The story acts like Banta is done with the work on Walker Avenue but I haven't seen much progress there for months. The new sushi restaurant stalled back in November, there's still two non-leased buildings across from 1492 now that the wine bar deal fell through, and there are three non-leased buildings in Plaza Court. Also, what happend to that big building across from 1492 that was suppose to be renovated into apartments?

Maybe I'm not looking at this the right way, and if so I'll be happy to stand corrected, but if we have an area where housing costs are that high, isn't it great to bring those kinds of owners into OKC where they'll be paying property taxes? In the long run isn't that a good thing for the city and the school systems? Especially if the new homewowners are leaving suburbs? I agree that we need more affordable housing too, but I see this as a good thing. And I'll feel very small and stupid if there's a glaring reason why I'm wrong.

The free market will take care of this. If people are willing to pay more for those properties that's fine. They perceive the value. If that changes, prices will adjust to the perception of value.

The holdup with the Sushi Bar has been the city. They finally issued a building permit this week. It was applied for in August of last year. The other building next to 1492 has also been leased to a restaurant. Banta just hasn't announced it because they are waiting on the building permit. I think he has learned his lesson about announcing things too early then it appears that he is holding things up. I also hear that all of the spaces in Plaza Court are also leased but he is waiting to announce those deals at the same time he announces the new restaurant on Walker.

The story acts like Banta is done with the work on Walker Avenue but I haven't seen much progress there for months. The new sushi restaurant stalled back in November, there's still two non-leased buildings across from 1492 now that the wine bar deal fell through, and there are three non-leased buildings in Plaza Court. Also, what happend to that big building across from 1492 that was suppose to be renovated into apartments?

Actually, there is only one non-leased building by 1492 and it's not across from it but next door to it. The other building was leased to Meg Guess Bridal Coutoure and has been open for several months now. The building across the street is being converted to apartments and street level retail and I see crews over there working on it when I drive by. There are NO non leased buildings in Plaza Court, Plaza Court is only ONE building. It does have 3 non-leased spaces, but I'm confident those will fill up quick (well, unless the city holds up the permit process as they are infamous for). As trison said, the city held up Gaijin Sushi from opening their location in Midtown, however their downtown location is coming along nicely. I believe they are wanting to open the downtown location first and now all the emphasis is on that.

The story acts like Banta is done with the work on Walker Avenue but I haven't seen much progress there for months. The new sushi restaurant stalled back in November, there's still two non-leased buildings across from 1492 now that the wine bar deal fell through, and there are three non-leased buildings in Plaza Court. Also, what happend to that big building across from 1492 that was suppose to be renovated into apartments?

the TIF money that steve L wrote about .. is 1,000,000 and the olser and the Heritage (buildings across the street are getting some of that money) .along with some other midtown buildings ..

http://www.okctalk.com/okc-metro-area-talk/12251-couple-city-council-notes-anyone-design-bridge.html

Drove by yesterday, Prarie Thunder Bakery got their sign up within the last 2 days. Also there has been a nice bike rack installed outside Irma's see below:

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG3680.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG3679.JPG

http://www.okctalk.com/gallery/data/500/medium/CIMG3678.JPG

I was by there yesterday as well and was surprised how far McNellie's has to go.

I know they've done lots of structural work but just looking in, you'd swear they've only started construction a few weeks ago.

Hopefully, the pace will pick up soon. Plaza Court, as a whole, looks absolutely awesome now. That whole intersection with the roundabout, St. Anthony, Kaisers, the restaurants on Walker, etc... That is really, really a cool spot and I'm sure there will be lots more development to come.

I was by there yesterday as well and was surprised how far McNellie's has to go.

I know they've done lots of structural work but just looking in, you'd swear they've only started construction a few weeks ago.

Inside of McNellie's looks no different than it did back in November\December to me. I suppose they're are doing something we cannot see, but weren't they shooting to open by St. Patrick's Day?

I was in Plaza Court today and noticed that a new tenant is moving into one of the leasing spaces. It is located inbetween the Prarie Thunder Bread Baking Company and McNellie's. They had desks and computers set up, so I assume it is going to be some sort of office. I was hoping that instead there would have been another restaurant or retail shope or something, but always expecting that is probably unrealistic.

The people that you saw on the 1st floor with desks are just using the space temporily while there space is being built out upstairs. I think there are still plans for some sort of restaurant for the spaces between Subway and Praire Thunder. Also I walked thru McNellies space today and was told that they were scheduled to open in May. Their space is huge. It has three levels.

Went to McNellies for the first time recently. Very cool place. Seemed like a Tapwerks that serves way above average bar food. I look forward to hanging my own personalized mug there.

