OG&E Tower

[shawnw]

My sister, who has lived in NYC for 15 years (manhatten, then brooklyn, works in manhatten), recently visited again and is "this close" to deciding to move here for a couple years after grad school as she really likes the vibe.

[okclee]

^^ I was very surprised by my family members, because they are not easily impressed. Plus they are quite liberal in their lifestyle and political beliefs. I caught them on their smartphone looking at Zillow checking out the real estate in the downtown areas.

Anyway Stage Center made an impression on them, although I told them it won't be here next time they visit. I really hope that the new building that is built there pays some kind of homage to the SC, maybe they will put up a commemorative plaque somewhere, lol.

[HangryHippo]

Destroying a historic architecturally significant buidling before we even see the final plans for OG&E. How backwards does that sound?

Yep, pretty damn dumb to let this happen like this.

Also, this smoke and mirrors with what this will actually look like and who's working on it is quite upsetting.

[pickles]

This has gone worse than I ever imagined it would.

[adaniel]

^^ I was very surprised by my family members, because they are not easily impressed. Plus they are quite liberal in their lifestyle and political beliefs. I caught them on their smartphone looking at Zillow checking out the real estate in the downtown areas.

Anyway Stage Center made an impression on them, although I told them it won't be here next time they visit. I really hope that the new building that is built there pays some kind of homage to the SC, maybe they will put up a commemorative plaque somewhere, lol.

My sister, who has lived in NYC for 15 years (manhatten, then brooklyn, works in manhatten), recently visited again and is "this close" to deciding to move here for a couple years after grad school as she really likes the vibe.

My sister as well was giving serious consideration in relocating to OKC at one point before getting her new job. I will say that every person I've entertained from out of state, including NY, CA, TX, and IL, has had very good things to say and were all surprised at the city's offerings. Of course I would always take them to downtown, midtown, Deep Deuce, Heritage Hills etc. first before we did anything in the outlying areas.

Anyway, back to your regulary scheduled programming....

[OKCisOK4me]

Yikes: Developer of Stage Center site prepares for demolition | News OK

I just said "looks like they're getting ready to tear down Stage Center", here at work and our lead technician said "no big loss". That's from a Central Oklahoma Lifer that has never perused this forum.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S5

[LuccaBrasi]

This makes it sound like Clayco might not be the final architect or contractor.

Or, it make just be a smokescreen.

I found that to be an interesting comment. I'm betting it was a smoke screen. Groups like Clayco don't usually get involved on something like this just to do a study or some minor consulting. I could possibly seem them adding a design architect to their team in addition to their in-house staff. It may also have been a strategic comment from the developer to leverage fee negotiations.

[betts]

I can't even read this thread. It's all too upsetting.

[zookeeper]

I can't even read this thread. It's all too upsetting.

I understand. I really understand.

[G.Walker]

The sad thing about this development is not the loss of the Stage Center, nor that the office tower will only be 16 stories, its sad that OG&E did not have a grander vision for probably the most prime piece of real estate in OKC. Where is the corporate social responsibility? Nothing on Rainey Williams, he is just doing what he is told...

[Pete]

OG&E has to keep a low-ish profile lest the public raise hell when they ask for rate hikes.

I'm very sure it's the only reason Rainey Williams is involved at all; that and deflecting the demolition controversy.

[5alive]

+1 Betts

[hoya]

OG&E has to keep a low-ish profile lest the public raise hell when they ask for rate hikes.

I'm very sure it's the only reason Rainey Williams is involved at all; that and deflecting the demolition controversy.

Yeah, but there are cheaper pieces of land they could have purchased downtown and avoided any controversy. This whole thing has been a cluster the way OG&E handled it. They could have bought the ginormous parking lot at the corner of Main and Dewey for much cheaper. Something like a 16 story tower there would be amazing. OG&E should know their limits.

[Pete]

They were looking at lower-profile locations but then Stage Center went out for proposal and I suppose it was too much for them to resist.

And especially given the media coverage, the average reader of the Oklahoman will be sufficiently distracted by the ruse.

[soonerguru]

Destroying a historic architecturally significant buidling before we even see the final plans for OG&E. How backwards does that sound?

It's actually infuriating.

[soonerguru]

The sad thing about this development is not the loss of the Stage Center, nor that the office tower will only be 16 stories, its sad that OG&E did not have a grander vision for probably the most prime piece of real estate in OKC. Where is the corporate social responsibility? Nothing on Rainey Williams, he is just doing what he is told...

Why not? He promised a "world class" development. Nothing about this is world class. He's been selling snake oil.

[soonerguru]

Yeah, but there are cheaper pieces of land they could have purchased downtown and avoided any controversy. This whole thing has been a cluster the way OG&E handled it. They could have bought the ginormous parking lot at the corner of Main and Dewey for much cheaper. Something like a 16 story tower there would be amazing. OG&E should know their limits.

Between this and promoting that tax on solar panels, OG&E is on my ---t list. Too bad they're a protected monopoly.

[modernism]

Wow, almost a year since he announced new tower for this location, and still hasn't secured architect? This guy is a joke, takes several months for good design work to be completed, we probably won't see anything definite until the Fall.

[Pete]

I think they are using Clayco as their architects but don't want to be pinned down for some reason.

I'm sure the only reason their name even came up in the interview is that we found out about their involvement a while ago.


Why would they use ADG for conceptual plans, Clacyo as a "consultant", then hire someone completely different to be architects and contractors? It's not like they are facing some unique A&E issues. This looks to be a very straight-forward project on a flat, square parcel.

[hoya]

I think I hear the Benny Hill theme playing.

[Richard at Remax]

I still think it's 50/50 they demolish stage center, leave nice clear lot, then flip the property for a good profit when plans "go south"

[shawnw]

Well, I've always believed Rainey would flip to to OGE themselves, but I presumed it would be after it was built. Maybe it will be before.

[CuatrodeMayo]

I still think it's 50/50 they demolish stage center, leave nice clear lot, then flip the property for a good profit when plans "go south"

I don't think this will happen, but the conspiracy theorist in me is starting to feel like this is an elaborate ruse to demolish the SC.

[Pete]

Well, I've always believed Rainey would flip to to OGE themselves, but I presumed it would be after it was built. Maybe it will be before.

You can almost count on ownership being silently transferred between shadowy LLC's at some point.

[Anonymous.]

>Rainey buys SC
>Demolish SC
>People upset
>Land sits vacant as parking for a small time period
>Land is for sale
>Real buyer comes in
>New buyer looks like hero
>Legit tower built