Skybox Golf

[zookeeper]

This project is still going forward.

They have an application to waive certain parking requirements before the Board of Adjustments.

You're a curator-archivist-researcher marvel. This is a serious question: What software do you use to keep all of your information organized. Something like OneNote? RightNote?

[Pete]

You're a curator-archivist-resercher marvel. This is a serious question: What software do you use to keep all of your information organized. Something like OneNote? RightNote?

Thanks for the compliment!

I have a daily routine for checking certain sites and also employ some software tools to monitor others. But generally, the montoring tools are pretty unreliable as they often miss updates and too often alert you to the trivial.

Often, I'll see something that is only a small hint, then closely monitor and cross-reference other sites for more information. And, we now have a huge network of people that can provide additional info that helps complete the puzzle (much of this happens off the board).

I am strangely driven by the desire to KNOW and have become pretty resourceful in being able to figure things out. As with anything, with enough time, experience and motivation you get to be pretty good about picking out important tidbits from piles of data.

Frankly, it's as much an art as science.


Here is an example: The Sam's at 39th & May.

I closely monitor the City's permits, licenses and planning site (SIRE) but 99% of what comes through there is just dreck: housing permits, renewals of existing licenses, etc.

About two months ago I noticed a SPUD application for 41st and May and right away recognized the address as being part of the old car dealership. But as with almost all initial applications, there was almost no other information.

So, I kept my eye on it, put a software monitoring tool on the application... Nothing happened.

Then, there was a new agenda posted for the Planning Commission. Those in themselves are lengthy and the descriptions don't tell you much, so you have to click on every single item and even 98% of those are uninteresting (people wanting to build a new garage and the like).

Through this process -- and remembering the previous SPUD Application, among others -- I found something about a small parking lot looking to be rezoned at 41st & May, did some more research and found a site plan of a large structure just to the south. Zooming in, I found the Sam's logo.

[Mississippi Blues]

You just blew my mind, Pete. You're my idol. I'm like you, I have a desire to know & because of you I'm able to know. I'd like to be able to keep track of stuff like you do, though. Dang.

[zookeeper]

That is fascinating. I would have to agree about the art vs science. In another life you would make an excellent investigative reporter for 48 hours or a cold case detective. You have a keen eye to be sure!

I asked about how you pull on this information together, and keep it straight, because I do a lot of genealogy and used OneNote for years and switched to this new program called RightNote and it really helps. I envy your abilities to follow so much and keep it all together and THEN share it! Thanks for all you do.

[Pete]

Haha, it's obviously a labor of love otherwise I wouldn't do it. Don't mean to sound like a martyr because I enjoy the hunt.

Often, you just collect little bits of information along the way, then you find out something else and it suddenly all fits together.

[onthestrip]

Pete, have you seen the cost of this project on the permit?

[Pete]

Yes, $7 million building permit application on 10/3/13.

[Pete]

Here is their logo:

[Lafferty Daniel]

Yes, $7 million building permit application on 10/3/13.

Any idea when you expect construction to start? And an open date?

[dankrutka]

Thanks for the compliment!

I have a daily routine for checking certain sites and also employ some software tools to monitor others. But generally, the montoring tools are pretty unreliable as they often miss updates and too often alert you to the trivial.

Often, I'll see something that is only a small hint, then closely monitor and cross-reference other sites for more information. And, we now have a huge network of people that can provide additional info that helps complete the puzzle (much of this happens off the board).

I am strangely driven by the desire to KNOW and have become pretty resourceful in being able to figure things out. As with anything, with enough time, experience and motivation you get to be pretty good about picking out important tidbits from piles of data.

Frankly, it's as much an art as science.


Here is an example: The Sam's at 39th & May.

I closely monitor the City's permits, licenses and planning site (SIRE) but 99% of what comes through there is just dreck: housing permits, renewals of existing licenses, etc.

About two months ago I noticed a SPUD application for 41st and May and right away recognized the address as being part of the old car dealership. But as with almost all initial applications, there was almost no other information.

