Poll: Demolish Stage Center?

[mkjeeves]

Yeah we should re-do this poll. I'm just surprised 61 people could support such a strongly and negatively worded "tear it down" statement

It's as valuable as any other OKCTalk poll. It and $5 will get you a cup of coffee in some places.

[shawnw]

Exactly

[Urbanized]

The problem is that all those non-profit buildings have things for people to do inside them. If Stage Center was fixed up who would use it? They asked the Arts community in OKC and all of them said, "Count us out". Is it supposed to just be a very expensive sculpture?

First of all, that's not accurate. Not all arts organizations hate it. We have seen evidence of those conflicted feelings in this very forum. The same with people who have patronized shows there, although overwhelmingly THEY tend to have positive feelings for it. Secondly - more than anything else - none of the arts groups want to be tasked with fixing and/or maintaining it. Third, those organizations all currently have corporate and individual sponsors, some of whom likely "encouraged" them to give the controversy a wide berth. There is an influential contingent who wants the building gone.

The arts groups are frightened of it, as it sits, and have a difficult time imagining it not being a millstone around their respective necks. If a champion appeared out of thin air, one who would fund the renovation and long-term maintenance of the building, someone who would turn it into a showpiece, and who would guarantee to help fund their organizations, they would likely fall all over themselves in lining up to be tenants. Or if they didn't, other organizations would appear as if by magic, I promise you.

With that said, such a benefactor obviously does not exist in this community. I don't have another solution. It is even doubtful that another exists. Therefore, as I have mentioned DOZENS of times here, I have come to accept the fact that it is coming down. I am not advocating preservation; just wishing it had happened, and that the building had been given more attention through the years. I'm not sure why you are spending so much time trying to convince me to think differently. I'm resigned to its destruction. You win.

We are the teenager who inherited a sputtering, rusty, rare and classic sports car from our parents, who themselves did a lousy job of taking care of it. We can't wait for it to die - even if we have to go out and wreck it ourselves - so that we can go get a shiny new 4x4 pickup.

COULD it be saved? Sure. It would take effort. And money. Would it be worth saving? It depends upon what your value system is, obviously. My personal value system says "yes," but I am in a very small minority. Will it be saved? Nope. Destined for the scrap heap, the moment they handed us the keys.

[jccouger]

The problem is that all those non-profit buildings have things for people to do inside them. If Stage Center was fixed up who would use it? They asked the Arts community in OKC and all of them said, "Count us out". Is it supposed to just be a very expensive sculpture?

On the other hand, I'll bet the those places you listed could come up with a study that say they contribute millions to the local economy.

On edit - wouldn't you know it....

http://www.arts.ok.gov/pdf/about_us/...FullReport.pdf

So what you are trying to say is...

Eventually the Stage Center could become profitable, just as our other arts developments are? Excellent news!

[Urbanized]

...On the other hand, I'll bet the those places you listed could come up with a study that say they contribute millions to the local economy.

On edit - wouldn't you know it....

http://www.arts.ok.gov/pdf/about_us/...FullReport.pdf

Haha you're only making my argument for me. JTF, it's OK to say that you simply don't like Stage Center.

[OKVision4U]

Yeah we should re-do this poll. I'm just surprised 61 people could support such a strongly and negatively worded "tear it down" statement

I think we have our answer. It may not be the answer a small % of you are hoping for. With 77% of the vote using the strong definition "Tear It Down", it must be heard. One note in that vote too, this OKCtalk is a great sample of ( active minded people ) w/ civic hearts.

This structure just "isn't" that piece of history in our city or state.

[jccouger]

Remember that one time when everybody thought tearing down the Biltmore hotel was a great idea. Obviously nobody does....

[OKVision4U]

Remember that one time when everybody thought tearing down the Biltmore hotel was a great idea. Obviously nobody does....

This is NOT the Biltmore. If it was, we would save it today. This is not the same OKC of the 60s / 70s / 80's...the city is ON-BOARD w/ preservation. The Stage Center just isn't that piece of history.

[Garin]

Remember that one time when everybody thought tearing down the Biltmore hotel was a great idea. Obviously nobody does....

.

That place is a dump it should have been rehabbed or dozed by now.

[Urbanized]

How do you feel about the Marion Hotel?

[Dubya61]

The problem is that all those non-profit buildings have things for people to do inside them. If Stage Center was fixed up who would use it? They asked the Arts community in OKC and all of them said, "Count us out".

First of all, that's not accurate. Not all arts organizations hate it.

"Count us out" does not equal hate. It simply means, No, that's not a venue we would choose to use.

