OG&E Tower

[TAlan CB]

Exactly. If I recall, didn't they have to demo buildings to build the the Devon Tower?

Not really, it was a multi level parking garage built to be the bottom floors of a mall never constructed (similar to what the convention center has). They tore down building for that mall/parking garage - but that was 30 years ago and all that was built was the garage. They did have to destroy 2 fountain plazas, but replaced those with better fountains.

[Jeepnokc]

Not really, it was a multi level parking garage built to be the bottom floors of a mall never constructed (similar to what the convention center has). They tore down building for that mall/parking garage - but that was 30 years ago and all that was built was the garage. They did have to destroy 2 fountain plazas, but replaced those with better fountains.

They also had to take out a bunch of "dirty dirt" that was contaminated. Brought in a bunch of new clean dirt to replace it before they could start building.

[Plutonic Panda]

They also had to take out a bunch of "dirty dirt" that was contaminated. Brought in a bunch of new clean dirt to replace it before they could start building.

Just curious, what happens to the old, contaminated dirt?

[Pete]

I'm hearing that Clayco out of Chicago will be the architect and construction manager (both design and build) for this project:

Corporate Projects - Clayco - Commercial Building Construction

This current project in Richmond (16-stories, plus 5-story parking garage) is very similar:

[shawnw]

I wouldn't mind that in our skyline.

[HangryHippo]

Now that's nice. I like that a lot.

Edit: I explored Clayco's website more and I don't love some of their other projects. Hopefully, if they are indeed the team for this project, it's closer to this project than some of their others.

[musg8411]

I'm hearing that Clayco out of Chicago will be the architect and construction manager (both design and build) for this project:

Corporate Projects - Clayco - Commercial Building Construction

This current project in Richmond (16-stories, plus 5-story parking garage) is very similar:

I had heard this from a friend of mine at ADG, who worked on the initial renderings.

[David]

Huh, maybe my early thread optimism will be vindicated in the end.

Now that's nice. I like that a lot.

Edit: I explored Clayco's website more and I don't love some of their other projects. Hopefully, if they are indeed the team for this project, it's closer to this project than some of their others.

I like the look of most of their buildings that are clearly in an urban environment.





They have a lot of buildings in their portfolio.

[UnFrSaKn]

That last one is sweet.

http://www.claycorp.com/p/329/the-plaza-in-clayton/

[shawnw]

That would be a nice transitional building to go between the current CBD and bricktown...

[stlokc]

Sam Bradford lives in that building. True story...I know someone else who lives there and they said the day he moved in it was kind if a big deal. Neighbors got drinks and watched the moving can from their balconies to get a glimpse of the new QB.

[stlokc]

Sorry...moving van.
Damn I-phone.

[Spartan]

I guess you didn't read the article?

And the ten cities with the highest percentage of negative reactions:

10. Salt Lake City, Utah
9. Milwaukee, Wis.
8. Columbus, Ohio
7. Jacksonville, Fla.
6. St. Louis, Mo.
5. Cincinnati, Ohio
4. Oklahoma City, Okla.
3. Cleveland, Ohio
2. Birmingham, Ala.
1. Detroit, Mich.

Not a bad list of cities for the most part, excluding Jax. No offense Kerry.

[G.Walker]

I think this project might end up being taller if Clayco follows the same format as the design they did for Gateway Plaza in Richmond, as they designed that tower with the parking garage at base, if they do that for the OG&E tower that will add a little height to the project. I think this would be more efficient land use than putting massive parking garage south of the tower. Doing this would put the project at 20+ floors.

[Snowman]

Just curious, what happens to the old, contaminated dirt?

Depends on the contamination. Sometimes it can just be heated and the chemicals in it can be collected out. Sometimes they can use microbes to digest chemicals. Sometimes it can be made into products which already have those chemicals/metals or in the process of making it; either reacts the toxins out or permanently bonds it in a way that they will not be released. Other times it just is removed from human contact and deposited where it will have little impact on the the environment.

[Plutonic Panda]

Depends on the contamination. Sometimes it can just be heated and the chemicals in it can be collected out. Sometimes they can use microbes to digest chemicals. Sometimes it can be made into products which already have those chemicals/metals or in the process of making it; either reacts the toxins out or permanently bonds it in a way that they will not be released. Other times it just is removed from human contact and deposited where it will have little impact on the the environment.

Thanks. Always wondered about that.

[Spartan]

I think this project might end up being taller if Clayco follows the same format as the design they did for Gateway Plaza in Richmond, as they designed that tower with the parking garage at base, if they do that for the OG&E tower that will add a little height to the project. I think this would be more efficient land use than putting massive parking garage south of the tower. Doing this would put the project at 20+ floors.

Clayco is also starting an even smaller tower project in Cleveland, and they were decently responsive to local design review.

[Spartan]

Should be getting very close to demolition on this property.

I don't know who the architect is but I did hear something interesting...

Rainey Williams approached Pickard Chilton (architects for Devon Energy Center) but they declined. They did not want to be affiliated with the project due to the controversy over demolishing Stage Center.

At least it shows Williams has been looking for a world-class architect.

And was rejected in his search of world class.

[G.Walker]

I think at 16 stories, we could get a decent project if designed right. Below is video of the 16 story Gateway Plaza in Richmond, VA, designed by Clayco, who is rumored to be the architect for the new OG&E Tower.

[Plutonic Panda]

decent might be stretching it....

[Spartan]

I think at 16 stories, we could get a decent project if designed right. Below is video of the 16 story Gateway Plaza in Richmond, VA, designed by Clayco, who is rumored to be the architect for the new OG&E Tower.

Clayco isn't an architecture firm - they are a development and property management REIT but they have a design services division called Forum that they use for their own projects.

OG+E would be using Clayco similarly to how Devon used Hines, which makes me question what Rainey Williams is doing if anything besides deflecting media attention from OG+E. He obviously was not brought in for his significant experience with development of this scale.

[Pete]

^

Clayco is doing design / build on this project.

So, they are serving as both architect and construction manager which will be different than what Devon did in using separate firms (Pickard Chilton & Hines) for those two tasks.

[soonerguru]

Is there an official name for the building yet?

The Mummers Bummer

[betts]

Should be getting very close to demolition on this property.

I don't know who the architect is but I did hear something interesting...

Rainey Williams approached Pickard Chilton (architects for Devon Energy Center) but they declined. They did not want to be affiliated with the project due to the controversy over demolishing Stage Center.

At least it shows Williams has been looking for a world-class architect.

And maybe they appreciate just how cool the Stage Center is. I avoid driving by because I feel like crying everytime I see it and think about it being gone soon. It may be polarizing. I'm on the "adore" pole. So very sad.

[Urbanized]

Careful, now that its fate has been decided you're no longer allowed to express regret over the pending demolition.