Maybe this is the planned Whole Foods expansion? They may be able to partially replicate their downtown Austin store with an adjacent parking garage.

One can dream.

And if I ever see that many people outside walking on a normal day in OKC...I will die a happy man.

Perhaps we could start a program for this. Pay people, say $10/hr, to just mill around downtown for a couple of hours. About 100 people per day.

Set up a fund for this -- "The People Our Downtown Fund". Then we can look good for Chamber of Commerce pics and the occasional tourist who wanders downtown.

:Smiley099

(btw, this was satire, for those who didn't catch it)

The renderings look good, but I feel a little cautious. I hope the materials, fit, and finish are high quality, otherwise this could end up looking like a cheap "tack-on".

I'm right there with you. I'm getting mental images of the travesty that is the Santa Fe Garage.

The Combine.

Is there a business with that name? Or are they just making up stuff to give the rendering more pizzazz?

Maybe this is the planned Whole Foods expansion? They may be able to partially replicate their downtown Austin store with an adjacent parking garage.

One can dream.

Those are old images from before OPUBCO was named as the main tenant.

See the article for most recent rendering.


The only other thing likely to go it will be a Mahogany Steakhouse and other office tenants.

From the plan in post #411 that corner where the grocery sign is has an interior depiction resembling that of a small grocery store. Next door across the walkway is an area of 12,420 sq feet labeled "market". If you zoom into 400% you can read it.

Those are old images from before OPUBCO was named as the main tenant.

See the article for most recent rendering.


The only other thing likely to go it will be a Mahogany Steakhouse and other office tenants.

Oops. Got excited over nothing. :(

Is anything happening with this??

They are still trying to work out some issues with supporting the foundation so they can add the parking levels to the top.

They're working on it but it's going slowly.

Those are old images from before OPUBCO was named as the main tenant.

See the article for most recent rendering.


The only other thing likely to go it will be a Mahogany Steakhouse and other office tenants.

Oh well.

Might we actually get something like Reading Terminal Market, Grand Central Market in NYC, Covenant Garden Market, or The English Market? I doubt but it would be a tourist attraction all on its own.

I've always thought the Fred Jones Building would be awesome as something like RTM.

Might we actually get something like Reading Terminal Market, Grand Central Market in NYC, Covenant Garden Market, or The English Market? I doubt but it would be a tourist attraction all on its own.

I feel like you are being a little facetious, but I'm really wondering what it would take for something like this to happen?

Probably the city stepping in. Only works in historic spaces though, like the West Side Market
http://nutritiontranslator.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/cleveland-west-side-market.jpg

Maybe our original Farmer's Market would be a better space for something like that...

I just REALLY wish something like that was in OKC.

Probably the city stepping in. Only works in historic spaces though, like the West Side Market

Maybe our original Farmer's Market would be a better space for something like that...

What about Union Station on the south end of the Central Park? Don't get me wrong...definitely a possibility when housing is built on both sides and a residential status is established...

I posted about this some time ago, specifically about Milwaukee's Public Market which is awesome in a similar-sized city.

However, it took years and years of work on the part of private citizens and tons of grants and help from the City. And even then, for the first several years it really struggled. Not sure how it's doing now but last time I was there (about 2 years ago) it was at least full of vendors.

And then you get into an issue of a heavily -subsidized facility competing directly with grocers already downtown or who look to locate there.

OKC is not nearly dense enough nor will it be for quite some time to support that kind of market.

It could have a chance in the future if the market sat right outside a stop on the N/S line between Edmond/Norman that was still relatively close to downtown. So either somewhere on Broadway south of NW 23rd or around the Oklahoma River.

OKC is not nearly dense enough nor will it be for quite some time to support that kind of market.

It could have a chance in the future if the market sat right outside a stop on the N/S line between Edmond/Norman that was still relatively close to downtown. So either somewhere on Broadway south of NW 23rd or around the Oklahoma River.

I don't agree with this. I think OKC could absolutely support a market like that, it would just have to be in the right location as visitors (for the time being) would have to drive to such a market instead of being able to walk to it like in Philly or Boston.

I don't agree with this. I think OKC could absolutely support a market like that, it would just have to be in the right location as visitors (for the time being) would have to drive to such a market instead of being able to walk to it like in Philly or Boston.

If you feel confident that you could frequently push 25k to 75k people through that market in a day, then sure.

I posted about this some time ago, specifically about Milwaukee's Public Market which is awesome in a similar-sized city.

However, it took years and years of work on the part of private citizens and tons of grants and help from the City. And even then, for the first several years it really struggled. Not sure how it's doing now but last time I was there (about 2 years ago) it was at least full of vendors.

And then you get into an issue of a heavily -subsidized facility competing directly with grocers already downtown or who look to locate there.

