 400,000 SF of manufacturing space and approx. 100,000 SF of office space. This is going to be a significant development.

I wonder if there is any chance they will take the Character Training Institute with them and free the old Holiday Inn up for redevelopment as a hotel or housing. It seems the value would enable them to cash out very high on that property.

I thought Aubrey and Bill Cameron were going to develop all of this stuff themselves.

The site is perplexing because it is equidistant (emphasis in the distant) between two highways. What type of development does the master plan call for here? I'm assuming residential neighborhoods..

It is all R-1 at this point... City of Oklahoma City | Zoning Locator (http://www.okc.gov/planning/zoning/locator_intro.html)

The NE Sector Plan (2009) is located here: http://www.okc.gov/planning/documents/NE%20Sector%20Plan%20FINAL_received_20091006%20wit h%20resolutions.pdf

The land use plan shows this as "Urban Development". From page 41 (Land Use and Zoning):

"A little less than one‐quarter of the sector is designated as Urban Development. Predominant uses within the Urban Development designation are single‐family homes, apartments of moderate densities, regional and community shopping centers, low‐rise office buildings and industrial development in selected areas. Within this designation residential densities usually exceed one dwelling unit per acre."

From page 89:

"3.3.2 Urban Growth and Industrial Areas
GOAL A. Ensure that urban and industrial development is compatible with adjoining land uses and will complement and enhance the sector’s character.
OBJECTIVE 1. Encourage new development to be designed to promote walkability, decrease dependence on automobiles, preserve open space, and relate to the scale and character of surrounding land uses.
EXISTING COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICIES
> Encourage a variety of land uses, intensities, and development patterns, including the use of grid plats, to provide more diverse residential options, a wider variety of commercial goods and services, and a more efficient use of public services.
> Promote high‐quality, desirable residential neighborhoods that are compact and pedestrian‐friendly with a mix of uses within walking distance. Neighborhood streets should be safe for children, comfortable for bicycling, and pleasant for walking."

The City recently completed the Employment Lands Needs Assessment and Action Plan (http://www.okc.gov/planning/plans+studies/Resources/Employment%20Land%20Study.pdf). The plan includes specific areas where new industrial projects should be located. This location is listed as a target area for new industrial development. (Pages 8 and 9 - area 13).

So, looking at the ELNAAP and the NE Sector Plan, it appears that it will be recommended for approval by staff, but I DO see neighboring interests having concerns and definitely voicing them. Should be interesting to watch.

I thought Aubrey and Bill Cameron were going to develop all of this stuff themselves.

Aubrey still owns tons of land on Broadway Extension which is where I've heard he wants to build his new campus.

Aubrey still owns tons of land on Broadway Extension which is where I've heard he wants to build his new campus.

Makes sense. I've heard the 2 of them plan on building restaurants and a bunch of other stuff. They talked about it when AFA moved into their new building. Of course that might not be public info.

Hopefully that area along Broadway Extension will be developed soon.

Article from Money/CNN that discusses some Kimray business practices.

Five ways to make it in the U.S.A. - Jan. 16, 2014 (http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/16/leadership/manufacturing-usa.pr.fortune/index.html?iid=obnetwork)

Kimray has revealed plans for it's 140-acre campus on land currently owned by Aubrey McClendon:



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7091d1395439785-kimray-new-headquarters-kimray.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7092d1395439786-kimray-new-headquarters-kimray1.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7093d1395439787-kimray-new-headquarters-kimray2.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7094d1395439787-kimray-new-headquarters-kimray3.jpg



http://www.okctalk.com/attachments/development-buildings/7095d1395439788-kimray-new-headquarters-kimray4.jpg

That is the most dull and boring looking front entrance I have seen in some time. The side elevations are not so bad. But, the front entrance is just plain ugly. Was creativity discouraged?

Probs.

That is the most dull and boring looking front entrance I have seen in some time. The side elevations are not so bad. But, the front entrance is just plain ugly. Was creativity discouraged?

It doesn't really seem that bad for what it is: An industrial shop/ warehouse.

Excellent. This area in between I-235/I-35/I-44/ needs some infill bad.

That is the most dull and boring looking front entrance I have seen in some time. The side elevations are not so bad. But, the front entrance is just plain ugly. Was creativity discouraged?

Good Lord, some of you guys are such downers on everything. We're talking about a manufacturing facility for oil & gas valves basically out in the woods, not some urbantopia mixed use center in the middle of town.

Good Lord, some of you guys are such downers on everything. We're talking about a manufacturing facility for oil & gas valves basically out in the woods, not some urbantopia mixed use center in the middle of town.

Agreed. The entrance really only needs a "Get yo ass in here and get to work" feel to it.

I don't see any issue with this. Glad to see the NE get some love.

Apologies for the probably ignorant question, but why can't they do this where they are now? Are they out of space?

