A group led by Preservation Oklahoma is hoping to stop plans to demolish nine historic properties in the heart of downtown.
Hines Development recently revealed plans to build a 27-story office tower and two parking garages on the block directly west of the Devon Energy Center. Dubbed 499 Sheridan, Devon Energy will be a major tenant and the architect is Pickard Chilton who also teamed with Hines to build the Devon complex.
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To make way, some of the last remnants of Oklahoma City's once-thriving Main Street shopping district would be razed, along with the former Hotel Black (also known as One North Hudson) and several other structures dating back as far as 1917.
All the properties – except the bus station which was acquired in 2012 – were purchased by local developer Nick Preftakes in the 16 months preceding Devon's announcement regarding their new headquarters.
Preftakes has spent $16 million in assembling the 2.5 acres; more than $6.2 million per acre, with almost all that investment made six years ago. For comparison, the slightly larger Stage Center site immediately to the south sold in 2013 for $1.35 million per acre.
It is not clear if Preftakes will be selling to Hines or will retain some sort of ownership interest. It is also not clear who else may be investing in the project, although there is a City-owned lot which would also have to be acquired.
In the case of the Stage Center, a group led by Preservation Oklahoma (POK) mounted a challenge to the proposed removal of the award-winning but controversial theater building, only to lose out when both the Downtown Design Review Committee then the Board of Appeals voted in favor of demolition.
499 Sheridan will follow the same process, as an application has already been filed with the Downtown Design Review Committee and the group will vote on Jan. 15th.
Hines presented to the committee last week in order to gauge feedback. Although no formal vote was taken at that time, members of the committee provided general suggestions individually and in turn. There were several comments but no specific recommendations at that time.
In an interview with Preservation Oklahoma's Executive Director, David Pettyjohn, OKCTalk was told the organization is officially opposing any demolition on the site, as all structures have historic significance.
After watching these buildings being systematically emptied of tenants with no improvements made, Preservation Oklahoma had placed all the buildings on it's 2014 “Oklahoma's Most Endangered Historic Places” list.
Pettyjohn explained his group respects the rights of private owners and that prior to such placement the organization contacts building owners and offers their assistance. In the case of Nick Preftakes, phone calls went completely unanswered and unreturned.
Located in Oklahoma City and founded in 1992, Preservation Oklahoma is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting, supporting and coordinating historic preservation activities throughout the state.
Pettyjohn said that although they had been keeping a watchful eye on this particular block, once specific plans were revealed for the first time just two weeks ago, the organization had to hurriedly call a special board meeting to decide how to proceed.
The timing of the filings means only a one-month notice before a binding vote, with the holidays square in the middle. In the case of both Stage Center and the controversial demolitions by SandRidge Energy, much more notice was provided.
After attending the first Hines presentation to the design review committee, the group soon after issued a public statement and formally sent it to the Downtown Design Review Committee:
“Preservation Oklahoma has long been concerned over the proposed demolition of numerous historic buildings for the proposed development known as 499 Sheridan. We have demonstrated this concern by including the block on our 2014 list of Oklahoma’s Most Endangered Historic Places. While we applaud the continued economic development of downtown Oklahoma City, we strongly believe the proposed location will result in the irreversible loss of an important part of Oklahoma City’s history.
The block has been determined to be eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places as a historic district for its significance to early Oklahoma City commercial development. Most of the buildings proposed for demolition would be considered contributing resources to the district and the Union Bus Station has been determined eligible for individual listing on the National Register.
Preservation Oklahoma respectfully requests that the DDRC deny the application to demolish these important and irreplacable markers of Oklahoma City's past.”
The group has also organized a formal petition and plans to speak against the demolitions at the DDRC meeting on January 15th.
POK has also formed a special task force and will be reaching out to other organizations seeking support and encourages concerned parties to email the Downtown Design Review Committee through Paula Hurst at paula.hurst@okc.gov.
Here is a look at all the buildings that would be demolished:
1. 416 W. Main (1919); 2. 412 W. Main (1937); 3. 408 W. Main (1917); 4. Carpenter Square (1939)
5. Motor Hotel (1921); 6. One North Hudson / Hotel Black (1927)
Preftakes Block
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