The people that you saw on the 1st floor with desks are just using the space temporily while there space is being built out upstairs. I think there are still plans for some sort of restaurant for the spaces between Subway and Praire Thunder. Also I walked thru McNellies space today and was told that they were scheduled to open in May. Their space is huge. It has three levels.

So they're using the basement?

McNellies will have a 1st floor, a mezzanine level and a third floor.

I don't see how there's room for three floors in that 2-story building.

The east end is actually three floors.

anyone know if Prarie Thunder opened up yet?

They are doing their soft opening this week. I had a baquette stuffed with roast beef and cheese yesterday and a chocolate croissant. Both we very good. The employee said that they hope to be fully open next week. They are waiting on the city to close out their permit. The store is very nice and the food that I had was great and better yet it was free!!!

I went by Prarie Thunder today. They said that they will be fully opened on Monday.

below street level is a club (i believe it was called "the bowery" in the 80's)... i wonder if anyone is gonna do anything with that. it's an awesome spot, with mucho history. in fact it would have been a much better candidate for the PROHIBITION ROOM (in regard to ambiance).

ed, good point. If I remember correctly, I do belive Banta said he wants to open it up as a club or jazz club or something of that nature again.

I think it would be cool to do a Maker's Midtown. Not sure if the owners would do something like that, but just a thought.

There is a new "Gallery" sign in front of the building just east of Plaza Court. From what I could see as I drove by, it looks like the gallery might be occupying the upstairs portion of the building. That's all I know for now, just wanted to pass along the update.

Does anyone know if there are any plans for use of the building right by 1492, and I do not mean the one where the Sushi restaurant is going. Last I heard I thought that all those buildings were leased out, but I haven't seen work on that one building in several months.

Banta still has that building listed for lease on their website under the Retail/Restaurant section. I checked the building permits, and there was a permit accepted today. The Applicant is Design+Build Group, whose sign has been in the window for a while now. Hopefully we'll see some work soon!

A deli is scheduled to go in this building. They are hoping to be opened by the end of October.

yeah, what trison said, DBG is doing the work on it.

imagiNATIVEamerica » More from Skyline Ink: Midtown OKC Animation (http://imaginativeamerica.com/2008/08/more-from-skyline-ink-midtown-okc-animation/)

A deli is scheduled to go in this building. They are hoping to be opened by the end of October.

That's exciting. There aren't enough good delis in this city, and to have one in Midtown will be excellent.

I drove by Plaza Court and down Walker earlier today, looks like the small retail space just north of McNellies has been rented out as suspected. The For Lease signs are down and it appears some sheetrock/painting has been done. I also saw a couple of designers in their jotting down ideas and pointing out things. Hopefully it will be a Jamba Juice or something similar as rumored.

Midtown needs a Saturn Grill.

I drove by Plaza Court and down Walker earlier today.......... I also saw a couple of designers in their jotting down ideas and pointing out things.

I drove by a couple guys on the street the other day that were talking and using hand gestures and body language.... it was pretty obvious they knew something about some HUGE new development!

heheh....metro I get such a kick out of you!

Rofl

This is very bad news IMO... We were hoping the Banta spin-off would result in two developing entities in Midtown, now it looks like both may be out:


Midtown buildings for sale
August 29th, 2008 · No Comments

Following the recent news that Greg Banta parted ways with his Midtown Renaissance partnership to pursue other projects, it appears that a number of Banta’s midtown buildings have been placed on the market for sale. A recent search of office buildings for sale on Loopnet found six of Banta’s midtown Oklahoma City properties available for sale. These properties are 1100 and 1101 N. Broadway, The Guardian buildng at 1117 N. Robinson, The Shartel Professional Building at 1226 N. Shartel, Hadden Hall at 215 NW 10th, and 901 NW 13th.

It is unknown if these listings are the byproduct of Banta’s exit from his midtown partnership. According to Loopnet, these properties were listed on June 18 of this year, which was about a month before news leaked of Banta’s departure. No matter the reasoning, Banta is offering these buildings as a tremendous opportunity for another investor or developer to step up to the plate and have an opportunity to be a part of one of the key areas of redevelopment Oklahoma City is currently experiencing. There are those that are concerned about Banta’s exit and those concerns are justified; however, one can look at the flip side and see that Banta’s exit from midtown could be a benefit for the area by opening the doors for more developers and investors to carry on the vision that Banta casted for the area.

I hope other investors will see the opportunity, snap them up, and develop them properly.

Well this isn't particularly good news.

I wonder about the Osler, Packard, Marion and Cline.

Steve Mason - you out there?

