The new Warren will surely make it less likely for Stillwater to get a Warren, since it will be a shorter drive than the one in Moore.

OKC Council approves rezoning for Warren Theatre

By: Brian Brus The Journal Record March 28, 2017

OKLAHOMA CITY – The City Council on Tuesday approved a rezoning request by a development group with the Chickasaw Nation for the construction of a Warren Theatre complex in northeastern Oklahoma City.

Council members approved the rezoning 7-1 with Ed Shadid voting against it and David Greenwell absent.

The process for fleshing out plans for 2221 NE 122nd St. now goes to the Oklahoma City Planning
Commission, which may require further concessions beyond those mentioned in Tuesday’s council meeting.
The area is immediately south of the Kilpatrick Turnpike and just east of N. Eastern Avenue. The protesters at Tuesday’s council meeting live north of the turnpike. A smaller number of residents closer to the development on its southern side also attended the meeting to express support for the project.

Protesters said they don’t want their view of largely undeveloped space across the turnpike changed, and they’re concerned about how more lights and traffic will affect their lifestyles and home values.

Supporters said development is inevitable, and they’ve worked with other developers nearby over the years to negotiate the smallest impact possible.

By the end of the meeting, David Box, an attorney representing the developer, said he could not agree to further delays because the opposing side refused to negotiate toward a common position. Councilwoman Meg Salyer confirmed as much when she asked a protester if any change in the application would be sufficient to settle their concerns.

In November, Kilpatrick at Eastern LLC purchased the property from Frontier State Bank for $5.6 million. The 29 acres are listed on the Oklahoma county assessor website with a market value of $1.1 million.

At the time, the land was already zoned as PUD-1156, or a planned unit development district appropriate for office buildings. Box’s client sought a change to PUD-1630, planned unit development tracts primarily for a theater, as well as restaurants, offices, child care and retail sales.

He said the current zoning is not as rural as protesters believe; it is merely undeveloped. An office complex could be built there instead, he said, but a movie theater will have a smaller impact.

Trees on the north side of the site cannot be cut down because they’re on Oklahoma Turnpike Authority property, Box said. Developers intend to keep twice the green space than is required. And the developer agreed to not sell alcoholic drinks at the theater. Although a tribal gambling center isn’t even allowed under city ordinance, Box said, the group also promised not to pursue any such project.

Protesters expressed strong emotions over the loss of 20 acres. Resident Thomas Green described it as bringing a Disney amusement park to the rim of the Grand Canyon. Terry Green said she and her husband like to sit and talk while watching hawks making lazy circles in the sky over the area.

Porter Davis, who led the protesting group, said he was upset that John Kennedy failed to mention the theater plan when they ate together as family members over Thanksgiving. Kennedy is president of the Kennedy Consulting firm, which is part of the ownership group with the Chickasaw Nation. He has worked on several projects involving the Chickasaws as well as Chesapeake Energy Corp., BancFirst and the University of Oklahoma.

Davis also called for Councilman John Pettis Jr. to recuse himself, alleging he had failed to treat constituents fairly, that he accepted a large election campaign contribution from the Chickasaw Nation and that his candidate documents for the recent political race were not filed correctly. Pettis did not respond to the claims.

Well now I don't really care. It's just another movie theater.

Porter Davis sounds like a real peach, must be pals with Ed Shadid

I don't understand how Edmond people can get pissy about what okc is doing.

You mean the OKC residents in the Oaks? Because us folks North of Memorial don't care. Besides the fact we'll have a Showbiz Cinema opened first. :p

And it'll have a bar.

Porter Davis sounds like a real peach, must be pals with Ed Shadid

LOL, he is the opposite of Shadid. He is an extremist on the right, supported Trump and who believes in conspiracy theories and false flags. His concern for protecting the Cross Timbers from Warren does seem like an outlier for him, though.

I don't understand how Edmond people can get pissy about what okc is doing.

