OG&E Tower

[LakeEffect]

The Gazette article states that the demolition permit will be sought in November. I thought we might have gotten a glimpse of the plans before then, but maybe that is when things will be revealed.

Maybe, if he's smart. OKC's demolition ordinance doesn't require the developer to provide any indication of what will happen after demolition, so legally, he doesn't have to say, or show, anything about what will come. However, we all know that a request to demolish such a structure better be accompanied by some type of higher and better use.

[BDP]

OKC's demolition ordinance doesn't require the developer to provide any indication of what will happen after demolition....

"Well, there's your problem"

[LakeEffect]

"Well, there's your problem"

It's not because staff didn't try to add it in. Legal advised us that there is not way to tie a developer's hands to what would come next. I understand the sentiment on both sides... legal rules are annoying sometimes.

[Jeepnokc]

It's not because staff didn't try to add it in. Legal advised us that there is not way to tie a developer's hands to what would come next. I understand the sentiment on both sides... legal rules are annoying sometimes.

and individual property rights

[LakeEffect]

and individual property rights

Property rights are a sticky, sticky issue. Just look at the Vacant and Abandoned Property study. Is it ones' right to cause other's property values to decline? http://www.okc.gov/planning/plans+st...VABs_Final.pdf

[Jeepnokc]

Property rights are a sticky, sticky issue. Just look at the Vacant and Abandoned Property study. Is it ones' right to cause other's property values to decline? http://www.okc.gov/planning/plans+st...VABs_Final.pdf

I agree it is a sticky issue and that is why there is zoning laws and code enforcement. When going through the study, a lot of the issues would be resolved with code enforcement that requires the exterior maintenance and the securing of the location. If the owner doesn't comply, then the city contracts it out and it gets done. The owner is sent a bill. If they don't pay it, then the property goes to tax sale. If the city ends up with he property, then they can work with non profits to rehab and sold to low income families or start up businesses.

But this thread is about the stage center which currently is a vacant building similar to the ones being addressed in the report. (They had a picture of the old Best Buy as an example even though the building is being marketed for use). The property owner wants to demolish the property that he owns. I would like to see the stage center saved. The building was on the market and available to be purchased. If there was a viable use for it, then the opportunity was there. The building owner bought it and spent a lot of money on it. If he wants to tear it down and then put the empty lot up for sale or sit on it for awhile......then he should be allowed to do that as long as he maintains and secures it. I own property near the stage center and it isn't his responsibility to raise or lower my property values. From an economic point of view, it is in his best interest as well as my best interest for us to make productive use of the properties. The market will determine the best use within the zoning guidelines.

Remember.....the government's ideas of best use for property led to many great buildings being torn down in the 70s/80's for urban renewal and to build a really cool downtown mall that never happened. When the economic/market timing was right...a private company came in and took that parking lot and built a really nice tall building.

[UnFrSaKn]

Steve said that we should hear more on the tower this Winter.

[Teo9969]

Wow...that's way past the 90 day mark. (seeing as winter doesn't even start until a few days before Christmas and we're still technically in summer).

Boo on Rainey Williams. He should have purchased the property and refused questions. He doesn't owe anybody information, but he also ought not put out information he can't stand behind. It's just silly and pointless. Amateurish.

[adaniel]

Multimillion dollar real estate deals don't go on your schedule. That's crazy to slam him when you likely know a fraction of the details.

[cagoklahoma]

Wow...that's way past the 90 day mark. (seeing as winter doesn't even start until a few days before Christmas and we're still technically in summer).

Boo on Rainey Williams. He should have purchased the property and refused questions. He doesn't owe anybody information, but he also ought not put out information he can't stand behind. It's just silly and pointless. Amateurish.

This is absolutely ridiculous! He’s not ready to announce, no big deal. He will announce when he is ready with a plan he is certain will happen. The best part about this is, if Rainey would not have announced his plans, however vague they may be, you would likely be ripping Steve instead since his timeline would have been off.

[Pete]

I'm hoping the delay has to do with lots of interest by tenants and that it will end up being taller.

