News9 video says Chesapeake adds 25 new jobs per week and other subjects discussed with Aubrey Mclendon http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=14184984

Classen Curve and the much-anticipated Whole Foods grocery (expected to open in late Fall 2011) have both been developed by Chesapeake Land Company, a subsidiary of the Chesapeake Energy.

I sure hope that part of the article is wrong.

Just an chesapeake update from the planning commision meeting ...

for the east campus their long range plans have very little to do with the site plan summited at the meeting they plan for shartel to be a through street for another big section of retail ... the approved pud has lots and lots of uses and IMHO they are holding back designs for their long range plan ...

also they said they plan to double in employees in the next 5-10 years .. adding 4k to the company ..

Thanks boulder.

Why the heck would they want to put retail east of their campus when they clearly are going to need lots more office space? Where would more office buildings go?

They already have all of NH Plaza, an expanding Classen Curve, the Triangle area surrounding Whole Foods, the other triangle of properties south of the Grand and Western intersection, a good chunk north of 63rd along Western & Classen... Those are all now prime retail locations. How much stinking retail space does that area need??

What you describe makes even less sense than what was shown on the site plan.

i agree pete .. it doen't make very much sense ... i would guess that if we were to break into rands office and find the "master plan" things would all be made clear ...

I wonder if some of this is about creating leverage on the city of Nichols Hills.

I know CHK has been rebuked in their initial efforts to rework NH Plaza so this may be a case of showing they are going to develop all around there and bring a lot of sales revenue to OKC, while NH Plaza is left to flounder. It's well known they are pushing Crescent Market out of there.

I wonder if some of this is about creating leverage on the city of Nichols Hills.

I know CHK has been rebuked in their initial efforts to rework NH Plaza so this may be a case of showing they are going to develop all around there and bring a lot of sales revenue to OKC, while NH Plaza is left to flounder. It's well known they are pushing Crescent Market out of there.

now that is an interesting thought and something i didn't think about .... CHK has showed it will spend plenty of money in/with CHK Land company and if they cleared NH Plaza of all businesses nichols hills would have to listen to what CHK had to say ...

The interesting thing is that by removing sales tax revenue from Nichols Hills, they're ultimately going to force Nichols Hills to become part of OKC. The city is supported by sales tax and water sales. All property taxes go to the county. So, if the Plaza stores move south, the city revenues drop and they cannot support their police and fire departments. Aubrey lives in Nichols Hills and one of the things the people there love is the personal service they get from their police and firemen. His behavior makes me think he doesn't care if that happens. I was told the mayor and Chamber would love for that to happen. There will be several thousand more voters who actually vote on the rolls.

I imagine the only sales tax NH receives is from NH Plaza. Quite sure there are no other businesses or retail establishments in the entire city, unless you count OKC Golf & Country Club.


betts (and I realize we are now getting deep into conspiracy theory) if NH has to be absorbed by OKC that makes it easier for CHK to buy the city hall and police/fire buildings they've been trying to get their hands on. CHK wants to swap them for the church building on Grand but NH says it doesn't have the money to rework that property for their use.

Yeah. That's an interesting idea. I think though that there are plans for Nichols Hills, it's just that it's Aubrey's way or the highway, and maybe he'll deal with them last when they'll be more willing to take the development.

That's interesting that Shartel will be a bigger deal than suggested by the PUD.

sid, they've already invested at least half a billion dollars in that area and have lots of things in progress, including two huge new office buildings.

I'm sure they aren't going anywhere.

I was just thinking the other day how cool it would be to see both Devon and Chesapeake towers rising downtown.

When all is said and done, CHK will probably have more office space in town than Devon.

I was just thinking the other day how cool it would be to see both Devon and Chesapeake towers rising downtown.

When all is said and done, CHK will probably have more office space in town than Devon.

the only way that would happen is if CHK decided to turn their campus into a private university

the only way that would happen is if CHK decided to turn their campus into a private university

It looks like a college already. I heard someone refer to it once as the "University of Gas". I also heard "OSU on Western" because of the Neo-Georgian architecture.

