Simon has such stringent guidelines for contractors that perform work at their facilities. They have a reputation for quality control ... if a contractor exceeds the noise limit or does anything out of the guidelines of the contract... very heavy fines imposed.

Not to mention, their insurance requirements are more than double or triple what other similar sites demand.. (our company has done some work in Penn Square) .. But, I like it...the end result is very commendable.

Simon has such stringent guidelines for contractors that perform work at their facilities. They have a reputation for quality control ... if a contractor exceeds the noise limit or does anything out of the guidelines of the contract... very heavy fines imposed.

Not to mention, their insurance requirements are more than double or triple what other similar sites demand.. (our company has done some work in Penn Square) .. But, I like it...the end result is very commendable.

One only has to step into the Houston Galleria to see the quality of a Simon property; and of course, they built and developed The Mall of America in Minneapolis. They also manage the largest mall in the United States today, The King of Prussia Mall near Philly. They also were one of Fortune Magazine's 2006 "Most Admired Companies." Top notch company - one of the best of the best. We know now, this will be a serious development that will shake up retail in Edmond and North OKC.

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Simon is a great developer but I think seling that location -- on the very far outskirts of the Metro -- is going to be a tough one for first-time retailers looking at our market.

If you were NM or Crate & Barrel, would you chose that location for your entry into OKC?

I used to represent retail tenants in the OKC marketplace and I can tell you they put a lot of stock in the immediate demographics -- and there just isn't any sort of serious population in that area yet.

Think about how far that is from the majority of the population in OKC... I think this project is going to take a long time to develop, similar to the Quail Springs area.

It's an interesting point, Malibu, however if this development has a large concentration of upscale shopping including many stores (and especially anchors) that are nowhere else in the market, people will come from all over. People in Tulsa and even Wichita will come here instead of driving all the way to Dallas.

Yes, but those stores also located in areas of Dallas that make it easy for locals.

Some stores will draw from a long distance but you can't rely on that primarily. Also, all it takes is one of your key competitors to open a better location and you are in a world of hurt.


Believe me, these retailers are sophisticated when it comes to chosing locations. Can you imagine them flying into OKC, driving past downtown and north OKC, and past almost all of Edmond to an area with no development and very little housing? And then have someone explain that there is virtually nothing on the other side?

You'd be asking why you aren't looking at locations in the middle of populated areas or at least an established retail area.

Your argument makes sense, but would Simon, of all developers really sign on for this if they hadn't done their research? Clearly they feel otherwise. There's no dense housing there, yes, but that site is surrounded by high income neighborhoods. 73034 is the highest or second highest average income zip code in OKC. If stores like Ann Taylor, Chico, Jos. A Bank, White House l Black Market, and Talbots are not afraid to locate in Edmond (with 2nd locations), then why should similar stores be afraid to locate their only location just a few miles away in a rapidly growing area and right on the interstate?

They may have signed on just for the future upside. It's probably cheap for them to get involved at this stage.

In addition to malls and lifestyle centers, they also do tons of outlet developments, especially on the outskirts of cities. Perhaps that's what they have in mind.

So you think they are counting on this plan falling through and just building an outlet mall instead?

No, just that they may have their own ideas on how to best develop that property OR may help develop something small and hold the remainder for the long-term.

A lot of mall developers buy property decades before they ever develop it. It's the only way to secure large tracts of land in growing areas.

But in this case they are partnered with several other developers, and it's unlikely that they will just sit on the land waiting 10 years for Simon to decide what kind of development to build.

You also have to keep in mind they are planning a movie theater which alone will draw from Guthrie, Arcadia, Luther, Edmond, and anyone else who would rather not drive to Quail for a movie. Of course there is Kickingbird, but honestly I could see that becoming a dollar theater eventually. Futhermore, with an Embassy Suites being built in addition to a couple other hotels, I personally believe this will be the site chosen to build Edmond's convention center. So even if you take locals out of the mix, there will be a decent amount of travelers and convention attendees in walking distance of this development. When you throw in the other developments occuring along I-35 and the fact that east Edmond is the future of the city, I think possible retail tenants will see the whole picture. In the case they do not, they will be kicking themselves a few years down the road without a doubt. All the same this is just my opinion so I could be horribly wrong.

You guys raise good points and I really hope they can attract some great tenants and build an excellent development.

They are talking about starting as soon as the fall, so I guess we'll soon see.

Can someone give an update on this?

Last I heard through grapevine development buddys, the project is dead in the water.

Really?? Well, check this out...
http://www.clarydev.com/pdf/covellplaceedmondok.pdf

Looks like Edmond is going to set a new benchmark for surface parking.

My thoughts exactly. I hope those stores carry a lot of plus size clothing. Seriously -- walking ain't that bad!

Hey tnajk- thanks for the update and the link!

That's not even including the hotel/convention center/lifestyle center that will be developed at either the NE or SW corner.

Looks very similar to a development at the NW corner of Hwy 121 and Hwy 289/Preston Rd. in South Frisco. I did love being able to pull up to the store and not have to walk too far with my daughter. Also nice if you have a lot of bags to not need to walk forever to your car.

I'm hoping the Container Store opens up there!! The last time I was in the store they said they ask for phone numbers to get a read on where their customers are from and see if a new store should be opened.

