SandRidge Center & Commons

[Pete]

Being close to the street and right on a corner could be a demo problem with liabilities. By demolishing from the inside, it seems any further demolition would fall inwards, not towards the streets.

Except they already demolished two buildings right on the street (one on a super-busy corner) with a wrecking ball.

[PhiAlpha]

I don't believe it's possible to say in human terms how much I freaking hate Sandridge and their destruction of so much of our inner-city fabric. I was driving downtown this week and wanted to vomit when I saw how much those oily morons have destroyed.

I really wish Tom Ward would have pursued a more Chesapeake-like strategy, because what he has done is very destructive downtown.

Really? Tearing down 3 or 4 awful looking buildings is so much worse than having an abandoned block. Some of you all are ridiculous. This project is removing ugly buildings and replacing it that doesn't look like sh*t. It sucks that they werent built to look better but they weren't, and nothing would change that. it's done, it over and honestly the plaza, new garage, glass cube, and renovation of the braniff building will look 10 times better than the ugly crap that's there now. Sucks that they didn't want to save every building but it's over, quit b*tching and look at the positive aspects of it. At least they saved one of them and are planning to expand downtown. Heck of a lot better than the ghost block that was there before

[PhiAlpha]

Except they already demolished two buildings right on the street (one on a super-busy corner) with a wrecking ball.

They had more room to tear it down toward the inside of the block in areas where they weren't trying to save things...

Oooooo it's such a conspiracy

[Jettmiester]

To me the worst part was done when they put the "updated" facade on the building. That should never have been done. That really ruined the building. I'm looking forward to the new, and lets hope we learn from our mistakes and don't ruin any more great architecture in the future with crappy facades.

[Pete]

I'm not saying it's a conspiracy but using the "too close to the street and other buildings" logic doesn't make sense.

They actually had way less room to maneuver than with India Temple; the two buildings they demolished with a wrecking ball were close to the Braniff Building and the one was very, very close to the tower -- they were also much more massive and lots more debris. And one was on Robinson, the busiest street downtown. India Temple is mainly along RSK which they completely closed for periods. And it's only adjacent to a parking garage they are likely to demolish anyway.

Look at an aerial... Pink buildings are to be saved; yellow and blue were brought down with a wrecking ball; India Temple is green:

[Patrick]

So many on here seem upset that Sandridge demolished these buildings. Frankly, all of them were ugly and they hadn't been used for decades. I don't see the big loss. At least they saved the Braniff Building, which still has some historically significant architecture that can be preserved. Kerr Mac was significant in any way. And it appears that the India Temple Building was pretty much ruined by the facade on the front. And even if it hadn't, it's such a small building that it's loss isn't going to make that big of an impact.

[gracefor24]

I'm not saying it's a conspiracy but using the "too close to the street and other buildings" logic doesn't make sense.

And it's only adjacent to a parking garage they are likely to demolish anyway.

Again, not true. It is adjacent to a very nice Children's center and also the auditorium in addition to the parking garage which while scheduled for future demolition will be in use for at least a few years.

[Architect2010]

And even if it hadn't, it's such a small building that it's loss isn't going to make that big of an impact.

DUMB!

So dumb.

For real.

Size =/= importance.

[Patrick]

DUMB!

So dumb.

For real.

Size =/= importance.

Okay. I agree. Take the milk bottle building for instance.

[Pete]

It is adjacent to a very nice Children's center and also the auditorium

Where are these located exactly?


And even so, the point is they tore down two bigger buildings that were on the same street and partially on another that was not possible to close. And both were very close to valuable structures.

So what are the special circumstances that require this type of demolition for India Temple? I've yet to hear a logical argument (which is not the same as saying I think there is a conspiracy).

[gracefor24]

Where are these located exactly?


And even so, the point is they tore down two bigger buildings that were on the same street and partially on another that was not possible to close. And both were very close to valuable structures.

So what are the special circumstances that require this type of demolition for India Temple? I've yet to hear a logical argument (which is not the same as saying I think there is a conspiracy).

The difference is these aren't simply close, they basically share a wall. They are in the breezeway with offices and a fitness center across the way leading up to the main entrance.

[Pete]

Thanks, grace.


I think it's best for all of us to move on from any lingering anger and distrust towards SandRidge. We really need them to be successful now, as they will hopefully start redeveloping the Braniff and improving that block. Maybe one day we'll see another high-rise on the NE corner of Robinson & RSK. (Trying to think positive here!)

[wsucougz]

Thanks, grace.


I think it's best for all of us to move on from any lingering anger and distrust towards SandRidge. We really need them to be successful now, as they will hopefully start redeveloping the Braniff and improving that block. Maybe one day we'll see another high-rise on the NE corner of Robinson & RSK. (Trying to think positive here!)

I think Sandridge will be hitting on all cylinders soon. They are going to grow like crazy and I wouldn't be surprised if they outgrow the main building in no time. I think they are going to do big things down there.

[Patrick]

I think Sandridge will be hitting on all cylinders soon. They are going to grow like crazy and I wouldn't be surprised if they outgrow the main building in no time. I think they are going to do big things down there.

