The only problem is that the Stage Center wasn't world class to begin with.

Kevin, I don't claim to know all the details about the Stage Center; however there were articles and raves about Stage Center when it was originally touted & planned as The Mummers Theater. The early black & white placeholders pics looked similar to what was built.

Seems as though it took decades to get this project off the ground. Many people didn't appreciate its beauty; it was like they didn't know what to make of it.

That said, wasn't it pretty much destroyed BEFORE it was knocked down? I'm not entirely sure holding it up as something that "could have and should have" been saved is the best choice if it couldn't have. The whole "work of art replaced by boring office building and then even that didn't happen" narrative is cool and all, but it doesn't repair the damage left by flooding.

No, it was not destroyed and, yes, it could have been restored. Have you all seen some of the buildings that have been restored? Just look at those houses on 9th street as an example and they were just simple buildings.

I had no clue the Stage Center even existed until it was torn down.

This tells more about you than Stage Center. I don't mean that as an insult, but you clearly must have known very little about OKC to not know about Stage Center. One of the biggest annual events (maybe the biggest?) in the city surrounded it every year.

Take it to the Stage Center thread. We've already had this debate.

Take it to the Stage Center thread. We've already had this debate.

Why Stage Center thread; that thread is dead.

This thread has gotten somewhat off track (derailed) because the preservation issue returned as a result of what was revealed behind the gold facade of the building owned by OG&E where the garage will be built.

Dan, lives in a city (Dallas) that I know is very passionate about preservation; so until something new arises about the convention center garage why not talk about preservation on this site without having to toggle back and forth without having to make a thread subject content only.

We could devote a separate thread about preservation or a future MAPS to preserve OKC's venues; however the issue will return as we uncover old gems being replaced by new projects.

If the subject of preservation arises on any thread; let's kick this so-called dead horse http://www.thunderfans.com/vforum/images/smilies/Dead_Horse.gif around until somebody who has influence gets on board.

No, it was not destroyed and, yes, it could have been restored. Have you all seen some of the buildings that have been restored? Just look at those houses on 9th street as an example and they were just simple buildings.

Exactly this. Look, if the Marion Hotel building at NW 10th and Broadway could be saved, *almost* anything else can be saved too. I don't know if y'all recall, but the Marion was in extremely rough shape before rehabilitation began. The interior structure had to be mostly rebuilt. This is what it looked like before renovation started: http://www.abandonedok.com/the-marion/ (see also: http://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=29747)

But the Marion still had some of it's original bones, and was rebuilt within it's original footprint. I see some people calling to preserve the original building facades of the buildings before the OG&E data center went in, but... facadism is just hideous. I mean, just look at these examples from the UK: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/architecture-design-blog/2014/aug/25/front-facade-bad-developments-ruining-historic-buildings I wouldn't want that anywhere near OKC. So if the facade hidden under those gold panels is the only original part of the building left, I see little value in keeping the shell just to place a modern building behind the mask. The damage has already been done, the soul of the building is already gone. :(

The U.K. article... wow. That is awful.

Had a friend who lived in the basement of the Marion before it was gutted-remodeled; gave him a ride home, he invited me inside, when I went to use the bathroom; quickly decided to put my person business on hold--head for home. The bathroom was such a mess, a cow would have to declined to stand over the commode let alone sit.

I know we've steered off topic; let's keep this thread alive.

Had a friend who lived in the basement of the Marion before it was gutted-remodeled; gave him a ride home, he invited me inside, when I went to use the bathroom; quickly decided to put my person business on hold--head for home. The bathroom was such a mess, a cow would have to declined to stand over the commode let alone sit.

I know we've steered off topic; let's keep this thread alive.

That place had been a dump for years. There were a couple other ones I remember on that same block from years ago. The Lincoln Inn ( I think ) was on the north side of 10th street about 3 stories. I knew the owner and it was a total dump and I think it was finally torn down. There was a little bar (10th st Lounge maybe) down the street and I think most of the folks that lived there and the Marion spent about 90% of their time at that bar.

https://newsok.com/article/5620489/plans-proceed-for-demolition-of-oge-data-center

^

Yesterday, having seen the agenda item to approve the seeking of demolition bids, I asked Cathy O'Connor about OG&E's move and subsequent demo of their Gold Building next to the Omni.

She said she wasn't sure if they had completely relocated to the new location off Britton, but per their sales agreement had to be out by the end of March and OCURA would be seeking demo bids now so they could be ready to pull those buildings down in April.

The city has to start construction on the parking garage by this summer in order to be finished in time for the Omni opening, which is a contractual obligation.

Update on the convention center garage.

No decisions have been made on colors, lighting, and general materials.

COTPA intends for the public art to be a part of the exterior aesthetics adding dimension and style using 4” x 4” colored glass tiles. I believe the tiles will be similar to was was used in the Arts District Garage by the same architect, TAP.

# Floors: 6 plus basement
# Spaces: 1,100 plus
Total Square Feet: 412,645
Estimated costs: $27,979,172 which does not include the ART 1%
Timeline: Bid in Summer, Anticipated completion Fall of 2020


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccgararge031519e.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccgararge031519a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccgararge031519b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccgararge031519c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/ccgararge031519d.jpg

By my count last night, there are seven cranes (four in ground, three mobile) at the surrounding area right now. I would assume we would get two or more for the parking garage?

garage looks ok but I really wish they would include retail on the first floor fronting Shields/EK Gaylord Blvd and also in front of the Fairfield. Perhaps have another underground floor to compensate.

