Century Center

[Spartan]

Parking is not being added because of cost

Well duh. But now there is a parking problem to resolve.

As is usually the case with urban planning, these things are usually connected.

[HOT ROD]

I say, tear it down and start over with a proper highrise office tower ABOVE parking and retail on the same lot. It appears somebody's being cheap if they cant pay to add parking but want to renovate a mall to become home to 400+ daytime employees.

JTF, I agree with your argument but reality is today that most folks will drive into downtown; maybe in 5-years or so we can talk more realistic about folks taking commuter transit.

[Praedura]

I'm not optimistic about this project. It's been a series of downward revisions, always heading for the cheap end.

They don't have money for the parking levels, which are actually badly needed. But they're still going to put up a huge outdoor video screen, that is not an essential by any means. Except that will probably get scrapped at some point too.

I won't be terribly surprised if this development eventually falls through and OPUBCO ends up moving to a different location. This whole thing has a look of clusterf**k to me.

[Teo9969]

I'm not optimistic about this project. It's been a series of downward revisions, always heading for the cheap end.

They don't have money for the parking levels, which are actually badly needed. But they're still going to put up a huge outdoor video screen, that is not an essential by any means. Except that will probably get scrapped at some point too.

I won't be terribly surprised if this development eventually falls through and OPUBCO ends up moving to a different location. This whole thing has a look of clusterf**k to me.

That video screen is peanuts compared to adding Parking.

I don't think there would be talks of this being the first CVS/Walgreens if things were as dire as you're saying. In fact, I found myself wondering if the parking was scrapped because the possibility of getting CVS/Walgreens in would be missed by adding the parking (i.e. CVS/WG would opt for another development that would be available sooner).

[Bellaboo]

That video screen will be a revenue generator for OPUBCO more than likely....i'm sure it will happen.

[Steve]

I'm not optimistic about this project. It's been a series of downward revisions, always heading for the cheap end.

They don't have money for the parking levels, which are actually badly needed. But they're still going to put up a huge outdoor video screen, that is not an essential by any means. Except that will probably get scrapped at some point too.

I won't be terribly surprised if this development eventually falls through and OPUBCO ends up moving to a different location. This whole thing has a look of clusterf**k to me.

I'm just speaking as a member of OKC Talk, not on behalf of anyone here. But it's happening. The lease is signed. The improvements have to be done as reviewed and approved by the Downtown Design Review Committee. And while I'm obviously biased on the matter, I can tell you this is all looking pretty good. We're looking at a couple thousand parking spaces being added downtown over the next couple of years. I'd also caution you not to put a lot of stock into what you read .... notice I always respected Brianna Bailey when she was at the Journal Record. I have nothing to say about this other person who once worked at The Oklahoman.

[Just the facts]

So let me ask, are we getting to a point where private downtown companies want/require/demand public funding to house the private possessions of their employees? Once again, the public should fund public transportation and the private sector should fund private transportation. If the public builds a parking garage it should be open to the public (i.e. no reserved spaces).

[metro]

I'm not optimistic about this project. It's been a series of downward revisions, always heading for the cheap end.

They don't have money for the parking levels, which are actually badly needed. But they're still going to put up a huge outdoor video screen, that is not an essential by any means. Except that will probably get scrapped at some point too.

I won't be terribly surprised if this development eventually falls through and OPUBCO ends up moving to a different location. This whole thing has a look of clusterf**k to me.

That video screen will be a revenue generator for OPUBCO more than likely....i'm sure it will happen.

So let me ask, are we getting to a point where private downtown companies want/require/demand public funding to house the private possessions of their employees? Once again, the public should fund public transportation and the private sector should fund private transportation. If the public builds a parking garage it should be open to the public (i.e. no reserved spaces).

THIS. I think more than anything this goes to show the loss of money and influence OPUBCO has had in recent years. It's dramatic; however I think for the best of OKC, as information wants to be free and not held by the good ole boy networks of decades past. While I hope OPUBCO stays around, there is no denying they haven't taken a significant hit. I hope in the future (if not already) sites like OKCTalk can go head to head with legacy media organizations. We have hundreds if not thousands of "on the ground" daily reporters on this site and the majority of time, we're right. Best of luck to OPUBCO and I hope the Walgreen's/CVS rumor is true.

[Teo9969]

Why does this show the loss of money for OPUBCO? I was under the impression they're leasing the space, so it is another developer's pockets that aren't deep enough to make the project happen as originally proposed.

[Pete]

We're looking at a couple thousand parking spaces being added downtown over the next couple of years.

Where besides the new Main Street Garage (830) and the addition to the City Center East Garage (336)?

Are you including the proposed Don Karchmer project in Bricktown or is there something else not yet announced?

[catch22]

^ Also the Dowell garage.

[Teo9969]

And the almost sure garage to come with Stage Center Tower.

[Pete]

Yes, Dowell will add about another 400, for a total of about 1,600 new spaces.

Of course, his 20-story building is now completely empty and that addition will not provide enough spaces just for those tenants.

[catch22]

You're assuming he will ever have that building ready to go.

[Pete]

You're assuming he will ever have that garage addition ready to go.

[catch22]

You're assuming he will ever have that garage addition ready to go.

[Centerback]

Why does this show the loss of money for OPUBCO? I was under the impression they're leasing the space, so it is another developer's pockets that aren't deep enough to make the project happen as originally proposed.

Let's not let facts get in the way of misinformed rants

[Centerback]

I'm not optimistic about this project. It's been a series of downward revisions, always heading for the cheap end.

They don't have money for the parking levels, which are actually badly needed. But they're still going to put up a huge outdoor video screen, that is not an essential by any means. Except that will probably get scrapped at some point too.

I won't be terribly surprised if this development eventually falls through and OPUBCO ends up moving to a different location. This whole thing has a look of clusterf**k to me.

[musg8411]

Is he counting the one on 10th in auto alley?

[Pete]

Is he counting the one on 10th in auto alley?

Perhaps!

That 123 Garage will have 300 spaces.

[metro]

Why does this show the loss of money for OPUBCO? I was under the impression they're leasing the space, so it is another developer's pockets that aren't deep enough to make the project happen as originally proposed.

Developers build upon demand. They're not going to build a massive facility if OPUBCO is willing to pay "x" or originally overshot their needs/projections. My point is that OPUBCO sold their massive tower and printing plant on Broadway Ext. and have had massive layoffs the last decade. Not exactly a sign of prosperity. My point isn't to bash OPUBCO, but rather show how much the old guard is finally changing (by market demands) in OKC for the better. That said, I'm excited about their move back downtown and think it's at least a decade overdue.

[Bellaboo]

How about the garage proposed near the Journal record building ?

[metro]

How about the garage proposed near the Journal record building ?

I think they filed for permits and will be starting soon if I read correctly.

[catch22]

I think they filed for permits and will be starting soon if I read correctly.

no permits for that garage. 123 garage on 10th I think...

[metro]

No I read something today talking about the garage across from Journal Record.