Century Center

[OKCisOK4me]

Yes, the Sheraton is being remodeled as we speak.

[Spartan]

I'm in agreement that the questions about the public funds is a valid concern. But it's not something I am concerned with because it appears the public funds are about to result in a much more impressive development on this block now that OPUBCO is involved.

I'll be curious to see how many floors this will go.

[BoulderSooner]

per cathy OConner the OPUBCO 1.5 is a first of its kind request for TIF 8 funds ... under "other economic development" 10 years occupancy guarantee reduction of 10% a year if they leave early ... the money will go to the video board and furntiure/computers will generate 1.3 in sales tax revenue .. plus indirect revenue .. as an aside she sounded a little uncomfortable about this part in the presentation

Century Center request for 2.1 TIF funds and for a 800k low interest loan .. for their 27 mil renovation project

also copta got 1mil use to renovate parts of the sante fe and CC garages .. (including their portion of the new facade of the CC)

all 3 were approved

[HangryHippo]

I'll be curious to see how many floors this will go.

I have no idea if the foundation could support an upward expansion, but it would be very cool to see this building rise quite a bit higher.

[BoulderSooner]

I have no idea if the foundation could support an upward expansion, but it would be very cool to see this building rise quite a bit higher.

2 more stories of parking ..

[Larry OKC]

All this talk about OPUBCO asking for tax money to help with the relocation downtown, does anyone know if/how much they received when they built their Tower and moved out of downtown???

[Pete]

They have submitted an application to the Downtown Design Review Committee, so we should be able to see much more detailed plans very soon.

Also good to see this moving forward.

[Bellaboo]

All this talk about OPUBCO asking for tax money to help with the relocation downtown, does anyone know if/how much they received when they built their Tower and moved out of downtown???

Don't know about receiving money, but I do know that they GAVE AWAY their old building to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. And possibly the east property to the YMCA ??? Pretty nice gesture don't you think ?

[Urbanized]

OMRF? You mean the building at 4th and Broadway, the historic headquarters building of The Oklahoman? That was given to the YMCA of Central Oklahoma, as was the land under the old printing facility, now home to the downtown branch Y and the child development center. OPUBCO and the Gaylord family also provided considerable funding to renovate the historic building and to build the gym and the daycare. All of it was done with the understanding that the old headquarters building would house nonprofits in Class A comparable space for below market rate. Not sure where OMRF comes in. Do you mean a building in another location?

[Bellaboo]

OMRF? You mean the building at 4th and Broadway, the historic headquarters building of The Oklahoman? That was given to the YMCA of Central Oklahoma, as was the land under the old printing facility, now home to the downtown branch Y and the child development center. OPUBCO and the Gaylord family also provided considerable funding to renovate the historic building and to build the gym and the daycare. All of it was done with the understanding that the old headquarters building would house nonprofits in Class A comparable space for below market rate. Not sure where OMRF comes in. Do you mean a building in another location?

Yes, OMRF, but it was a forgiving lease IIRC. So I must have it only half correct, it's been over 30 years, the memory is fuzzy.. here's the story -

Medical Foundation Leases Downtown OPUBCO Site | News OK

[Urbanized]

Yeah, they must have vacated (perhaps after the bombing, which damaged the building). The whole complex was donated to the Y in 1996. Here is that story:

OPUBCO Donates Property To Rebuild Downtown YMCA | News OK

[catch22]

Looks like this will begin to ramp up soon.

Applied for a construction permit today to begin bracing the building for the added weight of the building's vertical expansion.

[Pete]

Hearing that Mahogany Steakhouse is still on track for taking the southwest corner of this project.


Looks like everything is moving forward with this project in general... Will make a massive difference in that critical downtown intersection.

[metro]

I really think Mahogany is the wrong tenant, as it will only be a few nights a week. I'd rather see a cafe or a La Madeline's or Panera Bread type concept that would get much more use and double as a wi-fi hotspot for remote entrepreneurs.

[Pete]

I suspect this Mahogany will be somewhat different than the rest, if for no other reason they will want to capture the significant lunch opportunities at this site.

Will be interesting to see their strategy.

[metro]

It will only be used by a select crowd, I wish it was more a business casual type place where it could serve multiple functions breakfast through post-dinner.

[Pete]

I bet they'll offer some great lunch specials, good happy hour options (ala Red) and perhaps some late-night deals as well.

Very different location for them and thus I'm sure they will adapt. Hal & Co. are pretty darn astute.

[Urbanized]

Normally Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse's biggest nights are weeknights. Heavily based on out-of-town business people working off of expense accounts. The same will likely hold true for this place.

[soonerguru]

I really think Mahogany is the wrong tenant, as it will only be a few nights a week. I'd rather see a cafe or a La Madeline's or Panera Bread type concept that would get much more use and double as a wi-fi hotspot for remote entrepreneurs.

Agree completely. How many more steakhouses are needed downtown?

[Urbanized]

Sincerely doubt it will be the last one added.

[metro]

It adds nothing unique to downtown, or something lacking is our point.

[BoulderSooner]

Sincerely doubt it will be the last one added.

This

[Urbanized]

It adds nothing unique to downtown, or something lacking is our point.

I understand. Of course that could be said of many of the concepts introduced in downtown over the past few years or on the drawing board today. Personally, I think there is still room in this segment, as steakhouses are skewed to business, travel, and special events, all of which makes downtown the most sensible location for them, IMO. But no question they are not really going to excite locavores or foodies.

[Teo9969]

It's not my favorite place for another Steakhouse (would prefer a Fogo de Chao type concept, and put the Mahogany in C2S when it takes off, or put one in MidTown), but make no mistake...That Mahogany is going to do very well.

[Pete]

It will also be a beautiful restaurant, as they all are, and that's very important given the high visibility of that corner.