This had been long-rumored and now seems to be formally going forward.

The best thing is it will go a long way towards covering up the old Presbyterian Hospital building, which gets my vote for one of the ugliest in the city.

8 stories, 144 beds, 32 operating rooms


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhealth061017.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhealth061017b.jpg


http://newsok.com/article/5552296?slideout=1

Beautiful structure that will eventually hide some of that ugly structure. As you travel 13th Street--should be a beautiful sight to see. There are some recently built quality structures nestled within the OUHSC complex.

In 2007, I was hauled into that ugly structure that was so beautiful inside because it saved my life. Suffered a stroke, spent 7 days in the Presbyterian facility--left with a walker. Determined not to use that walker, changed my diet (eating habits) & sleeping habits; with the help of medications now able to walk like before.

Just a warning, (sorry Pete, no attempt to hijack your tread) get regular check ups & screenings. As we age, our bodies will give us warning signs that we shouldn't ignore.

Another project with a 2019 completion date. Historically this could be a turning point for the city.

What's the purpose of this building? For instance Presby has the ER which is a huge cash cow for the campus and they have discussed remodeling and upgrading it but obviously it's hard to close down the ED for any period of time, especially since it's the only level 1 Trauma Center in the state. If this building has the capacity of being the ED for a period of time they could eventually get to remodeling their dated buildings.

Will this building have underground parking or will they be adding more? That surface lot gets pretty heavy use throughout the week...

The purpose of the new bed tower is just what he name implies -- additional beds. Bed space at Presbyterian is always tight, and the patient rooms are small by current standards. In addition, the new building will house two floors of operating rooms, 32 total, which will alleviate another chronic issue.

There are plans to add additional floors to the existing parking structure, but no plans for underground parking. I'm unaware of any plans to move the Trauma Center/ED to the new building.

Beautiful structure that will eventually hide some of that ugly structure. As you travel 13th Street--should be a beautiful sight to see. There are some recently built quality structures nestled within the OUHSC complex.

In 2007, I was hauled into that ugly structure that was so beautiful inside because it saved my life. Suffered a stroke, spent 7 days in the Presbyterian facility--left with a walker. Determined not to use that walker, changed my diet (eating habits) & sleeping habits; with the help of medications now able to walk like before.

Just a warning, (sorry Pete, no attempt to hijack your tread) get regular check ups & screenings. As we age, our bodies will give us warning signs that we shouldn't ignore.

I don't want you to think your words were ignored. I know a couple of people who were horribly injured in car wrecks they did fantastic work on. That whole zone is an under-known and under appreciated place.

I'm sort of surprised this is going on still. The original plan was scrapped when the management change to the SSM fell through. Looks like they let the contract with HCA expire and are not creating a new one with anyone right now (or at least that was the stance in April). So this has to be driven directly by OU Med Center execs. Which, i would consider a very GOOD thing as it's not just driven by upping the capital worth of the campus.

I have a family member that works at OU, and she says they want to get construction started on this building by the fall. They are apparently having problems with space in their current towers.

I'm surprised the entire new building does not connect to the existing (Presby) building. It would seem to me that having a central elevator bank and lobby in the new building that would serve both buildings would make BOTH buildings much more efficient. They could position the elevator bank just outside the existing building. The existing building has such a lack of coherent elevator lobbies. As memory serves me, one on each end, and two in the middle. Something like that, and they are more or less in the hallway. You end up waiting forever for them. Maybe the ceiling height of the old building is just too short for them to even consider doing this on the new building?

They can't, but they really need to tear down Presby and the PPOB.

Apparently this new tower is long overdue. They want to get this tower started by fall and have it done by fall of next year.

They can't, but they really need to tear down Presby and the PPOB.

This type of thing is quite expensive, but once this portion is done, they would have the option to start working their way through the rest of the old structure. However, with the way dollars work in hospitals, you'd have to show them some reason, financially, why they should do it and not just leave it with this.

They can't, but they really need to tear down Presby and the PPOB.

Why do they need to?

Well this was the first hospital in the metro to have private rooms....and boy are they small. It's difficult for a family member to stay with a patient and aid in their care because of the size of the room. The rooms are usually incredibly hot in the summer, regardless of which floor you are on. As said above, the elevator structure is such that there aren't really sufficient banks so there's a very long wait no matter which one you go to. Yeah, each patient floor may have 6 elevators on it, but the places they are put just dont make sense....and they look like they haven't been touched with more than new carpet in about 30 years. The old tower is simply showing age. The VERY SMALL updates they have done in the place are really just enough to not make it look gross. It's functional, yes. But it's lacking in a lot of the things you see in a new room. The placement of the nurses station is not helpful either.

