Steve may have an article on the lighting here tomorrow. He tweeted a big change coming to skyline. Guessing it is a story on this.

Steve may have an article on the lighting here tomorrow. He tweeted a big change coming to skyline. Guessing it is a story on this.
https://oklahoman.com/article/5632516/bancfirst-tower-renovation-expanded-to-include-new-exterior-on-all-36-floors (https://oklahoman.com/article/5632516/bancfirst-tower-renovation-expanded-to-include-new-exterior-on-all-36-floors?utm_source=NewsOK.com&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=NIC-Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2V664rLwoAqZIrT_09OjxIxYoZyDE43zxAmm9EC 7r-aHctJcooRlBXP1E)

Awesome!

This is all that's left of the east section (taken today):

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc053019b.jpg

So once the ramp structure is in place will they still wrap it in a building looking thing? I went back a few pages an the end product still looks like an office building that comes up to the street. Of has plans changed on the final looks of the ramp structure?

So once the ramp structure is in place will they still wrap it in a building looking thing? I went back a few pages an the end product still looks like an office building that comes up to the street. Of has plans changed on the final looks of the ramp structure?

Nope, will look just like that. Will appear to be a glass office building.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc111517b.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc063018c.jpg

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc062319a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc062319b.jpg

Has anything new happened since last month?

Has anything new happened since last month?

Nothing visible from the outside.

I was most excited for this project but haven't heard a thing about it in a while. Hope this is still coming along.

I was most excited for this project but haven't heard a thing about it in a while. Hope this is still coming along.

I walked by the other day. I heard a lot of banging around coming from inside the building. I think they're still cleaning it out.

Beyond just wanting this project to be done because of how monumental it is for the city. I'm SSUUUUUUUUPPER ready for Gary Brooks to get back into other developments. I feel like we've missed him since he became buried in this one (though grateful he is buried and doing this correctly!)

Highly recommend following Gary Brooks on social media. He posts lots of interesting and relevant content.

Does anyone know the timeline when this will be completed? It is crazy that on one hand I am so excited about this project and all that is going to be included. On the other hand, I am disappointed that it will get lost in the mix due to a lack of height. All the great things that are going to be done, and from many angles and areas of the city, it will not be easily visible because it needs to be just a little taller. Even an extra 75-100 feet would make it stand out and would be visible from anywhere. It is basically a small version of the Empire State Building, and I plead for anyone that can get it done to consider some minor changes or additions. Put an observatory or restaurant up top and take the existing Spire and replace it with a wider and taller one and light it up like the Empire State Building! This will become cooler than the Devon, which looks insanely terrible now days by the way. For such a beautiful building, its rough to see the minimal lighting they do and the boards in the windows. Can something like this be done and have it draw even more tourists and locals who would love to be in a rooftop bar with great views in the coolest building in OKC? It just needs a little more height or it is only going to be seen at certain angles.

I think we are still about 2 years out.

Very, very complicated project.

Does anyone know the timeline when this will be completed? It is crazy that on one hand I am so excited about this project and all that is going to be included. On the other hand, I am disappointed that it will get lost in the mix due to a lack of height. All the great things that are going to be done, and from many angles and areas of the city, it will not be easily visible because it needs to be just a little taller. Even an extra 75-100 feet would make it stand out and would be visible from anywhere. It is basically a small version of the Empire State Building, and I plead for anyone that can get it done to consider some minor changes or additions. Put an observatory or restaurant up top and take the existing Spire and replace it with a wider and taller one and light it up like the Empire State Building! This will become cooler than the Devon, which looks insanely terrible now days by the way. For such a beautiful building, its rough to see the minimal lighting they do and the boards in the windows. Can something like this be done and have it draw even more tourists and locals who would love to be in a rooftop bar with great views in the coolest building in OKC? It just needs a little more height or it is only going to be seen at certain angles.

Don't think there is anyway they would add more height to it. Just no way that would be remotely cost effective given the massive amount of work required for the structure itself. There will be a rooftop restaurant in the old Beacon Club Space though.

I think we are still about 2 years out.

Very, very complicated project.

My brother is involved in the bid processes in this project and has shown me some of the things that they are needing to accomplish. VERY complicated indeed.

The notion that First National won't "stand out" and needs "more height" is a suburban way of viewing an urban project. It won't be visible from where, the highway? People moving past the area? You won't be able to miss this project if you're actually interacting with it as part of the urban neighborhood in which it is located. It's great as is.

The notion that First National won't "stand out" and needs "more height" is a suburban way of viewing an urban project. It won't be visible from where, the highway? People moving past the area? You won't be able to miss this project if you're actually interacting with it as part of the urban neighborhood in which it is located. It's great as is.

Absolutely. In any world class city, often the best places are the ones hidden in plain sight. I think this will certainly fit the bill of a world class addition to OKC, and we are lucky to have this level of investment.

