I'm currently in a Vo-tech program. Our equipment is outdated, projects we work on are usually pencil whipped because they are broken; these TIF funds we are crediting to developers are at the direct expense of people like me who are trying to better themselves.

I am perfectly okay with this money going to worthy, once in a lifetime projects, or those with very difficult parameters (environment mediation, utilities projects, etc.) but not run of the mill developments. This is not a wise use of the money my school is missing out on to better my education.

I'm currently in a Vo-tech program. Our equipment is outdated, projects we work on are usually pencil whipped because they are broken; these TIF funds we are crediting to developers are at the direct expense of people like me who are trying to better themselves.

I am perfectly okay with this money going to worthy, once in a lifetime projects, or those with very difficult parameters (environment mediation, utilities projects, etc.) but not run of the mill developments. This is not a wise use of the money my school is missing out on to better my education.+1

From the Bricktown Twitter

https://twitter.com/bricktownokc/status/549650497863688192

This is from yesterday; all the metal buildings are goners:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion123114.jpg

hope nobody was arguing to save those buildings. ....

Seriously doubt it.

hope nobody was arguing to save those buildings. ....

What was there?

hope nobody was arguing to save those buildings. ....

I imagine that even with the tragic loss of these representative buildings, our net gain in architecture featuring nuanced corrugated industrial siding details was still positive in 2014.

hope nobody was arguing to save those buildings. ....

Worry not. I've heard some fellow by the name of Dowell is planning to preserve the memory of those buildings by cladding his next parking garage with the metal. :wink:

lol, it would be an improvement over what he has currently done.

Bchris, I think those buildings housed part of the WW Steel operation. Someone please correct me if I'm mistaken. ...

Also note, I was being a bit facetious in my previous post (about historic preservation of the sheds. ... :)). I totally and completely agree that this Criterion is a much better use.

W.H. Stewart Metal Fabricators

right :) WH Steel.

LOL close to WW. Only about a mile and a half away...

ya, lol. I knew it was one of the W original steel mills. ..

hope nobody was arguing to save those buildings. ....

That's not fair to even suggest. Preservationists are "brickhuggers" for a reason. It's about comparing what we have now to what we get in exchange, and oftentimes new buildings aren't the same quality of design and construction. That's not always true; in this case it's hard to tell if metal sheds or parking lots are "better," but at least the parking lots help support other sites. East Bricktown metal sheds don't have a future in OKC, whereas hopefully good historic buildings do.

He was joking, but you're correct that some would like to marginalize preservationists by suggesting that they are against any and all demolitions.

Actually, some of those buildings on the south side have lots of history. The ones that looked like quansit huts housed the early manufacturing of one of Oklahoma's biggest employers....LSB Industries.

I don't disagree, yet let it be noted that there was not a preservation battle.

Just so that's clear

WOW! To the photo of demolished site. So the construction on the Concert Hall has begun in Bricktown.

Some of the Stewart Fab buildings were kind of interesting. Especially the one with the big "Stewart" on the roof. But maybe that is my own personal bias :)

Some of the Stewart Fab buildings were kind of interesting. Especially the one with the big "Stewart" on the roof. But maybe that is my own personal bias :)

You mean to tell me your name is NOT Cuatro De Mayo?

I think we've all been had.

Very excited to see the development on this end of Bricktown. It's always seemed to drag down the whole "entertainment district" milieu that Bricktown has been trying to foster for all these years. Whether you went east OUT of Bricktown and saw the dilapidated metal buildings as you left, or came INTO Bricktown from the east and felt you must have taken a wrong turn they just seemed out of place with the rest of the neighborhood. I am really looking forward to what's to come.

yes, I was joking.

From the JR:

Dancing one step closer: Bricktown committee approves Criterion design, TIF questions remain

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record January 14, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Criterion’s developer, Matt Maley, heard words from the Bricktown Urban Design Committee that he’s been longing to hear since November: The project is approved.

Maley, with Colorado-based Alliance Investments LLC, is working with Wormy Dog Saloon owners Ronnye Farmer and Philip Randolph to build a 39,000-square-foot, two-story concert venue at the corner of E. Sheridan and Charlie Christian avenues. It will be across the street from The Steelyard mixed-use facility.

When the project was presented in November, Maley, Farmer and Randolph were asked to make changes to their design. The committee had concerns about the building’s boxy shapes and the use of stucco and brick veneers. The group returned in December with changes and received much more positive feedback, said Michael Philbrick, associate city planner. The design now has more window cutouts, and the entire building is now brick.

