OG&E Tower

[tillyato]

The OKC Chamber of Commerce is holding its annual meeting, well... right now, even as I type... at the Cox Convention Center:

https://www.okcchamber.com/index.php...s&cale_id=1449

A 2013 year-in-review speech is to be given by Pete Delaney, head of OG&E.

Perhaps Mr. Delaney will throw in a few hints about what will be coming up in 2014. You know, maybe some juicy tidbits about what OG&E is planning to do in downtown. Hmmm?

Ok, probably not. Fat chance in heck.

One can dream though. Maybe someone attending the event will overhear Delaney make an "interesting" comment.....

I just got back from the chamber lunch, no hints of any new towers from Pete.

[soondoc]

You know when looking at the turbine building and also the oil derrick, it got me thinking. OKC really has a negative or really not thought about nationally. It is slowly changing but that will take time and continued improvements. We do need people a reason to come here for many reasons. I honestly believe that if we built those 2 structures, it would be our iconic landmarks that people around the country could identify with. So what if they are a little over the top, it stands out in peoples memories.

We are becoming a power in the oil, gas, and wind farming energy sector. We know it and others are taking notice as well. IF we did this, I PROMISE you that companies will take notice as well that OKC is becoming an "it" place for energy. It is basically like free advertising to the world. Yes, the expense of the buildings could be high, but the return on the investments and for our city could be what really makes this city potentially BOOM! I hope at least one person will read this and agree and perhaps mention it in the chat with Steve. Also, flood the people who can make it happen this and let them know how this could let the world know we have arrived as a serious and major player in the energy sector. Momentum will build and I think companies will WANT to be here if not fight to come here.

[Praedura]

I just got back from the chamber lunch, no hints of any new towers from Pete.

Ah shoot. Well, didn't think so.

Did he give a good talk anyway?

[G.Walker]

Not to speak for Pete, but Steve said we'd have a lot to talk about over Christmas. Not sure if that was in reference to the SC site though.

Steve has been mum these last few days so maybe he is working on a big story...I am sure he will update us on his story tracking in his chat tomm...

[DoctorTaco]

Steve has been mum these last few days so maybe he is working on a big story...I am sure he will update us on his story tracking in his chat tomm...

I think Steve's been quiet because he wrote like 25,000 words for the Sunday MAPS special edition and he needed a break.

[G.Walker]

I don't, he has wrote a couple stories since then...

[tillyato]

Did he give a good talk anyway?

He did, although I thought the Q&A was the most interesting part (other than the Lyric performance during lunch). Dr. Stephen Prescott of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation talked about some of the great things his group has been doing, and how big of a boost the new GE research facility will be to help attract highly educated employees to the region.

[Steve]

i think steve's been quiet because he wrote like 25,000 words for the sunday maps special edition and he needed a break.

both!

[HangryHippo]

He did, although I thought the Q&A was the most interesting part (other than the Lyric performance during lunch). Dr. Stephen Prescott of the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation talked about some of the great things his group has been doing, and how big of a boost the new GE research facility will be to help attract highly educated employees to the region.

Just to be sure I understood correctly, Dr. Prescott was talking about how big a boost the GE Center will be for OMRF? Did he expound on that thought?

[tillyato]

Just to be sure I understood correctly, Dr. Prescott was talking about how big a boost the GE Center will be for OMRF? Did he expound on that thought?

He said many of the medical researchers they try to lure to OKC from other metro areas have spouses who are also involved in research in other fields, and the more research positions that are available in OKC, regardless of whether they are medical in nature or not, will allow OKC and the OMRF to better attract couples who both have jobs that require a high level of education. Plus, more growth in the area makes for a more impressive visit to the OMRF campus when they bring in candidates to visit. All secondary benefits, but important nonetheless.

[G.Walker]

Did a little research, Kestrel Investments is a subsidiary of Marco Capital Group LP, with offices in Oklahoma City & Dallas:

Marco Capital

[HangryHippo]

He said many of the medical researchers they try to lure to OKC from other metro areas have spouses who are also involved in research in other fields, and the more research positions that are available in OKC, regardless of whether they are medical in nature or not, will allow OKC and the OMRF to better attract couples who both have jobs that require a high level of education. Plus, more growth in the area makes for a more impressive visit to the OMRF campus when they bring in candidates to visit. All secondary benefits, but important nonetheless.

Very important. I hadn't thought about it in that light, but that's a very good point. Thanks for sharing.

[pw405]

Here's a VERY rough mock up of one of the concepts proposed for Nashville on the Stage Center site. Once again, this is a very crude copy and paste, and I would estimate the height to be about 600', but as you can see, this site will really balance out the skyline. Even if the final height isn't quite this tall.

[Pete]

Thanks!

That site -- and really the other two on Hudson as well -- are perfect for extending our skyline from almost all angles.

[OKCisOK4me]

Heard they are planning to do demo in March, so buildings details will probably be coming soon.

Awesome birthday present!

[Spartan]

They were wrong when they said religion is the opiate of the masses.

[UnFrSaKn]

12-13-13 Business Chat:

Ronaldo 10:27 a.m. Steve, do you have any big articles on Sunday? We are waiting on pins and needles!

Steve Lackmeyer 10:27 a.m. Soon.....

Corey 10:30 a.m. Will the Oklahoma City public get an update on the new high rise project developed by Rainey Williams proposed for the Stage Center site before Christmas Eve?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:30 a.m. Maybe.

Chandler Joe 10:33 a.m. Hi, hi, hi, Steven. Long time reader, first time question asker. Does Wade Scaramucki have a hand in the Mystery Tower?

