OG&E Energy Center

[shawnw]

is there a "wrongful death" equivalent for "wrongful demolition" in legal precedent anywhere?

[hoya]

"In downtown OKC, here's the thing
you trade Stage Center for four buildings
and once we've all said goodbye
the deal falls through and we all start to cry

Bye bye, Lake Rainey Williams
You asked for too many millions
Bye bye, Lake Rainey Williams
You're 5000 candles in the wind"

[Pete]

^

Haha... Awesome.

[OKCRT]

is there a "wrongful death" equivalent for "wrongful demolition" in legal precedent anywhere?

Rainy "Day" William should be banned from any future deals with the City of OKC.

[Spartan]

I'd rather this thread evolve into a constructive discussion about how we're going to better preserve our landmarks in the future, rather than devolve into tacky ad hominem attacks on Rainey Williams. The problem wasn't Rainey, but the public officials who allowed this to move forward unchecked with an inexperienced developer who had no capacity to deliver on promises. The lack of public oversight that gives a damn is breathtaking.

Between the conclusion of this episode, the Staybridge Situation, Lower Bricktown, the Boulevard, C2S suburban projects, the SandRidge Situation, and more - I'm just convinced that nobody gives a damn. People just don't really care. They can't see past Devon Tower.

[soonerguru]

I'd rather this thread evolve into a constructive discussion about how we're going to better preserve our landmarks in the future, rather than devolve into tacky ad hominem attacks on Rainey Williams. The problem wasn't Rainey, but the public officials who allowed this to move forward unchecked with an inexperienced developer who had no capacity to deliver on promises. The lack of public oversight that gives a damn is breathtaking.

Between the conclusion of this episode, the Staybridge Situation, Lower Bricktown, the Boulevard, C2S suburban projects, the SandRidge Situation, and more - I'm just convinced that nobody gives a damn. People just don't really care. They can't see past Devon Tower.

Don't overthink this. Rainey Williams was definitely part of the problem.

[bchris02]

Thankfully, both bad developments in Core 2 Shore that were proposed are likely off the table for now. Design standards are already in place for that area so its just a matter of the city enforcing them.

[Rover]

Other than TALK about it and blame ad infinitum, what do we need to do to keep it from happening again?....I mean ACTUAL STEPS.

[2Lanez]

I'd rather this thread evolve into a constructive discussion about how we're going to better preserve our landmarks in the future, rather than devolve into tacky ad hominem attacks on Rainey Williams. The problem wasn't Rainey, but the public officials who allowed this to move forward unchecked with an inexperienced developer who had no capacity to deliver on promises. The lack of public oversight that gives a damn is breathtaking.

And the journalists who have let this blow over...

[TheTravellers]

Other than TALK about it and blame ad infinitum, what do we need to do to keep it from happening again?....I mean ACTUAL STEPS.

I'm with ya there, asked the same thing a few times, but haven't ever gotten any answers.

[Pete]

^

Talk to your City Councilperson.

Elect a major who is willing to appoint more responsible people to these committees.

Get involved in the public process when something is up for demolition.

[TheTravellers]

^

Talk to your City Councilperson.

Elect a major who is willing to appoint more responsible people to these committees.

Get involved in the public process when something is up for demolition.

First two I know about, but can you (or someone else) give tips on the third? Committees to talk to, meetings to attend, etc.? I don't quite know the lay of the land here WRT that stuff and need to get more involved, but right now I just don't know which committees/offices/etc. are the ones that need to be contacted (and I know it's dependent and changes based on geographic location) and I know folks here are more knowledgeable about that and can probably rattle off a list of things/people/places to do better than I could google it and sift through all the results...

[AP]

^

Talk to your City Councilperson.

Elect a major who is willing to appoint more responsible people to these committees.

Get involved in the public process when something is up for demolition.

Ha, so not much. The majority on this board voted for this current mayor and were very vocal toward anyone who wanted to change directions.

[Pete]

Any citizen can attend and speak at any of the meetings where these demolitions are considered.

