OG&E Tower

[Plutonic Panda]

Should we do that?

Bchris: you're anecdotes aside, induced traffic is a proven phenomenon. Urbanized provided links that you can read, if you so choose. It's usually a 5-7 year lag. Are you guys saying highways DONT aid and abet sprawl?

highways make it easier to get to where you want be with a car. If you like an rely on mass transit, you probably won't care for freeways, understandably. So with a proper interchange, do you believe i40 will be backed up in 6years? I have an idea for the I40/I35/235 junction and what to do with that stretch and have created a few amateur renderings, I am just doing some touch ups.

[soondoc]

Hey! I know I've been very skeptical of this whole project, but here is an awesome idea that I think everyone could get behind. Wouldn't it just be awesome if the second proposed tower was a modern glass style in homage to the Baum Building! That would set them up to have an incredible LED scheme, and it would soften the blow of losing the Stage Center for some by reintroducing some of our lost history, while being a cherry on top for those who never even wanted Stage Center in the first place. I know this is has zero chance of happening on this project, but it is fun to day dream!

It would MUCH better if they would just up it 10 more stories to about 27 stories to at least make an impact in the skyline. Is that really too unreasonable. Just decrease the width somewhat and go higher and make an impact from near and far away. Yes, they should do some cool lighting for sure. Our other downtown buildings could get so much more attention for their own buildings and give them a bit of a cool factor with some cool lighting. Right now, most people couldn't even tell you the name of other significant high rises downtown because they are so "insignificant" looking that just don't draw ANY attention. I think the best advertising and publicity would be to make it cool to look at and some name recognition. I would think this might add more value to those buildings just by doing something like this. Like I said before and most people just don't understand the concept, but quite often "perception really does become reality" and OKC loses out way too often by not grasping this concept.

[Spartan]

no we shouldn't do it. I'm just saying there are major flaws to induced demand.

What are these major flaws? Again, urbanized posted links to reputable sources and studies.

Not that there isn't a strong tradition in this nation of denying science...

[Pete]

Okay, back to discussing the proposed Stage Center project...

The Downtown Design Review Committee meets Jan. 16th to consider the demolition application. Conceptual drawings were submitted as well but for information only, as the exact design will have to be reviewed by the committee separately. Also, remember that the committee cannot withhold demolition approval based on what is to be built (or not built) in the future.

Rainey Williams submitted the 164-page report done by Webb Management Services on behalf of the former Stage Center owners, which demonstrated the need for millions in renovations.

The only conceptual drawings were the ones we have already seen and are attached in the article on the top of this thread.

There was a formal protest letter from the Central Oklahoma Institute of Architects, with 76 pages of supporting documents.


However, two interesting things of note: 1) The planning staff is recommending to deny the application to demolish (see first image below); and 2) In the conceptual plan introduction, it's revealed that the second 8-12 story building would be marketed to other developers, not developed by Williams (second image, item #2):

[zookeeper]

Wow, Pete...That is huge. The staff is actually recommending to the committee that the demolition permit be denied. Here's where weight gets thrown around. Thanks for this!

[bchris02]

So Rainey Williams is really only giving us a 14-story tower, but there will be a plot available for an additional tower if another developer wants to develop it. That doesn't sound at all like a sure thing to me. This deal seems to be getting more and more mediocre. I really wonder how Rainey Williams got the deal in the first place.

[Pete]

It's also huge that Williams is only planning to build the HQ for OG&E and the parking garage.

Then, he hopes to sell the parcel on Sheridan to another developer.


So, what we have here is the new HQ for OG&E, which is what I was told this project was going to be (and I shared here) even before the sale to Williams.

[bchris02]

Who wants to bet that the green rooftop gets scrapped in the final plan?

[Plutonic Panda]

What are these major flaws? Again, urbanized posted links to reputable sources and studies.

Not that there isn't a strong tradition in this nation of denying science...

I already pointed them out man. PM me or make a new thread about it and I'll repeat what I've already stated.

[Prunepicker]

My thoughts about the current Stage Center.

1. Take a lot of photos of the current Stage Center and post them somewhere.
It doesn't matter where they are posted because nobody cares. However, in
the end it will provide ample evidence as to why it was completely destroyed.

2. Burn the current Stage Center to the ground. Raffle off who gets to bash
the windows, pour gasoline or napalm on the building and who get's to strike
the match.

3. Burn whatever is left of the burning and ship it to China or Iran the
following day. Let's not dilly dally.

4. Burn anything that's left to make sure nothing is left. Sell raffle tickets to
see who has the best idea for destroying the remains.