Steve Lackmeyer 10:34 a.m. (STEVE): If you're talking the G. Rainy Williams tower proposed for Stage Center, I suspect that this project would be a bit of challenge for Wade if he were because he among many architects who do not want to see Stage Center razed. Wade is not involved with the project.

Pat 10:34 a.m. Okay Steve, Can't resist, Stage Center site, will we know specifics before the end of the year ? Thanks

Steve Lackmeyer 10:34 a.m. Maybe.

Gary T 11:24 a.m. You said some time ago that the Stage Center tower was taking a long time becuase complex deals take time. Can you expand on that at all? What made this deal more complex than the Devon tower? Multiple tennants?

Steve Lackmeyer 11:24 a.m. Topography. Engineering. Design. Cost. Tenant negotiations. Concerns about Stage Center.

[UnFrSaKn]

https://twitter.com/stevelackmeyer/s...86006576427008

[metro]

12-13-13 Business Chat:

With vague answers like this, anyone can give those answers and be correct.

[G.Walker]

FWIW, OGE had a meeting today at the PHF (OU) Research Park, ran into one of the employees outside the bathroom and asked if he was ready to move into a new office tower, he stated, " We heard things about it, but don't know when".

[modernism]

What happened to all this big news we were supposed to be getting this month? With the announcement of Stage Center Tower being one of them? If no big news is announced this week, we are probably looking at the first of the year for big news!

From Steve's Blog:

OKC Central Live Chat 10 a.m. Today | News OK

Things are going a bit crazy these days. Downtown/urban core development is hitting a pace we’ve not seen in a century. Yes, it’s that crazy. And if we were choose a soundtrack for this story, yeah, Fatboy Slim would be a good pick.

A few weeks ago during an OKC Central Live Chat I predicted that the following 60 days would be an amazing period for downtown. I’m sticking with that call, and I’ll remind you what’s already transpired this first month:

- The start of outside money coming in with Indianapolis-based Milhaus preparing to build 327 apartments, 4,500 square feet of retail and 455-space garage at NW 10 and Shartel.

- Catholic Charities announcing plans to build a modern new headquarters at NW 12 and Classen

- Midtown Renaissance announcing plans to build a modern, 43-unit apartment complex at 1201 N Francis.

- The Oklahoma Publishing Co. finalizing a deal to move its operations, including The Oklahoman, to the old Century Center.

- Midtown Renaissance moving forward with renovation of the Marion Hotel at Broadway and NW 10

- A cluster of new retailers opening up along Automobile Alley.

- Announcement of an impressive list tenants for The Rise on NW 23.

- Devon’s historic $6 billion purchase of holdings in Eagle Ford (this will have ramifications on downtown).

Yes, it’s true – these are all developments that were unknown to the public just a month ago. And there’s more… much, much more…

- Rainey Williams tower….

- What’s next for Tom Ward….

- Big plays throughout downtown for new housing ….

- The influx of outside money …

- The influx of national retailers …

- Major new downtown anchors…

And yeah, I expect much of this to go public this next month.

[HangryHippo]

What happened to all this big news we were supposed to be getting this month? With the announcement of Stage Center Tower being one of them? If no big news is announced this week, we are probably looking at the first of the year for big news!

From Steve's Blog:

OKC Central Live Chat 10 a.m. Today | News OK

Things are going a bit crazy these days. Downtown/urban core development is hitting a pace we’ve not seen in a century. Yes, it’s that crazy. And if we were choose a soundtrack for this story, yeah, Fatboy Slim would be a good pick.

A few weeks ago during an OKC Central Live Chat I predicted that the following 60 days would be an amazing period for downtown. I’m sticking with that call, and I’ll remind you what’s already transpired this first month:

- The start of outside money coming in with Indianapolis-based Milhaus preparing to build 327 apartments, 4,500 square feet of retail and 455-space garage at NW 10 and Shartel.

- Catholic Charities announcing plans to build a modern new headquarters at NW 12 and Classen

- Midtown Renaissance announcing plans to build a modern, 43-unit apartment complex at 1201 N Francis.

- The Oklahoma Publishing Co. finalizing a deal to move its operations, including The Oklahoman, to the old Century Center.

- Midtown Renaissance moving forward with renovation of the Marion Hotel at Broadway and NW 10

- A cluster of new retailers opening up along Automobile Alley.

- Announcement of an impressive list tenants for The Rise on NW 23.

- Devon’s historic $6 billion purchase of holdings in Eagle Ford (this will have ramifications on downtown).

Yes, it’s true – these are all developments that were unknown to the public just a month ago. And there’s more… much, much more…

- Rainey Williams tower….

- What’s next for Tom Ward….

- Big plays throughout downtown for new housing ….

- The influx of outside money …

- The influx of national retailers …

- Major new downtown anchors…

And yeah, I expect much of this to go public this next month.

I've been asking the same thing. It felt like we were about to be inundated with "big" project news, but so far, not much at all in the way of new news and nothing at all about the big projects.

[OKCisOK4me]

I think at this point we don't need to put any more predictions on the announcement and just be surprised when it does happen.......IF it ever happens.

[Pete]

I've been asking the same thing. It felt like we were about to be inundated with "big" project news, but so far, not much at all in the way of new news and nothing at all about the big projects.

• Several big housing projects have been announced.
• Outside money is funding the Metropolitan and 10th & Shartel Apartments.
• GE Global Research Center details announced
• 21c Museum Hotel announced
• Trader Joe's definitely coming
• Tom Ward in active negotiations for downtown space; perhaps Rock Island Plow Building
• Stage Center Tower details coming soon

[bchris02]

I think at this point we don't need to put any more predictions on the announcement and just be surprised when it does happen.......IF it ever happens.

I think something will happen, but I'll be surprised if the announcement is this year. If the demolition is slated for February we will have to know by then. My guess is we will know a few days before demolition.