First National Center

[C_M_25]

My intention was absolutely not to be a jerk. I really wondered if your post was a joke since so many here have made previous jokes about demolition of that iconic building.

Gotcha. Sorry for jumping down your throat then.

In any case, I just don't understand why they'll just let a building (seemingly) sit there. If they are going to renovate, do it or "get off the pot" (so to speak). Right now, it is an eye sore in its current state.

I really don't mind tearing down old buildings around here. Frankly, we could benefit from a modernization of our skyline. If you guys are partial to the first national center, I respect that. Maybe they could just demo that brick cube that is the AT&T building and start there

[PhiAlpha]

Gotcha. Sorry for jumping down your throat then.

In any case, I just don't understand why they'll just let a building (seemingly) sit there. If they are going to renovate, do it or "get off the pot" (so to speak). Right now, it is an eye sore in its current state.

I really don't mind tearing down old buildings around here. Frankly, we could benefit from a modernization of our skyline. If you guys are partial to the first national center, I respect that. Maybe they could just demo that brick cube that is the AT&T building and start there

Prepare to be destroyed by the board for suggesting that we demo one of our most historic buildings...I'll start... Even suggesting that we tear down First National is stupid. Now the AT&T Cubes...that's not a bad plan.

[bchris02]

Given all the surface parking and empty space in downtown OKC I don't think anything should be torn down, even stuff seen as less desirable like the AT&T building. That's my whole issue with 499 Sheridan. No need to demolish history when there is plenty of empty land already available.

[hoya]

I've said before that this drumbeat will start at some point. To some people, no building is sacred, old = bad, and trying to saving an old building is the same thing as fighting progress.

That person is a troll.

[shawnw]

I've learned from a friend that worked at AT&T that they're actually moving people back downtown (from Memorial) into that monstrosity. Not sure why, but he was supposed to be moving this summer or maybe he has by now.

[Just the facts]

As long as people like phone service the AT&T building will be there. In a million years when Eloi are running around that building will be the only thing left - and will probably still be standing. It was designed to withstand a nuclear blast and includes a Faraday cage.

I can't imagine how hard it would be to tear down.

[C_M_25]

That person is a troll.

If you are referring to me, I'm definitely not a troll. If you think I am, then you need to learn what a troll really is.

This building is something I look at everyday out of my window, and it looks bad at the moment. My questions were serious, and I had no idea that there was already so much discussion on the matter.

[bchris02]

If you are referring to me, I'm definitely not a troll. If you think I am, then you need to learn what a troll really is.

This building is something I look at everyday out of my window, and it looks bad at the moment. My questions were serious, and I had no idea that there was already so much discussion on the matter.

It's been distressed for a long time but that doesn't mean it should be torn down. Buildings like that should be restored and brought to their former glory.

[hoya]

If you are referring to me, I'm definitely not a troll. If you think I am, then you need to learn what a troll really is.

This building is something I look at everyday out of my window, and it looks bad at the moment. My questions were serious, and I had no idea that there was already so much discussion on the matter.

It's not your questions, it's your proposed solution of tearing it down that I find to be trolling.

[PhiAlpha]

If you are referring to me, I'm definitely not a troll. If you think I am, then you need to learn what a troll really is.

This building is something I look at everyday out of my window, and it looks bad at the moment. My questions were serious, and I had no idea that there was already so much discussion on the matter.

Yes, it's not your questions, but your opinions that I find stupid.

[C_M_25]

Yes, it's not your questions, but your opinions that I find stupid.

Keep it, don't keep it. I don't really care. Just fix the damn thing so it isn't a boarded up mess on the outside.

[OkieNate]

Keep it, don't keep it. I don't really care. Just fix the damn thing so it isn't a boarded up mess on the outside.

Why don't you pitch in about 100 million and lets get this thing rolling! Oh wait, it isn't that easy is it? Suggesting we knock down FNC is trolling whether or not you recognize it. We've recently had some of the better news regarding FNC lately than we have in a very long time. I feel optimistic about the future of this Oklahoma City landmark and treasure!

[jccouger]

Like it or not, troll or not, this guy probably speaks for 80%-90% of the OKC population. Most would be fine tearing it down with a pretty proposal of a building that would more than likely never be built, just like every other demolition in OKC history.

All those awesome Sandridge buildings & that outstanding 4 building OGE complex that never got built sure look great don't they?

[C_M_25]

Why don't you pitch in about 100 million and lets get this thing rolling! Oh wait, it isn't that easy is it? Suggesting we knock down FNC is trolling whether or not you recognize it. We've recently had some of the better news regarding FNC lately than we have in a very long time. I feel optimistic about the future of this Oklahoma City landmark and treasure!

Well, for one, I'm not the owner of the building. It is his/her/their responsibility to maintain their building and keep it out of disrepair. If they can't afford it, they need to sell to somebody who can.

We like to talk about how our city is prospering with all of this growth, but that building (and others) are currently not representative of a thriving city. It just doesn't look good.

Now, to your other point. I'm glad there has been some good news regarding the building recently, so I hope they can get things moving in the right direction.

[Rover]

Like it or not, troll or not, this guy probably speaks for 80%-90% of the OKC population. Most would be fine tearing it down with a pretty proposal of a building that would more than likely never be built, just like every other demolition in OKC history.

