Looks like the present FNC owner is going to spend some serious time in jail. They even want his time to start 30 days before the formal sentencing.

This will go down as yet another colorful chapter in the on-going First National saga.


I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that I don't think this guy is going to be able to come up with the $12 million from a jail cell.

At least there will soon be a new owner and we've got nowhere to go but up.


I'm sorry that Capmark will be taking this in the shorts but they were crazy for underwriting such a huge mortgage on this property in the first place. So, they are going to take a big loss and have to sell this property for well less than what they're owed. I bet it will only fetch abut $5 - $8 million.

But if it's bought at that price, it might be possible to finally renovate and still be able to make some money.

As discussed before, I hope the City partners with Capmark to not only get this property into the hands of a responsible owner, but provide incentives for it's redevelopment. This is exactly why the OKC Alliance of Economic Development was formed.

Too bad I believe there's less than a million in the downtown TIF fund left.

Um Spartan, where in the world did you get that info from? That's simply not true.

There was $20M to begin. I believe that the $5M in MidtownR's latest deal (with a lot going toward the public/private parking garage) brings the remaining total beneath $1M?

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Cafe 7 is planning to open on Wednesday (August 8). Final touches and a good cleaning going on today.

There was $20M to begin. I believe that the $5M in MidtownR's latest deal (with a lot going toward the public/private parking garage) brings the remaining total beneath $1M?

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

It's impossible to know because of the way this information is reported.

There is a status report for this week's OKC EDT meeting for each TIF, and all it tells you is how much they've taken in and how much they've spent. Have no idea how much has been obligated but not yet spent, how much more money will be coming in, etc.

Pete - you might ask Ed Shadid, because he has been keeping a runny tally, and brought it up during last week's council meeting.


Cafe 7 is planning to open on Wednesday (August 8). Final touches and a good cleaning going on today.

Woot woot!!!

Unfortunately I just saw them put their hours on the door, and correct me if I'm wrong (I only got a 5 second glance) but I think it said they close at 2:30???? Ugh

Yep. Very limited hours. Kinda sad they aren't willing to attempt breakfast or dinner in that spot....

I'm sure Cafe 7 will expand their hours if they feel the demand is there.

This whole downtown thing is so darn chicken-and-egg circular.

You know that they've eaten breakfast in every spot in the CBD, and made the decision that they can't get necessary market share right away to justify opening earlier. But can you imagine the lunch business they'll have to generate to pay all of the direct costs - rent, debt service, advertising, insurance?

I can't immaging this location won't be packed between 11 and 1, with a few stragglers until two. That covers enough other CBD lunch spots, but this is a particularly prime location.

I doubt they ever do breakfast. They don't do breakfast at the other location, it doesn't fit in easily with their current menu system (using the same basic ingredients arranged in different ways to create a variety of items), and none of the other breakfast spots down here are ever very crowded.

I really do wish they were open for dinner, though. Hopefully the hours are expanded soon.

You know that they've eaten breakfast in every spot in the CBD, and made the decision that they can't get necessary market share right away to justify opening earlier. But can you imagine the lunch business they'll have to generate to pay all of the direct costs - rent, debt service, advertising, insurance?

I wouldn't worry about them doing insane lunch business. Sorensen, the owner (who came down from the OSU fine dining program) has quite a following with the north side Cafe7. I've been in the line in that little parking lot waiting for them to open doors...

They need to be open for dinner. That's where they beat the competitors with Cafe7's impeccable value/quality combination, whereas everybody kinda has that going for them with lunch tbh. Furthermore, they have an excellent beer and wine menu where they also win with value ($4 IPAs on tap, decent glasses of wine, etc) which would be popular with the downtown demographic.

I'm sure they hope to add dinner service, as there is far more profit especially if they sell beer and wine.

Probably just going to ease into things then decide when/if to add dinner down the line.

I get so annoyed that these places in downtown are not open for dinner and that they are not open on the weekends. ugh.

I understand that everyone wants downtown places open for dinner, but I don't think the market is there. I went to Coolgreen's for dinner before a Thunder game, when downtown should be at its best, and there were zero people in the entire restaurant. It was shocking to me.

Also, there are already tons of dinner dining options downtown, and even quite a few in the Central Business District.

The CBD is pretty much a ghost town at night even when the Thunder is in town which is exactly why Cafe 7 is sticking with lunch-only for now.

I understand that everyone wants downtown places open for dinner, but I don't think the market is there. I went to Coolgreen's for dinner before a Thunder game, when downtown should be at its best, and there were zero people in the entire restaurant. It was shocking to me.

I honestly don't think most suburbanites that come in for the games know what's in the CBD or much anywhere else downtown outside of Bricktown.


The CBD is pretty much a ghost town at night even when the Thunder is in town which is exactly why Cafe 7 is sticking with lunch-only for now.

All the more reason to convert FNC to residential.

