Can we get an update on the old Public School Administration Building at 8th & Western? What will end up happening to this and when?

OCURA will soon issue an RFP and seek proposals to redevelop.

I would expect they will draw several interested parties as it's a cool old school with lots of potential, ala Page Woodson.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/okcps012018b.jpg

Does anyone have pictures of the inside of this building?

Does anyone have pictures of the inside of this building?

Tons of photos here:

https://freepressokc.com/unusual-spaces-admin-bldg-mothballed/index.html

Beautiful bones...but needs a lot of TLC

Beautiful bones...but needs a lot of TLC

That's an understatement. The photos Pete linked to are too kind to that old building. They don't show the mold that has accumulated over the decades or the constant leaking ceilings that caused the mold in the first place. It's a dirty, gloomy, stinky, depressing old building and it would probably be easier to demolish it and start over, despite it's historical significance.

That's an understatement. The photos Pete linked to are too kind to that old building. They don't show the mold that has accumulated over the decades or the constant leaking ceilings that caused the mold in the first place. It's a dirty, gloomy, stinky, depressing old building and it would probably be easier to demolish it and start over, despite it's historical significance.

Someone didn’t see the before and after pictures of Page Woodson. I’m sure this building is in better condition than one that was abandoned for decades.

Someone didn’t see the before and after pictures of Page Woodson. I’m sure this building is in better condition than one that was abandoned for decades.
Everyone should just take a deep breath. If Page Woodson is the great success we all claim it is, then the same or other developers should come racing in to repeat it. That’s the way economics works. Perceived profit draws investment and competitors.

This was formerly a school and more recently the headquarters for OKC public schools.

OCURA is assisting the district in the sale of this property through a Request for Proposal. Responses are due June 26th.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/900klein043019a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/900klein043019b.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/900klein043019d.jpg

There is a really great apartment development in inner St Louis that used a shriner complex not unlike this one. The apartments are all somewhat small but the building shares these kinds of large amenities like the swimming pool, a movie theater in the former auditorium, bars, a bowling alley, etc. The amenities in the building are also like, public businesses, but the tenants have some kind of priority access etc. It's really a great thing if the composition is right. This kind of complex just may be perfect for something like that. It'd be really great if a lot of this structure could be saved.

I'm a little confused by an item in the history-it says in 1955 the building became the OKCPS administration building and the classrooms were converted into offices. Yet, a couple lines later it says a level of classrooms were added to the 4th floor in 1964?

https://oklahoman.com/article/5634901/hotel-housing-retail-and-dining-are-among-proposals-for-former-okc-schools-headquarters

Article in the Oklahoman regarding possible proposals for the old headquarters.

I'll post the full proposals later this morning.

I'll post the full proposals later this morning.

Thanks, Pete! Sorry for the flooding of Oklahoman articles. Just saw this and thought it was interesting.

Thanks, Pete! Sorry for the flooding of Oklahoman articles. Just saw this and thought it was interesting.

It is interesting and I don't mind when people post new info, from any source.

I'm going to upload the info about each of the 3 proposals separately. Will all these images, right-click and open in a new window or tab to see the hi-res version.

I'll then go back and add more details and drone shots of the area for context; but want to get these up so people can see them.

Also, I have all the details for the senior center complex at 10th & Western which I'll be posting that later.

Far Wespen

The property subject to this RFP is adjacent to property owned by Far Wespen LLC (N. Western Ave to N. Classen Blvd, 9th Street to 10th Street). It is our intent that the two properties be developed as a whole. In addition, Far Wespen is in contract with a nationally recognized developer of senior housing to place a facility from N. Classen to N. Western, 10 St to Park Place on an adjacent property owned by Far Wespen. It is the intent of the applicant to produce an integrated residential, institutional, retail and commercial neighborhood extending from 9th Street to W. Park Place, N. Western Ave. to N. Classen Blvd, and from N. Classen to N. Klein Ave., 9th Street to 7th Street – a total of 10.3 acres (See map, attached).

The entire development will include:
• 40+ handicapped-accessible residential units, 5-10% of which will qualify as Affordable Housing.
- it is assumed that construction of the AffordableHousing component of the project will be assisted by applicable programs available in OKC.
- if permissible, all Affordable Housing units will be reserved for retired teachers;
• 285 units of senior housing;
• approximately 150,000 SF of professional, institutional and commercial office space;
• 40,000 SF of retail, arts and entertainment facilities; - the arts facility will avail itself of arts funding from Oklahoma City and State.
• two pedestrian plazas.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/farwespen1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/farwespen2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/farwespen3.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/farwespen4.jpg

The Theodore

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore3.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore5.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore6.jpg

Dang, I love that Far Wespen concept. Nice infill right up against Classen.

There's a hidden balcony in the auditorium area where you gain access from the 3rd floor. Hope they restore it to its original use.

The building doesn't look impressive from its exterior, the interior has had tons of renovation.

