Lumberyard

[Dustin]

Steve discussed a bit of it with me, but it's not appropriate to betray that confidence. He covered overall details in two of his chats:

OKC Central Chat transcript, May 1, 2015 | News OK (11:48 AM entry)

and

OKC Central Chat transcript, May 15, 2015 | News OK (11:36 AM entry)

Holy Moly, that would of been a fantastic development. Too bad... Maybe the idea will be revived soon.

[bchris02]

Holy Moly, that would of been a fantastic development. Too bad... Maybe the idea will be revived soon.

Putting the pieces together it appears that the Producers Co-op may have been a factor in killing it. It's unfortunate that even though it provides a lot of jobs it is somewhat an impediment to downtown development. Hopefully eventually the relocate and sell the land.

[Rover]

Putting the pieces together it appears that the Producers Co-op may have been a factor in killing it. It's unfortunate that even though it provides a lot of jobs it is somewhat an impediment to downtown development. Hopefully eventually the relocate and sell the land.

If we are talking about the Bricktown Towers (subject of THIS thread) then the Co-op didn't kill it. If you are talking about the fantasy development, then probably so.

[ChrisHayes]

The more I drive by Producer's CoOp, the more I can't stand it. I'd rather have all of those jobs either lost or moved elsewhere in the city, have the entire lot leveled and built up into new development than it to be a stain along I-40.

[Rover]

The more I drive by Producer's CoOp, the more I can't stand it. I'd rather have all of those jobs either lost or moved elsewhere in the city, have the entire lot leveled and built up into new development than it to be a stain along I-40.

It appears you don't care about other people's jobs, but why don't we first worry about bringing density to areas that have momentum now...midtown, Sosa, CTS, Film Row, Innovation District, Lots adjacent to Myriad gardens, Infill of Automobile Alley, etc. We have lots to build up before that environmentally challenged area has to be developed.

And, the BT towers was never going on Producers Coop.

[ChrisHayes]

Oh, I care about people's jobs. But in an area the size of Producer's CoOp there could be hundreds more jobs than there are at the CoOp. Especially if it's developed right with office space. I wish the CoOp had moved to their property at SW 29th and Council. It would have fixed a number of problems at once. It would keep the CoOp in business, free up the land near Bricktown, and develop the old tire plant.

[Just the facts]

How many people work at the Co-op? In the few times I have walked by I don't see an overwhelming amount of cars. I would be surprised if 20 people worked there.

[borchard]

Not related to the COOP, but is the owner of that TK7 building still around? Is he just waiting to file more lawsuits against developers?

[ChrisHayes]

I've drove by there countless times. I have yet to see one person walking around there. It's not like it's a major manufacturing facility with hundreds or thousands of employees. One idea I had, was the city buying them out and selling off the property either as a whole, or in parcels to future developers. The problem would be getting all the money back. But in reality, the tax revenue from the development would probably pay back what's left and then some.

[onthestrip]

I've drove by there countless times. I have yet to see one person walking around there. It's not like it's a major manufacturing facility with hundreds or thousands of employees. One idea I had, was the city buying them out and selling off the property either as a whole, or in parcels to future developers. The problem would be getting all the money back. But in reality, the tax revenue from the development would probably pay back what's left and then some.

Dont think the city legally can eminent domain the property to then sell or hand over to private developers. Besides, as mentioned above, there is still so much space, land, and property available around downtown that can be redeveloped. I say let the market decide. When it comes time that the co-op property is badly needed for redevelopment, then you will see an ambitious, game changing development. Anything done prior to that point, will artificially induce something that will likely be a big disappointment to us all.

Also, have industrial property and businesses near a downtown isnt something thats rare only to OKC.

[Pete]

I know one option the Coop is considering is getting out of the processing business altogether and out-sourcing that function to another company.

The property is owned by all the members of the Coop so they could sell it off, make a profit, and not necessarily need a new processing plant.

I believe that is the direction they are headed.

[bchris02]

Also, have industrial property and businesses near a downtown isnt something thats rare only to OKC.

True. This has really become an issue though since the I-40 relocation and impending construction of the Boulevard. The Co-op used to be hidden away in the south side of the I-40 barrier in no-mans land. Since the relocation of I-40, its right in the middle of downtown and much more visible than it once was. It will become even moreso once the Boulevard is complete.

[Just the facts]

I know one option the Coop is considering is getting out of the processing business altogether and out-sourcing that function to another company.

The property is owned by all the members of the Coop so they could sell it off, make a profit, and not necessarily need a new processing plant.

I believe that is the direction they are headed.

That would certainly explain why they put the Dayton Tire property up for sale.

[Pete]

Mazaheri and Champion Hotels closed on the lumberyard property on Friday.

$8 million for 5.9 acres.

Said they don't have immediate plans and want to wait and see what happens with the Producers Coop property.

[shawnw]

The best thing they could do (IMO) to help the coop, which in turn helps them as well, is to let the city build out Oklahoma Ave south of the boulevard all the way to the coop site. This gives them two corners at a prime intersection to do hotels and creates access to the coop that doesn't exist and makes the coop non-trivially more attractive. Also it ensures that any future traffic to the coop has to go by whatever is built on their land at that intersection (vs if they built in a way where there wasn't an intersection and people had to go around the property instead...

[ljbab728]

Richard Mize's article.

Mid-States Wholesale Lumber's sale opens way for Oklahoma City Boulevard development | News OK

"This property is a crucial link between Bricktown and development south of the boulevard,” Gregory said. “I've been watching the property for years and knew the time was right to give the property new life.

"The new intersection at Oklahoma Avenue and the boulevard changes everything. Bricktown will have a new south entrance, and this property will provide key access to the Producers Co-op property to the south, which is now in the process of being master planned.”

[David]

Now in the process of being master planned, eh? That's interesting.

[bchris02]

Now in the process of being master planned, eh? That's interesting.

Interesting. Hopefully it pans out and whatever is done at the Lumberyard is a quality tie-in. Since the Producers Co-Op never connected to the grid, I really think a master planned community would be best fit for that area.

[ChrisHayes]

I can't wait to see on here, Newsok.com, or some other news website that plans are being made for demolition of the CoOp. I'm not from here originally, but just seeing that place by Downtown is a drag. So much potential waiting to be unleashed in a much better form that decades old metal clad buildings.

[bchris02]

I can't wait to see on here, Newsok.com, or some other news website that plans are being made for demolition of the CoOp. I'm not from here originally, but just seeing that place by Downtown is a drag. So much potential waiting to be unleashed in a much better form that decades old metal clad buildings.

At least it's not stinking up all of downtown like it was last summer.

[Bellaboo]

I noticed this 8 million dollar sales transaction was listed in the Saturday DOK.

[gurantula35]

Pete, have you heard anything about this site anytime recently

[Pete]

Pete, have you heard anything about this site anytime recently

I am sure nothing will happen here until plans to develop the Producers Coop come along.

[warreng88]

I am sure nothing will happen here until plans to develop the Producers Coop come along.

Do you think it will be like the Fred Jones building where two groups are working together to redevelop a large area? I would hope there would be some sort of master plan and two groups don't act individually.

[Laramie]

I can't wait to see on here, Newsok.com, or some other news website that plans are being made for demolition of the CoOp. I'm not from here originally, but just seeing that place by Downtown is a drag. So much potential waiting to be unleashed in a much better form that decades old metal clad buildings.

It will be a positive move in the right direction to get rid of this 'clinking clanking clattering collection of collagenous junk.'