In fact, Great spot for a grocery and/or CVS/Walgreens.

A couple more renderings.

They have submitted to design review.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/conventiongarage032019a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/conventiongarage032019b.jpg

i wonder if the sky bridge connecting the parking garge to the CC is aproved or an Add Alt??

i wonder if the sky bridge connecting the parking garge to the CC is aproved or an Add Alt??

That was my question as well. The top pic doesn't have it on the overhead rendering, but the bottom pic does.

This design really is boring to the eyes. I wish they would atleast do something similar to the new parking garage being built in Tulsa
15202

That was my question as well. The top pic doesn't have it on the overhead rendering, but the bottom pic does.
The top pic is a plan view and I do believe it shows where the sky bridge would be (left corner) The plan is just cut down to the first floor.

This design really is boring to the eyes. I wish they would atleast do something similar to the new parking garage being built in Tulsa
15202

There will be a colored glass facade as a part of this that will be approved separately.

They are doing a Call to Artists and will be using 1% of the total budget, which is now required for city projects.

They started tearing down some of the old oge building. Saw the brick!

somebody get pics!

So, the convention center garage will cost considerably less than $30 million.

I took these Monday:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding041519c.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding041519a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding041519b.jpg

From lunch today. Getting busy.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding042219a.jpg

Based on what I have seen from removed sections of cladding, there isnt much left worth saving, if we even did want to keep parts of it. Damage was done several decades ago.

Broadcast tower being dismantled (taken today)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding050219.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding050219b.jpg

From today:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding051019a.jpg

It will be completely gone before the end of next week.

Sure hope they are careful in saving that gold material. Gotta be a great item to repurpose.

Man, look at the convention centre in that pic. ...

Gold Building almost completely gone as of this AM:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/goldbuilding051919a.jpg

Speaking honestly, I never thought it would take this long to tear it completely down.

Building permit applications have been filed for this garage.

Work should be starting in the next couple of months.

Its insane how much things have changed even over the last couple of years.

They held the official groundbreaking for this structure this morning.

Pete,

Have you any construction timelines on the convention center garage; also will the garage & surface parking satisfy the potential parking concerns.


Surface parking: 500 spaces (part of original plans IIRC)
CC Garage parking: Spaces: 900 - 1,100 plus

Looks like 1500 plus available spaces for the convention center & hotel on this complex.

From Sunday:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention100619a.jpg

What a change! It's looking great.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention102719a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/convention102719b.jpg

That skybridge to nowhere is kind of hilarious at the moment.

That skybridge to nowhere is kind of hilarious at the moment.

https://thumbs.gfycat.com/EnragedSoggyDragonfly-size_restricted.gif

Will the parking garage have a sky walk or connection to the hotel?

Whens the other motel supposed to open?

Whens the other motel supposed to open?

That is a good question. Looks like everything is done but I know they've been waiting for the neighboring construction to die down a bit.

Not sure how long they plan to wait because it will be at least a year before the convention center opens.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omniparking110219a.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omnigarage111619a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omnigarage111619b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omnigarage111619c.jpg

I’m wondering if they should have built more than 1100 spaces. Could be useful for events, two private developments, and the convention center. Will 1,100 spaces be enough?

First, they're finding places to park now, but also, are there 1100 people in this town willing to pay for parking during events? I say this because I've been at a very crowded arts festival, with cars sopping up the street parking for blocks on end, with a barely utilized arts garage right next to the festival (it was free for the festival but not sure people realized)

I know people are finding places to park now but the downtown population is very small and soon to open are convention center, two hotels, and inevitably more private development will come. I also know there is another surface lot slated to be converted to parking garage but instead of building a massive garage there they could build a smaller one and reserve more space for a larger hotel once demand is in store.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omniparking120319a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omniparking120319b.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/omniparking120819a.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/df1exES.jpg

Is there going to be a bridge to the garage from the Omni? I've been looking at that square opening towards the south end of the eastern face of the pedestal and wondering if it will eventually be a garage connection. Might be why the decided to not bother with the Omni to Convention Center bridge if there was going to be one from the hotel to the garage and then from there another to the Convention Center.

the skybridge to the garage is in the picture?

Is there going to be a bridge to the garage from the Omni? I've been looking at that square opening towards the south end of the eastern face of the pedestal and wondering if it will eventually be a garage connection. Might be why the decided to not bother with the Omni to Convention Center bridge if there was going to be one from the hotel to the garage and then from there another to the Convention Center.

No.

There is already a sky bridge from the convention center that will be attached to the garage.

MAPS 3 convention center wasn't one of the projects we felt were that urgent until we started to look at the benefits afforded other communities that made CCs a top priority.

It was then we realized that the 40 year old Cox CC didn't fit into the scheme of attracting the next level of tier conventions our city could bid on.

Hot Rod, you are correct; our city should have gone with nothing less than 735 room convention center hotel; then we would have 915 rooms available on the complex. Come 2022, Omni will evaluate how they can expand; our city's central location will give us leverage. The key will be to keep our city safe for conventioneers.

WRWA will need to keep up with the demand & supply OKC convention center will create--time is now to look at a $200 million airport expansion plan for 2022.

2028 OKC will be looking at a $1.5 billion MAPS 5 initiative.

dude, slow your roll

the skybridge to the garage is in the picture?

I'm not asking about that bridge, which is from the Convention Center to the garage, but a potential additional one from the Omni also to the garage.