I don't really object to what or where it is, just didn't understand the motivation for moving.

Another possibly stupid question... are there no synergies to having the recent oil company moves (GE, Baker-Hughes, KimRay) be near each other? I really don't know, so serious question.

Apologies for the probably ignorant question, but why can't they do this where they are now? Are they out of space?

I don't really object to what or where it is, just didn't understand the motivation for moving.

Another possibly stupid question... are there no synergies to having the recent oil company moves (GE, Baker-Hughes, KimRay) be near each other? I really don't know, so serious question.

That depends on how tightly the companies work together, if there is not a lot of travel between the two facilities five more minutes travel time is not that big a deal; if they do more travel to Chesapeake, Access Midstream and American Energy Partners then this move will drop the average transit time.

Is there rail access? If not, does that indicate a change in their business?

Is there rail access? If not, does that indicate a change in their business?

Most of the tracks are gone around the Headquarters building and what is left does not look like they get much use since there is material that would need to be moved by truck or a forklift sitting on them

The residential property owners on the east side of Eastern are trying to rally a protest against the development. I live in the area and don't see a problem with it, but I don't live right across the street either.

The residential property owners on the east side of Eastern are trying to rally a protest against the development. I live in the area and don't see a problem with it, but I don't live right across the street either.Another group of people who don't own a piece of property trying to dictate what happens to it...... awesome. Not really worried about though, I'm pretty sure this will still pass.

Another group of people who don't own a piece of property trying to dictate what happens to it...... awesome.

So they shouldn't have any say in the rezoning process? Eh, comrade?

So they shouldn't have any say in the rezoning process? Eh, comrade?They can talk all they want, but they need to stay the hell out of the way of progress.

They can talk all they want, but they need to stay the hell out of the way of progress.

I'm not saying at all that this isn't a good project, plupan, but you might feel differently if it was across the street from you. There is a process in place for protesting zoning for a good reason. Sometimes it works well and sometimes it doesn't.

I'm not saying at all that this isn't a good project, plupan, but you might feel differently if it was across the street from you. There is a process in place for protesting zoning for a good reason. Sometimes it works well and sometimes it doesn't.Across the street from me is houses. They are building on open land. If I moved to a neighborhood with a vacant lot across from it, I would know no matter what, there is the chance of it being rezoned.

Across the street from me is houses. They are building on open land. If I moved to a neighborhood with a vacant lot across from it, I would know no matter what, there is the chance of it being rezoned.

There is also a chance that the houses across the street from you could be torn down and the property could be rezoned. That's a weak argument, plupan. Again, I'm totally in favor of this development and don't think the protest will have any affect. But to say they should not be involved or try to protect their interests is not realistic.

There is also a chance that the houses across the street from you could be torn down and the property could be rezoned. That's a weak argument, plupan. Again, I'm totally in favor of this development and don't think the protest will have any affect. But to say they should not be involved or try to protect their interests is not realistic.I highly doubt the neighborhood across the street from me would be torn down and this built. I think OKC is more likely to see the next Khalifa Tower built here before that would happen, trust me on that. I wouldn't mind if it did though, I am a pretty open minded person.

They can talk all they want, but they need to stay the hell out of the way of progress.

Progress is perception and democracy is messy.

I highly doubt the neighborhood across the street from me would be torn down and this built. I think OKC is more likely to see the next Khalifa Tower built here before that would happen, trust me on that. I wouldn't mind if it did though, I am a pretty open minded person.

So I guess that means you wouldn't mind if an industrial plant was built across the street from you so, fair enough. I made my point and I have no problem with those who live nearby to exercise their rights to protest.

So I guess that means you wouldn't mind if an industrial plant was built across the street from you so, fair enough. I made my point and I have no problem with those who live nearby to exercise their rights to protest.This is a manufacturing facility, not an industrial plant.

So it's ok to protest against an industrial plant? Just trying to figure out the rules.

This is a manufacturing facility, not an industrial plant.

Its the same thing, a manufactuing facility is a type of industrial plant, but I know what you mean. Its not like a refinery or anything.


Noun 1. industrial plant - buildings for carrying on industrial labor; "they built a large plant to manufacture automobiles"

I would think the biggest issue with this facility would be the large amount of big trucks rolling in and out of there and up and down the surrounding streets.

I'm sure that issue will come up around the rezoning.

Progress is perception and democracy is messy.

jzYnogzaTjw

Not to get too side tracked, but the idea of "progress" is a manifestation of a western, scientific ethic that emerged out of Enlightenment Europe. The problem is that progress is often defined in terms of new technologies without consideration to effects. It kind of gets to a key question in Jurassic Park (low quality link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JV0w-2sBocU)), paraphrased, we're so often preoccupied with whether we can do something, we forget to ask if we should.

Okay, sorry for the off topic philosophical conversation.