The library in the building was located in what once may have been the gymnasium. It had an old huge wall map mural of the State of Oklahoma with wood block placeholders of skyscrapers & towers. Definitely remember OKC, Tulsa, Enid, Lawton, Ada, Altus depicted along with Bartlesville where Phillips Petroleum Building & the infamous Price Tower now stand. Did get an opportunity to visit Bartlesville to see the Price Tower, it looked very similar to our old Citizens Tower next to the Gold Dome in OKC.

The Roosevelt (Marva Ellard)

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/roosevelt1.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/roosevelt2.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/roosevelt3.jpg


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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/roosevelt6.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/roosevelt7.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/roosevelt8.jpg

Far Wespen is by far the most ambitious. Development will be really good for that area.

Far Wespen for the win! I do have a question Pete. On the Far Wespen proposal, it does show senior housing saying its "Currently in Development". Is that particular building already in the process of being developed then?

Far Wespen for the win! I do have a question Pete. On the Far Wespen proposal, it does show senior housing saying its "Currently in Development". Is that particular building already in the process of being developed then?

No, not quite yet.

I'll have more on this very soon.

Wow the FarWespen seems like no brainer. Its scope seems to be 2-3x what the other projects are. Some likely won't but I love the pedestrian bridge linking the development together. Good stuff. Hope the first one is chosen.

Very similar to the Page-Woodson (Old Douglass High School) project on High Avenue.

Worked one summer in the Research department on old Klein Avenue; also forgot about the swimming pool in the drafts--do recall the area being used for chemical storage stuff like duplication machine powders, cartridges, fluid and the building maintenance (gasoline, floor wax & lacquer).

Recall when the old Roosevelt Jr., High School (Administration Bldg) had hallways on the upper levels had floor coverings called battleship--looked like old brown linoleum. Remember the building custodians walking around scrapping gum from the floors. Very interesting structure--glad it will be saved and put to good use.

Wow the FarWespen seems like no brainer. Its scope seems to be 2-3x what the other projects are. Some likely won't but I love the pedestrian bridge linking the development together. Good stuff. Hope the first one is chosen.

The only question I would have on this project as well as the others is when is construction scheduled/required to begin before? I think each proposal should take in consideration project schedule (to an extent).

^^^^ agreed

I am for anyone not Marva. She has the properties north of the Pump that she has barely even done anything to, Villa Teresa which she hasn't touched and now she is going to take on this?

Wow the FarWespen seems like no brainer. Its scope seems to be 2-3x what the other projects are. Some likely won't but I love the pedestrian bridge linking the development together. Good stuff. Hope the first one is chosen.

Totally agree. Seems like an easy choice.

I am for anyone not Marva. She has the properties north of the Pump that she has barely even done anything to, Villa Teresa which she hasn't touched and now she is going to take on this?
Agreed. While I don't like all the surface parking in the Carpathia proposal, Marva's site plan wasn't so much better that it becomes a slam dunk for me. Not to mention she's rapidly approaching Dowell territory with her pace of development. The density of the Far Wespen proposal is awesome, but I question the likelihood of them successfully developing the area in that manner, but it's the best proposal IMO.

I am for anyone not Marva. She has the properties north of the Pump that she has barely even done anything to, Villa Teresa which she hasn't touched and now she is going to take on this?

Yeah it looks like Carpathia at least has a local track record for success. Unsure about Far Wespen and their background. All I can find is a record of an easement protest that suggests they've been forcing local businesses nearby to sell their land. Sounds like gentrification to me. Short of large public subsidies, I'm extremely skeptical of their capacity to deliver on their promises in an ethical manner.

https://agenda.okc.gov/sirepub/cache/2/qlcyo355u3gdcbaopxqjnuu0/294491307012019100919743.PDF

That's not true - there was an active effort and agreement put forth by the OCFA to take over maintenance and preserve it.

True, but with several deadlines that came and went with no true plans or proof of secured financing.

No, not quite yet.

I'll have more on this very soon.

Any update on this? Very curious... The rendering looks like it is a massive senior housing project. It says in development, any idea how far?

Any update on this? Very curious... The rendering looks like it is a massive senior housing project. It says in development, any idea how far?

This senior project is completely separate from their RFP. It actually would be developed by a senior housing company, but they won't start for about another year.

I'm trying to get renderings and some more info.

Hotel development recommended for former OKCPS HQ (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=661-City-board-recommends-hotel-development-for-former-OKCPS-HQ)

Oklahoma City Public Schools has been working with the Oklahoma City Redevelopment Authority (OCRA) to find a buyer and redeveloper for its old headquarters building at 900 N. Klein.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore1.jpg


After receiving three ambitious plans as a response to a request for proposals, OCRA will recommend to the OKCPS board that a hotel project be selected for redevelopment of the large property just to the west of Western, formerly home to Roosevelt School but more recently used by school administration.

The recommended project would convert the main building into 109 hotel rooms with a pool, performance space and three food and beverage concepts.

The smaller structure would become a creative workspace for local businesses.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore104.jpg


The newly-formed development group called Carpathia includes Elliott Nelson of the McNellies group which operates 19 restaurants in Oklahoma; four are in Oklahoma City. The team also includes Warren Ross and Casey Stowe, both based in Tulsa with several commercial mixed-use projects to their credit in that area.