Grand Rapids, MI (population 188,000, metro population 1M) just opened something like this: Grand Rapids Downtown Market (http://downtownmarketgr.com/)

You know the Film Exchange buildings would be a great place for a central market like what is being discussed above. The building itself is 16,740 square feet and the other smaller building north of it is 6,116 square feet. This is according to the county assessor. It could be worked into the park plans and on days that there are no park events going on, the market could extend out into the grand lawn. All they would really have to do is do away with the trees that line Robinson and maybe adjust where the stage for concerts would go.

Grand Rapids, MI (population 188,000, metro population 1M) just opened something like this: Grand Rapids Downtown Market (http://downtownmarketgr.com/)

That's brilliant, and exactly like what I was thinking for OKC.

A public market like this would have to be located very close to office users and tourist attractions.

Agree completely. And would be best ALSO being located walkable to as many downtown residents as possible. There is a butter zone there. In a different life I wanted to help drive an effort to locate something similar in the Sherman Iron Works. I think currently the right location if you are going to just push a pin into a map of downtown (though no building exists to facilitate this) is the massive Main Street Parking lot. Any other potential spots would need to be graded by proximity to that location.

I think the best sport would be the parking lot at Sheridan and Oklahoma, or maybe even the north parking lot at Santa Fe Station (especially after the Cox is gone).

Conceptuals for the transit center show a building extended onto that north lot at Santa Fe.

A public market like this would have to be located very close to office users and tourist attractions.

It's already very difficult to get office workers to walk down to the farmer's market... every downtown in the country has struggled with this and over time learned that even a smaller residential population is a lot likelier to show up and support something.

In okc if it is very close to office worker and downtown tourist attractions isn't it by default also close to people living in downtown adjacent neighborhoods?

Steve said in his chat today there is a construction fence around this building and that interior demolition has begun.

Steve said in his chat today there is a construction fence around this building and that interior demolition has begun.

Now if they'd only demolish the exterior as well, while they're at it.

Just kidding. Sort of.

The first step is to perform reinforcement for the new parking levels above.

They haven't even sought design approval for any of this project yet.

Steve said in his chat today there is a construction fence around this building and that interior demolition has begun.

This would be a good weekend for me to take a few pics. Not on a Will Scale but just a few.

2014 has been the stated completion goal of this effort, but I'm having an increasingly difficult time believing that will be possible because I thought they had to have the extra parking before this would be feasible for them. Even if not, seems like you wouldn't redo the facade without the parking addition being done lest you damage the new facade during construction of the parking... but probably they can completely redo the interior while the parking is being added and then do the facade last (theoretically with people occupying the building before the facade is done). I guess it might still be possible, but based on the pace of the main street parking garage construction it doesn't seem like it.

I believe they have to demo the interior to do the foundation and structural reinforcement.

Once they have done this and added the parking levels, I believe they will just remove all the exterior walls and then replace them with glass.

Then, they would start work on finishing out the interior.

Makes sense. I didn't actually realize reinforcement was necessary. I was under the impression it was designed to hold two more levels as is.

The only thing that has officially happened on this project thus far (other than the announcement) was a building permit for the necessary reinforcement.

They can't even start the parking addition without design approval, and they have yet to submit an application.

November 8 2013

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/IMG_7466.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/IMG_7465.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/IMG_7467.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/UnFrSaKn/IMG_7468.jpg

I've been told the 2 levels of parking are no longer in the works.....

I just had a nice conversation with the lady at Subway and it appears this fence has been up for the last two plus weeks. Additionally, that Subway will be gettting a remodel in the next few months, and she mentioned that The Oklahoman was no longer moving into the building. If someone can substantiate her remarks that would be helpful to know if this is the truth.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/10749109345_c453d577f2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/10749109345/)
Century Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/10749109345/) by lazio85 (http://www.flickr.com/people/77483833@N04/), on Flickr

Well, it appears this project has already turned into a cluster. Nice.

I just had a nice conversation with the lady at Subway and it appears this fence has been up for the last two plus weeks. Additionally, that Subway will be gettting a remodel in the next few months, and she mentioned that The Oklahoman was no longer moving into the building. If someone can substantiate her remarks that would be helpful to know if this is the truth.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/10749109345_c453d577f2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/10749109345/)
Century Center (http://www.flickr.com/photos/77483833@N04/10749109345/) by lazio85 (http://www.flickr.com/people/77483833@N04/), on Flickr

This does not sound credible.

I am pretty darn sure the Oklahoman is still moving there, especially since the design still calls for the large video screen on the SW corner.

Also, what may have changed with the parking is adding just one level instead of two.


I should have the full scoop no later than Monday.

I have no reason to doubt The Oklahoman will be moving into Century Center. There were design and cost issues with the garage expansion that caused delays. The Subway lady is wrong.

