OG&E Energy Center

[David]

Okay, now that makes sense.

[Just the facts]

Sorry David, I should have explainedit like that long ago. I am actually toying with idea of hosting a web based call-in show so these types of items can be discussed.

[kevinpate]

FWIW, traffic was slow along Reno today at noon as I went by MBG. Part was vehicle related, but most were the scores and scores of people going into and coming out of the south end of MBG and visible enjoying the southern areas of MBG. I stopped counting visible heads at 90 (yeah, traffic was still and I was bored, bored, bored) and that didn't take into account the sidewalk folks coming and going. They were their own rather thick stream of bodies. A pretty day that folks, many with kiddos, many without, were taking full advantage of the opportunity.

So if new housing gets added, that park is going to get even busier.

[UnFrSaKn]

Plans for OGE Energy Plaza to be revealed Thursday | News OK

[Pete]

Clayco’s tax increment financing request includes assistance for building some parking underground, an effort not being taken across the street where Houston-based Hines is being criticized by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid for not seeking such financing to take some of its parking underground.

“We went down as far as we could go,” Chapman said. “The project we’ve proposed is dependent on TIF because it costs more than it’s worth when we are done.”

They are putting ONE level of parking underground in each the north and south parcels and asking for $69 million in TIF.

That one level isn't going to make any real difference in the look of the project and certainly not worth $69 million in taxpayer money.


What was being suggested for the Hines property was that they put a good deal (several levels) of parking below grade so one parking garage could be completely eliminated.

[TU 'cane]

That is very steep for the $69 million price tag. Entertain us and put at least 2 or 3 levels under ground for that price...
I really just want this project to get started before we risk anymore setbacks.

As for 499 Sheridan... That one can delay as long as possible for all I care.

[soondoc]

That is very steep for the $69 million price tag. Entertain us and put at least 2 or 3 levels under ground for that price...
I really just want this project to get started before we risk anymore setbacks.

As for 499 Sheridan... That one can delay as long as possible for all I care.

I agree with you on for sure. Do you think that when it all shakes out, that both this and the 499 Sheridan could have 4-6 levels of parking under the building? Also, would this not only look much better I believe increase the height a little bit?

[catch22]

Clayco’s tax increment financing request includes assistance for building some parking underground, an effort not being taken across the street where Houston-based Hines is being criticized by Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid for not seeking such financing to take some of its parking underground.

“We went down as far as we could go,” Chapman said. “The project we’ve proposed is dependent on TIF because it costs more than it’s worth when we are done.”

Tell OG&E to pay more money then.

It's not our responsibility as taxpayers to solve your financial arithmetic.

I hate where OKC is going. We are giving away our future tax dollars for shiny buildings.

[TU 'cane]

I agree with you on for sure. Do you think that when it all shakes out, that both this and the 499 Sheridan could have 4-6 levels of parking under the building? Also, would this not only look much better I believe increase the height a little bit?

Who really knows? What I do believe, however, is that this project has potential to be the model for OKC moving forward. Depending how it plays out, it could be the message to all incoming developers that want to play ball, or, it could be business as usual.

I certainly hope we get more than one level of underground parking, but, it's always debated here in OK about the water table and how feasible something as udnerground parking truly is. As for it possibly increasing the building height, I'm not so sure. Depends how much is truly "underground," compared to how much is "underneath the building" itself, see OnePlace in Tulsa as an example.

Not going to lie, it would be really nice to OKC get at least one more tower close to 500 or just above, for a few reasons. This comes close at 435 I believe (someone correct me, I may be thinking of 499 Sheridan).

[jccouger]

Its becoming more & more troubling that every rendering I see for this project only features the office tower. Its like they are completely trying to make us forget about the proposed residential tower. OGE is increasing rates on us left & right & then demanding tax dollars for their new tower. I'm sick of this bull****.

[Teo9969]

Are they using this reversed site plan for the OGE tower as well (flipped obviously)?

[Stickman]

If this building was an all glass façade I would have problem with the money being asked. Like the architecture.

[Pete]

This is the site plan submitted with the design application for the ground level:

[shawnw]

what's "shell space"?

Shouldn't that be retail A? I feel like retail D and E might have the same problems as Hemingway's at the library. Out of sight out of mind...

[Pete]

Empty, closed in space where the residential tower will ultimately go.

[shawnw]

Oh, gah. That kills my retail A thing then...

[Anonymous.]

Why can a building not have regular groundfloor lobby for administrative purposes, then levels 2 or 3 thru 10 be parking, then the actual offices on top of that? What is so difficult about parking here that we need to incentivize this heavily?

[G.Walker]

So what is the official height, per the plans submitted to the DDRC?

[Pete]

391 feet.

[shawnw]

cue height griping in 3... 2....

:-P

[Just the facts]

Nm, post is out of context

[Plutonic Panda]

I thought plans for this were going to be released today?

[csjoerdsma.okc]

I thought plans for this were going to be released today?

I was wondering the same thing. No news posted on OKCTalk or newsok.com. I have been checking for an update to the story all evening.

[Pete]

What was happening today was just the Downtown Design Review Committee to which they had already submitted the plans that I've posted here.

I'm sure everything got approved.

However, the big issues is that of their $69 million TIF request which has yet to be resolved and that's a completely separate matter and process.

[Just the facts]

Totally speculative on my part but I give the south parcel a 15% chance of never happening. Here is why I think that.

1) I believe a significant portion of their revenue was to come form CC parking, and since the CC is moving there will be no revenue from it
2) With the CC land costing $100 million how could a public entity possible sale this land for less than $50 million and then kick in $60 million plus of taxpayer money?

They are going to have to re-work the numbers and see if their plans even make sense now.

Than again - for all I know they could break ground tomorrow.