From the Quad Construction website; it's a $60 million project:


Built in 1938, this historic 8 story structure is currently undergoing a complete rehabilitation of exterior envelope, infrastructure, life safety systems, and stripping ad hoc renovations over the years to bring back to life the historic character and usefulness of the historic spaces. Intended use is to be a state office building housing multiple state agencies with differing needs related to access control, security and general office and storage functions. The project is also about reorienting the hierarchical public access, reengaging the primary façade of the building both in terms of the site and accessibility. This project will complete in 2026.

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Man. I spent a few years in the sub-bowels of that place. I love art-deco, but to really fix it right will take every penny of what is budgeted, and probably more. The interior stairs were so worn they were concave from the almost 100 years of use. And it was possible to date the building from the multiple floods that occurred.. The lowest basement literally had waist and chest-high stains from the flooding.

I am a former state employee and there was a rumor that floated around that the Jim Thorpe building was "sick". I asked the person what they meant by the word "sick". They said that a lot of employees would come down "sick" and some were eventually diagnosed with cancer. I can' t verify if the rumor was true or not and I never worked in the building..

I am a former state employee and there was a rumor that floated around that the Jim Thorpe building was "sick". I asked the person what they meant by the word "sick". They said that a lot of employees would come down "sick" and some were eventually diagnosed with cancer. I can' t verify if the rumor was true or not and I never worked in the building..
More likely it was black mold and not leading to cancer. But, black mold can lead to serious effects with prolonged exposure.

Renderings from Gardner Studio:

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Love it!

And well overdue. I hope they work their way around to the other state offices around there too. Slowly, it looks like we're making some progress to bring the state offices out of the 1980s. I dont think i've ever spoken to anyone that liked those offices with the way they are.....which is like class C at best. This is great!

Maybe the capital and the supreme court buildings gave them all a taste of what could be......

It is about time they properly fix up the building named in honor of one of the GOAT Oklahomans.