SandRidge Center & Commons

[Spartan]

Yeah, well lots of exciting development going around lol..

[Pete]

First building permit issued for Braniff Building (324 N. Robinson).

It's only for $50K but it means they are getting ready to start.

Really looking forward to the remodel and that building being brought back to life.

[UnFrSaKn]

Heh, just finally sold my PS3 to this guy from Craigslist... We started talking and he mentioned he works for SandRidge. When he left I noticed the black shirt. He said that he thought he recognized me around the Globe Life building. I told him I do videography work. I guess I'm that noticeable. I would have mentioned more about it, but it's really late and I had to get to bed. I mentioned the India Temple building but he didn't say much. Thought that was kind of funny.

[OSUMom]

Anyone have any idea when they are going to start tearing down the old Globe Life/parking garage? I mean the structure itself. I know they have been torching and tearing up the inside of the garage for weeks now. And it looks like the skybridge to City Place is being torn down piece by piece. I was thinking they would get a couple of cranes and lower the thing some weekend. A little disappointed to see it being dismantled little bits at a time.

[Just the facts]

Anyone have any idea when they are going to start tearing down the old Globe Life/parking garage? I mean the structure itself. I know they have been torching and tearing up the inside of the garage for weeks now. And it looks like the skybridge to City Place is being torn down piece by piece. I was thinking they would get a couple of cranes and lower the thing some weekend. A little disappointed to see it being dismantled little bits at a time.

Maybe they don't want us seeing the original facade underneath. I kid.

[Pete]

OSUMom, when the renovation plans for the Braniff building were approved in June, a SR spokesman said demolition on that old building and garage would start "before the end of the year".

I'm not sure when the whole structure will be razed but I would bet in will happen in the next few months.

[OSUMom]

Maybe they don't want us seeing the original facade underneath. I kid.

: ) But really, the whole top is almost gone. You can see sky through it. But surely they can't just take it apart like that, can they? Maybe they can get it down just beams or something then lift the beams down. Guess I thought something more dramatic would happen.

[Pete]

I'm sure it will have to come down in small chunks because it is almost touching the Dowell Center to the west.

It will be an interesting process to watch, but I bet a methodical rather than cataclysmic one.

[OklahomaNick]

Its going to be even more interesting to see if the tearing down of the GlobeLife Parking structure will cause the Occupy OKC Folks to get out of their tents and possibly out of Kerr Park!

[Pete]

I know you are being facetious but Kerr Park will be renovated at the same time the former Globe building is demolished and the new amenities building rises in it's place.

And BTW, I double-checked and there has been no demolition permit issued for that Globe/parking structure (123 Robert S. Kerr). They really can't do much to the outside without a permit, so until then, at least the exterior will remain in tact.

[OSUMom]

Its going to be even more interesting to see if the tearing down of the GlobeLife Parking structure will cause the Occupy OKC Folks to get out of their tents and possibly out of Kerr Park!

I did see one of the construction worker guys talking to the occupiers. He was gesturing at the tents that are right by the building. Don't know if he was telling them that wasn't the best place to be or what.

[MDot]

http://newsok.com/13-story-high-pede...ad_story_title

Beat me to it. Oh well. Lol

[OSUMom]

Nice article. Answered all my questions. Might have to take the trip downtown on the weekend this happens. Here at work we have speculated enough about how it is going to come down, would be nice to actually see it happen.

I'm really curious about the plans for the park now. Is the air force monument going to be moved? I don't care too much about the rest of the stuff in the park, but I would hate to see the monument and the 89er statue gone. Replacing the marble tiles with grass I think would be good. They are always having to break up and replace the tiles due to buckling. But then, I don't know the cost of that vs the cost of maintaining a green lawn.

[Urban Pioneer]

The monument was recently restored. So I doubt that it will move, or move far due to the community fundraising effort to preserve it.

They are gutting the Globe Life from the inside now. It sounds as though they are cutting out the old elevators.

[BoulderSooner]

Its going to be even more interesting to see if the tearing down of the GlobeLife Parking structure will cause the Occupy OKC Folks to get out of their tents and possibly out of Kerr Park!

just found a bit of info from the OCT 19th parks commission meeting Lingo (sandridge) is asking to close kerr park starting NOV 28th unitl they complete the park renovation and the completion of their new building

[metro]

Concourse?

[Pete]

They built something completely new underground... I don't think they touched the Underground.

In this photo you can see a roundish structure. That whole area is now covered with a concrete plaza and I'm sure the space is being used for something:

[OSUMom]

The monument was recently restored. So I doubt that it will move, or move far due to the community fundraising effort to preserve it.

They are gutting the Globe Life from the inside now. It sounds as though they are cutting out the old elevators.

I haven't seen welding torches in the past week or so. We saw lots of that type of activity for weeks before that. I think they are done cutting and are now removing. We have been wondering if it is just because the building would come down easier with them gone, or if the metal (probably steel) was worth something. I'm sure there was a lot of it.

[Urbanized]

Looks like underground loading docks. I dart my gaze down there all the time driving down Robinson, but you have to look quickly. There were previously loading docks in that area already, with the entrance in the alley between the Braniff and the building on Robinson that was demolished.

[Pete]

SandRidge is definitely upping it's PR... Numerous ads on Newsok.com and they are also sponsoring two of the Downtown in December events.

I bet they soon do even more, ala CHK and Devon and I would expect Continental to do the same once they are fully moved in.

If the New Kids do half of what the other two have done for OKC, the community is going to receive massive benefits. And credit to Devon and Chesapeake for not only being so generous and offering so much leadership, but also setting high standards for others to emulate.

[Bellaboo]

I saw a pretty cool SandRidge commercial on TV last night.

I think you will see Continental step to the plate also. If you look at how they are involved in Enid, I'm sure it will spill over to the metro.

[MDot]

I noticed that as well about SandRidge on Newsok.com. I thought I went to SandRidges freakin' home page the way it says "SandRidge" all over it and has all these adds for it.

BTW, I love their new commercial.

[Steve]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: SandRidge was previously pretty much inept at public relations, didn't really know what it was, why it was needed, who to use, when, etc. Now they've totally changed their tune and as a reporter it's a whole lot easier working with them now than it was two years ago.

[MDot]

I've said it before, I'll say it again: SandRidge was previously pretty much inept at public relations, didn't really know what it was, why it was needed, who to use, when, etc. Now they've totally changed their tune and as a reporter it's a whole lot easier working with them now than it was two years ago.

Well good. Sounds like a change needed for both of you. :-)

[Bellaboo]

In about 3 or 4 years when the announced modifications/buildings have been completed or in progress......SandRidge will be the darlings of downtown. A lot of the negative will come to pass, the area will be greatly improved and their image will be somewhat steller.