The long-vacant Oklahoma Hardware Building at 19 E. California (between ACM @UCO and the old Chelino's) has sold to an LLC registered to Don Karchmer for $2 million.

Karchmer owned the large surface lot to the north before he sold it to Drury Hotels.

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He also purchased the surface parking lot on the opposite side of and immediately next to the old Chelino’s location.

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He also purchased the surface parking lot on the opposite side of and immediately next to the old Chelino’s location.

Urbanized, have you heard about any plans for the building?

Why aren’t more of the upper floors along the canal converted to residential? It always seems to be office or empty.

Why aren’t more of the upper floors along the canal converted to residential? It always seems to be office or empty.

Good questlion, would love to see more residential housing on the canal.

Urbanized, have you heard about any plans for the building?

I believe he purchased it to be a stabilizing force on that portion of the canal, which was struggling with absentee ownership of several buildings, including that one. Over the past couple of years that section has struggled mightily as the site of repeated encampments for people experiencing homelessness, some break-ins, squatting inside of that building in particular and other issues. Over the past two years I personally have been trying to bring attention to the condition of that section, as I have been very concerned, specifically regarding fire.

I haven't spoken with Don directly about it, but have spoken with a couple of people close to him leading up to the sale a couple of weeks ago, and again a few days ago, after the acquisition. I've also spoken with him recently in a few meetings and in many casual and business-related conversations for a couple of decades. I do know Don is motivated to help Bricktown stay on track and move in the right direction, which is probably in part to protect his legacy as one of the earliest investors in the district, not to mention to protect the several investments he still holds.

All of that is to say that I think he is most likely open to redevelopment pitches and also willing to sell to the right group, though I don't believe he has a specific plan for this property at this time. I don't believe this is profit speculation on his part so much as wanting to push things in the right direction. But again, I haven't spoken with him directly on this particular topic, to be clear.

As long as he's not going to demo that building to rebuild his surface lot empire.....

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Karchmer is still in the middle of the proposed parking garage just east of the tracks in Bricktown. He submitted plans and received approval, but other than demolishing the buildings along Main Street, I haven't seen any further movement.

ParkFirst@Bricktown (https://www.okctalk.com/showthread.php?t=38099&page=7&p=1119203#post1119203)

That Chelino's building (especially the awning) is looking really ragged.

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Incredible that after all these years of the canal, other maps and private investment that we still have boarded up vacant or shoddy maintained buildings in the heart of bricktown.

Did a little walk around the East side of the canal after some bowling action on Sunday. I always enjoy it but from OK av to the east end, the canal is really under developed. Zios closed down so there is nothing either on street level. Lot of potential but it wont be easy to do.

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New business under development immediately west of Zio's location, and the owners also have plans for the Zio's space, which they also own. Would expect that space to come to life later this year.

Regarding 119 E California, that was caught up for a number of years in some family issues related to the longtime owner, French Hickman, and also lost its rudder when he developed health issues, reportedly required memory care, etc. Most of Doc's kids live out of state, so those properties became a bit of an absentee owner situation. With Don Karchmer purchasing them they should eventually develop momentum.

Frustratingly Chelino's - after around two decades of successful operation - never made any reinvestment or updates, and went the way of businesses who do not reinvest. Same with Zio's, honestly. Not sure what happens there, as the owner is a Californian who seems a bit disinterested. Based on his history I suspect that he was betting on the loose MMJ laws in Oklahoma somehow benefitting him. That one is worrisome until proven otherwise.

That said, my personal feeling about that stretch of the canal (west of Oklahoma Avenue, north side of the canal) is that it is difficult to develop in large part due to accessibility issues. A 2015 study by the University of Oklahoma Institute for Quality Communities (commissioned by Downtown Oklahoma City Partnership) recommended an elevator be installed on the west side of Oklahoma Avenue, and I strongly believe this needs to be pursued. The Oklahoma City Department of Parks and Recreation (in charge of canal infrastructure) agrees, and is working to find a way to make this happen.

Incredible that after all these years of the canal, other maps and private investment that we still have boarded up vacant or shoddy maintained buildings in the heart of bricktown.

The owners of some of these properties were not willing to do buildouts for smaller uses. Seemingly, they all wanted super-restaurant tenants and / or large retail tenants who would pay for their own buildout. They also charged New York rents from Day One.

This has led to numerous underdeveloped properties throughout Bricktown's modern history. And this after the taxpayers of Oklahoma City gifted the district with hundreds of millions of dollars in public investment.

It is unfortunate that an early group of speculating owners with little real development experience has caused this multidecade hostage situation.

Incredible that after all these years of the canal, other maps and private investment that we still have boarded up vacant or shoddy maintained buildings in the heart of bricktown.

Urbanized, you know how on the canal in san Antonio or the French quarter in new Orleans they have those alocholic sushies. Is there a legal reason why we dont have those places on our canal?

Urbanized, you know how on the canal in san Antonio or the French quarter in new Orleans they have those alocholic sushies. Is there a legal reason why we dont have those places on our canal?

Or even a walk-in pizzeria where you could customize your own toppings for a personal deep dish pie. Maybe even a multi-story club with a bar. The one thing I've noticed about the club scene on Bourbon Street is that they don't just have one club to walk into. If you want some bluegrass music you walk to one place, you want jazz there's another, you want heavy metal you go over yonder, you want a live band to do all the hits it's down the street. It's sometimes where clubs are looking each other in the face every night. But when you have that kind of stuff, you can easily draw people to the canal like it's Mardi Gras down in the gulf. The two things we have to establish for that to happen is for the property owners to be more laissez faire on the and lenient with the leasing costs, then actively allow those places to flourish without any religious intervention. Once that happens, the canal will swell and you'll be looking at beautiful nights where boats run up and down the stream with people waltzing the walkways.