And if they outgrow the tower, the always have the land to build an adjoining second tower!!

[cameron_405]

"...tickers of interest: common shares, 'SD' -- perpetual preferred 8.5% convertible, 'SDRXP' -- SandRidge Mississippian Trust I, 'SDT'..."

The Sandridge Surge

Tue 12 April 2011 | 9:15 AM
Surging SandRidge Energy stock has pulled back this morning after Goldman's cautious call on crude.Tom Ward, chairman/ CEO, SandRidge Energy, gives his views.

[Pete]

From today:

[betts]

They did that last year too. I love seeing it.

[dankrutka]

It really is the ugliest building in OKC. Could someone explain to me why they tore down historic building for people to see this? I mean, they want people to see it?!?

[PhiAlpha]

It really is the ugliest building in OKC. Could someone explain to me why they tore down historic building for people to see this? I mean, they want people to see it?!?

Um...because the historic buildings were empty and uglier? They are also planning on a large structure in place of the India temple and the other building north of it eventually

[Larry OKC]

And who allowed the buildings to remain empty? Who made the buildings uglier? The current and former owners.

Funny how the talk of a sometime-in-the-unspecified-future-possible-building didn't come up until much later in the debate. And if they do build something in the Plaza, it goes against their stated reasons for tearing down the building and putting a Plaza there (to improve the sight lines to the tower).

You don't tear it down until you have the replacement ready to go. Remember the destruction that happened when the Galleria was supposed to have been built? We were warned not to destroy until the new was built. Did we listen? Nope.

[PhiAlpha]

And who allowed the buildings to remain empty? Who made the buildings uglier? The current and former owners.

Funny how the talk of a sometime-in-the-unspecified-future-possible-building didn't come up until much later in the debate. And if they do build something in the Plaza, it goes against their stated reasons for tearing down the building and putting a Plaza there (to improve the sight lines to the tower).

You don't tear it down until you have the replacement ready to go. Remember the destruction that happened when the Galleria was supposed to have been built? We were warned not to destroy until the new was built. Did we listen? Nope.

If you've been keeping up with the thread, someone posted a picture of the master plan for the campus that included a 10 story structure replacing the temple and the parking garage to the north. So no, it doesnt go against their plan.

[Patrick]

Are they really going to take the water features out of Kerr Park? I really don't like this.

[UnFrSaKn]

Oh boy guess what just happened to me...

I decided to go downtown today, even though I'm extremely busy and have a lot of things to do. I still need to finish up another video, and focus on the flight to Denver next week. I saw the photo posted by Pete and noticed how far gone India Temple is in the two weeks since I've done video.

I went ahead and went down to SandRidge Commons anyway, just to do something quick. I parked on a meter outside the parking garage and do the usual street shot. Went into the garage up to the 6th floor, then realize I had not recorded the previous video in 1080p but figured it's something I can go back and do when I go back down. Shortly after this, somebody comes up behind me and says "Who are you with?" I turn around and see it's a police officer. This is pretty much my biggest worry when I do any video at all, wondering if some cop will stop me and ask questions. I tell him I'm with no one, and just do historical related stuff. He sort of tapped me on my arm and said, "Oh, ok. We get a lot of people trying to record video of government buildings." He walks away and I'm really spooked now. I go ahead and go to the top floor and the first thing I noticed is there's another officer (or same one) across the top floor talking on a phone or something. I go ahead and sort of stand by the edge and stare across at India Temple. I turn around and he's gone, and I get a little video at the top. Basically the same thing I've been doing. I go back down and stop at the 5th floor, do a little more. Then I walk back inside to take the elevator and some guy pushes the door open as I walk in and starts asking me the same questions. He was a big guy with a black shirt, sweat dripping from his temple and I notice it says SandRidge on it. I'm thinking, "Ok...I'm in trouble now." He seemed really friendly though. He had this wireless earpiece in his ear, and said he had talked to security and ran all the way over here in a hurry and was out of breath trying to stop me. He basically said I have to go inside SandRidge Center and ask permission to record video of any of their buildings, and I told him it's kind of difficult to know who to ask before you do video. Really, are you supposed to ask everyone inside every building downtown before you do video, seriously? I tried to be relaxed in front of him, since the whole thing is really making me nervous and I'm not really good at communicating with people. He kept saying, "Please don't take anymore pictures..."

He follows me into the elevator, all the while talking to some other guy, saying "Yeah, I got the guy. I'm going to follow him to his car." We go down all the way to my car, then another guy comes over who must have been the guy he was talking to. He didn't say much, but I mentioned that an officer in the garage said it was alright to record video. He said that he's just the garage security. He did say that it's alright if you're on the street level to do video, but you can't go into a garage and record from there. I did shake the first guy's hand and try to be as nice as possible. I really just wanted to get out of there. I drove off and up EKG while they were still standing outside the garage entrance talking. I went ahead and stopped in the YMCA parking and walked across the street to get a shot of The Oklahoman on the corner. To top it all off, as I'm doing this short video, a couple of idiots in this beat up car yell at me saying, "You better stop taking pictures!" while they were coming up to the green light and kept driving. I flipped them off.

