900 N. Klein

[Pete]

Can we get an update on the old Public School Administration Building at 8th & Western? What will end up happening to this and when?

OCURA will soon issue an RFP and seek proposals to redevelop.

I would expect they will draw several interested parties as it's a cool old school with lots of potential, ala Page Woodson.

[Canoe]

Does anyone have pictures of the inside of this building?

[Pete]

Does anyone have pictures of the inside of this building?

Tons of photos here:

https://freepressokc.com/unusual-spa...led/index.html

[5alive]

Beautiful bones...but needs a lot of TLC

[corwin1968]

Beautiful bones...but needs a lot of TLC

That's an understatement. The photos Pete linked to are too kind to that old building. They don't show the mold that has accumulated over the decades or the constant leaking ceilings that caused the mold in the first place. It's a dirty, gloomy, stinky, depressing old building and it would probably be easier to demolish it and start over, despite it's historical significance.

[PhiAlpha]

That's an understatement. The photos Pete linked to are too kind to that old building. They don't show the mold that has accumulated over the decades or the constant leaking ceilings that caused the mold in the first place. It's a dirty, gloomy, stinky, depressing old building and it would probably be easier to demolish it and start over, despite it's historical significance.

Someone didn’t see the before and after pictures of Page Woodson. I’m sure this building is in better condition than one that was abandoned for decades.

[Rover]

Someone didn’t see the before and after pictures of Page Woodson. I’m sure this building is in better condition than one that was abandoned for decades.

Everyone should just take a deep breath. If Page Woodson is the great success we all claim it is, then the same or other developers should come racing in to repeat it. That’s the way economics works. Perceived profit draws investment and competitors.

[Pete]

This was formerly a school and more recently the headquarters for OKC public schools.

OCURA is assisting the district in the sale of this property through a Request for Proposal. Responses are due June 26th.

[EBAH]

There is a really great apartment development in inner St Louis that used a shriner complex not unlike this one. The apartments are all somewhat small but the building shares these kinds of large amenities like the swimming pool, a movie theater in the former auditorium, bars, a bowling alley, etc. The amenities in the building are also like, public businesses, but the tenants have some kind of priority access etc. It's really a great thing if the composition is right. This kind of complex just may be perfect for something like that. It'd be really great if a lot of this structure could be saved.

[Dob Hooligan]

I'm a little confused by an item in the history-it says in 1955 the building became the OKCPS administration building and the classrooms were converted into offices. Yet, a couple lines later it says a level of classrooms were added to the 4th floor in 1964?

[jonny d]

https://oklahoman.com/article/563490...s-headquarters

Article in the Oklahoman regarding possible proposals for the old headquarters.

[Pete]

I'll post the full proposals later this morning.

[jonny d]

I'll post the full proposals later this morning.

Thanks, Pete! Sorry for the flooding of Oklahoman articles. Just saw this and thought it was interesting.

[Pete]

Thanks, Pete! Sorry for the flooding of Oklahoman articles. Just saw this and thought it was interesting.

It is interesting and I don't mind when people post new info, from any source.

[Pete]

I'm going to upload the info about each of the 3 proposals separately. Will all these images, right-click and open in a new window or tab to see the hi-res version.

I'll then go back and add more details and drone shots of the area for context; but want to get these up so people can see them.

Also, I have all the details for the senior center complex at 10th & Western which I'll be posting that later.

Far Wespen

The property subject to this RFP is adjacent to property owned by Far Wespen LLC (N. Western Ave to N. Classen Blvd, 9th Street to 10th Street). It is our intent that the two properties be developed as a whole. In addition, Far Wespen is in contract with a nationally recognized developer of senior housing to place a facility from N. Classen to N. Western, 10 St to Park Place on an adjacent property owned by Far Wespen. It is the intent of the applicant to produce an integrated residential, institutional, retail and commercial neighborhood extending from 9th Street to W. Park Place, N. Western Ave. to N. Classen Blvd, and from N. Classen to N. Klein Ave., 9th Street to 7th Street – a total of 10.3 acres (See map, attached).

The entire development will include:
• 40+ handicapped-accessible residential units, 5-10% of which will qualify as Affordable Housing.
- it is assumed that construction of the AffordableHousing component of the project will be assisted by applicable programs available in OKC.
- if permissible, all Affordable Housing units will be reserved for retired teachers;
• 285 units of senior housing;
• approximately 150,000 SF of professional, institutional and commercial office space;
• 40,000 SF of retail, arts and entertainment facilities; - the arts facility will avail itself of arts funding from Oklahoma City and State.
• two pedestrian plazas.

[Pete]

The Theodore

[David]

Dang, I love that Far Wespen concept. Nice infill right up against Classen.

[Laramie]

There's a hidden balcony in the auditorium area where you gain access from the 3rd floor. Hope they restore it to its original use.

The building doesn't look impressive from its exterior, the interior has had tons of renovation.

The library in the building was located in what once may have been the gymnasium. It had an old huge wall map mural of the State of Oklahoma with wood block placeholders of skyscrapers & towers. Definitely remember OKC, Tulsa, Enid, Lawton, Ada, Altus depicted along with Bartlesville where Phillips Petroleum Building & the infamous Price Tower now stand. Did get an opportunity to visit Bartlesville to see the Price Tower, it looked very similar to our old Citizens Tower next to the Gold Dome in OKC.

[Pete]

The Roosevelt (Marva Ellard)

[SagerMichael]

Far Wespen is by far the most ambitious. Development will be really good for that area.

[Sooner.Arch]

Far Wespen for the win! I do have a question Pete. On the Far Wespen proposal, it does show senior housing saying its "Currently in Development". Is that particular building already in the process of being developed then?

[Pete]

Far Wespen for the win! I do have a question Pete. On the Far Wespen proposal, it does show senior housing saying its "Currently in Development". Is that particular building already in the process of being developed then?

No, not quite yet.

I'll have more on this very soon.

[Plutonic Panda]

Wow the FarWespen seems like no brainer. Its scope seems to be 2-3x what the other projects are. Some likely won't but I love the pedestrian bridge linking the development together. Good stuff. Hope the first one is chosen.

[Laramie]

Very similar to the Page-Woodson (Old Douglass High School) project on High Avenue.

Worked one summer in the Research department on old Klein Avenue; also forgot about the swimming pool in the drafts--do recall the area being used for chemical storage stuff like duplication machine powders, cartridges, fluid and the building maintenance (gasoline, floor wax & lacquer).

[Laramie]

Recall when the old Roosevelt Jr., High School (Administration Bldg) had hallways on the upper levels had floor coverings called battleship--looked like old brown linoleum. Remember the building custodians walking around scrapping gum from the floors. Very interesting structure--glad it will be saved and put to good use.