The arts groups are frightened of it, as it sits, and have a difficult time imagining it not being a millstone around their respective necks. If a champion appeared out of thin air, one who would fund the renovation and long-term maintenance of the building, someone who would turn it into a showpiece, and who would guarantee to help fund their organizations, they would likely fall all over themselves in lining up to be tenants. Or if they didn't, other organizations would appear as if by magic, I promise you.

Don't take this as a challenge, but who? Who would want to use the Mummers Theater?

[mkjeeves]

Opening Night 2009 (A few months before the flood)

Venue 3 – Stage Center

Arena Theatre

Everybody & Their Dog: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30

Tolbert Theatre

Edgar Cruz: 7, 8, 9, 10

Opening Night 2009 schedule | News OK

Similar to many other Opening Nights.

[Garin]

How do you feel about the Marion Hotel?

Where it is located it makes more since to rehab and reconstruct.

[Just the facts]

Remember that one time when everybody thought tearing down the Biltmore hotel was a great idea. Obviously nobody does....

The low ceiling heights and plumbing built into the concrete would have made the Biltmore impossible to renovate into anything usable by modern regulations. The site became part of MBG. Sometime architects just out-think themselves and create structures that can't be used for anything else ever. I wish they wouldn't do it - but they do.

[MustangGT]

.

That place is a dump it should have been rehabbed or dozed by now.

Agreed.

[Just the facts]

Haha you're only making my argument for me. JTF, it's OK to say that you simply don't like Stage Center.

I don't like Stage Center.

[Just the facts]

So what you are trying to say is...

Eventually the Stage Center could become profitable, just as our other arts developments are? Excellent news!

No, I am saying you get someone to produce an economic report that says anything you want it to say.

[Urbanized]

Much like a feasibility report. A la Central Park Film Exchange or Sand Ridge campus demolitions. Come on, JTF. You're too smart to believe and regurgitate everything just because you see it in print.

[CuatrodeMayo]

The low ceiling heights and plumbing built into the concrete would have made the Biltmore impossible to renovate into anything usable by modern regulations. The site became part of MBG. Sometime architects just out-think themselves and create structures that can't be used for anything else ever. I wish they wouldn't do it - but they do.

[UnFrSaKn]

Pros & Cons: Stage Center's future takes center stage
http://m.newsok.com/pros-cons-stage-...rticle/3923845

Supporters seek to save Oklahoma City's Stage Center
http://m.newsok.com/supporters-seek-...rticle/3923846

[Of Sound Mind]

See, this still fascinates me. If this "landmark" is so beloved, why has it been so woefully neglected for so many years? If it is so beloved, why haven't its fanatics dedicated more effort to supporting it tangibly (with necessary financial resources and improvements)? If it's so precious, why has it taken its impending doom to get any measurable action/reaction?

Actions speak louder than words — in other words, the lack of effectual action in this "precious" landmark's recent history speaks much louder than the lamenting since the announcement of the property's sale months back.

[HangryHippo]

I really don't care to see it saved because I find the building to be hideous. It has absolutely nothing to do with not enjoying unique things. The building is just flat ugly and I would like to see something more attractive there. It looks like we have a proposal for something more attractive so it can be razed.

However, that all being said, shame on Williams for not selecting one of the multitude of vacant lots that dot our downtown landscape.

[coov23]

See, this still fascinates me. If this "landmark" is so beloved, why has it been so woefully neglected for so many years? If it is so beloved, why haven't its fanatics dedicated more effort to supporting it tangibly (with necessary financial resources and improvements)? If it's so precious, why has it taken its impending doom to get any measurable action/reaction?

Actions speak louder than words — in other words, the lack of effectual action in this "precious" landmark's recent history speaks much louder than the lamenting since the announcement of the property's sale months back.

It's easy. Those that want it saved want our money to save it. Even if we don't like the building. The few far out weigh the many. If you haven't learned that in this PC world, you never will. I dint want my tax money going to that building. It already costs a 100k a month just to keep hobos out. How much will it cost to reconstruct and up keep? Far too much, in my opinion. Heck, I live art. That building just isn't art to me. It's an eye site that needs to go.

[Bellaboo]

I've seen this said a lot -

However, that all being said, shame on Williams for not selecting one of the multitude of vacant lots that dot our downtown landscape.

This is all about location. If any lot would have worked, he'd gone elsewhere, and probably pay a smaller price with much less trouble.....

The equivolent location would be just to the South of California on this block.

[jccouger]

The ENTIRE issue is the location.

See, this still fascinates me. If this "landmark" is so beloved, why has it been so woefully neglected for so many years?

So many years = 3 years????