I think Pete noted in town, not downtown. No sale of the current space required, but yeah, it does look like it could be sold off for a U at some point.

Re-reading articles about Chesapeake development from the last few years, officials with the company have said repeatedly that the area between their present office buildings and the railroad tracks would include residential.

On one re-zoning application about two years ago, it shows the properties east of Shartel designated for multi-family.

The nature of these zoning changes to a Planned Unit Development allows them to build office, retail or residential in just about any combination. I suspect they have some pretty good ideas about what they will do with that property along Shartel but just don't want to share it -- which is consistent with how they've handled all their other development to date.

In one of the council sub-committee meetings their was a reference that they were planning to have capacity roughly double what it is now, which is probably why they will be duplicating recreation facilities on the east side that are already present on the west side.

Two natural gas companies have agreed to temporarily suspend use of injection wells in central Arkansas where earthquakes keep occurring. (http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?s=14188706)

...The commission says there is likely a link between the wells and the earthquakes. There have been more than 800 quakes in the area in the past six months and a magnitude 4.7 quake -- the strongest in Arkansas in 35 years -- hit there Sunday...

CHK finally scraped that little strip center just south of 63rd and east of Western, just across 63rd from Irma's -- think there used to be a vet clinic there.

Should allow them to complete the creek and hardscape as shown on their plans.

CHK finally scraped that little strip center just south of 63rd and east of Western, just across 63rd from Irma's -- think there used to be a vet clinic there.

Should allow them to complete the creek and hardscape as shown on their plans.
Most people relate to the subway that was there, since it it was the last holdout

"NYC Corporate Raider Carl Icahn Sells One-Third Of Chesapeake Shares"

http://www.news9.com/Global/story.asp?S=14294660

Seems like good news for Oklahoma City and for Icahn, as he made $150 million.

That's interesting.

Of course, Icahn has created quite a money-making machine wherein he purchases stock and the prices go up immediately afterward; so there is always a short-term profit to be made.

But he is still the 3rd largest shareholder in CHK and I'm sure he will continue to make his opinions known.

I heard they are targeting the end of August for the Anthropologie opening. I noticed they were pouring the foundation yesterday. Still no announcement.

Why would Anthro open before Whole Foods?


Anyhow, I drove by yesterday and the stone is done on the east side and the north, backside of the building was a little over half done.

I have no idea. That's just what I was told. Originally, I was told last quarter of the year, which would be October at the earliest. I'm sure it's all subject to any construction delays, etc. August seems awfully early, to me, considering where they are in construction, but we'll see. I'm thinking it has to be two stories, as I don't see that the footprint is 10,000 square feet.

That would be nice. I personally don't like Anthropology. (NO GUY STUFF) With Anthropology and the Outlet Mall opening around the same time sales tax in OKC should soar!

I think CHK is pressing them not to say anything. They like to be the unruly boyfriend that stays out late and parties, and to make up they try to surprise us with make up gifts.

betts, the building permit was for a one-story 9,900 square foot shell. And retail buildings and tenants can go live pretty darn quickly if so motivated. If it is Anthroplogie, they'll want to be open in early fall as that is a big time for any clothing store.

I really do think that WF is the hold-up in terms of getting that store open sooner rather than later. Otherwise, construction would be proceeding at a much faster pace. That was no doubt part of the deal when ground was broken, but CHK probably wanted to get going because there is lots of work to do on that site as a whole.

It's the same construction company as the underground parking facility, and on that project there are workers there after dark and on weekends. The WF site never has that activity and it's pretty clear they are taking their time. Only reason for doing this is they are waiting for the Whole Foods people to do their thing with interior build-out.

betts, the building permit was for a one-story 9,900 square foot shell. And retail buildings and tenants can go live pretty darn quickly if so motivated. If it is Anthroplogie, they'll want to be open in early fall as that is a big time for any clothing store.