The Oaks is in OKC. Regardless, the cities should attempt to be neighbourly. If you lived on a city boarder and they changed zoning from residential to a dump, I think you'd have a right to complian even though you weren't in that city.

LOL, he is the opposite of Shadid. He is an extremist on the right, supported Trump and who believes in conspiracy theories and false flags. His concern for protecting the Cross Timbers from Warren does seem like an outlier for him, though.

Reading some of his views he comes off as an anti vaxer, but to be fair to him, he is the President of the Oaks homeowners association so it's hard to know how much is him or how much is him doing his job.

The new Warren will surely make it less likely for Stillwater to get a Warren, since it will be a shorter drive than the one in Moore.

NOOOO!
:Smiley099

"Terry Green said she and her husband like to sit and talk while watching hawks making lazy circles in the sky over the area."

SMH

I think this is really exciting. We used to live over in the Northwood edition right off of Memorial and Eastern. I can't wait to see how NE OKC is going to look in the upcoming years. The stretch of land on Eastern from Memorial clear down to I-44 is nothing but empty land. I would love to see this develop over time. If anything, people who live in this region should be excited. With all the people complaining, I've never understood these people who will gripe and complain about some new development that's growing and helping our city. You live in a city. There's going to be development and growth.

But then again, what do you expect from Edmond? I mean they've passed laws that outlaw any type of large outdoor signage (billboard/electronic). Edmond needs to get with the times. They are one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., yet they want to treat it as if it's just a tiny suburb.

I think this is really exciting. We used to live over in the Northwood edition right off of Memorial and Eastern. I can't wait to see how NE OKC is going to look in the upcoming years. The stretch of land on Eastern from Memorial clear down to I-44 is nothing but empty land. I would love to see this develop over time. If anything, people who live in this region should be excited. With all the people complaining, I've never understood these people who will gripe and complain about some new development that's growing and helping our city. You live in a city. There's going to be development and growth.

But then again, what do you expect from Edmond? I mean they've passed laws that outlaw any type of large outdoor signage (billboard/electronic). Edmond needs to get with the times. They are one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., yet they want to treat it as if it's just a tiny suburb.

Again, this isn't Edmond. These are OKC folks.

I live in Oakdale (Hefner & Sooner) and I love what's going on up this way! Warren, Showbiz, a Chick Filet and best of all, a Crest coming next year! Finally we are getting some conveniences, and damn good ones!. Yippeeee!

I live in Oakdale (Hefner & Sooner) and I love what's going on up this way! Warren, Showbiz, a Chick Filet and best of all, a Crest coming next year! Finally we are getting some conveniences, and damn good ones!. Yippeeee!

Where's a Crest going in?

From what I have learned it will be on the southwest corner of Covell and Sooner across from the new Edmond Conference Center and Showbiz Movie / Bowling / Arcade / Bar development. We have lived out here since '08 and have had relatively slim pickins when it comes to things. Only grocery within many miles is Walmart, and the only fast foods until recently were Sonic and McDonald's. We have always enjoyed going to Quail AMC for movies, but it will be nice having newer, upscale and closer options. The Crest is what I am really excited about. I used to drive to the one on 15th & Santa Fe, but needing things so regularly, Walmart quickly became our mainstay. But not for long!

Not everyone that lives in The Oaks (including me and several of my younger neighbors) was against this proposal. A lot of my neighbors contacted me, knowing that I am in commercial real estate, and asked me if they were crazy for NOT signing our neighborhood HOA petition.

This will be a huge boost to the area and that parcel inparticular that is likely not ever going to be a residential neighborhood because it's not Edmond Schools south of the turnpike. The people complaining about the development literrally think that a 3 story office building is more obtrusive than a 6 lane highway <--turnpike.

Sorry to derail the thread, but is there another thread I can find info on this proposed Crest on Sooner?

That is nonsense the new theater won't serve alcohol. Really disappointed in that news.

Not a dedicated thread but there's a thread about development at that area and there's a post by PP with an official announcement from Crest - http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=36241&page=7

On the alcohol, I can sort of understand it. And honestly most movie theaters survive without it. It's a reasonable concession in a primarily residential area and a good olive leaf to the locals.

