Armory

[Pete]

Scott really hasn’t been all that involved with Coop or Provision Concepts thus far. It’s primarily been Mark working with the people who currently run those businesses (Jeff Dixon, etc), who’s management groups haven’t changed. I’m not really sure what Scott’s been working on since closing the Dippin dots sale.

Big difference here. Mark Fischer is a silent investor in Provision Concepts.

He owns Coop outright just like he did Dippin Dots.

[PhiAlpha]

Big difference here. Mark Fischer is a silent investor in Provision Concepts.

He owns Coop outright just like he did Dippin Dots.

Good point, just saying the last time I talked to Scott (a month or so ago), he said he wasn’t very involved in either of those yet and I honestly can’t remember what he said he was working on, just remember that he wasn’t doing much with either of those at the time because I specifically asked about them. That obviously might have changed or may in the future.

[Bits_Of_Real_Panther]

Interesting thread on the history of dippin dots and how it links to okc

https://twitter.com/franchisewolf/st...FdWcfw1NQ&s=19

[Jersey Boss]

Good point, just saying the last time I talked to Scott (a month or so ago), he said he wasn’t very involved in either of those yet and I honestly can’t remember what he said he was working on, just remember that he wasn’t doing much with either of those at the time because I specifically asked about them. That obviously might have changed or may in the future.

Thanks for clarifing the role of Scott in the armory purchase.

[Bowser214]

Any updates on this project?

[doufan]

Noticed some activity at the Armory today. lot of trucks and two dumpters that are already full. Hopefully this means good things.

[Pete]

Noticed some activity at the Armory today. lot of trucks and two dumpters that are already full. Hopefully this means good things.

My understanding is they are just cleaning it out a bit and trying to secure it against homeless that have been getting in.

Last I heard is the new owners of Coop were reconsidering the plans for this property and since there have been no announcements and no new plans filed, I don't think anything is going to happen in the near future.

[doufan]

My understanding is they are just cleaning it out a bit and trying to secure it against homeless that have been getting in.

Last I heard is the new owners of Coop were reconsidering the plans for this property and since there have been no announcements and no new plans filed, I don't think anything is going to happen in the near future.

Well that stinks. I guess I need to temper my hopes for this project. I'm kind of surprised the state has let them sit on it this long. You would think when they awarded it to Coop they put some time limits on it. Thanks for the update Pete

[Pete]

Well that stinks. I guess I need to temper my hopes for this project. I'm kind of surprised the state has let them sit on it this long. You would think when they awarded it to Coop they put some time limits on it. Thanks for the update Pete

I don't think the sale came with any time constraints.

Also, remember that Coop was purchased after they announced their grand plans, so a lot has changed.

[Pete]

Plans are once again moving forward to completely renovate and transform the former National Guard Amory, this time into a live music venue.




Coop Aleworks had announced plans in June of 2022 after a deal was struck with the state to purchase the property on NE 23rd between I-235 and the Capitol complex. The plans at that time called for a hotel, brewery, and restaurants.

Shortly thereafter, Coop was sold to OKC-based Mark Fischer, and things went quiet as the new owner contemplated the best way to move forward.

Now, Fischer Companies has entered into a joint venture with Beaty Capital Group of Rogers, Arkansas and together they will tackle the ambitious remodel.

In a release, the project was described as a scalable 4,500-capacity theater under the Temple Live brand, plus a small 500-person emerging artist venue to support local acts.

Included will be a state of the art audio and lighting, plans also call for a 360-degree immersive visual system.

The venue will offer several viewing levels and VIP sections with catering and suites.

A restaurant, pub, and microbrewery will also be included.

Temple Live is involved in multiple popular music venues, many remodeled historical structures. They will bring strong booking credentials to the Armory.

Temple also took a hard run at the Gold Dome at NW 23rd & Classen a couple of years ago, but those plans never solidified. Recently, Kismet Koncerts - a Tulsa-based concert and event company - announced the intention to bring live music to the Dome, as Kismet owner Mike Brown had been a part of the Temple Live group when they first drafted plans.

If both venues move forward, they will be significant additions to the growing OKC music scene, just over a mile apart with that short strip of NW 23rd already including Tower Theatre, Pony Boy, and Blue Note Lounge as well as scores of restaurants and bars in the Uptown District.

[Pete]

Not sure if there are renderings yet but am trying to track them down.

This sounds like a fantastic use. Fischer also is a major investor in Provision Concepts, and I know PC is a possible operator for the restaurant and perhaps more.

