Hale Photo Building

[gracefor24]

For me that would depend on what it would be replaced with. I still think they work a deal with Sandridge to develop the whole block.

Exactly. If you demolish it but replace it with a 5-7 story building that encompassed the entire block then I say tear that sucker down.

[bluedogok]

With Midwest looking at the building it could also be a demolition of the inside with the outside to remain and and rebuilt within those walls. I have seen that done before with some Main Street projects and I know there have been some new buildings built within a shell of an existing building. Midwest could have been assessing what would need to be done for that kind of project.

[wschnitt]

The inside has pretty much demolished itself.

[Spartan]

Buildings don't demolish themselves. The owners absolutely let this building go, and the city's been trying to figure out this situation for the last year (mostly sitting idly by, having pleasant chats with the owner about ideal plans for the future). I don't know if it's beyond repair, but it might be. A historical survey should be done to ascertain how feasible repairs would be, as I think we can all agree this building should be saved if it's possible to do so.

What I would be curious to find out is if there is a way for the city to declare something dilapidated and close in on a property with the intent of getting it preserved, not getting it demolished.

[wschnitt]

Buildings don't demolish themselves. The owners absolutely let this building go...

I agree. I was trying to make a joke. But yes, it would be nice to see the city move in on a property and instead of demolish it, save it.

[wschnitt]

In the last few days the old neon sign was removed. Something is going to happen with this building and I bet soon.

[Steve]

Sigh

[wschnitt]

agreed

[Spartan]

Looks like the city is declaring it dilapidated. Watch for it on upcoming city council agendas..

I'm still holding out hope for a positive resolution from last month's sale to an investment group, but we know how this one usually turns out.

[BoulderSooner]

Looks like the city is declaring it dilapidated. Watch for it on upcoming city council agendas..

I'm still holding out hope for a positive resolution from last month's sale to an investment group, but we know how this one usually turns out.

pretty sure it was declared dilapidated in jan

[Pete]

There was a demolition permit issued on 5/27.

[wschnitt]

****!

[Spartan]

pretty sure it was declared dilapidated in jan

I thought Salyer had moved for a significant continuance then. Damn.

[ljbab728]

http://newsok.com/hale-photography-b...rticle/3681783

This sounds encouraging, at least.

Once the Hale property is cleared, he is looking at development of a three- to four-story building on the site. He has a contract to buy the former OPUBCO rack shop building and surface lot to the east of the Hale building, which he will use for parking.

“We like to take ugly buildings and make them pretty when we can, and when we can't, we like to take an area and take it to its best use,” Russell said.

[Spartan]

I would expect them to be working as an intermediary (a la Preftakes/Devon) for SR, which has planned to put a new building on that site and another between 5th and 4th on the other side of Broadway.

[Pete]

SandRidge is a very long way from developing those adjoining Broadway properties, as they have several huge project in their queue: Finish the tower and Braniff Building, the amenities building and Kerr Park, remodel and expand the Broadway/Kerr parking garage and build a new office structure east of their tower. That's going to keep them occupied for at least 5-7 years.

I think this group legitimately will develop it as they have outlined... If SandRidge was involved there would be no need to acquire the additional parking that is mentioned in the article.


HATE to see that building go. Shame on the Hale family for not maintaining it and letting it rot beyond saving.

[wschnitt]

Some architectural samples have been taken. I am hoping that those, along with the neon sign will be incorporated into the new building.






Mess inside the building

[Spartan]

What's going on with that 3-story brick warehouse across 5th, backing up to the BNSF tracks?

[Urban Pioneer]

Renovations to the 2nd floor. 3rd floor I believe is done and the owner's residence.

[Spartan]

Cool.

By the way, an update on the Hale Photo Building - this building was demolished between 7 and 8 tonight. I sent a demolition pic to Pete, for you guys' benefit. I know we all love some demo porn, and to grieve..

[bluedogok]

I saw that a little earlier, a friend posted one up on his FB...it is just sad that the building was left to get to the point of being demolished.

[Just the facts]

I saw that a little earlier, a friend posted one up on his FB...it is just sad that the building was left to get to the point of being demolished.

This pretty much sums up the entire urban renewal history in OKC. The crime wasn't tearing down all the buildings, it was allowing them to be abandoned in the first place.

[BoulderSooner]

This pretty much sums up the entire urban renewal history in OKC. The crime wasn't tearing down all the buildings, it was allowing them to be abandoned in the first place.

and what would you do from a policy point of view to prevent it from happening?

[Just the facts]

and what would you do from a policy point of view to prevent it from happening?

That decision was made long ago but I would have started by not building freeways, paving new roads all over the plains, and expanding city services to cover 650 sq miles. Urban sprawl in the 1950s was encouraged at every level of government because it was viewed as progress - and it killed us.

[Pete]

There is a city-based project to inventory buildings of historical significance, which would be a good start.

Beyond that, any citizen can report a dilapidated structure and at least have the city put the owners on notice they have to keep it maintained. Being proactive about that sort of thing might prevent buildings that are just rotting until it's too late to save them.