All those awesome Sandridge buildings & that outstanding 4 building OGE complex that never got built sure look great don't they?

Speaking of trolling, your response is ironic...."make a deliberately offensive or provocative online posting with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them."

I sincerely doubt you understand 80-90% of OKCitians. When presented with facts most people are lots more objective and reasonable than you or others give them credit for. Most people don't obsess one way or the other the way many on this board do.

Secondly, OGE will be built. We already knew that the south half might not be built. So why don't we wait and see what happens with the original proposal or a possible CC hotel. It may be a tad too early to declare it a project that "never got built".

[hoya]

Well, for one, I'm not the owner of the building. It is his/her/their responsibility to maintain their building and keep it out of disrepair. If they can't afford it, they need to sell to somebody who can.

We like to talk about how our city is prospering with all of this growth, but that building (and others) are currently not representative of a thriving city. It just doesn't look good.

Now, to your other point. I'm glad there has been some good news regarding the building recently, so I hope they can get things moving in the right direction.

You know the lighting on the Devon building sure looks bad. They should just tear it down if it is going to look like that.

[jccouger]

Speaking of trolling, your response is ironic...."make a deliberately offensive or provocative online posting with the aim of upsetting someone or eliciting an angry response from them."

I sincerely doubt you understand 80-90% of OKCitians. When presented with facts most people are lots more objective and reasonable than you or others give them credit for. Most people don't obsess one way or the other the way many on this board do.

Secondly, OGE will be built. We already knew that the south half might not be built. So why don't we wait and see what happens with the original proposal or a possible CC hotel. It may be a tad too early to declare it a project that "never got built".

I don't see how my response fits that definition at all.

I'll be confident that the OGE complex will be built when cranes start going up. I'll remain skeptical until then. Stage Center has been demolished for over a year & all we have now is a pond.

Of course my % remark was pulled out of nowhere, but if you read newsok or any other news outlets FB pages you'd be surprised at the comments. More times than not they do not mirror discussions happening here on OKCtalk.

[C_M_25]

You know the lighting on the Devon building sure looks bad. They should just tear it down if it is going to look like that.

Funny that you call me a troll earlier and then reply with this very trollish response.

You have to love what the internet has done to people! With this "my opinion is the only one that matters" mentality we are all trolls! Trolls everywhere!!

[hoya]

Funny that you call me a troll earlier and then reply with this very trollish response.

You have to love what the internet has done to people! With this "my opinion is the only one that matters" mentality we are all trolls! Trolls everywhere!!

I don't understand. Does my response seem ignorant and short-sighted or something? That's weird.

[bradh]

It's possible that C_M_25 doesn't know what the grand banking hall (or whatever it's officially called) looks like, which is one of the main reasons everyone loves FNC. Rover is right, I bet 90% of the OKC residents don't know what's beneath the skin of this building, making it worth saving.

[Rover]

I don't see how my response fits that definition at all.

I'll be confident that the OGE complex will be built when cranes start going up. I'll remain skeptical until then. Stage Center has been demolished for over a year & all we have now is a pond.

Of course my % remark was pulled out of nowhere, but if you read newsok or any other news outlets FB pages you'd be surprised at the comments. More times than not they do not mirror discussions happening here on OKCtalk.

And more often than not, discussions happening on OKC talk don't represent the balance of well thought out opinions and conclusions of the whole of our citizens. Most people don't sit around and opine anonymously on web boards and newspaper sites. I love this site and appreciate the different perspectives, many of which are well thought out and backed by knowledge and experience, however it does not speak for all the citizens and definitely not representative of all.

[hoya]

Most people in this city likely don't have an opinion on FNC one way or the other. Saying that most people would be fine with tearing it down doesn't mean much if they don't know anything about it. I think most people, if they knew which building you were talking about and what was in it, would want to save it.

[dankrutka]

Gotcha. Sorry for jumping down your throat then.

In any case, I just don't understand why they'll just let a building (seemingly) sit there. If they are going to renovate, do it or "get off the pot" (so to speak). Right now, it is an eye sore in its current state.

I really don't mind tearing down old buildings around here. Frankly, we could benefit from a modernization of our skyline. If you guys are partial to the first national center, I respect that. Maybe they could just demo that brick cube that is the AT&T building and start there

Even in its current state I think it's one of the most stunning building in OKC. Even the idea of tearing it down makes me feel sick.

[C_M_25]

Even in its current state I think it's one of the most stunning building in OKC. Even the idea of tearing it down makes me feel sick.

It's a neat architectural style. There is no doubt about that. I just don't get attached to these old historic buildings like a lot of you guys do. I don't think there is anything wrong with either train of thought. We just have a different opinion.

Hopefully we'll see some progress on it soon...

[PhiAlpha]

It's a neat architectural style. There is no doubt about that. I just don't get attached to these old historic buildings like a lot of you guys do. I don't think there is anything wrong with either train of thought. We just have a different opinion.

Hopefully we'll see some progress on it soon...

Sorry but difference of opinion or not, there is definitely something wrong with the train of thought that says "Yes, let's tear down the most architecturally significant building in the city." That train of thought is why downtown has been in recovery from the urban renewal movement for the last 40 years.