[BDP]

If both venues move forward, they will be significant additions to the growing OKC music scene, less than two miles apart and both along NW 23rd.

23rd St would almost become a "strip" for live music. You'd have the Armory, Blue Note, Tower, Pony Boy, Gold Dome, and I think the Bungalows have live music, too. And some of the other bars could easily incorporate live music on occasion. Probably too spread out to really feel like a strip, but it'd be a decent variety of venues sharing the same street.

This would be larger a larger capacity than the Criterion at the 4500 configuration, which would make it the largest indoor venue that's not an arena, correct?

[Pete]

[Pete]

"The Armory" is just such a cool name, with no need to manufacture forced marketing tropes.

Fischer and his partner have very deep pockets and my understanding is it's pretty much a done deal.

Will be great to see this property come back to life... It's very cool and unique inside.

[Midtowner]

If this project doesn't need $3MM in TIF, neither does the gold dome.

[Pete]

If this project doesn't need $3MM in TIF, neither does the gold dome.

We'll see if the ask for TIF. I'm not sure if they will or not.

But I agree with you.

[Pete]

This would be larger a larger capacity than the Criterion at the 4500 configuration, which would make it the largest indoor venue that's not an arena, correct?

I'm sure you're right. The Criterion capacity is only 3,000.

Hard to believe the Armory will be 50% larger but it's certainly big and has multiple levels for viewing.

This whole thing really excites me because I strongly believe it's going to happen - still taking a wait-and-see attitude with the Gold Dome.

Can't wait to see detailed plans for this project.

[bison34]

"The Armory" is just such a cool name, with no need to manufacture forced marketing tropes.

Fischer and his partner have very deep pockets and my understanding is it's pretty much a done deal.

Will be great to see this property come back to life... It's very cool and unique inside.

Is this going through Planning Commission already, or still in a commission prior to that? I love this idea, and a 4500 seat venue would be great!

Would really only leave a 14 to 17k outdoor venue missing to complete OKCs venue levels.

[Pete]

Is this going through Planning Commission already, or still in a commission prior to that? I love this idea, and a 4500 seat venue would be great!

No, no plans have been filed but hopefully that comes sooner than later.

I know they have things planned out, just not sure when we see renderings and the like.


Another great thing about this property is there is tons of parking, both on-site and in lots that would be shared with the State.

[BDP]

I'm sure you're right. The Criterion capacity is only 3,000.

Hard to believe the Armory will be 50% larger but it's certainly big and has multiple levels for viewing.

This whole thing really excites me because I strongly believe it's going to happen - still taking a wait-and-see attitude with the Gold Dome.

Can't wait to see detailed plans for this project.

I think the Criterion can do more than that, but it's probably stretching it. Looks like the best analog would be the Bomb Factory and there's maybe opportunity to develop the premium levels of this better than those at the BF.

[Pete]

I think the Criterion can do more than that, but it's probably stretching it. Looks like the best analog would be the Bomb Factory and there's maybe opportunity to develop the premium levels of this better than those at the BF.

If nothing else, something newly designed benefits from the hundreds of venues that have already been built or renovated. Tech in venues has also vastly improved in just the last decade.

I believe the people involved are also committed to doing things right, which is why they have been methodical since Fischer purchased Coop.

And like the Jones, it could be a unique and very cool addition to OKC; the type of place you take visitors to show what we've become. I like the Criterion and have been many times, but it doesn't fit this description. The Tower is another one sure to impress others, although not on the same scale.

[boilerup35]

When the PUD was approved by the zoning commission in June they had concerns about parking. The developer didn't have a plan in place and will need one before a building permit is issued. This seems like it will be an even bigger problem with a 4,500 person capacity concert venue. I never saw the final version of the PUD, but in one of the drafts it referenced a permitted use as Spectator Sports and Entertainment: General (8300.69). 8300.69 appears to be restricted use in OKC code, so hopefully that was fixed in the final version, but maybe Pete can dig that up. 8300.67 is general use and 8300.68 is high impact. I wonder if 4,500 people would be considered a high impact use which wouldn't be permitted. There doesn't seem to be a clear definition to delineate between the 3 uses in OKC's code.

[Oski]

Will this project make developers of the Gold Dome rethink about their plan?

[Midtowner]

Will this project make developers of the Gold Dome rethink about their plan?

No, they're about to get $3MM in free money from OKCPS.

[bombermwc]

This would be a wonderful use here, but can we really support 3 of these on 23rd? The Tower is already going and the Gold Dome has plans....but i think this would kill the dome, which is sort of sad. But the facility here just makes a lot more sense for this type of thing.