Think of how the Ambassador hotel in Midtown is considered a "jewel" in the hotel world, at least it is part of Hilton's signature collections (correct me if I am wrong) and you really wouldn't be able to pick it out of many skyline views of the city, unless it was an aerial view.

Marriott's

Fire in the building.

https://twitter.com/StormeJones/status/1202057481406550017?s=20

Yep. Drove by it around 7 and there were at least eight fire trucks on the west side of the building.

They have crews in the concourse at BancFirst (current building) where it intersects with the FNC. Doing all kinds of bracing with 2 x 6’s. I’m not sure what is going on but you can see into that old barber shop and it’s the underground of FNC. Maybe it’s having to do with structural reinforcements going in for the beams and pouring soon to be going up for the garage.

^^^The bracing is temporary and is there for extra support while concrete trucks drive overhead.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc120819a.jpg

First National rebuild begins: Apartments, hotel rooms, restaurants, retail and more are planned for the historic structure (https://oklahoman.com/article/5649835/first-national-rebuild-beginsbrapartments-hotel-rooms-restaurants-retail-and-more-are-planned-for-the-historic-structure)

What's really interesting about this article is the accompanying video, it's an interview with Brooks from I believe over the weekend about a big pour they are doing for the parking ramp footing.

You can see the rebar starting to poke up for the new ramp structure leading into the parking garage along Broadway.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc020220a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc020220b.jpg

Ramp structure starting to take shape.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc022920a.jpg

A number of rooms on the west side of First National were lit up tonight. My first time seeing them

Ramp system along Broadway starting to take shape:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc032820a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc032820b.jpg

Let me understand this, the building the ramp is entering will be a parking garage? If so, that will be a really tall garage. Can you imagine parking on the top floor.

The downtown parking garage skateboarders are going to love that.

we already have other highrise garages downtown. ..

though this one will definitely be the tallest likely ever built not only in floors but that in total height by far since they were office floors which are much higher than normal garage floors.

That's a pretty steep ramp. I was expecting a spiral.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc041220a.jpg


http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc041220b.jpg

Anyone know the best way to reach Gary Brooks/this development group's attention on social media? I'm aiming to start a request that this group reconsider allowing Ruth's Chris to anchor this development given their behavior with the small business loans.

Anyone know the best way to reach Gary Brooks/this development group's attention on social media? I'm aiming to start a request that this group reconsider allowing Ruth's Chris to anchor this development given their behavior with the small business loans.

The loan program allows restaurant chains to participate, no matter the size. The program wasn't all intended for micro businesses and they are trying to keep all their employees on the payroll. What was the issue?

The loan program allows restaurant chains to participate, no matter the size. The program wasn't all intended for micro businesses and they are trying to keep all their employees on the payroll. What was the issue?

Ruth's Chris is not hurting for money. IT doesn't have to be micro businesses, but there are thousands of businesses for whom $500k loan meant making it through this, and $20M to Ruth's Chris, who will not flinch through this whole ordeal, ate up 40 loans for $500k for a single corporation that likely laid off a substantial percentage of their staff anyway because their staff is better off on unemployment. Moreover, if they really needed a loan, they could have worked within the confines of the resources available to a company of their size without leaving thousands of companies who do not have any other resources available to them out in the cold.

Yeah, they're following the letter of the law, and breaking the spirit of it, along with the backs of hundreds of Americans whose work situation was dealt the final blow by not being able to secure funds in a timely manner.

I looked at their financials and they also have other lines of finances to see them through this. Too bad because it's a good place to eat. Ok, I'm on the anti Ruths Chris bandwagon. Go get 'em.

The loan program allows restaurant chains to participate, no matter the size. The program wasn't all intended for micro businesses and they are trying to keep all their employees on the payroll. What was the issue?

I’m really struggling to understand all the outrage surrounding this. They are a business, played by the rules, and got a loan to avoid laying off all their employees. Don’t blame them, blame the ones who made the rules.

I’m really struggling to understand all the outrage surrounding this. They are a business, played by the rules, and got a loan to avoid laying off all their employees. Don’t blame them, blame the ones who made the rules.

I understand it's a lot like the huge corporations that pay little to no taxes. Some on here villify them for paying no tax when the reality is they were only following the tax codes that have been there for decades.

In the case of the PPP, it was a massive, hastily constructed, emergency program that - you would hope - larger corporations would understand the nature of the program, would try to be good corporate citizens and not take advantage of it.

I listened to a hedge fund manager try to justify it earlier today on CNBC and it pissed me off they didn't even try to point out this matter has had little effect on their business. They can all work from home and all draw their pay. To me, they committed fraud.

These large corps are just being selfish and really bad corporate citizens and should be called down for it publicly.

I understand it's a lot like the huge corporations that pay little to no taxes. Some on here villify them for paying no tax when the reality is they were only following the tax codes that have been there for decades.