Take somewhere like MWC. Regardless of the reputation, one thin you can do is compare the rooms themselves. The Mullinex tower was built in the 80's/90's and is your pretty standard room...there are duals and singles, but they have good size. Look at the newest floors and they blow the others away. Technology is better integrated, the floor and rooms are downright nice. The flow of the floor is better as well as the waiting rooms. Just in general, the newer concept works better. Most notably, the placement of the nurses station.

The formal groundbreaking for the new tower was held this morning. There are now some additional renderings of the new tower available, which I will post here:

14254

Very cool.

Thank you!

There is now a live camera:

https://www.oumedicine.com/ou-medical-center/watch-us-grow

I personally really like the design, but the issue is how dated the rest of the buildings will look now with this fancy addition. I'd love to get a look at the master plan for the entire OUHSC area.

Compared to other health systems in the area I imagine OU is under a large amount of pressure to update its buildings.

That hospital to the direct south is arguably the ugliest building in all of OKC. I wish they would at least paint it.

That hospital to the direct south is arguably the ugliest building in all of OKC. I wish they would at least paint it.

It might get painted, but I wouldn't expect it to be much different in color. If you look around, most of the buildings on the HSC campus are that beige/buff color.

That hospital to the direct south is arguably the ugliest building in all of OKC. I wish they would at least paint it.

awww cmooon.. It's not thaaat bad... There are plenty that are worse!

It might get painted, but I wouldn't expect it to be much different in color. If you look around, most of the buildings on the HSC campus are that beige/buff color.
I don't think anyone's asking for it to be painted purple or anything so garish. But a nice, clean white color would help.

That hospital to the direct south is arguably the ugliest building in all of OKC. I wish they would at least paint it.

It's hideous. And the inside isn't much better. They really need to doze it, but I don't think they can't lose the capacity.

I actually like the old building. Not everything is going to be an architectural gem. It looks like exactly what it is -- a 1970s/1980s hospital. Every city has them.

30 years from now, people are going to look back and say "those buildings were really cool, why did everyone tear them down?"

30 years from now, people are going to look back and say "those buildings were really cool, why did everyone tear them down?"

Not as long as it needs to function as a hospital. It’s terrible.

It's an ugly building, but it isn't as bad as say... Maywood phase two (from a purely aesthetic pov) or any big box store, or most McMansions... On the other hand, I reealy don't think we'd miss this building as much in 30 years like we miss our old downtown buildings.

Any update on this project?

Any update on this project?

They have broken ground but just barely.

Crane is now up and it's impressively high and see from a long distance:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhsc042918.jpg

Thanks for posting this. I can see the crane from my office window but had forgotten what project it belonged to.

Thanks for posting this. I can see the crane from my office window but had forgotten what project it belonged to.

I knew tons of people would be in Midtown or driving down I-235 and be asking, "What the heck is that for??".

that IS a very nice, tall tower crane!! isn't there another one (or two) on Broadway nearby?

cranes. ... cranes!! :dizzy:

Going vertical:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/hsc012819.jpg

If you haven't visited since construction started, note that the "free" lots are all gone now. So to the garage you go. And also note that they dont staff the garage booth. It's all kisoks. So be sure to have some cash/plastic on you or you're stuck. Last time i was there, the person in the next line over wasn't able to get out because there wasn't a person to help and the call button wasn't cooperating with them. Technology is NOT always the answer folks.....

Starting to make good progress:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhsc042319a.jpg

Really cranking on this now

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhsc061919a.jpg

Pete, how do you get pics so fast? Do you have drones parked around the metro in drone garages then send a secret signal to activate?

Pete, how do you get pics so fast? Do you have drones parked around the metro in drone garages then send a secret signal to activate?

Haha... No, but that is my goal.

That photo is from this webcam:
https://www.oumedicine.com/oumedicine/ou-medical-center/watch-us-grow


But I go out each and every weekend (and often a couple of times during the week) and photograph my long list of projects that I actively update and keep with me at all times. And some photos I hold in reserve or forget about until something prompts me, like a post on a particular thread.

I also take my drone up in lots of different places and photograph wide areas. Because the images are hi-res, I can zoom in and crop on my library at any time.

I've always assumed Pete is the master of organizational spreadsheets and to-do lists.

I've always assumed Pete is the master of organizational spreadsheets and to-do lists.

I plan to name my first child Excel.

Haha... No, but that is my goal.

That photo is from this webcam:
https://www.oumedicine.com/oumedicine/ou-medical-center/watch-us-grow


But I go out each and every weekend (and often a couple of times during the week) and photograph my long list of projects that I actively update and keep with me at all times. And some photos I hold in reserve or forget about until something prompts me, like a post on a particular thread.

I also take my drone up in lots of different places and photograph wide areas. Because the images are hi-res, I can zoom in and crop on my library at any time.

Nice, and thanks for all the updates you provide!

Construction going on inside the parking garage just east that serves the OU Medical Center & the Presbyterian Professional Office Tower; they appear to be bracing & strengthening the parking structure within.