So it's ok to protest against an industrial plant? Just trying to figure out the rules.it's OK to protest against anything... It's your right

I think that this is great for KimRay and Oklahoma city for Kimray to relocate.

It works great for them because they are highly profitable company that is experiencing a lot of growth. It opens up Sante Fe avenue for a new opportunity. Their existing location is very close to downtown, and this area has a lot of potential to increase the density within the core of Oklahoma City.

And to be honest, this is actual a pretty attractive manufacturing facility for Oklahoma. We all know that we have see worse. I actually can see quite a few windows! It could definitely be much better, but they are not breaking any rules.

Also, just a side note, this is a very conservative company based out of Oklahoma, and I would say that this is outside of the box for them.

I think that this is great for KimRay and Oklahoma city for Kimray to relocate.

It works great for them because they are highly profitable company that is experiencing a lot of growth. It opens up Sante Fe avenue for a new opportunity. Their existing location is very close to downtown, and this area has a lot of potential to increase the density within the core of Oklahoma City.

And to be honest, this is actual a pretty attractive manufacturing facility for Oklahoma. We all know that we have see worse. I actually can see quite a few windows! It could definitely be much better, but they are not breaking any rules.

Also, just a side note, this is a very conservative company based out of Oklahoma, and I would say that this is outside of the box for them.

Good points. As I was driving by this morning, I realized how spread out they are currently... organizing their existing space, or redeveloping on site, would be a very expensive project compared to a new build. Not sure I agree with the location, but I understand the need.

Article in Oklahoman today said there are 6 protest letters.

Also, Kimray conducted a traffic study and found there would be no major impact to the area.


http://www.oklahoman.com/article/3946666

Some residents oppose plans for new Kimray headquarters | News OK (http://newsok.com/some-residents-oppose-plans-for-new-kimray-headquarters/article/3946666)

I don't see any issue with this. Glad to see the NE get some love.

Do you really think he loves you? Er I mean Kimray

It appears that this has been decided with Kimray working actively to address concerns of the neighbors.

Panel approves plans for new Oklahoma City Kimray campus | News OK (http://newsok.com/panel-approves-plans-for-new-oklahoma-city-kimray-campus/article/3954029)


The Oklahoma City Planning Commission has approved oil-field equipment maker Kimray Inc.’s plans to build a new corporate headquarters at E Britton Road and N Eastern Avenue over the objections of some residents in the area.
Speaking before the planning commission on Thursday, Kimray CEO Tom Hill said the company had worked to address residents’ concerns.

During the presentation at the planning commission there was a focus on screening the parking lot from the street. I was disappointed that no one mentioned sidewalks along the streets. IMO a missed opportunity that I hope the council will address.

^ doesn't the city require sidewalks along streets that a new construction project fronts?

I thought so but I didn't see it in the renderings or the PUD.

It was approved!


Oklahoma City Council approves Kimray relocation
Special to The Sun

OKLA. CITY — Kimray Inc., a leading manufacturer of oil and gas control equipment, recently received approval from the Oklahoma City Council to move forward with plans to relocate its company headquarters. The new campus will be built on the northwest corner of Eastern Avenue and Britton Road, about 5 miles north of its current location.

“We are grateful for the decision of our city leaders to support our relocation to a new campus,” said Tom Hill, Kimray’s chairman and CEO, who is an Edmond resident. “We’ve been part of the Oklahoma City community for more than 65 years and are excited about our future.”

- See more at: Oklahoma City Council approves Kimray relocation » Business » The Edmond Sun (http://www.edmondsun.com/business/x1396866607/Oklahoma-City-Council-approves-Kimray-relocation#sthash.PWNUAxkG.dpuf)

Ugh

Ugh? That stretch of Britton is ripe for development with plenty of acreage that's empty and waiting development. While it's not a new company, we need more commercial and industrial development. Hopefully this, combined with the other companies coming in up by the turnpike on the north side will help spur further development.

Ugh? That stretch of Britton is ripe for development with plenty of acreage that's empty and waiting development. While it's not a new company, we need more commercial and industrial development. Hopefully this, combined with the other companies coming in up by the turnpike on the north side will help spur further development.

What makes you think acreage is "empty" therefor it just has to be waiting for development? Wow.

Because this is a city, not a farm? What else are you going to do out there in the tower farm?

What city?

Good news for Kimray employees.

Oklahoma City-based Kimray boosts starting pay 19 percent | News OK (http://newsok.com/oklahoma-city-based-kimray-boosts-starting-pay-19-percent/article/4901861)


The Oklahoma City manufacturer of valves and controls for the oil and gas industry said it increased entry-level hourly wages to $12.50, up from $10.50.

On 6/20/14 Kimray closed on the purchase of the 78 acres for $2.3 million.

I was wondering if this was still going through or not as there hadn't been anything posted about it. What about that manufacturing company building a couple facilities further north of Kimray; right along the interstate? I forget their name.