OG&E Energy Center

[Pete]

I'm not so sure that initially that wouldn't be the better site for residential considering its proximity to Midtown and Deep Deuce.

They also might just develop part of that property, with Land Run and/or someone else developing the balance.

[Pete]

BTW, I wanted to clear something up I said about the Preftakes block.

The rendering below shows that entire block redeveloped apart from the City-owned building and the few small buildings to the west (Coney Island, etc.). It's interesting that Clayco specifically shows this and in other places labels that block "anticipated future development".

At first I thought it was a clear sign of what may be in the works but then noted that it also shows the bus station as demolished, something I had assumed would never happen.

However, I believe there may be a shift in thinking now that the development stakes are being raised by Clayco.

I do know Preftakes has been coordinating with Rainey Williams and Clayco to lease One North Hudson for their construction offices during this multi-year project. So, they have had plenty of conversations about how their respective properties will proceed.


What may be happening is that the Preftakes block has become too important and the land too valuable to devote a good chunk of it to a one-story building. I'm beginning to think that the Main & Hudson building will be somewhere between 15 and 25 floors (this has been the most recent buzz) and that when it is completed along with the Clayco project, the entire rest of this block will give way to buildings of a large scale.

[Pete]

BTW, Clayco is calling the entire project (both the north and south parcels) the "OG&E Energy Center" and "OGE&C".

[Pete]

Here is another interesting snippet from the Clayco proposal:

OG&E owns property generally located south of SW 3rd
Street between South Broadway and Shields Boulevard
(OG&E South Broadway Property). In support of
downtown redevelopment efforts, Clayco is in a position
to provide OCURA the opportunity to include the South
Broadway Property owned by OG&E as available for
future redevelopment projects. OG&E is prepared to enter
into an arrangement by which this property would be
available to OCURA, subject to agreement on a fair market
price, accommodation of existing conditions, uses and
occupancies and other considerations.

[Urbanized]

Wow. THAT is a fascinating tidbit.

[AP]

Is this referencing their ugly gold building on Shields?

[s00nr1]

After going through everything a second time, the only thing I am slightly disappointed about is in regards to the residential not being adjacent to MBG. From the mock-ups, it appears a view of the MBG from the residential towers will be blocked by the two office towers.

[Pete]

Is this referencing their ugly gold building on Shields?

Yes. It's primo property right across from the arena:

[UnFrSaKn]

The video interview by Steve said they positioned the towers so all of them have good views

[David]

Speaking of, I don't think I've seen the article with that interview linked yet:

Competing developers hope to build high-rise housing in downtown Oklahoma City | NewsOK.com

[warreng88]

So, in theory, if Clayco gets the go ahead on the OG&E and Residential tower on the north part of the block, the 2015 Arts Festival could go on relatively unchanged if the construction is limited to that block and not overlapping into the festival plaza south of it, correct?

[bradh]

Encouraged by possibilities of new development; this will get the attention of the OKCPS district. My daughter works as a substitute; she's fascinated with the new John Rex Elementary.

There's a waiting list for many downtown workers (with elementary age level children) who want transfers for their children. The OKCPS usually consider 'in district' transfers as a priority to out-of-district transfers. There are cases where they reciprocate with a border district like Millwood & Putnam City.

Who knows? That could be subject to change. Wouldn't rule out expansion of John Rex Elementary School as a possibility.

To clarify this, they did not even get to the 3rd tier for enrollment, which is downtown employees with kids OUTSIDE of OKCPS. There is no reciprocation with bordering districts. Tier 2 remains kids outside of Rex's attendance zone but within OKCPS. They did not clear that entire 2nd tier list for this school year. The odds of any 3rd tier kids getting in to Rex is slim to none.

[catcherinthewry]

So, in theory, if Clayco gets the go ahead on the OG&E and Residential tower on the north part of the block, the 2015 Arts Festival could go on relatively unchanged if the construction is limited to that block and not overlapping into the festival plaza south of it, correct?

As I understand it the 2015 Art's Festival will be unaffected because construction for both north and south portions is scheduled to start after the AF with the north half starting first.

[catch22]

As I understand it the 2015 Art's Festival will be unaffected because construction for both north and south portions is scheduled to start after the AF with the north half starting first.

The north half looks to begin in March 2015, and the Arts Festival is usually in April or May. I doubt anything will be coming out of the ground by April or May, but I'm sure site prep work for the north complex will be underway.

[warreng88]

As I understand it the 2015 Art's Festival will be unaffected because construction for both north and south portions is scheduled to start after the AF with the north half starting first.

Here is a quote from the article:

"The timeline by Clayco suggests the company is eager to start construction, with work set to start on a 25-story OGE Energy Corp. headquarters by March 2015. The company wants to build a 26-story residential tower at the corner of Walker and Sheridan Avenues a month later. And yeah, these two buildings are very real. The land is owned by Rainey Williams, and the only question left is how long until the project will win approval from the city’s Downtown Design Review Committee."

The 2015 Arts Festival is supposed to take place April 21-26.

[catcherinthewry]

From an article by Steve in today's paper - "Both groups propose starting construction in 2015 after next year's festival."

I'm not sure which date is right I'm just telling you where I saw my date. You would think either group could delay their start by a couple of weeks to accommodate the AF.

[Bellaboo]

Time frame (start construction / finish construction):

OG&E Officer Tower: MAR 15 / APR 17
North Residential: APR 15 / JUL 16

South Office Tower: JUL 15 / JUL 17
South Residential: FEB 16 / JUL 17

Here's the construction schedule -

[Laramie]

To clarify this, they did not even get to the 3rd tier for enrollment, which is downtown employees with kids OUTSIDE of OKCPS. There is no reciprocation with bordering districts. Tier 2 remains kids outside of Rex's attendance zone but within OKCPS. They did not clear that entire 2nd tier list for this school year. The odds of any 3rd tier kids getting in to Rex is slim to none.

pahdz: I'll send you a private response to avoid getting

[architect5311]

I wish there were more height variation amongst the buildings to add more visual interest.

We already have 4 high rises downtown in the 400 ft. range.

[Thundercitizen]

A prophecy: this area will be known as "The Quad".

[warreng88]

I wish there were more height variation amongst the buildings to add more visual interest.

We already have 4 high rises downtown in the 400 ft. range.

It would be nice to see a variation like the GM in Detroit if they build the hotel 10-15 stories taller.

[Bellaboo]

It would be nice to see a variation like the GM in Detroit if they build the hotel 10-15 stories taller.

The hotel pics in the graphics had it at 20 floors. So 5 or 6 floors shorter.

[warreng88]

The hotel pics in the graphics had it at 20 floors. So 5 or 6 floors shorter.

I know. I am talking about it would look cool if the hotel was 10-15 stories taller than the others, kind of like the GM complex in Detroit.

[theanvil]

A prophecy: this area will be known as "The Quad".

No thanks. That makes me think of a naked Will Ferrell streaking to the Quad in Old School.

[Bellaboo]

I know. I am talking about it would look cool if the hotel was 10-15 stories taller than the others, kind of like the GM complex in Detroit.

Gotcha.....