A $25 million, 194-room Embassy Suites first pitched for the Oklahoma Health Center in 2008 is back on track and set for construction to start by summer.
Chris Fleming, representing a partnership consisting of REHCO OUES, LLC., the Presbyterian Health Foundation and University Hospitals Authority and Trust, reported to the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority this week that the group has obtained financing for the project.
A freeze in commercial financing for such projects was blamed for the initial delays, which coincided with the start of the national economic collapse in 2009.
The site, once home to a low-income housing complex called the Bradford Commons, is controlled by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority. It is near the OU Medical Center and Bricktown.
The Embassy Suites is the first new full-service hotel to be built downtown since the 2007 opening of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel. Up to nine other limited-service hotels are either under construction or proposed for nearby Bricktown and Deep Deuce.
Cathy O'Connor, Urban Renewal director, said Friday some discussions are ongoing with the developers over the use of synthetic stucco on the facade and the appearance of the north facade facing NE 8, which consists of blank walls with no windows.
She said the agency is eager to see the project commence. An agreement between the developers and the Urban Renewal Authority calls for construction to begin by July.
“It will really change the appearance of the area and continue development of empty parcels in the Oklahoma Health Center,” O'Connor said.
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