First National Center

[Swake]

Peace out Rover.

I'm just going to leave this here and bow out of this topic.

Transactions of Decline ? Strong Towns

Oh please, fixing the economic model of cities is easy, there's just no adults in the room when it comes to putting in the fix. Cities are being killed by the lack of local sales taxes collected on internet sales.

[shawnw]

The network is in 19 buildings, and chilled water/steam, is only a portion of their business.

is there some kind of diagram out there? just curious. I did peek at their website but didn't see anything like that.

[Rover]

Wow....I wonder how many buildings Veolia supplies these days. I would imagine that FNC was probably a big portion of their business considering how dated that technology is (and has been). Not that it's good for them to run any not get anything for it, but I do wonder how detrimental that is to their own business.

BTW, district chilled water and/or hot water/steam is an old, but not "dated" technology. These systems are used all over the world very successfully. It can be the highest efficiency system to use. Chilled water systems in buildings is the most efficient system for moving energy when designed properly. Sometimes the older systems are still the highest quality.

[DowntownMan]

I'm currently at Cafe 7 and they have brought in portable AC units. They also still don't know if they will be getting to stay much longer.

[Rover]

I'm currently at Cafe 7 and they have brought in portable AC units. They also still don't know if they will be getting to stay much longer.

What are they cooking with and how are they keeping their coolers/freezers operating?

[Pete]

What are they cooking with and how are they keeping their coolers/freezers operating?

Their electricity and gas are still on, it's just the chilled water and steam that has been cut off.

[shawnw]

I still think Cafe 7 is a decent fit for the Aloft restaurant space, which would also probably be a better choice for longer hours for them downtown....

[Teo9969]

I still think Cafe 7 is a decent fit for the Aloft restaurant space, which would also probably be a better choice for longer hours for them downtown....

I can DEFINITELY endorse that!

[Pete]

I know several groups have talked to Jim Thompson about that Aloft restaurant space but he has proven difficult to work with, thus it continues to sit empty while the restaurant market goes crazy all around that property.

[shawnw]

Good to know. I've heard one of the sticking points is he won't give up any aloft parking (which sits largely empty) for restaurant use...

[Anonymous.]

One of the biggest mysteries about Aloft is the parking garage. Perhaps it is haunted? Or maybe they just like poaching their guests for valet fees?

Oh well, at least the sheriff has somewhere to park on weekend nights (the sidewalk).

[ljbab728]

The tenants and their customer's are still suffering.

http://www.oklahoman.com/another-hot...rticle/5444174

[PhiAlpha]

Bye Felicia!

Judge orders First National to immediate receivership; restoration of air conditioning, elevator service priority | News OK

[Snowman]

Bye Felicia!

Judge orders First National to immediate receivership; restoration of air conditioning, elevator service priority | News OK

Finally some good news.

[zookeeper]

I know several groups have talked to Jim Thompson about that Aloft restaurant space but he has proven difficult to work with, thus it continues to sit empty while the restaurant market goes crazy all around that property.

Sadly, Jim Thompson, the son, is nothing close to the likeability of Jim Thompson, Sr., who passed in 2008. Just my opinion.

[David]

Bye Felicia!

Judge orders First National to immediate receivership; restoration of air conditioning, elevator service priority | News OK

There's some excellent information in this, be sure to watch the full video in addition to the article.

[brianinok]

There is some excellent information in that last article by Steve. While it may be possible the ultimate buyer will be one of these two who submitted offers I'm guessing not. Steve said in a tweet last night that one of the two had ties to Yashouafar, which is a scary thought. Is it Goodman or Sarimsakci?

My guess is Sarimsakci. Goodman looks like he has the contract for a long time, appears like he has done a lot of due diligence, etc. But Sarimsakci swoops in at the last minute and presents no concrete plans and a higher offer. No businessperson in their right mind buys a property without having a well-thought out plan, especially one in litigation where you will have to go before a judge to gain control.

But really, I'm just glad Yashouafar and Neman and Abselet have no control over the building now. I trust Jim Parrack will get the full slate of bidders he needs to make a decision, and this board and Steve will help vet them (hopefully we know the stages / finalists / etc. and not just the winner).