I totally agree! I think it will be very similar to the shops in Frisco and also hope to see the Container Store.

maybe itll be a good thing there's a long walk from car to store (what with okc's addiction to fast food and what not)

when i was working @ supertarget on memorial, a developer had told me that they were looking in building a nordstrom somewhere either on memorial or north okc. of course this was years ago. as much as i'd love a nm, there is no way they would be interested in opening in okc.

Oh great we are going to become the next Austin, minus the good music.

Has anyone heard any news lately on this development? The last I recall, is that groundbreaking was to begin last fall. I'm wondering if Simon is even still behind the development.

just curious:cool:

Ive heard it is pretty much dead at this point.

This might be old news now but I heard Simon pulled out in 3rd/4th QTR '07. Heard Covell/I-35 is a harder deal to do and that 15th/I-35 has some traction but not a done deal either. These deals take a long time to do.

It's essentially dead minus a few investors who are desperately trying.

I've got a buddy that works for Oxford Development & he had mentioned that other than their main project east of Bryant on 2nd St. in Edmond, that they did have a hand in this project at Covell & I-35.

This is from a bigger article over at NewsOk.com. It is not too detailed but at least it implies that the project is still alive in some way or another.

"Two developers along Interstate 35 have suggested places for a conference center and an adjacent hotel complex.

Covell I-35 Development, local investors planning a retail, office, medical and entertainment development on three corners of Covell Road and I-35 in Edmond, has designated land on the northwest corner of their acreage for a possible conference center.

Birmingham, Ala.-based Bayer Properties has offered five acres as part of its mixed-use development at 15th Street and I-35."

Does anyone have anything further about this project???

from NewsOk.com Wednesday, December 17, 2008

EDMOND — The latest study on a conference center in Edmond gives a site at 15th Street and Interstate 35 a slight edge over an alternate location at Covell Road and I-35.

The market study, by PKF Hospitality Research, was presented to the Edmond Economic Development Authority and the city council Tuesday.


Alabama-based Bayer Properties proposes a mixed-use development with retail and restaurants, along with a full-service hotel and conference center, near 15th Street.


R. Mark Woodworth, president of PKF consulting of Atlanta, said this site was favored because plans are further ahead and there is already other development in the area.


The other site is proposed by Covell I-35 Development for the northwest quadrant of the intersection at Covell Road and the interstate. It is about three miles north of Bayer's proposed development. Developers there propose retail, restaurants and office space along with a hotel and conference center.


The study states both proposed sites would benefit from good accessibility and visibility from I-35.


A conference center has been a topic of discussion in Edmond for years. A number of studies have looked at a possible center. The latest study began in August and cost $28,000.


The study recommends an upscale, 200-room conference center with about 22,000 square feet of usable meeting space and amenities at a neighboring 3- or 3.5-star hotel.


It also recommends the project be a member of the International Association of Conference Centers, which would make it the second in the state. The other is the Reed Center in Midwest City.


The estimated cost of the hotel is $36.7 million. The conference center would cost $14.3 million.


What's next?


The project is envisioned as a public-private venture, involving the city of Edmond and, possibly one of the two developers that have proffered a site for the hotel and conference center.


Woodworth said the suggestion is for the property to be professionally managed after opening in January 2011.


How the project would be funded remains an unanswered question.


Mayor Dan O'Neil said he wants to increase the city's 4 percent lodging tax to help fund the project.


Mary Ann Karns, economic authority chairman, said she will form a committee to meet with the developers for both sites. Karns said the panel needs to find out what the developers have to offer and what they need before the economic authority board makes a recommendation to city council.


Karns said she didn't think the board could have a recommendation to the council before February.

I think 15th & 35 is a better location.

I think 15th & 35 is a better location.

Except it would definitely hurt congestion there with wal-mart, then nearby, henderson hills and then the hospital.

God forbid Edmond develop some density.

Exactly. If you want to have a convention center w/ retail, it's going be congested wherever you put it.

Awesome...an excuse to put up 5 or 6 more stoplights

Oh please!

Its located at an interstate with service roads and a large cross street (15th), if there is going to be more traffic congestion I think this location would handle it best.

It's a great location!

Its located at an interstate with service roads and a large cross street (15th), if there is going to be more traffic congestion I think this location would handle it best.


I-35 and Covell is an even newer intersection..the best part is, there is no other cause for congestion there...I think people keep getting scared that if they build "way out there" no one will come..which I don't think is true.

"Guess what? I've got a fever, and the only perscription is... more sprawl."

What's the status of this project?

Shopping malls are a dying beast, IMO. Too much overhead and retail prices are criminal! Online shopping is the better choice. Quail Springs is just fine for Edmond. I would hate to see Quail Springs become like Crossroads Mall.

If anything, it would be an outdoor mall like The Plaza in Kansas City and I don't think it would be as large as that--probably half the size. I seriously don't think it would take away from Quail Springs which serves all of Edmond and NW Oklahoma City (those that don't want to travel to Penn Square). The only business it would take away is those coming south on I-35...

Shopping malls are a dying beast, IMO. Too much overhead and retail prices are criminal! Online shopping is the better choice. Quail Springs is just fine for Edmond. I would hate to see Quail Springs become like Crossroads Mall.

Speaking as "professional shopper", I like to be able to touch and feel things before I buy. There are some good deals online but I've found sale items to be much cheaper in store. For example at the Gap 3 weeks ago, I found cute jeans for $6.97. Bought a couple of pairs and decided to buy more for my girls. They were still $19.97 online. You do have to shop to find the deals, and for me it's the thrill of the hunt!