Looks great. 1000% better than the eyesore that is currently there.

Very cool! Is that a curved video screen on the corner?

Is that a curved video screen on the corner?

Yes.

They are also proposing to put a smaller video screen on the north side of the building.

These will be owned/operated by OPUBCO.

I'm skeptical that what is built will be as nice looking as the renderings, but they are perfectly free to prove me wrong.

The main thing is just to get some tenants here and put some life into that corner again.

I'll just say it:

National drug store chain.


But, I don't think it's a done deal. And I believe that would still leave room for a restaurant where Mahogany was going to go.

What am I missing? A CVS will occupy part of the space and we should be excited? I don't get it.

The renderings look cool, though.

What am I missing? A CVS will occupy part of the space and we should be excited? I don't get it.

The renderings look cool, though.

Yes. A CVS would add a retail component that is missing from downtown and can really contribute towards a more livable area that is not just empty space after 5pm.

Yes. A CVS would add a retail component that is missing from downtown and can really contribute towards a more livable area that is not just empty space after 5pm.

I'd hope for Walgreens any day over CVS.

They can put a Duane Reade in for all I care, just do something...

Renderings looked watered down over original proposal, but like someone said it's 100x better than current condition. Anything to bring life to that dead corner. So what everyone's missing from the rendering is that the future is Dave Morris and Jenni Carlson........

I'm skeptical that what is built will be as nice looking as the renderings, but they are perfectly free to prove me wrong.

The main thing is just to get some tenants here and put some life into that corner again.

Surprised

Not sure how I feel about a cvs or Walgreens in that corner. The Medicine Cabinet is a small drug store in first national and I'd prefer our local businesses stay in business.

I guess this project is okay...

What am I missing? A CVS will occupy part of the space and we should be excited? I don't get it.

The renderings look cool, though.

A drug store in downtown Oklahoma City is just as exciting as the prospect of a grocery store. That would be the next step in building a downtown that is livable.

Haha. Probably not, most likely. I think everyone didn't care with Devon because it was the first new digs downtown had seen in 25 years. Several, including me, are on the street wall train now. Let's just see if the architects can figure it out...

Oh man - I need to go back and find the Devon Tower posts where I mentioned the deep setbacks being a negative. You would of thought I used a pitchfork to loaded puppies into a wood chipper.

Back on topic - these new rendering are great. It looks like a giant Apple Store.

A drug store in downtown Oklahoma City is just as exciting as the prospect of a grocery store. That would be the next step in building a downtown that is livable.

Would a SuperWalgreens across the the street from a SuperEckerd's/CVS be approved by The Planners if they had acceptable signs? And streetage?
(my vote is for ArtDeco style involving artificial "brick n stone")

Back in the day, we had Katz Drug at Main and Robinson, and Veazey's #1 just one door east of the same corner but across both streets. Both did quite well!

Back in the day, we had Katz Drug at Main and Robinson, and Veazey's #1 just one door east of the same corner but across both streets. Both did quite well!

My mother (84) has mentioned the interesting juxtaposition of those downtown landmarks/points of reference--after taking the hike across the Robinson Street Bridge to The City, from Capitol Hill, to see a movie or whatever and saving the 5-cent busfare for some popcorn at the movies (back when she was a kid).

I suppose that drugstores have always been in competition for customers.

This is why I stand by my Urban Planning Design Parameters (involving ArtDeco). =)

What am I missing? A CVS will occupy part of the space and we should be excited? I don't get it.

The renderings look cool, though.

Why shouldn't people be excited when downtown needs something like that?

Why shouldn't people be excited when downtown needs something like that?

Who said people weren't excited?
(about "something like that", "needs" for)

Who said people weren't excited?
(about "something like that", "needs" for)

Well, I always knew you would be excited, RM.

A drug store in downtown Oklahoma City is just as exciting as the prospect of a grocery store. That would be the next step in building a downtown that is livable.

I agree. Especially if they can adhere to urban design standards which if it is part of this development, they will.

Well, I always knew you would be excited, RM.