The new patient tower construction moving in a timely fashion. You can see things coming together.

There are fewer covered spaces available to park. It's more difficult parking atop the roof where the spaces and access to them are really cramped.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhsc063019a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhsc063019b.jpg

Construction starting on the last 4 floors of the tower. Thanks for the update Pete.

Hope I never have to see the inside of the old Presbyterian Tower again or the new one under construction.

I hadn't seen this thread. I wasn't aware of it but now that l think about it, l saw the crane when l was there a couple of weeks ago. So, its going in front of old Presby on 13th? Will it be the tallest in the HSC?

^

Yes to location.

But only 8 levels, so won't be the tallest.

In Denver, they moved the UCHSC in it's entirety from near central Denver to Aurora on former army base land. There are multiple hotels and apartment blocks going up around the new center. Any more rumors of private development supporting OUHSC?gg

In Denver, they moved the UCHSC in it's entirety from near central Denver to Aurora on former army base land. There are multiple hotels and apartment blocks going up around the new center. Any more rumors of private development supporting OUHSC?gg
None at all. Neither OKC nor OU has taken advantage of this area as far as developing it into a neighborhood with any services. They should though.

None at all. Neither OKC nor OU has taken advantage of this area as far as developing it into a neighborhood with any services. They should though.

I disagree. This is close to Bricktown/downtown and a plethora of hotels and apartments/condos and food establishments. There was a huge hotel built on 8th street too. And lots of area has historical old houses being slowly rebuilt. Its locked into a narrow area surrounded by Capitol, 235, 40 and old housing. The whole area was focused on medical related industry not retail.

The city screwed up by not making SC route to this district though.

In Denver, they moved the UCHSC in it's entirety from near central Denver to Aurora on former army base land. There are multiple hotels and apartment blocks going up around the new center. Any more rumors of private development supporting OUHSC?gg

This is not one entity rather several. No way to move it, never happen. This is a great success story for OKC:

OKC's emerging innovation district currently encompasses about 1.3 square miles east of downtown -- roughly between NE 13-16th Streets to the north and NE 4th to the south and Robinson and Lottie Avenues to the west and east. It crosses Broadway/Interstate 235 and includes Automobile Alley in addition to numerous institutions located within the boundaries.

The Brookings Institution and Project for Public Spaces have recently completed an 18-month study of Oklahoma City’s emerging innovation district, an area encompassing the Oklahoma Health Center and Automobile Alley. This work, which will focus on the district’s economic strengths and quality of place, is part of the Bass Initiative on Innovation and Placemaking, a joint initiative the two organizations launched in late 2015.

https://www.brookings.edu/news-releases/brookings-and-project-for-public-spaces-begin-innovation-and-placemaking-study-in-oklahoma-city/

Here is link they have over 22 separate medical entities:

https://www.oklahomahealthcenterfoundation.com/

History
The Oklahoma Health Center traces its origins to 1917 when the Sixth Oklahoma Legislature appropriated land on N.E. 13th Street for a building to house the University of Oklahoma medical department and teaching hospital. By 1928, the campus had grown to include a building for the nurses training program, a hospital for children and a classroom building for the College of Medicine.

Over the next half-century, the campus expanded into a vast medical center, finding purpose and excellence through the interaction of research, health care, education, technology and community health support. The close cooperation and interaction between organizations is one of the greatest strengths of the Oklahoma Health Center

There will be an additional level after the one that is just being started, then this structure will be topped out.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ouhsc090619a.jpg

The ER/Trauma center needs to be torn down and rebuild badly. I noticed many buildings here are outdated. Hopefully this building is the start of many to come.

The ER/Trauma center needs to be torn down and rebuild badly. I noticed many buildings here are outdated. Hopefully this building is the start of many to come.
It won't be...

It won't be...

There he is

It won't be...
Why is that?

Why is that?
Their financial position will be rough for awhile, plus they have some other more pressing needs as I understand things.

Their financial position will be rough for awhile, plus they have some other more pressing needs as I understand things.
Thank you for the insight. I figured this wasn't happening any time soon but it would be nice. Maybe things will change soon with OU. It would be nice if we had big philanthropists to speed this up.

Thank you for the insight. I figured this wasn't happening any time soon but it would be nice. Maybe things will change soon with OU. It would be nice if we had big philanthropists to speed this up.
It would be VERY nice.

The buildings are old, but they're still functional. And they are LARGE. Yes the rooms are very small and no the A/C never seems to work right in any of the patient rooms. It would take several phases to remove portions of the campus at various points and several hundred millions of dollars. If they were going to do that, it would make more sense to select a new spot on the grounds and start over. And that's a 20 year plan, if that fast. The amount of debt the hospital would have to bring on to do that is astronomical. Hospitals aren't like Devon. They dont have oodles of cash laying around to throw up a new building debt free. And a hospital like this wouldn't probably cost more than that whole tower did.