Since Banta's sale of properties is a big development, I'm creating a new thread titled "Midtown Properties For Sale." Mods: Delete if you think that it's extra clutter on OKC Talk, but I thought that it merited a new thread separate from this one, now 18 months old. Thx.

Since Banta's sale of properties is a big development, I'm creating a new thread titled "Midtown Properties For Sale." Mods: Delete if you think that it's extra clutter on OKC Talk, but I thought that it merited a new thread separate from this one, now 18 months old. Thx.

We'll see what metro says.

;)
(just kidding)

Well I noticed that small retail space just north of McNellies is not the Jamba Juice some rumored it to be. It is a consulting firm going in there. If memory serves right it was like GBH consulting or something like that....

Don't be so certain all these properties are still for sale. Let's see if this "old media" dog is able to get to the bottom of all this.

Don't be so certain all these properties are still for sale. Let's see if this "old media" dog is able to get to the bottom of all this.

It must fit right in to you old-guard, liberal, elitist agenda then, Steve. I mean COME! ONNNNNNN!!!

http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/images/john-stossel2.jpg

Well I noticed that small retail space just north of McNellies is not the Jamba Juice some rumored it to be. It is a consulting firm going in there. If memory serves right it was like GBH consulting or something like that....

I talked to the people at Jamba Juice and was told that they have no plans to put a store in in Midtown or downtown. Their next one will be in the shopping center off Classen and NW Expressway. I told him there was a big market downtown and they needed to think seriously about it, but I'm not sure he believed me.

I told him there was a big market downtown and they needed to think seriously about it, but I'm not sure he believed me.

Where has this guy been?

Where has this guy been?

Most people have no clue.

I thought the downtown resurgance, with the NBA and Bricktown all... How do you not know about all that?

I thought the downtown resurgance, with the NBA and Bricktown all... How do you not know about all that?

People know about the NBA and Bricktown, but that's about it. Most don't really have an idea of the momentum going in all parts of downtown.

Actually, I forgot to pay my membership dues last years, so I'm embarassed to say I haven't had a copy of that agenda for a while now.


It must fit right in to you old-guard, liberal, elitist agenda then, Steve. I mean COME! ONNNNNNN!!!

http://www.theadvocates.org/celebrities/images/john-stossel2.jpg

But to me it's a no brainer that between office workers in the day and tourists and concert goers and teenagers at night that for a basic fast food place like that you are going to do killer business.

MidTown future still hangs
By Steve Lackmeyer
Oklahoman
Main Street

Almost two months have passed since Greg Banta sold his shares in his MidTown Renaissance development to partners Bob Howard and Mickey Clagg. At the time, Clagg promised he and Howard would discuss the future of the project the following week.

Clagg then asked for a one-week delay, explaining Howard was out of town. The next week they were too busy to talk. Ditto for the next week.


What was said?
After repeated interview requests, the following response was sent by Clagg and Howard via email:
Steve

I want to thank you for your continued interest in our project. I hope you can appreciate, with over 30 buildings and multiple parcels of land, it will take more time for us to evaluate what kind of use would be appropriate for each project. It is not my practice to make premature announcements but I will assure you we are fully committed to the completion of these projects.

Bob

So we're left waiting a while longer. But here's what we do know: a building that was previously set to be home to Gaijun Sushi has stood empty for weeks, with construction either finished or halted before Banta's departure from MidTown. A sign promotes the future arrival of the MidTown Deli at the nearby Walker Shops, another MidTown Renaissance project, but no other work can be spotted inside that building either.

All signs of construction have stopped at a former Packard dealership at 201 NW 10, an adjoining former garage at 1117 N Robinson Ave., and the Osler Building at NW 11 and Walker Avenue.

The MidTown Renaissance banners have disappeared (not surprising, since they also were stamped with "The Banta Companies”).

What's ahead?
In the weeks after Banta's withdrawal, LoopNet - #1 in Commercial Real Estate Online (http://www.loopnet.com), a national real estate listing website, showed the following MidTown Renaissance properties up for sale: 1100 N Broadway, 1101 N Broadway, 1117 N Robinson Ave., The Shartel Professional Building at 1226 N Shartel, Hadden Hall at 215 NW 10, and 901 NW 13.
Another search this last week, however, indicates those listings have been removed.

MidTown has definitely turned the corner. The district is alive with new restaurants, shops, offices and residences. But, with a handful of buildings gutted and prepared for renovation now sitting still, without any new word from Howard and Clagg, the future remains uncertain.

http://static.newsok.biz/article/20080930/3304937/howard_and_clagg.jpg_09-30-2008_SJ985OK.jpg
Much of MidTown's future is in the hands of Bob Howard and Mickey Clagg. And so far, they're not talking. By Steve Lackmeyer, The Oklahoman

Thanks to Steve for staying so persistent on this story.