[mugofbeer]

Several months ago there was a massive construction project announced for downtown Dallas to be built by Sarimsacki in an article i read in the Dallas Morning News. The impression i got from comments is there was a lot of feeling this was a wild and crazy proposal, literal or figurative eye-rolling and a lack of belief. All of this reminds me of the mysterious Indonesian billionaire who bought the Skirvin Hotel years ago and was going to refurbish it. If Sarimsekci compares himself to Donald Trump, its likely shady.

[Bellaboo]

Several months ago there was a massive construction project announced for downtown Dallas to be built by Sarimsacki in an article i read in the Dallas Morning News. The impression i got from comments is there was a lot of feeling this was a wild and crazy proposal, literal or figurative eye-rolling and a lack of belief. All of this reminds me of the mysterious Indonesian billionaire who bought the Skirvin Hotel years ago and was going to refurbish it. If Sarimsekci compares himself to Donald Trump, its likely shady.

That was the twin 80 story tower proposal.

[Teo9969]

What is going to be key for this project moving forward is that it doesn't sell for top dollar.

Out of curiosity, what recourse would Yashouafar or the Nemen Brothers have if Parrack sold the property for a significant discount, say $3M sales price?

[Pete]

Steve said in a tweet last night that one of the two had ties to Yashouafar, which is a scary thought. Is it Goodman or Sarimsakci?

My guess is Sarimsakci. Goodman looks like he has the contract for a long time, appears like he has done a lot of due diligence, etc. But Sarimsakci swoops in at the last minute and presents no concrete plans and a higher offer. No businessperson in their right mind buys a property without having a well-thought out plan, especially one in litigation where you will have to go before a judge to gain control.

The way Sarimsakci has been inserted in this deal at the very last minute is very similar to how the property was suddenly 'sold' to Neman just before it was to be returned to the bank.

Beyond that, I have reason to believe that Sarimsakci has ties to Yashouafar but I can't divulge why I have drawn this conclusion. It's from inside info and I can't share the source.

[Snowman]

There is some excellent information in that last article by Steve. While it may be possible the ultimate buyer will be one of these two who submitted offers I'm guessing not. Steve said in a tweet last night that one of the two had ties to Yashouafar, which is a scary thought. Is it Goodman or Sarimsakci?

My guess is Sarimsakci. Goodman looks like he has the contract for a long time, appears like he has done a lot of due diligence, etc. But Sarimsakci swoops in at the last minute and presents no concrete plans and a higher offer. No businessperson in their right mind buys a property without having a well-thought out plan, especially one in litigation where you will have to go before a judge to gain control.

But really, I'm just glad Yashouafar and Neman and Abselet have no control over the building now. I trust Jim Parrack will get the full slate of bidders he needs to make a decision, and this board and Steve will help vet them (hopefully we know the stages / finalists / etc. and not just the winner).

It is odd that Yashouafar seems to be trying to remain in control of things he has a history of doing a terrible job managing, maybe he was able to wring out some short term profit while the assets were loosing value but multiple of his ventures seem to be long term albatrosses the way he is mismanaging them. Is he trying to prop up the house of cards of a business he has built? It he just trying to keep the debt from catching up with him a little while longer? What is he doing for these partners that people still seem willing to put their money and reputation on the line with him?

[catcherinthewry]

I trust Jim Parrack will get the full slate of bidders he needs to make a decision, and this board and Steve will help vet them (hopefully we know the stages / finalists / etc. and not just the winner).

Jim is very good at what he does and won't need any help from a reporter or an internet message board.

[bchris02]

Analysis: A first-class property awaits right risk taker in Oklahoma City | News OK

Great article by Steve regarding the current situation. Now it looks like there is a third prospective buyer in the ring.

[Urbanized]

^^^^^^
This, 100%. This project is finally in experienced and very capable hands at this point. It's fun for us to discuss, and helpful to us as information consumers that people like Steve and others are helping interpret the goings-on, but if Jim needed Steve or us (heaven forbid) to help guide him through the process he would be unqualified for the job, which he absolutely, categorically is NOT.