Surprise: Another Henderson Delay

[soonerguru]

Does Mr. Henderson possess compromising photos of Joe Van Bullard? I can't think of any other reason besides simple delusion that Bullard continues to give this guy a pass as he misses every deadline -- including the absolutely final this is your last chance deadline.

From today's Oklahoman:

http://newsok.com/article/1713516/?t...=business/main

Long-delayed apartment construction still on hold

By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman

The bulldozers and construction trailers have yet to appear at NW 4 and Walker in downtown Oklahoma City, but developer Mike Henderson won’t lose his contract to build a planned $29 million Legacy Summit at Arts Central apartment complex.

At least not yet.

Thursday was the final deadline for Henderson to start work on the Urban Renewal project, which has gone through three years of delays. His last deadline expired Oct. 22, and he was given until Thursday to “remedy the default” in his redevelopment contract.

Henderson could not be reached for comment Thursday. JoeVan Bullard, executive director of the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, said he was shown evidence that Henderson has a building permit, financing in place, a contractor chosen, and is ready to close on the property’s sale and start construction.

Bullard said the only remaining complication is an obscure requirement found late in negotiations that dates back to plans made 25 years ago. Those plans envisioned the site as an expansion of the adjoining Sycamore Square. The title requirement appears to give the Sycamore Square homeowners association some governance over Legacy Summit’s common areas.

That requirement doesn’t apply anymore, Bullard said, because the two developments will be separated by a rebuilt Dewey Avenue.

“We’re working rapidly to get to closing,” Bullard said. “I feel quite certain that everything that can be signed has been signed. ... I believe he is going to get it done.”

The site of Legacy Summit was initially acquired and cleared by Urban Renewal in the late 1970s. The field was targeted for expansion of Sycamore Square, but those plans were dropped during the oil bust of the mid-1980s, and the property remained undeveloped for two decades.

Interest was renewed a few years ago after the renovation of the Civic Center Music Hall and opening of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. Henderson first submitted plans for the 303-unit Legacy Summit at Arts Central in September 2002. Henderson initially indicated construction would start by summer 2004.

Three deadline extensions followed. In October, Urban Renewal commissioners complained they had no more patience for the delays and declined to grant a fourth extension.

“This project needs to move forward,” Commission Larry Nichols said at the time. “Either he’s going to do it or not.”

Bullard said Thursday he is confident Henderson will have construction started by the next Urban Renewal board meeting Jan. 18

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