Yet the BUDC’s approval doesn’t signal the start of construction. Maley, Farmer and Randolph are seeking tax increment financing assistance. The project’s costs have increased by $1 million, to an estimated $6 million. Maley has previously said that the TIF funds would help bridge the gap between the original approved value and the existing estimated project costs. Maley was speaking with city officials about TIF funds on Thursday.

If the subsidy is not approved, Maley, Farmer and Randolph will have to reassess the project’s viability. Maley doesn’t think that will be the case, however.

“I’m feeling pretty optimistic about the TIF meeting,” he said. “I’m hoping it all goes well.”

If the project is approved, the group wants to start construction as soon as possible. Farmer and Randolph applied for building permits Wednesday. Maley said they want to break ground in February.

The Criterion will sit at 500 E. Sheridan Ave. The 420 E. Sheridan property was purchased by Joey Chiaf, the managing partner of CRJO LLC. The 500 and 420 E. Sheridan sites were home to the three remaining Stewart Metal Fabricators buildings, which have been demolished. The Criterion’s team and Chiaf worked together to remove the 420 E. Sheridan building.

Chiaf previously owned Bricktown’s IHOP building with partners in Bricktown Marketplace LLC. Chiaf and his group purchased the 40,000-square-foot lot for $2.4 million. They already owned the parcel at Joe Carter and E. Sheridan avenues; therefore, the 420 E. Sheridan Ave. purchase increased their land size to about 1.5 acres.

Cool.

Is this a go? Any word about TIF for this or not?

No TIF has been approved as of yet.

Not sure where they stand in their application process.

Tuning up for TIF: Advisement Council recommends $350,000 for Criterion concert venue in Bricktown | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2015/02/10/tuning-up-for-tif-advisement-council-recommends-350000-for-criterion-real-estate/)

That article is behind a paywall. I really hope this is approved though.

Here you go. From the JR:

Tuning up for TIF: Advisement Council recommends $350,000 for Criterion concert venue in Bricktown

By: Molly M. Fleming The Journal Record February 10, 2015

OKLAHOMA CITY – An entertainment facility coming to Bricktown could receive tax increment financing district money.

The Criterion, a two-story concert venue, was approved this month by the city-staff-led TIF Advisement Council to receive a $350,000 incentive payment, which the developers would receive over an eight-year period. The city would also spend $100,000 to resurface the alley next to the development, said Brent Bryant, economic development program manager for Oklahoma City.

The TIF Advisement Council’s recommendation now goes to the TIF Review Committee, which will meet on Feb. 27. If approved by that committee, it will go to the City Council, which could give it a go-ahead. The city’ Economic Development Trust would then enter into an economic development agreement with the Criterion’s backers. Bryant expects that agreement to go before the council in May.

“We think that’s a venue the city doesn’t have, and it would be good for the city and the visitors,” Bryant said. “We want to do what we can to promote Oklahoma City and provide additional venues to our citizens and our visitors.”

The 39,000-square-foot Criterion is being developed by Matt Maley with Colorado-based Alliance Investments LLC and will be operated by Oklahoma City-based Levelland Productions owners Ronnye Farmer and Philip Randolph. The company also runs Tumbleweed Dance Hall in Stillwater and the Eufaula Cove Amphitheatre in Eufaula. The Criterion will sit at the corner of E. Sheridan and Charlie Christian avenues. It will be across the street from The Steelyard mixed-use facility.

Maley has long said that if the project did not receive TIF funding, he and Levelland would have to re-evaluate their financial options. He said he was pleased to hear the news.

“It was great that it was well-received,” he said. “We put a lot of work and thought into our proposal. It was exciting that the city was willing to work with us and help us bridge the gap in financing. It was good to hear positive feedback from government officials and (that) they’re behind us on this project.”

Bryant commended Maley and Levelland for bringing their banker to the presentation. He said Legacy Bank Senior Vice President Reeve Tarron helped answer the tough financing questions.

“I thought the committee came up with a reasonable recommendation,” Bryant said.

The project is expected to break ground this spring, as soon as its building permit is approved. Oklahoma City Plans Examiner Jesse Richards said the permit has been initially reviewed, with some information still needed.

Read more: Tuning up for TIF: Advisement Council recommends $350,000 for Criterion concert venue in Bricktown | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2015/02/10/tuning-up-for-tif-advisement-council-recommends-350000-for-criterion-real-estate/#ixzz3RS4dvdNZ)

@dtOKCbuilds tweeted they are breaking ground on March 4th.

@dtOKCbuilds tweeted they are breaking ground on March 4th.

Cool!

Of course, you probably won't be able to tell given the way the entire area is torn up for Sheridan and Steelyard.