So . . . like , , , your real name is, like, Nostradamus? 'r whut? mebbe . . . OuiJa? =)
mindreaders . . . geez.

So . . . like , , , your real name is, like, Nostradamus? 'r whut? mebbe . . . OuiJa? =)
mindreaders . . . geez.

Close, but no cigar. Here is my actual website.

The Amazing Kreskin (http://www.amazingkreskin.com/)

Deal set for The Oklahoman's downtown move
Newspaper operations set to move into renovated Century Center by September 2014.

Deal set for The Oklahoman's downtown move | News OK (http://newsok.com/deal-set-for-the-oklahomans-downtown-move/article/3905951?custom_click=rss&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)

Deal set for The Oklahoman's downtown move | News OK (http://newsok.com/deal-set-for-the-oklahomans-downtown-move/article/3905951)

It looks like the deal has been struck to turn one of downtown's biggest eyesores into a great asset. Renovation will be completed next fall.

Deal set for The Oklahoman's downtown move | News OK (http://newsok.com/deal-set-for-the-oklahomans-downtown-move/article/3905951)

It looks like the deal has been struck to turn one of downtown's biggest eyesores into a great asset. Renovation will be completed next fall.
That sounds familiar... ;-)

I guess I'll have to stop by Subway on Main Street and give an update to the Subway lady.

Look forward to having The Oklahoman downtown.

I guess I'll have to stop by Subway on Main Street and give an update to the Subway lady.

They will be excited to have you guys nearby, and looking forward to other tenants that will move into the additional spaces!

They will be excited to have you guys nearby, and looking forward to other tenants that will move into the additional spaces!

Lazio, I think you and even some of the cynical folks on this board will be impressed if what's being negotiated all comes to pass.

Do tell Steve

:-)

Taco mayo!

Waffle House?

Probably a Ruths Chris...... but they're not my favorite.

They will be excited to have you guys nearby, and looking forward to other tenants that will move into the additional spaces!

Lazio,

The Subway lady was telling people that the DOK move downtown was dead.

Probably a Ruths Chris...... but they're not my favorite.

It's not going to be a restaurant.

I get some of my best downtown insider information from the Subway lady. It will be interesting to see who is right; the Subway lady or Steve.

I get some of my best downtown insider information from the Subway lady. It will be interesting to see who is right; the Subway lady or Steve.

Money on Steve with this one.

I get some of my best downtown insider information from the Subway lady. It will be interesting to see who is right; the Subway lady or Steve.

I've got to get her to sign up with OKCTalk!

Sounds like she's the real Oracle of Downtown. :tongue:

I've got to get her to sign up with OKCTalk!

Sounds like she's the real Oracle of Downtown. :tongue:

http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/000/301/493/oracle-inductive-reasoning_display_image.jpg?1279236228

Well, she's a fat black lady who smokes, so she's almost there.

My money is on a place that sells basic groceries, other daily needs and medicine. One starts with a W and the other starts with a C and they are usually located across the street from each other...

But the Subway Lady said the Oklahoman deal is dead!

OKC Central: Writer to return to roots ? downtown | News OK (http://newsok.com/okc-central-writer-to-return-to-roots-downtown/article/3906067)

I liked the original design for this, but I really think this is the best. Excited to see this eyesore transform into a gem. I love how nearly everything around the park is being redone. by the time the convention center opens, and the cox convention center expo hall is demolished, we could potentially have nearly every property surrounding the park either new or renovated space. Pretty exciting.

I liked the original design for this, but I really think this is the best. Excited to see this eyesore transform into a gem. I love how nearly everything around the park is being redone. by the time the convention center opens, and the cox convention center expo hall is demolished, we could potentially have nearly every property surrounding the park either new or renovated space. Pretty exciting.

I agree. There's no need for the sizable facade included in the original concept. I think this version is much better and will hold up better over time.

Can't see the full article but this is interesting because downtown parking is already maxed out and the addition to the Century Center parking garage has been scrapped due to cost.