The project would be named The Theodore and design work handled by Mass Architecture with the intention of marrying the historic architecture with contemporary finishes.

Hotel rooms on the third and fourth floor would be developed with the ability to convert to multi-family apartments if the market demands it. The old auditorium would be restored into a performance space that could serve as a movie theater, community meeting space, concert venue, or lecture hall.


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore105.jpg

A proposal was also received (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45057&p=1080555#post1080555) by east coast developer Far Wespen which owns a good deal of adjacent property between Western and Classen. As we previously reported (https://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=656-5-story-senior-complex-planned-for-key-Classen-block), they are in the process of selling a large parcel for senior housing and had planned to bridge the old school with new development to the west.

The third proposal (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=45057&p=1080563#post1080563) was from a group led by Marva Ellard which envision housing on the site.

The Carpathia proposal will only move forward after the approval of the OKCPS board.



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http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/theodore103.jpg

What’s with the surface parking fronting Western? Not a fan of that element.

What’s with the surface parking fronting Western? Not a fan of that element.

The parking requirements are for over 500 spaces and this configuration only shows about 230.

So they will either have to get a variance or build a parking structure.

This same group had the notion to do this same sort of thing at Villa Theresa once upon a time if i recall.

I like it. Seems a bit large for a boutique hotel concept though. This really reminds me of McMenamin's Kennedy School hotel (https://www.mcmenamins.com/kennedy-school/home/) in Portland but that hotel has only 57 rooms total.

required parking mins need to go

required parking mins need to go
With a quickness.

I definitely like the Far Wespen proposal the best.

I definitely like the Far Wespen proposal the best.

Agreed. 90% of the Far Wespen proposal has nothing to do with this building, so hopefully both work out.

I'm surprised nobody posted this. OKCPS board approved the recommendation for Carpthia, LLC as conditional re-developer of 900 N. Klein, OKC, OK 73109.

I've included some links to documents provided to OKCPS with the projected being dubbed The Theodore.

https://go.boarddocs.com/ok/okcps/Board.nsf/Public

https://go.boarddocs.com/ok/okcps/Board.nsf/files/BGJK6S505CE7/$file/The%20Theodore%20-%20900%20N.%20Klein%20Property.pdf

Looks like we need to see an new forum on The Theodore soon with some OKCTALK intel.

That link didn't go directly to the Board minutes, but it is under October 7th. All of the documents are provided if you scroll down to the 900 N. Klein portion.

It appears that construction set to begin in July 2020 with completion in January 2022.

So the other proposal that was much more ambitious isn’t happening?

Is there a link anywhere to the full FarWespen proposal?

I meant to post this a while back but have been forgetting. I wasn't sure if this was a better fit in this thread or in the Thrive thread but Far Wespen has apparently decided to move on. There's been a for sale sign up on the block owned by Far Wespen and bounded by N Western Ave, N Classen Blvd, NW 10, and NW 9 for at least a few weeks now. The property just east of Good Times, also owned by Far Wespen, has recently been cleared of a duplex and a two story building consisting of a garage and upstairs apartment and is now up for sale, too.

I meant to post this a while back but have been forgetting. I wasn't sure if this was a better fit in this thread or in the Thrive thread but Far Wespen has apparently decided to move on. There's been a for sale sign up on the block owned by Far Wespen and bounded by N Western Ave, N Classen Blvd, NW 10, and NW 9 for at least a few weeks now. The property just east of Good Times, also owned by Far Wespen, has recently been cleared of a duplex and a two story building consisting of a garage and upstairs apartment and is now up for sale, too.

Interesting.

The developers actually bought that 9th/10th/Classen/Western block last year.

I just reached out to them to see if Thrive is still moving forward. They told me two years ago it would take years to develop, as they work with government agencies and the whole process is involved.

Has this development died or are there still hopes for it to move forward?

Has this development died or are there still hopes for it to move forward?

Dead as fried chicken.

The school district jacked around, the developer pulled out and now they are going to have a very hard time getting anyone interested after all the time, money and work by the selected redeveloper was just flushed.

Beyond all that, the district doesn't seem to care about selling that property, which is a shame because there is so much potential.

nm

Building to be demolished, which is unfortunate. Could be great for affordable housing in a spot that could use it.

https://freepressokc.com/okcps-plans-to-demolish-former-admin-bldg-in-metro-park/

^

That is hugely disappointing.

The district should be prepared for a huge amount of pushback.

BTW, much credit to Brett Dickerson who runs FreePressOKC and busts his tail to report on many things, including schools.

Let's see how long it takes for the Oklahoman to steal his story and not give him/them any credit.

^

That is hugely disappointing.

The district should be prepared for a huge amount of pushback.

And they're planning to ask voters to pass a big bond issue in November.

There was a fire in the building a week or so ago. I was listening to the radio traffic, and apparently where the fire was there was already part of the interior of the building that had collapsed.

BEFORE that fire I opened an action center ticket because so many windows were broken out and the fence they have around the place is super janky, but the ticket was closed with a "no violation" result.

17557

Demolition by neglect.

We've seen it so many times.

Ah, man. Major bummer. Gorgeous building.