Picture from today's groundbreaking:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/criterion030415.jpg

Brrr! I wondered if they were going to postpone the groundbreaking. I'm excited to see this going forward.

At least the did it before they would have had to use a snow shovel. :)

Really happy to hear this is going forward. This, on top of a renovated Bricktown Events Center across the street, should draw some really great acts and add to the mix downtown.

I don't know if this has been mentioned previously but I heard from a very good source that Live Nation will be affiliated with this project.

Live Nation ? Music & Live Events | Concert Tickets, Tour News, Venues (http://www.livenation.com/)

If you don't know them, they own, lease, operate, had booking rights for and/or had an equity interest in over 100 music venues around the U.S. and will bring incredible booking power with them.

I've also heard they will likely end up involved with the indoor/outdoor music venue at Chisholm Creek.


I think the music scene in OKC is getting ready to change pretty dramatically.

Gazette Article:

New OKC venue hopes to attract large indie music acts | Oklahoma Gazette (http://okgazette.com/2015/04/23/new-okc-venue-hopes-to-attract-large-indie-music-acts/)

I don't know if this has been mentioned previously but I heard from a very good source that Live Nation will be affiliated with this project.

Live Nation ? Music & Live Events | Concert Tickets, Tour News, Venues (http://www.livenation.com/)

I think the music scene in OKC is getting ready to change pretty dramatically.

If true, then definately. They bought House of Blues years ago and are the biggest promtion group / venue operators in the country. Agents can pretty much go to them and book a whole tour.

It makes sense that Live Nation is attached because otherwise there wouldn't be much to distinguish this venue from the Bricktown site.

This could be yet another missing piece of the puzzle for OKC, as we've all long lamented the lack of quality live music. Sounds like that is soon going to change in a big way.

This is great news.. Live Nation is HUGE booking power.. Arthur Fogel heads up the Global touring division of this company and basically ANY major tour you see is through Live Nation.
this should get some great acts in the building.

It makes sense that Live Nation is attached because otherwise there wouldn't be much to distinguish this venue from the Bricktown site.

This could be yet another missing piece of the puzzle for OKC, as we've all long lamented the lack of quality live music. Sounds like that is soon going to change in a big way.

I completely agree. OKC has long pulled far below its weight in this area so hopefully those days are coming to an end. Just think of what a game changer for the entire state it will be if this venue is able to bring in events that draw people to OKC from the other end of the turnpike.

That is great news. I'm a firm believer in competition is better for the consumer which hopefully with them raising the stakes will require the other live acts to raise their game to be able to compete.

Frequent medium-sized concerts will also be a boon for all of Bricktown and the surrounding hotels.

In just a couple of years, Bricktown and East Bricktown in particular will be dramatically different.

That is great news. I'm a firm believer in competition is better for the consumer which hopefully with them raising the stakes will require the other live acts to raise their game to be able to compete.

I wonder what will become of the Diamond. I can't imagine it sticking around.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Diamond sticks around, but they most likely will lose out on a lot of the big name acts. I'd think they'd end up surviving on local and independent acts, probably.

I will love not having to go to the Diamond for the shows I think deserve a better than adequate venue.

keep in mind the diamond's capacity is less than 1000, so it's a good alternative for an act that's not quite big enough for bricktown events center, but bigger than conservatory.

keep in mind the diamond's capacity is less than 1000, so it's a good alternative for an act that's not quite big enough for bricktown events center, but bigger than conservatory.

This is true. I'm actually one that does not hate the Diamond, I just hate where it is and how it's run. The last few shows I have been to there sounded great and I really like venues of that size. They have been booking better it seems the last six months or so, imo, in that they are booking bands that fill venues twice as big in large markets and they haven't all been from the metal / thrash genre. OK GO, Spoon, Modest Mouse, and TMBG all in one month seems like a change in booking philosophy there. I wonder if the impending arrival of some new competition has made DCF a little more motivated in this market.

This is true. I'm actually one that does not hate the Diamond, I just hate where it is and how it's run.

I couldn't agree more. The Diamond is definitely a relic from an OKC in which EVERYTHING had left downtown for the suburban fringe. The best live music venues in mid-sized cities are almost always in the urban core.

their locations seems like it was middle-of-nowhere even back in the 60s when it was built... were they thinking the area would fill in at some point?

and speaking of the diamond, if anyone has an extra for modest mouse tomorrow night, i'll gladly take it off your hands ;–)

their locations seems like it was middle-of-nowhere even back in the 60s when it was built... were they thinking the area would fill in at some point?

and speaking of the diamond, if anyone has an extra for modest mouse tomorrow night, i'll gladly take it off your hands ;–)

I think that area of OKC was going to be something special at one time, but either politics got in the way or it was ignored or SOMETHING. I'll bet that with I-240 working on being an outer loop for OKC (I-44 stopped where the Turner Turnpike stopped -- in the early '80's, I-44 took over the west and north legs of I-240) and the start up of Crossroads Mall in 1974, you just know that the owners of Diamond Ballroom felt like they had hit the jackpot.