In the case of the PPP, it was a massive, hastily constructed, emergency program that - you would hope - larger corporations would understand the nature of the program, would try to be good corporate citizens and not take advantage of it.

I listened to a hedge fund manager try to justify it earlier today on CNBC and it pissed me off they didn't even try to point out this matter has had little effect on their business. They can all work from home and all draw their pay. To me, they committed fraud.

These large corps are just being selfish and really bad corporate citizens and should be called down for it publicly.

Yeah, that’s fair.

I understand it's a lot like the huge corporations that pay little to no taxes. Some on here villify them for paying no tax when the reality is they were only following the tax codes that have been there for decades.

In the case of the PPP, it was a massive, hastily constructed, emergency program that - you would hope - larger corporations would understand the nature of the program, would try to be good corporate citizens and not take advantage of it.

I listened to a hedge fund manager try to justify it earlier today on CNBC and it pissed me off they didn't even try to point out this matter has had little effect on their business. They can all work from home and all draw their pay. To me, they committed fraud.

These large corps are just being selfish and really bad corporate citizens and should be called down for it publicly.

Yeah, that’s fair.

Yeah, that’s fair.

In short, l heard it said on some movie -

Just because you CAN do a thing, doesn't mean you SHOULD do a thing.

Just because the Regional Foodbank gives out food to those in need, it doesn't mean Hal Smith should partake.

Just to be clear, I have no problem with Amazon not paying a penny of income tax, because they used methods established in the tax code that has been crafted over decades and can be modified if it is determined that that presents a detriment to our society.

I'm not against big corporations, per se. But this kind of behavior is just flat disheartening and instills a major sense of doubt that we'll be able to come together in all of this to improve the lot and outlook of all Americans, rather than just maintaining the status quo for those whose stability and outlook have not been monumentally shaken in all of this.

I understand it's a lot like the huge corporations that pay little to no taxes. Some on here villify them for paying no tax when the reality is they were only following the tax codes that have been there for decades.

In the case of the PPP, it was a massive, hastily constructed, emergency program that - you would hope - larger corporations would understand the nature of the program, would try to be good corporate citizens and not take advantage of it.

I listened to a hedge fund manager try to justify it earlier today on CNBC and it pissed me off they didn't even try to point out this matter has had little effect on their business. They can all work from home and all draw their pay. To me, they committed fraud.

These large corps are just being selfish and really bad corporate citizens and should be called down for it publicly.

:iagree: :yeahthat:

Just to be clear, I have no problem with Amazon not paying a penny of income tax, because they used methods established in the tax code that has been crafted over decades and can be modified if it is determined that that presents a detriment to our society.

I'm not against big corporations, per se. But this kind of behavior is just flat disheartening and instills a major sense of doubt that we'll be able to come together in all of this to improve the lot and outlook of all Americans, rather than just maintaining the status quo for those whose stability and outlook have not been monumentally shaken in all of this.

Aren't the ones that would modify the tax code to make huge corps actually pay more taxes the ones that would benefit the most by *not* changing the tax code - rich legislators? So why would they change it to make it worse for themselves? I could be wrong about how it works, but I think that's the way...

And how is this all related to First National?

And how is this all related to First National?

Ruth's Chris is set to anchor the restaurant space.

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fnc042320a.jpg

.f.

https://www.eater.com/2020/4/24/21234487/ruths-chris-steak-house-returns-ppp-loan-for-small-businesses-amid-outrage

My inner moral compass is now appeased so I will now enjoy a meal at Ruth's Chris in FNC in the future.

Ruth's Chris is set to anchor the restaurant space.

Nm

In short, l heard it said on some movie -

Just because you CAN do a thing, doesn't mean you SHOULD do a thing.

they are a publicly traded company they work for their shareholders ...

meaning they should do whatever they can to be as financially solvent as possible ... actually it is their duty

they are a publicly traded company they work for their shareholders ...

meaning they should do whatever they can to be as financially solvent as possible ... actually it is their duty

No

No

Why not? For profit entities are meant to do just that - turn a profit, by legal means. And if you don't, then shareholders can vote people out. Just saying no means nothing.

Why not? For profit entities are meant to do just that - turn a profit, by legal means. And if you don't, then shareholders can vote people out. Just saying no means nothing.

No...


What Teo might be saying is that if a company are assholes like you suggest then thier customers will choose other companies in the market unless the company has a monopoly. I.E. my relationship with Walmart.

No...


What Teo might be saying is that if a company are assholes like you suggest then thier customers will choose other companies in the market unless the company has a monopoly. I.E. my relationship with Walmart.

clearly walmart's practices have really really hurt it ..


lol

So anyway, about that First National Center....

and mugofbeer, the quote is from Star Trek 6. Khitomer Conference.