Century Center

[lasomeday]

From my experience, you're actually a lot more argumentative than I am. I am getting really tired of having to explain in yet another thread the value of keeping discussions topical and evaluating based on only the merits that are evident. Not many of you OKC Talkers these days would make good Erasmuses.

What's funny is that after you flipped out on me several more posters chimed in that this project is visibly falling apart. The Century Center is not a renovation-worthy structure and there isn't much way to argue that, especially when you consider the site that it occupies. Yet, this gets "preserved" and "redeveloped" whilst the Stage Center site, equally as valuable, must be razed to make way for growth! These outcomes are too incongruent to not notice.

This Century Center project was acceptable on this site given that the structure was to be expanded, reskinned, and for the most part repurposed. Now that this project is falling apart and the MOL sf is shrinking faster than this board's credibility lately, the smart thing would be to just call the whole thing off. This site needs a real development.

I agree. This site is the most central location with the most worthy building of being torn down and having a 40 story tower built on it. It can be torn down sold to the second highest bidder of the Stage Center site, redeveloped having OPUBCO on the second and third floors with retail on the first floor having a parking garage on floors 4 through 12 building services on 13 (unlucky floor) and then residential or offices floors 14-40. That is what I think would be a better use for the site. Stretching the building from one corner of the lot to the other would add square footage and probably an extra 40 spaces per floor at least. Mahogony can still go on the first floor the jumbotron can still go on the second floor, but after that we can have development worthy of the site overlooking the Myriad Gardens, next to 3 hotels, and a block from the Devon Tower and First National.

[Bellaboo]

I kind of feel the same way, there's really not that much of a structure to remove if they were to start from scratch....but it's also real easy to spend someone else's money.

[Pete]

The biggest issue is parking, as that area of downtown needs tons more and the current configuration provides 805 spaces.

At this point, you would probably paralyze several businesses -- and the Sheraton -- by wiping out the current parking then waiting for it all to be rebuilt, which would take 2-3 years.

[Pete]

Also, I"m hearing of a possible retail tenant for this space that may change some minds.

Hate to be coy but I can't say who without compromising an important source.

We should know more very soon.

[Steve]

Also, I"m hearing of a possible retail tenant for this space that may change some minds.

Hate to be coy but I can't say who without compromising an important source.

We should know more very soon.

[Spartan]

Also, I"m hearing of a possible retail tenant for this space that may change some minds.

Hate to be coy but I can't say who without compromising an important source.

We should know more very soon.

Then my druthers would be for them to lease space in a better development..

[Pete]

Yep, all they are going to do is re-skin the exterior and fill up the current space.

Certainly will not represent such a huge investment that a higher and better use may eventually be employed.

[PhiAlpha]

This.

I'm not sure we have to have a solution for this property just yet.

Of course, this isn't a hugely expensive and necessarily permanent project. If I had to guess, when the Cox Convention Center is redeveloped, this property will be reanalyzed and revalued.

I agree. It's clear nothing else is going to be done with it at this time. I would much rather this renovation happen now and tear it down later if someone wants to redevelop the property than sit empty as an eyesore on that corner for the foreseeable future.

I think this will look really cool if it at all resembles the rendering above. Not the best use for the property, but certainly much better than it's current use.

[AP]

I think this will look really cool if it at all resembles the rendering above. Not the best use for the property, but certainly much better than it's current use.

I agree. We can all argue what would be the best use for this property at some point, but for now, there is no way to argue that this is worse than what is currently there.

[Pete]

I've lived with this dead, depressing almost always vacant property for so long that I am happy for this project and still think it can be pretty darn cool.

It's one of the last big remaining black holes in our urban core and short of completely tearing it down, this is probably as good of use as can be expected.

[lasomeday]

Yeah, I walked by that building everyday for three years! I am ready for something else...

[Steve]

I suspect Pete now knows what I know. If so, and if it happens, the complaints in this thread are going to disappear pretty quickly.

[Pete]

Three years!

That place has been haunting me since the early 80's, so like 30+ years.

My first job out of college was in the Oil & Gas Building on the NE corner of Robinson and Main and we looked out directly on it. That was so long ago, they still had a couple of retail stores and restaurants. Used to eat lunch over there, although it was a dark, depressing place even then.

And of course, things only went downhill from there and the structure occupies a very visible corner, especially given all the massive improvements around it.


I really think what is planned will make a huge difference in the life in that area and the overall perception of downtown in general.

[lasomeday]

I hope you are right Steve. I have big plans for the 40 story skyscraper and your corner office!

[Pete]

I suspect Pete now knows what I know. If so, and if it happens, the complaints in this thread are going to disappear pretty quickly.

Yep, we must be hearing the same thing which is a good sign.

Hopefully that news will solidify and come out soon.

[lasomeday]

I hope its not the Starbucks rumor I have been hearing...

[Pete]

I'll just say it:

National drug store chain.


But, I don't think it's a done deal. And I believe that would still leave room for a restaurant where Mahogany was going to go.

[Just the facts]

Of course, JTF will say that the building is too far away from the street...lol.

LOL - trust me, I thought it; I just decided not to say it. If nothing else it seems we have finally gotten people to look at things besides height. 12 months ago would you have even looked at the sidewalk in this rendering?

[Bellaboo]

LOL - trust me, I thought it; I just decided not to say it. If nothing else it seems we have finally gotten people to look at things besides height. 12 months ago would you have even looked at the sidewalk in this rendering?

I noticed in the earlier schematics, that a resturant is going on the South side bottom floor. Maybe if were lucky they'll add outdoor seating (patio) to absorb some of that open space next to the sidewalk.

[CuatrodeMayo]

I'll just say it:

National drug store chain.


But, I don't think it's a done deal. And I believe that would still leave room for a restaurant where Mahogany was going to go.

!!!

That is HUGE news.

[Pete]

^

Yes, it is huge news and something that we have all said would be a great use of that space; probably on the north side while still trying to find a good restaurant fit for the south frontage.

But as I said, I don't think the drug store is a done deal but there have definitely been some negotiations.

[OKCisOK4me]

LOL - trust me, I thought it; I just decided not to say it. If nothing else it seems we have finally gotten people to look at things besides height. 12 months ago would you have even looked at the sidewalk in this rendering?

Haha. Probably not, most likely. I think everyone didn't care with Devon because it was the first new digs downtown had seen in 25 years. Several, including me, are on the street wall train now. Let's just see if the architects can figure it out...

[shawnw]

That one thing, even if nothing else was done to this site, will do wonders for downtown. So everything else done with this site is icing.

[Teo9969]

a 50 foot setback is not that big of a deal if the space is handled correctly. If were building for the OKC of tomorrow, 15 foot sidewalks are too small, 30 should be about average in the CBD, and 50 is not unreasonable in a high traffic area. The real question is there ever going to be a reason for this sidewalk to be high traffic?

[PhiAlpha]

I'll just say it:

National drug store chain.


But, I don't think it's a done deal. And I believe that would still leave room for a restaurant where Mahogany was going to go.

Ha, that was my guess.