Can't have a bunch of tight-fisted property owners dictate the terms that would stunt the districts growth in what should be the main draw.

Or even a walk-in pizzeria where you could customize your own toppings for a personal deep dish pie. Maybe even a multi-story club with a bar. The one thing I've noticed about the club scene on Bourbon Street is that they don't just have one club to walk into. If you want some bluegrass music you walk to one place, you want jazz there's another, you want heavy metal you go over yonder, you want a live band to do all the hits it's down the street. It's sometimes where clubs are looking each other in the face every night. But when you have that kind of stuff, you can easily draw people to the canal like it's Mardi Gras down in the gulf. The two things we have to establish for that to happen is for the property owners to be more laissez faire on the and lenient with the leasing costs, then actively allow those places to flourish without any religious intervention. Once that happens, the canal will swell and you'll be looking at beautiful nights where boats run up and down the stream with people waltzing the walkways.

Can't have a bunch of tight-fisted property owners dictate the terms that would stunt the districts growth in what should be the main draw.

Too late, unfortunately. These buildings should have been reconfigured for human scale restaurants and boutiques (and housing, duh) 20 years or more ago, but they were not. People bought them, leased them if they could to people willing to dump a lot of money into them, and then just sat on them if they couldn't find tenants. Basically these buildings were only intended to be used as holdings until they could sell them for a mint if they should be so lucky.

It is gross that this is what happened after the neighborhood received multiple waves of multimillion-dollar taxpayer investments. All so a few guys could hold onto some buildings in hopes of getting rich.

Urbanized, you know how on the canal in san Antonio or the French quarter in new Orleans they have those alocholic sushies. Is there a legal reason why we dont have those places on our canal?

It’s not specific to the canal; state law is what has kept that or any area from being able to sell mixed beverages and let them walk out of the door. I’ve personally known bartenders who’ve been all but financially ruined defending themselves legally after a customer holding a cocktail they served walked out an open door when they had their back turned.

I think the laws related to drinks to go passed recently might open the door to such activities, but I’m not an expert in that area, and even less so than I was a few years ago.

In Colorado to-go alcohol has a sticker sealing the straw and the lid to the cup. While it doesn’t prevent it from being opened it does show proof that it was opened. Consuming alcohol while in public is still illegal so if you catch the attention of the police and the seal is broken you will be getting a drunk and disorderly or public intox charge, most likely.

I would presume the same or similar for OK.

In Colorado to-go alcohol has a sticker sealing the straw and the lid to the cup. While it doesn’t prevent it from being opened it does show proof that it was opened. Consuming alcohol while in public is still illegal so if you catch the attention of the police and the seal is broken you will be getting a drunk and disorderly or public intox charge, most likely.
Drinks to go was passed so that restaurants could sell drinks when they sell food curbside or delivered. Supposed to be in a cup with a sealed lid. But from what I understand ABLE or other law enforcement staked out places like The Mont (reliable hearsay) and busted them for customers drinking before they got the drinks home. I heard that the LE interpretation was that if someone was at the restaurant eating and ordered drinks to go that they were expected to carry drinks to their car and place them in the trunk before going back into the restaurant to finish their meal. Not optimal for frozen drinks, for instance.

Point is that I think there are still some kinks to work out.

I heard that the LE interpretation was that if someone was at the restaurant eating and ordered drinks to go that they were expected to carry drinks to their car and place them in the trunk before going back into the restaurant to finish their meal.

the actaull law requires them to be put in the truck or the far rear area of an SUV


http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2021-22%20ENR/hB/HB2122%20ENR.PDF



3. The sealed container is placed in the trunk of the vehicle
or, if there is no trunk, in the vehicle's rear compartment that is
not readily accessible to the passenger area

the law doesn't really account for walking customers or bike riders ..

The Oklahoman is reporting that there are plans for the Oklahoma Opry to move from the Stockyards, renovate, and occupy this building.

There would be a 2-level auditorium on the 2nd and 3rd floors and a music school at canal level; the top floor would be office space.

There will be synergies with ACM@UCO next door.

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https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2023/04/27/oklahoma-opry-events-okc-live-music-weekly-show-classes-bricktown-canal/70148587007/

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Nice! I love seeing these canal building get used.

They have to raise money and no plans of any sort have been filed, so I hope this comes off.

That end of the canal is pretty depressing.

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Obviously nothing is guaranteed in life, but I feel very good about this one. It has a lot of support from people who can make a real difference on multiple levels. This will also be the beginning of a very important partnership between Oklahoma Opry and ACM@UCO, who will be providing space to OO during construction. Ultimately this can be a feeder program to ACM, and current ACM students can get employment and venue experience at OO.

One thing that will also be a game changer for this end of the canal is the coming outdoor elevator in front of ACM, which will - after 24 years - provide obvious, intuitive accessibility between street and canal level on that section of the canal.

Would be nice synergy if something opened in the former Chelion's right next door as well.

Would be nice synergy if something opened in the former Chelion's right next door as well.

That Chelino's has a huge open upstairs and broken up first floor. The second floor is screaming to be a live music venue.

There’s a Opry banner up on the railing over the canal. Couldn’t see any ongoing work from the exterior but maybe they’re rolling on the interior.

There’s a Opry banner up on the railing over the canal. Couldn’t see any ongoing work from the exterior but maybe they’re rolling on the interior.

There have not been any building permits or design applications.

I suspect they are still deep into trying to raise funds.

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This is correct