Let's not forget, Vast is going to be an amazing addition to CBD dining, offering something not found anywhere else in town.

Flint with it's awesome new patio is a big addition as well.

And eventually, we'll get a nice restaurant in the Myriad Gardens, so these will be three huge new options.


Something in the CBD has to be unique otherwise you just aren't going to draw a lot of people towards office buildings that go dead after 6PM.

You're right, Pete. They have to be destination restaurants and not just someplace to eat for someone who's already in the area.

I get so annoyed that these places in downtown are not open for dinner and that they are not open on the weekends. ugh.

Is Cafe7 sticking with M-F?

You're right, Pete. They have to be destination restaurants and not just someplace to eat for someone who's already in the area.

I would come down for dinner to a restaurant in the old vault.

We need entertainment options in the CBD too. Restaurants are great, but we need something for them to do after they eat. A couple comedy clubs would be awesome in the CBD.

A couple of comedy clubs in the CBD alone?

Do we even have a couple of comedy clubs in the metro anymore?

For years I worked in the downtown L.A. CBD where in that core there is only offices, a few hotels and a few restaurants and services that are aimed at downtown workers. After 6PM that area is a ghost town even though it's completely ringed by residential, tons of retail and restaurants and a massive entertainment complex in L.A. Live.

By definition, a central business district is for offices and therefore it's never going to be a fully-functional, energetic neighborhood.

The best we can hope for are some destination restaurants, some nice hotels and a few other things (like the Devon and SandRidge auditoriums or the occasional festival) that will draw some people to the district after hours.

A couple of comedy clubs in the CBD alone?

Do we even have a couple of comedy clubs in the metro anymore?

I think we have 3 or 4. Off the top of my head, Stooges (Comedy & Piano Bar) and Looney Bin on Expressway/Rockwell.

Mc Salty's Pizza. 30th n ghetto... (i can't remember which street) does some comedy stuff too

Cafe 7 is open for business.

http://newsok.com/caf-7-opens-in-first-national-center/article/3699299

No it's not, but it will be tomorrow. I went by today only to be turned away by a sign that said OKC Thunder players-only for the grand opening...

Us regular ilk get to eat there starting tomorrow.

I went by today only to be turned away by a sign that said OKC Thunder players-only for the grand opening...

Us regular ilk get to eat there starting tomorrow.

Lol. I'm sure they were kidding, or maybe you are and I didn't catch it. I wonder what players are around right now. 4 are in London. Maybe Maynor (recovering from ACL) and PJIII?

I think they were hosting people who work for, rather than play on, the team. They should be open at 10:30 this morning.

Lol. I'm sure they were kidding, or maybe you are and I didn't catch it. I wonder what players are around right now. 4 are in London. Maybe Maynor (recovering from ACL) and PJIII?

I know Daequan Cook stays here in the off season.

No it's not, but it will be tomorrow. I went by today only to be turned away by a sign that said OKC Thunder players-only for the grand opening...

Us regular ilk get to eat there starting tomorrow.

There is a Jersey Mikes out west of Mcarthur and I-40 that has a big sign that reads 'Thunder Players eat here Free !'. They told me they've never had a player in yet but just in case...

Cafe 7 is open for business.

http://newsok.com/caf-7-opens-in-first-national-center/article/3699299

I had lunch there yesterday for their soft opening party. The food is awesome. They have a chef that came from Will Rogers who is excellent. I had an Italian sub and salad. I was very good. will probably go back today if they are not too packed.

Cafe7 is very good. I'm a huge fan.

Usually I get angry and blame a business if they're not open when I expect them to be, so that shows you how much I like them. There's really not much leverage in our relationship...lol

I know Daequan Cook stays here in the off season.

From reading Twitter posts, it seems that Eric Maynor, Haseem Thabeet, and Perry Jones III are all here this summer.

Cafe7 as requested.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8287/7762254720_8e11f9a6b9.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7762254720/)
cafe7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7762254720/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7261/7762255132_6eff392b8b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7762255132/)
cafe7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7762255132/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8448/7762255680_1b283cea7b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7762255680/)
cafe7 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattbridgesokc/7762255680/) by Matthew Bridges (http://www.flickr.com/people/mattbridgesokc/), on Flickr

Putting up a parking lot: Committee hears plans for east, center First National Center buildings

By Brianna Bailey
Oklahoma City reporter. Contact: 405-278-2847


OKLAHOMA CITY – A yet-to-be-named developer plans to turn the east and center buildings at downtown’s First National Center into a 740-space parking garage.

http://journalrecord.com/2012/08/16/putting-up-a-parking-lot-committee-hears-plans-for-east-center-first-national-center-buildings-real-estate/

http://newsok.com/mystery-buyer-proposes-turning-first-national-annex-buildings-into-parking/article/3701557

Uh what

Would seem to answer concerns for parking vis a vis hotel/residential conversion. Have some concerns about a massive wall of parking up against Broadway and Park, but can't be much worse than what is there now.

http://newsok.com/mystery-buyer-proposes-turning-first-national-annex-buildings-into-parking/article/3701557

Yikes. Here we go.