If the structure's massing isn't being expanded, it really should just be torn down or else remain an underutilized site.

If the structure's massing isn't being expanded, it really should just be torn down or else remain an underutilized site.

Is there NOTHING you can agree with??? Really?

If the structure's massing isn't being expanded, it really should just be torn down or else remain an underutilized site.I agree with you. This project just isn't doing it for me. It seems they could of made it better, taller, and WOW!

I have no reason to doubt The Oklahoman will be moving into Century Center. There were design and cost issues with the garage expansion that caused delays. The Subway lady is wrong.

Subway ladies always know what they are talking about, Steve. :D

Guys, I can second this. I went in FedEx Print Center and the copy machine man (who was very nice) confirmed that Subway lady was indeed correct. He also added that the building will be completely demolished and that IM Pei designed a three story McDonald's for this lot! :)

It now looks like they will not be adding any parking to the top of this structure.

However, the remainder of the proposed design -- removing existing exterior and replacing with glass and metal mesh -- will be pretty much as originally rendered.

Also, there are still plans for the large video screen on the SW corner.


The plan was to add 400 additional parking spots so now without that, the downtown parking crunch gets even more acute, especially once this building is full.

It now looks like they will not be adding any parking to the top of this structure.

However, the remainder of the proposed design -- removing existing exterior and replacing with glass and metal mesh -- will be pretty much as originally rendered.

Also, there are still plans for the large video screen on the SW corner.


The plan was to add 400 additional parking spots so now without that, the downtown parking crunch gets even more acute, especially once this building is full.

What a joke.

I wish some company or individual with deep pockets would come in, demolish the whole fugly thing, and build something new and beautiful in its place.

This is one of the most high profile areas, right in the heart of a revitalized downtown, and it's being given the complete low-rent treatment.

The silver lining is that without adding the parking, this project could proceed pretty quickly, which is probably why they are already performing interior demolition.

With the new exterior, the video screen, OPUBCO and likely Mahogany (and probably others) moving in, this still represents a huge leap forward for this corner of downtown.

And frankly, after 30+ years of hideous emptiness, I'm excited to see the transformation and corresponding energy and life.


With Mahogany and Park House opening soon, along with Flint and Vast that corner will be quite a nice concentration of fine dining options.

And of course you also have Nebu, the Devon coffee/gelato/pastry shop and the Ice House in the warmer months.


I bet the new Stage Center Tower and the renovation of One North Hudson will bring new restaurants as well, making the park quite the drinking/dining hub.

Just imagine that lot to the south if they ever bulldoze it and divide it up! Downtown would have life like never before. Pedestrian interaction on several streetwalls!

I appreciate your optimism Pete, but I am not so sanguine.

I agree that this corner is really coming alive, but all the things that you mentioned (except Mahogany) are already there. It's precisely because this area is becoming so important that a low-rent, cheapo renovation by a financially strapped company (OPUBCO) has me concerned. I don't forsee great things for this project.

And you could remove the graphic at the top of this thread since, without the extra floors, the final result will obviously not look like that.

Just to be clear, OPUBCO is not behind the renovation -- the will just be tenants.

It now looks like they will not be adding any parking to the top of this structure.

However, the remainder of the proposed design -- removing existing exterior and replacing with glass and metal mesh -- will be pretty much as originally rendered.

Also, there are still plans for the large video screen on the SW corner.


The plan was to add 400 additional parking spots so now without that, the downtown parking crunch gets even more acute, especially once this building is full.

Pete, there are alternate plans that should not add more stress on the parking system until additional garages are built. When everything is known, I think most folks will be very, very happy.

Pete, there are alternate plans that should add more stress on the parking system until additional garages are built. When everything is known, I think most folks will be very, very happy.

Add more stress or lessen the stress until more garages can be built?

Thnks Pete meant to say wont add more stress.

It now looks like they will not be adding any parking to the top of this structure.

However, the remainder of the proposed design -- removing existing exterior and replacing with glass and metal mesh -- will be pretty much as originally rendered.

Also, there are still plans for the large video screen on the SW corner.


The plan was to add 400 additional parking spots so now without that, the downtown parking crunch gets even more acute, especially once this building is full.

Is this also changing? Hopefully not.

Not crazy about Mahogany but I'm beyond thrilled that anything positive at all is happening to improve that hideous building.

Mahogany is very good. Between Red, Mickey Mantle's, and now Mahogany I doubt we will be seeing national steak houses downtown. This is good because these places are better than the chains.

Just heard that the Mahogany deal is dead.

They had been interested but evidently could not make the numbers work and/or were worried about competition from the well-established Red Prime and Mickey Mantle's very nearby.


I know the CC owners are working with another possible tenant and hope to have more soon.