One of the things I"m most proud of regarding OKCTalk is that we get the news out on this stuff as soon as it's filed then people have plenty of notice to show up, call their City Councilperson, sign petitions, etc.

Frankly, before we came along the decisions were already made before most people even knew they were in the works.

So, stay tuned here and you'll always know well in advance of any significant real estate movements. We have tons of people on top of this stuff now.

[checkthat]

First two I know about, but can you (or someone else) give tips on the third? Committees to talk to, meetings to attend, etc.? I don't quite know the lay of the land here WRT that stuff and need to get more involved, but right now I just don't know which committees/offices/etc. are the ones that need to be contacted (and I know it's dependent and changes based on geographic location) and I know folks here are more knowledgeable about that and can probably rattle off a list of things/people/places to do better than I could google it and sift through all the results...

All OKC Public meetings are listed here:

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet.aspx

I believe Downtown Design Review and Board of Adjustments are the ones you want regarding demolitions. They may also go to the Planning Commission but I am not sure. Most of the committees adopt yearly schedules in December and you can check the minutes of those meetings for specific meeting dates and times.

[catch22]

Ha, so not much. The majority on this board voted for this current mayor and were very vocal toward anyone who wanted to change directions.

Given the options, our current Mayor was the best choice. While Ed is by far the most progressive voice on Council, and is a firm believer in many of the ideas shared on this board; he was short-sighted in several of his campaign promises and would have destroyed MAPS and the Streetcar as we know it.

I am far from impressed with Mick's latest term as he has been pretty much silent and I have not seen any leadership from him.

We need an Ed Shadid's brain with Mick Cornett's personality and calm demeanor. Mick was a safe choice in the last election to preserve our current progress and self imposed funding vehicles.

[bchris02]

Given the options, our current Mayor was the best choice. While Ed is by far the most progressive voice on Council, and is a firm believer in many of the ideas shared on this board; he was short-sighted in several of his campaign promises and would have destroyed MAPS and the Streetcar as we know it.

I am far from impressed with Mick's latest term as he has been pretty much silent and I have not seen any leadership from him.

We need an Ed Shadid's brain with Mick Cornett's personality and calm demeanor. Mick was a safe choice in the last election to preserve our current progress and self imposed funding vehicles.

I am starting to come around on MAPS and am leaning more toward's Ed's point of view. However, its important that the city see MAPS3 to completion and that the streetcar gets built. However, I don't think MAPS 4 Neighborhoods or whatever comes next is necessary, and OKC has reached a point in its development where MAPS has outlived its purpose. Instead, I would like to see a permanent penny tax for infrastructure, which can include roads, sidewalks, and streetcar expansions.

[Just the facts]

Without going way out on a tangent, the problem is the form of municiple government we have. Trying to manage a city this size with a huge range of issues just isn't possible anymore. There are just too many one-size fits all solutions, which then need overlays, variances, and exclusions to make them fit. We should switch to some form of arrondissement based municipal government and give control at the neighborhood level.

[TheTravellers]

All OKC Public meetings are listed here:

http://www.okc.gov/AgendaPub/meet.aspx

I believe Downtown Design Review and Board of Adjustments are the ones you want regarding demolitions. They may also go to the Planning Commission but I am not sure. Most of the committees adopt yearly schedules in December and you can check the minutes of those meetings for specific meeting dates and times.

Thanks for the names and info...

[Pete]

[David]

Man, all that effort to build a lake in downtown OKC and they just go filling it in.

[warreng88]

Man, all that effort to build a lake in downtown OKC and they just go filling it in.

Lake Lackmeyer... it has been a pleasure.

[2Lanez]

There they go, clearing pieces of OKC history again.

[gman11695]

Are they planning on putting the construction trailers for BOK Park Plaza on this site now?

[Pete]

Are they planning on putting the construction trailers for BOK Park Plaza on this site now?

Yep:

OKCTalk - Old Stage Center site to be used for construction trailers and gravel parking