New projects for Classen Blvd.

**metro** · 03-22-2007, 12:37 AM

OKC Urban Design Committee approves Classen Blvd. applications

Chief Gowers and Monte Turrentine. Photo/Shannon Cornman

Pamela Grady
3/21/2007

The Urban Design Committee approved two applications for a certificate of approval by Monte Turrentine of Turrentine Inc.
The applications are to demolish a retail building at 2801 N Classen Blvd., as well as remove a house at 1407 NW 27 in the Asian District.

The properties are adjacent to Master Cleaners, 2717 N Classen Blvd., also owned by Turrentine.

“Our main goal over there is we’re renovating the Master Cleaners building,” Turrentine said. “We’re keeping Master Cleaners there; it’s still open while renovations are going on. As part of the project, we’re developing those two corners which are the north and south side of Classen into retail.”

One building is located on the south side of NW 27 and Classen and the other is on the north side.

Turrentine purchased the Master Cleaners site in 2006 for $280,000 from Dee Gowers, whose son, Chief Gowers, manages the store.

Chief Gowers will remain general manager of store.

Turrentine said his plans are to refurbish the building to its original art deco façade and interior design while updating its air-conditioning and other mechanical features.

In conjunction with renovating the building, Turrentine will be constructing two retail buildings and lease space to tenants that would complement his renovation project next door.

The retail facilities will range between 1,800-3,000 square feet, each with room for several tenants. Spaces will be built to suit.

“We’re being very selective on our tenants,” Turrentine said. “We’ve talked to national tenants, and we’re hoping to bring some in that will help our drycleaning business. A coffee shop or nice restaurant would be nice.”

Turrentine retained Todd Edmonds with HSE architects as his architect and Mike Kerran with Capitol Commercial OKC Real Estate will handle pre-leasing.

**BDP** · 03-22-2007, 09:22 AM

I can't picture which building is getting demolished, but I'm glad that they intend to renovate some of the art deco acrhetecture. It seems some of the nicest retail buildings on Classen are the most neglected. I've been worried that we would lose them soon. Hopefully, it will work out and somoene can get motivated to clean up the old Rainbow Records building before we lose it, too.