So, I kept my eye on it, put a software monitoring tool on the application... Nothing happened.

Then, there was a new agenda posted for the Planning Commission. Those in themselves are lengthy and the descriptions don't tell you much, so you have to click on every single item and even 98% of those are uninteresting (people wanting to build a new garage and the like).

Through this process -- and remembering the previous SPUD Application, among others -- I found something about a small parking lot looking to be rezoned at 41st & May, did some more research and found a site plan of a large structure just to the south. Zooming in, I found the Sam's logo.

That's amazing. I feel like I just watched National Treasure.

[Pete]

Any idea when you expect construction to start? And an open date?

They have their building permit apart from the variance on the parking, and that will be heard next Thursday.

Here's hoping it gets approved and they start work right away.


I've also heard they will have a nice wood fire pizza place and bar in this facility.

Will be interesting to see what Top Golf decides, as they just posted on their FB page they are still very interested in OKC.

[Pete]

That's amazing. I feel like I just watched National Treasure.

Haha, the stories I could tell.

Once I find out more about the new pub for the Plaza District, I'll give you a roadmap to that as well, which has been very different than what I outlined with Sam's.

[bradh]

project is out for bid currently, bids next Thursday, so it's moving right along

very excited about this project!

[musg8411]

Haha, the stories I could tell.

Once I find out more about the new pub for the Plaza District, I'll give you a roadmap to that as well, which has been very different than what I outlined with Sam's.

Ya, I believe there was core samples being done this week.

[Pete]

I've heard from a couple of different people that Skybox is now dead due to the TopGolf announcement.

Don't think there are any plans to move the concept elsewhere.

[Lafferty Daniel]

I've heard from a couple of different people that Skybox is now dead due to the TopGolf announcement.

Don't think there are any plans to move the concept elsewhere.

That's a shame. It would do well if they just put it somewhere else. Closer to downtown or in Moore/Norman.

[Urbanized]

Sometimes the best business decision is not to go into a particular business. What happened to them was one of the risks you take when you try to create a local version of an existing national brand and idea. Sometimes it works out well, but if your city is on the radar of the established brand you're likely to be wiped out if you end up going head-to-head.

I agree about re-purposing the idea elsewhere, especially after they have put as much effort into it. The inner city is I think ripe for such a development (I have long dreamed of putting in a simple driving range), yet the inner city is unlikely to be a development target for a national company of this type anytime soon. Seems like a place where local knowledge and instinct could win the day.

[Plutonic Panda]

I've heard from a couple of different people that Skybox is now dead due to the TopGolf announcement.

Don't think there are any plans to move the concept elsewhere.

That really sucks. Would be nice to have both options available here. Surely they could've located in Fritts Farm in Moore and address the Norman-Moore-South OKC area for the folks who don't want to drive to N. OKC. Very excited about Top Golf though!

[Teo9969]

Somebody said in another thread that there were threats of lawsuits from Top Golf, and maybe I'm misremembering, but aren't the Skybox developers lawyers from the Memorial/Kilpatrick area?

All of that together would seem to indicate why they are not considering opening in another part of the city.

[Urbanized]

I seriously hope that TopGolf doesn't believe it has exclusive rights to build multi-story driving ranges with attached restaurants and entertainment components. It's not like it was an original concept. The Japanese have been doing it for at least 25 years.

[Pete]

^

I believe the issue was with some/all of TG's five patents on everything from sensors in the golf balls to targets to scoring.

[Urbanized]

Hmmm. OK, makes a little more sense I suppose.

[Pete]

All signs (and chatter) are that this project is off.

They just asked for an "indefinite continuance" for an application before the Board of Adjustment.

[OklahomaNick]

All signs (and chatter) are that this project is off.

They just asked for an "indefinite continuance" for an application before the Board of Adjustment.

wow..

Don't want to compete with TopGolf??

[Dustin]

wow..

Don't want to compete with TopGolf??

How can you compete when your competitor has all the patents?

It really sucks.