On the alcohol, I can sort of understand it. And honestly most movie theaters survive without it. It's a reasonable concession in a primarily residential area and a good olive leaf to the locals.

I remember seeing a movie a few years back where I dude walked into a movie and popped a six pack. Honestly I was amazed he just walked in with it.

That is nonsense the new theater won't serve alcohol. Really disappointed in that news.

When did that come out? I thought the developer just dropped the ability to sell retail liquor sales (liquor store) and not consumption..

When did that come out? I thought the developer just dropped the ability to sell retail liquor sales (liquor store) and not consumption..

The Journal Record article on the previous page, assuming it's accurate -


And the developer agreed to not sell alcoholic drinks at the theater.

Huge bummer about not serving alcohol at the Warren, oh well- I guess Tinseltown will be less crowded...

Also, here are the Edmond Public School boundaries for all the "why do people from Edmond care" questions: http://edmondschools.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2016-2017-Boundaries.pdf
While I don't agree with the complaints, there are neighborhoods in within the boundaries of Edmond public schools within walking distance of this theater.

Anyone know of any updates on the building of the new Warren?

TIA!

Anyone know of any updates on the building of the new Warren?

TIA!

Have not seen any building permits yet.

Anyone know of any updates on the building of the new Warren?

TIA!

Held up due to a NIMBY law suit that probably won't go to trial until 2018.

Was looking up some Warren ahowtimes and noticed their website was implying that the Warren brand will still go on outside of the ones they sold to Regal ( http://www.warrentheatres.com/index.html ) will be interesting to see how the one in MWC turns out and if they go through with this one but it at least gave me hope.

Regal is retaining the Warren name. Sadly, already hearing of negative changes in service and experience. What a shame.

Regal is retaining the Warren name. Sadly, already hearing of negative changes in service and experience. What a shame.

I'd reserve judgement for yourself until you experience and don't expect anything. Of course they won't operate like Warren because they aren't Warren. Regal theatres are some of the nicest movie theatres I've ever experienced apart from Pacific Theatres which no movie theatre I've ever heard of outside of NYC or LA comes close to competing with.

Regal is retaining the Warren name. Sadly, already hearing of negative changes in service and experience. What a shame.

I was JUST at the Warren in Moore Sunday. I noticed nothing different in my experience. Maybe it is just me, though. It was still jam-packed. Still had the stupid mints everyone seems to care about. Nothing changed, to me. It is still, by far, the best theater I have been in in the country, bar none.

Regal is retaining the Warren name. Sadly, already hearing of negative changes in service and experience. What a shame.

I've been several times and only difference I've noticed is bags instead of buckets for popcorn smaller than large. Other than that the experience and service have been good.

Any updates on this?
I am guessing they are in the site planning process..?

Any updates on this?
I am guessing they are in the site planning process..?

Yes, no building permits filed as of yet.

I think it’s still in litigation with the nimby’s. As I said above. Wasn’t set to go to court until sometime this year.

I'm torn on this. I'd like a close Warren. As an Edmond resident Im rooting for the Showbiz Cinema since it will actually contribute to Edmonds tax base rather than poaching it. Plus the Showbiz looks like it will be pretty cool. So the more head start they get, the better.

I think it’s still in litigation with the nimby’s. As I said above. Wasn’t set to go to court until sometime this year.

Hadn’t seen any lawsuit filed. When was it filed?

Anyone know anything about the current status of this project? Seems like any lawsuit should have at least been scheduled for trial, it's been over a year since the last substantive update on the project as far as I can see.

I know originally they weren’t going to serve alcohol, but with the legislative changes allowing alcohol at theaters and Flix maybe it sent them back to the drawing board? IIRC part of their pitch to the nimbys was no alcohol.

I'm assuming this project is dead?

There has been no movement that I can see since they gained zoning approval in 2017.