Agree. Feb-April is a pretty slow time for retail, I imagine theyd like to be open in time for christmas season. Once a shell is complete, they can usually do the tenant finish fairly quickly.

Rumor is, from Chesapeake exec, whole foods and chk are going slow on purpose hoping wine in grocery store will pass.

It would be nice if Chesapeake would spread some of that money around to get a law passed allowing grocery stores to sell wine and beer, rathing than giving money to elect one city councilman who probably wouldn't have that big an impact anyway.

Rumor is, from Chesapeake exec, whole foods and chk are going slow on purpose hoping wine in grocery store will pass.

Hadn't thought about that but it makes total sense. Thanks for the info.

Hadn't thought about that but it makes total sense. Thanks for the info.


Why not just finish it now and if it passes then add a section to the store that sells the liquor?

Rumor is, from Chesapeake exec, whole foods and chk are going slow on purpose hoping wine in grocery store will pass.

Could have been the reason but that cant be the case now. Legislature tabled that bill til next year, going to form committee to study it. Besides, wouldnt be very difficult to change a few aisles.

On another note, I do like Aubrey doing some lobbying for changing the wine/beer laws.

Rumor is, from Chesapeake exec, whole foods and chk are going slow on purpose hoping wine in grocery store will pass.

They're going to have to wait a long time, cuz that thing is pretty much DOA.

I want to know what these 250 new people for these 4 new buildings do that earns them an average salary of $100K.....gimme some of that.

I want to know what these 250 new people for these 4 new buildings do that earns them an average salary of $100K.....gimme some of that.

I wonder that too. Even Boeing's new jobs they were bringing here only averaged 90k. And those are engineering jobs.

I want to know what these 250 new people for these 4 new buildings do that earns them an average salary of $100K.....gimme some of that.

Could be 1-2 really big wigs and a bunch of support staff. Doubtful, but it would make the numbers skew high

I was on the top floor of the gym at CHK working out and saw them pouring what I believe is the floor area that will be underneath the soil/grass for the athletic field. This is also the ceiling for the three story parking garage underneath.

Looks like they put in a tower crane today for building 14

But they've completely stopped on the Day Care Center for some reason.

I haven't seen anyone on that site in at least two weeks. Very strange.

But they've completely stopped on the Day Care Center for some reason.

I haven't seen anyone on that site in at least two weeks. Very strange.

Is there a cam for that or something? Interesting.

Yes, here is the webcam:

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/smithandpickel/ceccdc

Yes, here is the webcam:

http://oxblue.com/pro/open/smithandpickel/ceccdc

Thanks. Nice cam setup - that's a great view of the construction site.

how big is that building going to be that they put in that huge crane?

looking at the WF parking lot it looks like all they did was pour a little parking lot over the past month.

Are the workers on strike or something?

I thought for sure this area would be for housing. It's got great views and would make it easy for their employees to walk to work and the retail on the west side of Western.


I agree. Very disappointing...


the approved pud has lots and lots of uses and IMHO they are holding back designs for their long range plan ...

I was hoping that would turn out to be the case.

But they've completely stopped on the Day Care Center for some reason.

I haven't seen anyone on that site in at least two weeks. Very strange.

Not sure when you have been looking, but I drive by it twice and week and have seen people in and out all the time. I think they have stopped on the outside and are focusing on the inside.

how big is that building going to be that they put in that huge crane?

Nothing on the CHK campus will be over five stories tall. i would guess it would be about as big as the two parking garages on either side.

how big is that building going to be that they put in that huge crane?

looking at the WF parking lot it looks like all they did was pour a little parking lot over the past month.

Are the workers on strike or something?

Well supposedly they might be dragging it out intentionally hoping that the legislature will change its mind on alcohol sales. They're also very busy right now using "scouters" looking to buy up as many local-Oklahoma products as they can.

