Heritage (formerly Journal Record Building)

[Pete]

Wasn't COPTA already looking at a garage in this vicinity, or am I making that up?

Here is a map showing some of the sites the City is considering for garages (in yellow).

The proposed garage for this project is in green:

[Just the facts]

This building is a Historical Landmark; afforded the highest level of preservation. The redevelopment should not be allowed without having to follow historical preservation standards.

Historic Landmark only applies if they are going to use historic tax credits as part of the funding. Besides, they are putting a modern glass enclosure on the top floor anyhow. Personally, I would like it if they continued the columns all the way around.

[MIKELS129]

I disagree, I think they should be required to submit a plan of historical landmark preservation consideration, or not be awarded the project for redevelopment.

[Just the facts]

If a parking garage is going to be built on that lot, I'd really rather see a bigger structure.

We all know parking is limited so why go with such a relatively small structure?

Seems like a partnership between the developers and COPTA might be in order.

Based on the story it seems that they might be trying get a consortium of area businesses and attractions to go in with them on the garage, so depending on how many go along would dictate the size of the building. Adding in rentable space would then defer some of the costs, or even subsidize future parking rates.

From the article:

“Parking is critical,” Bond said, adding he is seeking to create a new financing model that can be adopted by other future downtown developers.

[jedicurt]

i think this is a great project... and all of it looks even remotely close to the renderings, i will think that this is going to be a wonderful beautification of this area

[UnFrSaKn]

Do these interiors still exist?








April 1941

[Doug Loudenback]

No, I don't think so. Pretty spiffy theater, it was.

[LuccaBrasi]

Very spiffy theater indeed. The interior does not exist. After the bombing, the interior was essentially completely gutted out and cleaned up. The only work that was done was minimal work on the core, elevator and toilets as I recall, and I think some fire protection to meet minimal standards while it sat empty. The rest of the floors are bare concrete with open studs with insulation on the exterior walls. The inside of the building is very challenging from a planning and code stand point becasue there are odd multi-levels due to previous designs such as this theater, thus making it hard for leaseable area and exit egress. Having one tennant was the ideal situation becasue the floor plates and odd levels made it hard to break up for a multi-tenants use.

[yukong]

Too bad the theater portion no longer exists. The thing that I regret the most from the urban renewal, IM Pei plan was that all the old majestic theaters were razed. Most major cities that I have visited have at least one, if not more of their old theaters/opera houses still standing and in use. What a great venue one would be for movies, music shows, etc if we had one. Just very sad.

[Just the facts]

Too bad the theater portion no longer exists. The thing that I regret the most from the urban renewal, IM Pei plan was that all the old majestic theaters were razed. Most major cities that I have visited have at least one, if not more of their old theaters/opera houses still standing and in use. What a great venue one would be for movies, music shows, etc if we had one. Just very sad.

It's best if you don't think about it.

Here is the Florida Theater here in Jacksonville. It has a steady business.



Anyhow back to the Journal Record.

[Urbanized]

When I worked in this building (my first job out of college was an advertising account executive position with The Journal Record) some parts of the theater actually still existed, but sort of chopped up and behind walls, partitions, between floors. It was very strange, having been retrofitted with different levels, etc. I saw part of the theater when going into storage areas to fetch one thing or another. Building was weird, yet still very cool.

At the time - in the early nineties - (Senator) David Boren's and Don Nickles' offices were both in there, IIRC, and there was a La Baguette in the basement. Across the street was the (then friendly and tasty) Pizza Town and the Athenian Greek restaurant was there, a good place for a beer after work. The Y was also just across the street, and on street level in the Y was Blanche's Deli, a nice little greasy spoon diner type place with a great breakfast. Good times...had a lot to do with making me love downtown OKC, and all of it now gone.

[CuatrodeMayo]

The garage structure looks very nice and simple. Better then the one thats going on mainstreet. And will there be work done on the south face of the record building? I have always thought it was an eye-sore when I'm at the memorial

You might make it a point to visit the museum and do a bit of reading.

[jn1780]

The garage structure looks very nice and simple. Better then the one thats going on mainstreet. And will there be work done on the south face of the record building? I have always thought it was an eye-sore when I'm at the memorial

That side was facing the Murrah building and there are some writings on it from rescuers. Its historically significant now.

[ljbab728]

That side was facing the Murrah building and there are some writings on it from rescuers. Its historically significant now.

I think the stark appearance of the south side is very appropriate and wouldn't want any significant changes.

[Praedura]

This may not be the best place for this, but I couldn't find a thread for the National Memorial on this site, so I'm dropping it here...

The 6th annual Memorial Motorcycle Run was yesterday and the Memorial facebook page had some nice photos of it:







Source: 6th Annual Memorial Motorcycle Run | Facebook


Lovely weather we're having lately. The redbuds are in wondrous bloom.

[Mississippi Blues]

So I haven't really kept up with this project as much as I'd like. Does anyone know the latest on it?

[UnFrSaKn]

Journal Record Building (July 8 2013) - a set on Flickr

[UnFrSaKn]

[catch22]

Anything happening with this project and the associated garage across the street?

[Pete]

Anything happening with this project and the associated garage across the street?

In his recent chats, Steve has been very suspicious of that deal coming together.

Not sure why, but he's said it a couple of times. And certainly, nothing seems to be happening on this.

[UnFrSaKn]

[AP]

Journal Record Building project seeks public funding | NewsOK.com

[Pete]

Awesome! Hope all of this gets back on track.

[Praedura]

Browsing through this thread, I suddenly realize just how much I like this pic.

To begin with, it's a nice photo of a cool building. But additionally, it's overflowing with blue skies, sunshine, and green trees. I can practically feel the warmth exuding outward from the pixels. With this winter chill in the air, I need that!

[Urbanized]

My first job out of college was in that building (pre-bombing). I have fond memories of it. Glad to see this.