Not too optimistic since Warren sold to Regal Cinemas last year. Moreover, they haven't turned dirt on the proposed Midwest City location either. Regal might not have plans to expand. The Quail Springs Mall theater seems like the viable option for movies on the north side of town.

Not too optimistic since Warren sold to Regal Cinemas last year. Moreover, they haven't turned dirt on the proposed Midwest City location either. Regal might not have plans to expand. The Quail Springs Mall theater seems like the viable option for movies on the north side of town.

Not sure what you mean by the MWC location as that one is almost done.

Not sure what you mean by the MWC location as that one is almost done.

Oh, I didn't know, haven't heard anything about it. I don't visit Midwest City too much.

Not too optimistic since Warren sold to Regal Cinemas last year. Moreover, they haven't turned dirt on the proposed Midwest City location either. Regal might not have plans to expand. The Quail Springs Mall theater seems like the viable option for movies on the north side of town.

Both this and the Midwest city warren have 0 to do with regal. These are bill warrens new theatres.

And as was said Midwest city is almost finished

Both this and the Midwest city warren have 0 to do with regal. These are bill warrens new theatres.

And as was said Midwest city is almost finished

We will see what happens after Midwest City is finished. It made zero since to me that Bill Warren would sell every theater and then turn around and build an almost identical theater for himself. Wouldn't surprise me if he is taking on more of a developer role and Regal takes MWC over to run.

We will see what happens after Midwest City is finished. It made zero since to me that Bill Warren would sell every theater and then turn around and build an almost identical theater for himself. Wouldn't surprise me if he is taking on more of a developer role and Regal takes MWC over to run.

the moore warren was starting to need repairs and updating... i think he sold it because if he was going to have to massively renovate and overhaul, he wanted to do it from scratch. when he sold the value was high... so probably made more than enough to cover building the new ones, and operating budget for them for several years. it makes total sense to me that he would sell an older theater rather than update, if the price was right, and then just go build more and do it all over again

The MWC theater is opening in May (see pic taken last month at https://www.cinematour.com/picview.php?db=us&id=107763 ). It will be an independently owned Warren because Bill Warren, personally, is involved in the group receiving a lot of taxpayer funded incentives.
Does it all make sense now?

Any updates on the NE OKC Warren?!

Any updates on the NE OKC Warren?!

No movement at all.

I have yet to see any permits filed or anything else that would indicate this was still moving forward.

The question about if these are Regal looks to have been answered. When i went to the MWC to see Star Wars, it's Regal. Warren's name is all over the place just like it is with the Moore one still, but the tickets/seat reservations/etc are all Regal.

I haven't been to many of the auditoriums in the MWC location yet, but according to Fandango, all of them are recliner seats. HECKS YEAH! The matinee pricing (and everything else) is a bit more like you would expect with Warren, but man is it nice to lay that seat back! I just hope (and have plenty confidence that they will) that they keep it up over the years and we dont end up with busted seats all over the place.

I wonder if flix scared them off

You got that, you got Alamo coming sometime, you got Showbiz not too far up the road, AMC at Quail has been upgrading some of their facilities. Northside is getting pretty stacked with quality movie theatres.

Plus, Warren has seen a big change in ownership and strategy.

I never understood this project anyway. Limited number of screens and no alcohol. Does not seem to be a roadmap to success given the direction of the industry.

You got that, you got Alamo coming sometime, you got Showbiz not too far up the road, AMC at Quail has been upgrading some of their facilities. Northside is getting pretty stacked with quality movie theatres.

Plus the showbiz up in Edmond.

The no alcohol might appeal to edmondites with kids but showtime is going to vacuum some of that up.

Plus, Warren has seen a big change in ownership and strategy.

I never understood this project anyway. Limited number of screens and no alcohol. Does not seem to be a roadmap to success given the direction of the industry.

Just seems like Warren got a sweet deal from Regal, but keeps one foot in the water as a "Movie Theater Developer" instead of completely retiring. I dont really that many more Warren Theaters in the future if any.