Well supposedly they might be dragging it out intentionally hoping that the legislature will change its mind on alcohol sales. They're also very busy right now using "scouters" looking to buy up as many local-Oklahoma products as they can.

they can't "change their mind" .. they missed the deadlines to have it passed by the house ... it will not be heard this session .. they formed a commission instead

Rumor is, from Chesapeake exec, whole foods and chk are going slow on purpose hoping wine in grocery store will pass.

Can you explain the reasoning here? I just don't get it.

I'm sure the revenue they would miss by delaying the opening is much greater than revenue they would experience with wine and beer sales.

There was something in the Oklahoman about this as well. I think I'll buy it, plus they're easily going slow enough to wait for next session...if they were hoping for progress during this session then surely they wouldn't be dragging the construction phase out like they are now.

But given the other recent article in the Oklahoman about it, they seem very committed to OKC still. I'm surprised that they didn't already have vendors of local products here for their Tulsa store, but it seems like their Tulsa store will improve as well with the opening of this newer, nicer one down the turnpike.

There was something in the Oklahoman about this as well. I think I'll buy it, plus they're easily going slow enough to wait for next session...if they were hoping for progress during this session then surely they wouldn't be dragging the construction phase out like they are now.

But given the other recent article in the Oklahoman about it, they seem very committed to OKC still. I'm surprised that they didn't already have vendors of local products here for their Tulsa store, but it seems like their Tulsa store will improve as well with the opening of this newer, nicer one down the turnpike.

The opening has always been scheduled for fall 2011. They'll make it.

The opening has always been scheduled for fall 2011. They'll make it.

Maybe. Of course, we can always take a bet on it. If you lose, you have to put a hotel in the First National Tower for us...haha ;-)

There was something in the Oklahoman about this as well. I think I'll buy it, plus they're easily going slow enough to wait for next session...if they were hoping for progress during this session then surely they wouldn't be dragging the construction phase out like they are now.

But given the other recent article in the Oklahoman about it, they seem very committed to OKC still. I'm surprised that they didn't already have vendors of local products here for their Tulsa store, but it seems like their Tulsa store will improve as well with the opening of this newer, nicer one down the turnpike.

the next session is spring 2012 .. and the law wouldn't go ineffect until late 2012 or early 2013

Can you explain the reasoning here? I just don't get it.

I'm sure the revenue they would miss by delaying the opening is much greater than revenue they would experience with wine and beer sales.

This.

Taking a SIP: OKC is negotiating a deal with Chesapeake Energy and Boeing Co. to receive financial incentives from the city’s strategic investment program.
http://www.okgazette.com/oklahoma/article-11246-taking-a-sip.html

"...it'll be interesting to see the role Uncle Carl plays with CHK..."

Chesapeake forges ahead with plans to reduce debt - 05 April 2011 (http://www.cnbc.com/id/42441241)


"...billionaire investor Carl Icahn displayed his confidence in the company in December, more than doubling his stake and saying the company was undervalued. A month later, Chesapeake announced a plan to cut its debt by 25 percent over the next two years by reducing spending on oil and gas properties and raising cash with asset sales. Many on Wall Street believed the action was taken at Icahn's urging..."

It sure seems like it has been a quiet month. I wonder if Audrey is feeling the heat and put alot of plans on hold.

Chesapeake Energy Corporation to Acquire Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. -- Bronco’s Shareholders to Receive $11.00 Per Share in Cash -- 15 April 2010 (http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110415005237/en/Chesapeake-Energy-Corporation-Acquire-Bronco-Drilling-Company)

"...Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) and Bronco Drilling Company, Inc. (NASDAQ/GS: BRNC) today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Chesapeake to acquire Bronco for approximately $315 million, including debt, net working capital and outstanding warrants..."


Carlos Slim Triples Money on Bronco Drilling as Oil Rises - 24 March 2011 (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-03-24/carlos-slim-triples-money-on-bronco-drilling-as-oil-rises.html)


"...Carlos Slim’s investment in an Edmond, Oklahoma oil driller has more than tripled in value in the past nine months, giving the Mexican billionaire a boost as he adds to his energy investments..."

Steel has arrived at the Anthro site. Still waiting for an announcement.