OPUBCO seeks parking for downtown move
By Brian Brus
Posted: 04:43 PM Wednesday, November 27, 2013

The developer converting the Century Center building into office space for the Oklahoma Publishing Co. is negotiating with the city’s transit authority to lease parking spaces in an already-packed downtown, officials confirmed recently.

Read more: OPUBCO seeks parking for downtown move | The Journal Record (http://journalrecord.com/2013/11/27/opubco-seeks-parking-spots-for-downtown-move-real-estate/#ixzz2mLlVN2UW)

So the parking addition must be back?

No the parking at CC is def off.

But they still need parking for OPUBCO and other tenants, because all other garages are full as well.

So the parking addition must be back?

I have no idea but this indicates they are negotiating for existing parking.

No the parking at CC is def off.

But they still need parking for OPUBCO and other tenants, because all other garages are full as well.

I'm sorry but this is incredulous, the obviously solution is to build the parking. Why is more parking not being added?

Instead we're booting people out of parking garages because they're all over booked.

Parking is not being added because of cost

If only there was a way to get downtown without a car.....

I'm sorry but this is incredulous, the obviously solution is to build the parking. Why is more parking not being added?

Instead we're booting people out of parking garages because they're all over booked.

Remember the City (COTPA) was to the be a partner in adding the two additional levels of parking, so obviously it just turned out to be cost-prohibitive.

It does create an acute problem though, as the garages are already full and now we'll have 400 OPUBCO employees plus other tenants moving in.

There will be spaces added to the East City Center garage, but that is privately owned by the Leadership Square / Corporate Tower / Oklahoma Tower / City Place group, and they will still have no where near enough spaces for their tenants.


Perhaps it's time to start thinking seriously about razing the Cox Center and adding a bunch of new parking in the process??

Remember the City (COTPA) was to the be a partner in adding the two additional levels of parking, so obviously it just turned out to be cost-prohibitive.

It does create an acute problem though, as the garages are already full and now we'll have 400 OPUBCO employees plus other tenants moving in.

There will be spaces added to the East City Center garage, but that is privately owned by the Leadership Square / Corporate Tower / Oklahoma Tower / City Place group, and they will still have no where near enough spaces for their tenants.


Perhaps it's time to start thinking seriously about razing the Cox Center and adding a bunch of new parking in the process??

The Cox would make a great surface parking lot :tongue:

The problem with is that you lose 900 spaces during the process. The obvious, and only real solution, is to take the car out of the 'get to work' equation. We need more long-term root cause solutions and not the same chasing our tail solutions like we have with adding freeway lanes. We spend far too much money as it is accomodating the automobile.

The public should fund public transportation. The private sector should fund the private automobile.

There will be how many units of housing come online in the next 24 months? With the seven major (50+ unit) residential developments: Steelyard, Mosaic, Maywood I & II, Metropolitan, Edge, and 10th/Francis I really think we need to wait before we blow this Parking issue out of proportion.

Not that every person that works downtown is going to live in one of those units and walk, but even 10% would make a drastic impact on the parking situation in downtown.

I agree with your philosophy, but unfortunately, of all those people moving downtown, a non-trivial number of them will probably still drive (until the streetcar is done). If not year round, definitely in the cold months.

I agree with your philosophy, but unfortunately, of all those people moving downtown, a non-trivial number of them will probably still drive (until the streetcar is done). If not year round, definitely in the cold months.

I would bet many of them choose to bike, actually. Driving would take probably more time than biking.

What these companies should do is partner with COTPA and provide massive incentives to NOT drive.

When I worked in downtown LA, my company paid a generous amount in lieu of providing a parking spot -- considerably more than the price of the spot itself.

Also, in many larger cities, only the top execs get paid parking. Everyone else has to fend for themselves and many make other choices other than driving due to the expense.

I would bet many of them choose to bike, actually. Driving would take probably more time than biking.

I can definitely see that in the warm months... it would surprise me during the cold months (being wrong here is a good thing). So if they do drive during the cold months, they probably have the spot reserved year round...