I went back towards SandRidge, past the Pioneer Building (AT&T). There's a little shaded area there between EKG where you can sit down. I just really felt spooked and a little scared. I just sat there and contemplated what just happened. I feel like a criminal and humiliated. Should I even do video anymore? What the heck is wrong with people? Do they watch too much tv? Have nothing better to do? I still wanted to get that NE corner of SandRidge since all I wanted to do was compare old photos to what places look like now. That's the whole point. It's just a hobby. Well I got that shot anyway, then went back to where I parked. The whole time, I'm expecting to be ambushed again or be stopped by someone. Wondering if people are watching me.

I don't know what to make of it. I'm sure people on here will say, "To hell with those people", but it's really bothered me.

I'll have that video up at some point, but needless to say, this is the last time I'm going down there ever again. If any of you want to risk it, be my guest. I did get really good video of the inside of India Temple. Half the building is gone and you can see everything inside it. I don't know if any of this is worth getting in trouble for since I don't have to do any of it.

[PLANSIT]

Oh boy guess what just happened to me...

I decided to go downtown today, even though I'm extremely busy and have a lot of things to do. I still need to finish up another video, and focus on the flight to Denver next week. I saw the photo posted by Pete and noticed how far gone India Temple is in the two weeks since I've done video.

I went ahead and went down to SandRidge Commons anyway, just to do something quick. I parked on a meter outside the parking garage and do the usual street shot. Went into the garage up to the 6th floor, then realize I had not recorded the previous video in 1080p but figured it's something I can go back and do when I go back down. Shortly after this, somebody comes up behind me and says "Who are you with?" I turn around and see it's a police officer. This is pretty much my biggest worry when I do any video at all, wondering if some cop will stop me and ask questions. I tell him I'm with no one, and just do historical related stuff. He sort of tapped me on my arm and said, "Oh, ok. We get a lot of people trying to record video of government buildings." He walks away and I'm really spooked now. I go ahead and go to the top floor and the first thing I noticed is there's another officer (or same one) across the top floor talking on a phone or something. I go ahead and sort of stand by the edge and stare across at India Temple. I turn around and he's gone, and I get a little video at the top. Basically the same thing I've been doing. I go back down and stop at the 5th floor, do a little more. Then I walk back inside to take the elevator and some guy pushes the door open as I walk in and starts asking me the same questions. He was a big guy with a black shirt, sweat dripping from his temple and I notice it says SandRidge on it. I'm thinking, "Ok...I'm in trouble now." He seemed really friendly though. He had this wireless earpiece in his ear, and said he had talked to security and ran all the way over here in a hurry and was out of breath trying to stop me. He basically said I have to go inside SandRidge Center and ask permission to record video of any of their buildings, and I told him it's kind of difficult to know who to ask before you do video. Really, are you supposed to ask everyone inside every building downtown before you do video, seriously? I tried to be relaxed in front of him, since the whole thing is really making me nervous and I'm not really good at communicating with people. He kept saying, "Please don't take anymore pictures..."

He follows me into the elevator, all the while talking to some other guy, saying "Yeah, I got the guy. I'm going to follow him to his car." We go down all the way to my car, then another guy comes over who must have been the guy he was talking to. He didn't say much, but I mentioned that an officer in the garage said it was alright to record video. He said that he's just the garage security. He did say that it's alright if you're on the street level to do video, but you can't go into a garage and record from there. I did shake the first guy's hand and try to be as nice as possible. I really just wanted to get out of there. I drove off and up EKG while they were still standing outside the garage entrance talking. I went ahead and stopped in the YMCA parking and walked across the street to get a shot of The Oklahoman on the corner. To top it all off, as I'm doing this short video, a couple of idiots in this beat up car yell at me saying, "You better stop taking pictures!" while they were coming up to the green light and kept driving. I flipped them off.

I went back towards SandRidge, past the Pioneer Building (AT&T). There's a little shaded area there between EKG where you can sit down. I just really felt spooked and a little scared. I just sat there and contemplated what just happened. I feel like a criminal and humiliated. Should I even do video anymore? What the heck is wrong with people? Do they watch too much tv? Have nothing better to do? I still wanted to get that NE corner of SandRidge since all I wanted to do was compare old photos to what places look like now. That's the whole point. It's just a hobby. Well I got that shot anyway, then went back to where I parked. The whole time, I'm expecting to be ambushed again or be stopped by someone. Wondering if people are watching me.

I don't know what to make of it. I'm sure people on here will say, "To hell with those people", but it's really bothered me.

I'll have that video up at some point, but needless to say, this is the last time I'm going down there ever again. If any of you want to risk it, be my guest. I did get really good video of the inside of India Temple. Half the building is gone and you can see everything inside it. I don't know if any of this is worth getting in trouble for since I don't have to do any of it.

Photographer's Rights (PDF)

[Steve]

UnFra, let's get together this afternoon. I'll wear my press badge. Let's see if this happens again. Call me at 740-4139.