I was able to confirm that Live Nation will indeed be doing the booking for this venue.

Huge news for the OKC live music scene.

I was able to confirm that Live Nation will indeed be doing the booking for this venue.

Huge news for the OKC live music scene.

That's awesome. Bringing in a promoter like Live Nation was always more important than just getting a new venue. BEC is a good example of that. It's been open for bookings for months now since the upgrades and it's still not seeing that much action for concerts. So, with a dedicated music venue and top tier promoter, we should get some good stuff to the market.

That's awesome. Bringing in a promoter like Live Nation was always more important than just getting a new venue. BEC is a good example of that. It's been open for bookings for months now since the upgrades and it's still not seeing that much action for concerts. So, with a dedicated music venue and top tier promoter, we should get some good stuff to the market.

I really, really, really hope this is true. The promoters in this city are not getting it done. If they can't, get people who can. This city deserves better than third-rate options for live music. Tulsa is really benefitting from our lousy offerings; it is shocking (or maybe not) how many people from OKC go up the Turnpike to see shows there.

Consider me excited and impressed with this development.

Tulsa has concert venues in droves and I've still driven to concerts up in Lawrence or KC before. With every state blanketed with these types of venues, multiples in most major metros, band tour locations often seem pretty random. That said, securing Live Nation as the booking agent will bring in legit up-and-coming bands.

Bricktown getting this venue is arguably more of a positive than getting the convention center.

Tulsa has concert venues in droves and I've still driven to concerts up in Lawrence or KC before. With every state blanketed with these types of venues, multiples in most major metros, band tour locations often seem pretty random. That said, securing Live Nation as the booking agent will bring in legit up-and-coming bands.

Bricktown getting this venue is arguably more of a positive than getting the convention center.

Having a good live music scene requires both a quality venue and a good promoter. If you have one without the other, that is a recipe for a subpar music scene. Up until now, OKC has had neither. In the near future this city will have a great promoter and a few venues to choose from. OKC may never be a top-tier live music city like Austin or Nashville, but it will at least now be on the map.

Having a good live music scene requires both a quality venue and a good promoter. If you have one without the other, that is a recipe for a subpar music scene. Up until now, OKC has had neither. In the near future this city will have a great promoter and a few venues to choose from. OKC may never be a top-tier live music city like Austin or Nashville, but it will at least now be on the map.

I can agree with you on the quality of the venue (The Diamond is a warehouse with a sound system in the middle of nowhere) but to say they don’t have a good promoter, is just not true. Over the next two months, they are bringing in Blue October, Mastadon and Clutch, They Might Be Giants, Spoon, The Used and Chevelle, Nothing More, Tech N9ne, and Awolnation. And bands that played recently are Marilyn Manson, Modest Mouse, Stone Temple Pilots, Brand New, OK GO, Chase Bryant, Bush and Theory of a Deadman and many others who I don’t recognize and that is just this year. You don’t get bands with that kind of name recognition unless the promotion is excellent. One can only hope the Criterion steals that promoter.

I can agree with you on the quality of the venue (The Diamond is a warehouse with a sound system in the middle of nowhere) but to say they don’t have a good promoter, is just not true. Over the next two months, they are bringing in Blue October, Mastadon and Clutch, They Might Be Giants, Spoon, The Used and Chevelle, Nothing More, Tech N9ne, and Awolnation. And bands that played recently are Marilyn Manson, Modest Mouse, Stone Temple Pilots, Brand New, OK GO, Chase Bryant, Bush and Theory of a Deadman and many others who I don’t recognize and that is just this year. You don’t get bands with that kind of name recognition unless the promotion is excellent. One can only hope the Criterion steals that promoter.

That promoter is DCF. They will be competitors with Live Nation. I do agree though, it's hard to complain with what they have been bringing in lately. I believe they are also responsible for some of the BEC shows and some Conservatory shows and some Zoo Amp shows. Outside of the group who does Wormy Dog and the Opolis, DCF is responsible for most of the shows put on here. They do seem to be paying attention to the market a lot more than they did just 2 years ago, despite having a presence here for a long time. I imagine they are fully aware that they're about to have to work much harder in this market and are trying to get a head start.