A presentation on behalf of an unspecified developer on an unspecified project in the midst of an unspecified deal just doesn't sound as good as one would think. That said, there is no way anything could be worse than 1) Yash, 2) never-ending receivership, or 3) how unspecifiedX3 sounds. I'm anxious to hear details over this, particularly what kind of a parking structure we'd be talking about. Are two 14-story structures needed for parking for a building that is really not that big (the tower)?

This sounds like a disaster. Quite frankly, I like the Midcentury design. It just needs rehabilitation and Class A management with solid maintenance funds after a thorough update.

http://newsok.com/mystery-buyer-proposes-turning-first-national-annex-buildings-into-parking/article/3701557

Steve, your article says we don't know yet if it involves the historical tower but I believe, either way, this would be a positive. Having the newer sections converted will improve the value of the tower for other purposes.

What if this deal allowed Yashouafar to retain ownership of the west tower, separate from the new owners of the other two buildings?

What if this deal allowed Yashouafar to retain ownership of the west tower, separate from the new owners of the other two buildings?

From the sound of it he can neither afford this building or several other projects in other states.

What if this deal allowed Yashouafar to retain ownership of the west tower, separate from the new owners of the other two buildings?

That's certainly not ideal but it's better than no proposal at all. It would still inhance the value of the tower for later development (by someone else, hopefully).

No it's not. Why anyone would throw a hail mary pass for Yash's sake, just so he can continue to drive the property into the ground until it gets demolished some day, is utterly beyond me.

I wonder if several of you might be very disappointed if the deal you've been allowed a glimpse of becomes reality.

It is about time they did this and I look forward to the conversion and resulting developments than benefit from it. However, it is too bad we lose the east building, it actually looks pretty good from the outside.

No part of the ornate ground floor extends into these sections, correct?

I do not support the destruction of the "absolute definitive core" of our downtown/entire city for more parking garages. The only exception in my mind is if the tower were being converted to residential. People can walk two blocks or ride the future streetcar.

How anyone can see this as an advantage over leasable space occupied by actual people is beyond me. Enough already with the front door parking.

Freaking walk.

The idea of converting some of all of the Center and East buildings to parking has been around for quite a while.

But the only way it makes any sense is if it was coupled with a significant renovation of the tower. Without that firm, pre-funded assurance, the rest of the complex should not be sub-divided or any part demolished.


http://www.okctalk.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=1726&d=1337982231


Center Buildiing:
http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2730/R010013436001rA.jpg


East Building:
http://www.oklahomacounty.org/assessor/Searches/sketches/picfile/2730/R010013448001rA.jpg

Was this one of the "exciting announcements" rumored by Roy Williams at the last Council meeting? Consider me not excited.

UP - the office space for this is class C - at best, and most of it isn't occupied by anyone. The streetcar will be great, but you already have to be downtown to use it. Right now there is no way to get people downtown without them driving their own car. This parking garage is sandwiched between both couplets of the streetcar route and will include ground floor retail. Hopefully that retail will now be directed to the sidewalk instead of the interior ConnCourse. In the past, lack of parking has been cited as the biggest hurdles to converting City Place and FNC to residnetial/hotel. This eliminates that hurdle. Maybe that just gets us to the next hurdle, but who knows, sooner or later the finish line has to come.

No part of the ornate ground floor extends into these sections, correct?

Correct. They are related to the tower in name only.

I would be very excited if the parking conversion meant the tower was definitely going to be restored and renovated to a glorious new hotel and/or living units.

As it stands, FNC is the last remaining big hole in a revitalized downtown, not to mention an incredible waste of one of the greatest resources in the state.

100% agree with pete on this

Although the northern and eastern facades for these two buildings don't look too horrible (that part of the Center Building needs some serious TLC) the southern exposure and the one most seen in any photographs or aerial shots is hideous:


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc81712.jpg

I would like this:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/CuatrodeMayo/firstnationalcopy.jpg

A presentation on behalf of an unspecified developer on an unspecified project in the midst of an unspecified deal just doesn't sound as good as one would think. That said, there is no way anything could be worse than 1) Yash, 2) never-ending receivership, or 3) how unspecifiedX3 sounds. I'm anxious to hear details over this, particularly what kind of a parking structure we'd be talking about. Are two 14-story structures needed for parking for a building that is really not that big (the tower)?
But it sounds pretty ambitious for a suburban warehouse developer.

I wonder how much verticle height we are going to lose. These buildings are now 14 stories and this parking garage has about the same number of spaces and footprint of the new Main St/City Hall garage which is going to be 7 stories before they add the housing.