5. Build something reasonable in it's place. Maybe a parking lot. You can
collect ideas by selling raffle tickets. Even the most stupid idea will be
better than what we currently have, i.e. a poopy place for dogs, a storm drain,
a toilet for the winos who live at the Union Bus Station.

6. LOL! Some people think I'm kidding.

7. Don't let them buy raffle tickets.

[zookeeper]

It's also huge that Williams is only planning to build the HQ for OG&E and the parking garage.

Then, he hopes to sell the parcel on Sheridan to another developer.


So, what we have here is the new HQ for OG&E, which is what I was told this project was going to be (and I shared here) even before the sale to Williams.

Reading about the staff recommendation on the demo permit, I guess I glazed out right over the other. You are right, that's very big. To me, it raises questions about the credibility of other things he has told the public. At the least it looks like an end-run by omission of information. Great stuff, Pete.

[catcherinthewry]

Wow, Pete...That is huge. The staff is actually recommending to the committee that the demolition permit be denied. Here's where weight gets thrown around. Thanks for this!

DDRC can only make a recommendation. The final say will be up to the Council.

[Plutonic Panda]

So Rainey Williams is really only giving us a 14-story tower, but there will be a plot available for an additional tower if another developer wants to develop it. That doesn't sound at all like a sure thing to me. This deal seems to be getting more and more mediocre. I really wonder how Rainey Williams got the deal in the first place.

It's ridiculous and I'm losing more and more respect for Rainy with every new bit of news. This tower is a joke. It should at least be 25 stories and provide amazing street interaction AND compliment the Stage Center by honoring it in a way.

[Pete]

DDRC can only make a recommendation. The final say will be up to the Council.

I'm actually not sure about that...

I thought the City Council only got involved if the applicant wanted to appeal a decision.

[Prunepicker]

I already pointed them out man. PM me or make a new thread about it and
I'll repeat what I've already stated.

LOL! The major flaw of the stagnant center (Stage Center) is that it was
obsolete before it was conceived years, maybe decades, before it was
finished. It was totally useless years before it ever opened.

[dankrutka]

If all Williams is doing with the remainder of the property is selling to someone else then why would he infer that another tower be so short? Hmmm... Unless there's something brewing behind the scenes, this property (with all the nearby public investment) seems to be in jeopardy of really being poorly used.

[Pete]

If all Williams is doing with the remainder of the property is selling to someone else then why would he infer that another tower be so short? Hmmm... Unless there's something brewing behind the scenes, this property (with all the nearby public investment) seems to be in jeopardy of really being poorly used.

I suspect he wants plenty of leftover parking to rent out to others.

[Plutonic Panda]

LOL! The major flaw of the stagnant center (Stage Center) is that it was
obsolete before it was conceived years, maybe decades, before it was
finished. It was totally useless years before it ever opened.

What are you talking about? I wasn't even referring to the Stage Center.

[catcherinthewry]

I'm actually not sure about that...

I thought the City Council only got involved if the applicant wanted to appeal a decision.

You may be right, but if RW's application were to be denied he would be sure to appeal. So the council would get the final say.

[Pete]

You may be right, but if RW's application were to be denied he would be sure to appeal. So the council would get the final say.

Yes, I believe that's the way it works.

But it would also put all the City Councilmen in the position of having to decide the fate of the structure. I wouldn't be surprised if many of them wouldn't want that blood on their hands.

[bradh]

Forgive me for being a newbie OKC resident (only 5 years), but what is the big deal with Stage Center? Are people...

a.) that attached to it
b.) if not attached to it, would rather leave it be until someone guaranteed a better offer than what is out there from RW
c.) are there other lookers at this piece of property?

[betts]

I'm that attached to it. If I were a multi-millionaire I'd restore it and put the children's art museum there. But I'm not. I did hire someone to take photos of it for my living room though. I think there are other places for OG&E to put their smallish tower. I wouldn't mind it on some of the Sandridge land on EK Gaylord. There's not even anything to demolish there. It's already gone. And I bet Sandridge would be glad to dump some property.

[Plutonic Panda]

Forgive me for being a newbie OKC resident (only 5 years), but what is the big deal with Stage Center? Are people...

a.) that attached to it
b.) if not attached to it, would rather leave it be until someone guaranteed a better offer than what is out there from RW
c.) are there other lookers at this piece of property?

It's a nice building and I like it. As Betts said, if I had the money, I'd buy it and renovate in into something useful. I don't see how it could become a Children's museum, but it could become something really cool.

[Pete]

Forgive me for being a newbie OKC resident (only 5 years), but what is the big deal with Stage Center?

It's a polarizing structure but it is incredibly unique and has lots of fans internationally.

[Spartan]

What are you talking about? I wasn't even referring to the Stage Center.

He's just off his meds. Shhhhh...it's humorous.