Well, I hate to say this, but The Hill was chosen over McDermid's Walnut Hill development. I'm sorry to say this, but this is the worst possible choice Urban Renewal could've ever made. This will create a mostly suburban style gated housing addition downtown. I can't believe this. As far as I'm concerned, FIRE OCURA! OCURA is a bunch of liars. They let the apartment developer go because they said they wanted a MIX of owned and rented property in the development! Whatever! They chose a developer whose building all owned homes. They're a bunch of liars. Let me say that again...OCURA, you're a bunch of ruthless liars.

I hate to side with those like Tal, but I think McDermid and company needs to sue. There has to be some bias gonig on somewhere. McDermid's project was clearly the most ambitious.

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Urban Renewal picks winner to raise The Hill
by Brandice J. O'Brien
The Journal Record
4/22/2005



Anthony McDermid dropped his head shortly after the decision was made Thursday morning.
The principal of TAParchitecture and member of Walnut Hill Redevelopment Partners was poignantly moved, as members of his team sat stone-faced.

After a long, valiant battle, Walnut Hill succumbed to defeat as three of five Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority voting commissioners selected The Hill at Bricktown to redevelop an area known as The Hill.

Roughly 11 acres between Bricktown and the University of Oklahoma's Health Sciences Center were the focus of the redevelopment. Interstate 235, Stiles Avenue, NE Second Street and a railroad right of way border the property.

Three teams presented proposals.

Walnut Hill offered a project called Ellison on the Park, a community of retail and residential living with condominiums and townhouses. Ellison was remarkably similar to the plan for an area known as The Triangle, about 30 acres near The Hill. Its borders are Interstate 235, Bricktown, Broadway Avenue and 10th Street.

"The vision for The Triangle is to create a city within a city where the neighborhood has been thoughtfully planned; from having a pharmacy and grocery store within walking distance of the homes to designing retail spaces that complement the look and feel of the neighborhood," McDermid said recently.

Competing partnership The Hill at Bricktown proposed 171 townhouses with two-car garages in an upscale community. Ranging from 1,200 to 2,900 square feet, the two- and three-bedroom homes will feature large and elegant living areas, gourmet kitchens and pantries, and extra-large bedrooms.

Representatives from Wood Partners planned Alta Bricktown, an upscale apartment complex with rents averaging $875 a month.

Walnut Hill and The Hill at Bricktown estimated fair market value of the city-owned land at $1.4 million to $2 million, but that was prior to allowing for a public financing component.

In a last-minute letter dated April 21 from The Hill at Bricktown partner William Canfield to Urban Renewal Executive Director JoeVan Bullard, the team's financial intentions were clearly stated.

"We continue this process acknowledging that the total amount of development financing assistance available for the project is approximately $1.4 million - fair value of the land," Canfield wrote. "We will not request tax increment financing or other development financing assistance."

Originally, The Hill at Bricktown indicated they would need public money from a tax increment financing district and from Urban Renewal.

Walnut Hill tried to capitalize on that point when the teams presented their proposals. They said their group would not seek public funds, nor would they seek public financial support beyond the purchase of the property.

"It's a complicated process to this point," said Urban Renewal Authority attorney Dan Batchelor.

But he isn't worried.

The Urban Renewal Authority will set a price based on a market assessment, Batchelor said.

Further drama slowed the decision-making process. As the 10 a.m. meeting began, Commissioner Jim Tolbert had not yet arrived and the committee was eager to select a winner. The committee skipped the item on the agenda and proceeded with other matters. By 10:24, Commissioner Fred Hall became antsy, concerned about his other commitments.

Discussion regarding the two remaining teams ensued, with each team claiming they would be the better selection. A minute later, Chairman Stanton Young announced Commissioner Tolbert's presence in Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, where the meeting was held. As he headed to the fourth-floor room, several Urban Renewal members stated their opinions. By 10:26, Tolbert was in his seat. Less than 15 minutes later, a decision had been made.

As the decision was announced, straight faces engulfed the room. Little emotion broke through. Members of The Hill at Bricktown sat still. Within moments, Walnut Hill members cleared the room.

"We were not notified by OCURA that they were willing to consider economic changes to the proposal at the 11th hour," said Shaun Frankfurt, managing director of Trammell Crow Co. and a member of Walnut Hill. "If changes during the 11th hour are going to be considered, both competing teams should be given notice and equal opportunity to revise their offer.

"Trammell Crow and High Street Residential are extremely disappointed by the decision of the Urban Renewal Authority," Frankfurt said.

Bullard said last-minute changes should not be allowed to happen again. He said that on this occasion, nothing in the rules specifically prohibited late changes, but both teams should be required to follow the same rules and the voting commissioners should have ample time to review material before a decision is made.

The Hill at Bricktown partners exchanged a few congratulations after the vote.

"We feel very honored that the (committee) expressed confidence in our team," Canfield said. "Walnut Hill had a good project and was worthy competition."

The Hill at Bricktown's project is expected to take two-and-a-half years to complete and the team intends to start construction as soon as possible. The next step for The Hill at Bricktown is to meet again with Urban Renewal and discuss the schematics. They will meet again before construction begins."