Weekly Dell Updates

[Patrick]

I'm sticking this topic to the top of this page. On a weekly basis (or whenever information is available), mranderson, our Dell representative for this forum (he's an employee for Dell) will give us Dell updates in this thread. So please check this thread often.

Here's mranderson's first update:

12-9-2004, 10AM: "The contractor has rolled a crane onto the building site. Gravel is being layed to prep the site for foundation, plus plumbing rough in is being layed as well.

I expect the foundation to be poured in mid January or early February."

[Luke]

Great idea, Patrick!

[Patrick]

Actually mranderson came up with it! You know, for the sake of this board, it worked out pretty well that mranderson was hired by Dell!

[Luke]

Indeed! I look forward to the progress being made.

[mranderson]

Just to let you know. If I skip a week, that means there is not enough progress to report.

I will try to publish reports on Friday unless something happens to give one earlier.

[metro]

sooooooooo any updates?

[mranderson]

Your weekly update for the week ending December 17, 2004.

The construction crew is working two shifts to get a faster completion. It appears Michael Dell was not sastified with the progess. From what I hear, it had better be ready on the exact day he wants or there is a problem.

Two cranes are working, plus, they are still moving the hill. It may be more than one building in the beginning. Of course, we do need a lot of parking.

If there is enough progress, I will report it next week. In the mean time, if there are any questions I will try to answer them.

[metro]

can anyone get some progress pictures up weekly or so?

[mranderson]

Actually there IS a way. Pull off to the side on SW 15, and snap some then bring them on board.

I do not have a digital camera, so if someone will volunteer to take the shots and place them on the thread, I would appreciate it.

[Luke]

That would be cool. Anyone with a digital camera in the area wanna do that?

[Luke]

http://www.newsok.com/article/138648...=business/main

"Drawings obtained Monday by The Oklahoman show Dell's new Oklahoma City call center will be a four-story building with brick columns and a glass-encased entryway resembling a Dell computer tower.

The drawings, released at a recent retreat of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, provide the first glimpse at a planned campus along the Oklahoma River that could involve at least two more buildings.

Mayor Mick Cornett said he likes what he's seen so far.

"I've seen a couple of other Dell sites, and I think these buildings will be very attractive," Cornett said.

"They're incorporating things into the designs they've learned elsewhere. This will send a progressive message, a message that we have a presence of high tech industry."

Dell already has 700 employed at a temporary call center in northwest Oklahoma City.

The permanent site along the Oklahoma River at Interstate 44 was chosen by the company two months ago.

Michelle Blood, Dell spokeswoman, said Monday the building design could change before the drawings are finalized.

City officials confirmed, however, that the building plans have been submitted for a permit review.

"Site preparation has begun," Blood said. "We're still anticipating it to be open in summer 2005."

Assistant City Manager Jim Thompson the city is seeking a contractor to start work on closing a drainage channel.

Thompson said a traffic analysis shows the city also will need to add traffic signals and turn lanes along SW 15.

Pat Downes, development director for the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, said at least one housing development is being eyed within a mile of the Dell campus.

"We have been receiving calls (about river development), but we were prior to the Dell announcement," Downes said.

"But since then, the interest level has intensified. The redevelopment interest really covers the entire spectrum, from residential to institutional."

[mranderson]

If anyone can download the picture from the Oklahoman, go ahead. If not, I will try to do it by Christmas Eve.

It looks really good.

[floater]

I don't see a picture from the Oklahoman's story...mranderson, shed some light on the look!!!!

[metro]

I'll try to drive by today with the digital and see what i can do

[mranderson]

I don't see a picture from the Oklahoman's story...mranderson, shed some light on the look!!!!

The picture is not on the Oklahoman's website. It is on the first page of the business section of the newspaper itself.

It will be a four story brick facade with a grand entry which will look similar to a Dell Diminsion computer tower, and the Dell logo gracing the top. It really looked nice. But as all info, it is subject to revision.

At least it is headway.

[floater]

Sorry, mranderson, there is a boxed picture on the newsok's home page, on the left. It does look like a computer tower!!

[Patrick]

Hey guys, mranderson scanned the pic from the Oklahoman and emailed it to me. Here it is! Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the pic!

[Patrick]

In my opinion, it probably won't look too much different from the other call centers......it kind of resembles the Hartford, only it's multilevel. Also I guess Dell will include some brick in the building to liven it up some....so that's definitely better than the call centers out off NW Expressway. Also, the computer tower idea for the main entrance is pretty cool!

[Patrick]

Here's the story from today's Oklahoman:

"Drawings show plans for four-story Dell call center
By Steve Lackmeyer
The Oklahoman

Drawings obtained Monday by The Oklahoman show Dell's new Oklahoma City call center will be a four-story building with brick columns and a glass-encased entryway resembling a Dell computer tower.
The drawings, released at a recent retreat of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, provide the first glimpse at a planned campus along the Oklahoma River that could involve at least two more buildings.

Mayor Mick Cornett said he likes what he's seen so far.

"I've seen a couple of other Dell sites, and I think these buildings will be very attractive," Cornett said.

"They're incorporating things into the designs they've learned elsewhere. This will send a progressive message, a message that we have a presence of high tech industry."

Dell already has 700 employed at a temporary call center in northwest Oklahoma City.

The permanent site along the Oklahoma River at Interstate 44 was chosen by the company two months ago.

Michelle Blood, Dell spokeswoman, said Monday the building design could change before the drawings are finalized.

City officials confirmed, however, that the building plans have been submitted for a permit review.

"Site preparation has begun," Blood said. "We're still anticipating it to be open in summer 2005."

Assistant City Manager Jim Thompson the city is seeking a contractor to start work on closing a drainage channel.

Thompson said a traffic analysis shows the city also will need to add traffic signals and turn lanes along SW 15.

Pat Downes, development director for the Oklahoma City Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, said at least one housing development is being eyed within a mile of the Dell campus.

"We have been receiving calls (about river development), but we were prior to the Dell announcement," Downes said.

"But since then, the interest level has intensified. The redevelopment interest really covers the entire spectrum, from residential to institutional."

[BricktownGuy]

mranderson, I have read thru the dell updates... I didn't see the question to my answer.. unless I accidently skipped over it on accident.

What's the salary range like at Dell currently, not at Dell in general, meant at the OKC location, so far.

[BricktownGuy]

Who is the building contractor for the Dell call center that will be built along the Oklahoma River??

[mranderson]

mranderson, I have read thru the dell updates... I didn't see the question to my answer.. unless I accidently skipped over it on accident.

What's the salary range like at Dell currently, not at Dell in general, meant at the OKC location, so far.

Dell salaries are confidential, so I will just tell you the salaries range from customary for call center to customary for computer sales. I hope that covers it.

I do not know who the contractor is. I would like to know that on myself.

[Patrick]

Most other call centers range from $10 plus benefits to $13 plus benefits. Of course sales usually has the potential to make more due to commission. My fiancee has been applying at call centers the past 2 weeks and that's what the average has been. The Hartford was probably the lowest at $8.25 and hour plus benefits. AOL started out at $10.

I'd guess that Dell probably isn't too far off from that.

[mranderson]

I have changed my avatar to the picture of Dell. It may be small and out of perportion, however, it shows what the building will be like.

[Patrick]

Looks nice...I'm glad you included the pic! It definitely represents you well!