[Teo9969]

Multimillion dollar real estate deals don't go on your schedule. That's crazy to slam him when you likely know a fraction of the details.

That was his schedule...not mine...

[Teo9969]

This is absolutely ridiculous! He’s not ready to announce, no big deal. He will announce when he is ready with a plan he is certain will happen. The best part about this is, if Rainey would not have announced his plans, however vague they may be, you would likely be ripping Steve instead since his timeline would have been off.

Absolutely wrong.

Steve doesn't own the property. Steve isn't putting the plans together.

[UnFrSaKn]

Doesn't this go along with the Stage Center demolition timeline? Everyone was saying it might soften the blow once people know what the building will be replaced with.

[Praedura]

Oh my word. This is so... maddening.

Ack.

This is the project for whom 'now' never arrives. It's always later. Always later.

Sigh. Oh well, more waiting. Let's just hope that by the end of winter we're not hearing "should get the details sometime this summer"....

[Teo9969]

Doesn't this go along with the Stage Center demolition timeline? Everyone was saying it might soften the blow once people know what the building will be replaced with.

If we're to believe both the Gazette and Steve, the demo permit will be sought out in November, so announcements on the tower will be at least 3 weeks after the fact (assuming a rigid definition of winter).

[Praedura]

I'm hoping the delay has to do with lots of interest by tenants and that it will end up being taller.

Unfortunately, the opposite scenario would also cause a delay.

[MikeLucky]

That was his schedule...not mine...

Absolutely wrong.

Steve doesn't own the property. Steve isn't putting the plans together.

Hey now... Don't take it out on Rainey just because you are pissed about the "one that got away." I seriously doubt it's HIS fault....



(inside joke here... nothing to see here, folks)

[Teo9969]

Hey now... Don't take it out on Rainey just because you are pissed about the "one that got away." I seriously doubt it's HIS fault....



(inside joke here... nothing to see here, folks)

No...but "The tower that got away" is going to be his fault!



Well.played sir.

[Oh GAWD the Smell!]

Man...Some of you guys get so angry when your taco doesn't arrive on time.

[MikeLucky]

No...but "The tower that got away" is going to be his fault!


Well.played sir.

When you're right, you're right... Carry on...

[kevinpate]

Slow down.
Focus on what's here to experience presently.
There is no need to rush.
This doesn't have to be a speed race to the finish line.

Good advice on a variety of fronts.

[Teo9969]

Man...Some of you guys get so angry when your taco doesn't arrive on time.

I just think it shows a lack of foresight when you throw something out there without having plans to follow through. It reminds me of Washington...and we all get plenty of that as it is.

I'm still 98% (the same as I've been) that a tower will be built, and not losing sleep over the thing.

[adaniel]

Lack of foresight? I'm sorry but it is obvious you have no idea how these things work.

Projects of this magnitude take a year or 2 of planning, at least a year of actual design, and then another 3 years for construction. And you are complaining about a 30-60 day delay and how they are somehow not "following through"?

And none of this time frame accounts for lining up financing, marketing, demolition, etc.

[Teo9969]

Lack of foresight? I'm sorry but it is obvious you have no idea how these things work.

Projects of this magnitude take a year or 2 of planning, at least a year of actual design, and then another 3 years for construction. And you are complaining about a 30-60 day delay and how they are somehow not "following through"?

And none of this time frame accounts for lining up financing, marketing, demolition, etc.

I'm afraid you haven't read what I've said.

The problem is that I didn't say we could know in 90 days. It wasn't even Steve who said such a thing. It was the developer who said “Our goal is to in 90 days be able to announce the anchor tenant and release the preliminary site design work,” Williams said. “We are very excited to announce our plans for this property, which we think has tremendous potential.”

So the first goal has been missed. Excellent. Please tell me how that is *not* lack of foresight.

Again...it's not a complicated solution: Just don't say anything. Buy the property, get your plans in order and when you're ready to announce, then announce.

ON EDIT: will have been missed.