It sounds to me like Howard & Clagg immediately stopped all work then tried to sell the buildings. And perhaps pulled them back off the market once they didn't fetch the prices they had hoped.

I'm still very worried about who is going to replace Banta's vision, passion and motivation when it comes to Midtown.

The properties in question had been on Loop Net for several months. It appeared that Banta was marketing the properties for sale through Banta Realty and once he was no longer involved he dropped the listings. This is a large project and I am confident that Bob Howard and Mickey Clagg are committed to Midtown. They are the type that will take their time and do it right. I'm sure that they are just taking a deep breath and trying to decide the best way to move forward. You have to remember that they were not the guys on the front line and I'm sure that they are just wanting to make good decisions on their investements.

trison, those properties only appeared right before Banta announced his departure from the development group.

I really hope you are right about Howard & Clagg but why would they completely stop all work, including tenant build-outs?

I really think they were on Loop Net for some time. Banta had a booth at the CREC Real Estate Forecast held earlier this year and was handing out brochures showing the properties listed for sale.....so who knows???? As far as the build outs for the two restaurant tenants my understanding was that the tenants were responsible for their own build out not the property owners so the inactivity would be due to the tenants not Howard and Clagg.

But the work stoppage begs the question: Why would tenants -- who presumably have already sunk a bunch of money into their respective spaces -- suddenly both just stop making improvements at the same time of this ownership change?

And why did Banta leave anyway? He had invested a lot of blood, sweat and tears into these projects... And he seemed very committed to moving them forward, as opposed to just sitting on them.

I think they own too much property to develop it all. They need to sell off properties to different owners and focus on a few places to turn over.

There was a big article on Banta in OKC business a couple of weeks back. I think a lot of people missed it and the only reason I caught it was because they started delivering it to my house for some reason.

In the interview section, Banta talked a bit about what we will see happen in the near future and that's the Packard buildout, which Clagg & Co. are moving forward with as another Plaza Court type concept. Allegedly.

I wouldn't be surprised if Gaijin has backed out on their own. I don't think the Park Harvey location has been a bust by any means, but it hasn't been super busy either.

I wouldn't be surprised if Gaijin has backed out on their own. I don't think the Park Harvey location has been a bust by any means, but it hasn't been super busy either.

I for one think we're better off if this is the case. The sushi market seems pretty saturated.

There are now "For Lease" signs in the spot that Gaijin was going to occupy.

There are now "For Lease" signs in the spot that Gaijin was going to occupy.

The guy who owns Gaijin really put a lot of work into fixing up that building...I guess he ran out of money which is too bad since I think he would have done better in that location than the one he is in now.

Several Midtown projects moving forward again
by Kelley Chambers
The Journal Record December 19, 2008

KLAHOMA CITY – Work is set to begin after the first of the year on several Midtown buildings that were part of Greg Banta’s former Midtown Renaissance project.

Since Banta sold his share of the project to his partners Bob Howard and Mickey Clagg in August, the fate of many of the projects has been uncertain. For months, Clagg and Howard were reticent on the subject.

Mark Krittenbrink, of Norman-based Krittenbrink Architecture, said he has been involved in several of the Midtown projects since July.

Krittenbrink is working on properties at 1217 and 1221 N. Francis, 905 and 909 NW 12th St., and 1100 N. Broadway Ave., in addition to the Guardian, Cline and Hadden Hall buildings in and around Midtown.

Now Krittenbrink said Clagg and Howard are ready to move forward on several projects.
“Their whole thing is ‘we have been spinning our wheels on these projects forever, we just want to get them moving,’” Krittenbrink said.

One of the most visible projects is a two-story building built in 1929 at 1100 N. Broadway Ave.

The first floor of the more-than-20,000-square-foot building, a former car dealership, had been gutted, but Krittenbrink said the upper floor looks just as it did when the building was first constructed.

Apartments are also in the cards for four buildings.

The buildings at 905 and 909 NW 12th St. are set for luxury apartments. The Cline and Hadden Hall buildings will have a mix of studios and one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Krittenbrink said Clagg and Howard are not currently planning condos in those buildings.

“They felt like now there’s a need for downtown dwelling units and this fills a niche that isn’t being filled in newer construction,” Krittenbrink said. “What they’re trying to do between all their properties is try to create a mix of apartment types to have a broad appeal.”

The buildings at 1217 and 1221 N. Francis are set for residential and office space.

Signs on the projects are expected to go up next week, Krittenbrink said, and several of the projects should be in some state of renovation by the end of January, following applications for building permits after the first of the year.