OKC Central Chat transcript, March 15, 2013
The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer took questions from readers in today's OKC Central Live Chat. You can join Steve's Q&A's on Fridays at 10 a.m. and submit your questions about the happenings in and around downtown Oklahoma City.
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Published: March 15, 2013
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The Oklahoman's Steve Lackmeyer took questions from readers in today's OKC Central Live Chat. You can join Steve's Q&A's on Fridays at 10 a.m. and submit your questions about the happenings in and around downtown Oklahoma City. Below is an unedited transcript of the chat.
Steve Lackmeyer 10:00 a.m. Good morning everybody.
10:00 a.m. Good morning Steve! Are you disappointed by the Midtown parking garage by the Midtown Renaissance Group? It's quite ugly. The flaps sticking off just seem like they're trying too hard to be artsy. But it's quite disappointing for a group that has done such marvelous work elsewhere.
10:02 a.m. The new MidTown garage being planned by the MidTown Renaissance Group will be presented Thursday to the Downtown Design Review Committee. This project marks the first truly new major construction project in the MidTown area where there it completely deviates from any other design nearby (the St. Anthony addition is clearly designed to reflect the existing hospital complex). This ought to be an interesting project to follow. To see the designs, visit my blog at http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/2013/03/14/first-glimpse-of-midtown-garage-at-nw-10-and-robinson/
10:02 a.m. With the deal that SandRidge made and the trouble that CHK is in, is Mystery Tower off the books?
10:04 a.m. Not to my knowledge. Brianna Bailey and I are set to have a story this Sunday about Chesapeake's office holdings, and the consensus is we may not be looking at too bad an outcome as they sell off properties outside their core campus. Now, if they were to disappear all together, however (which no one is threatening - yet), that's a different story.
10:04 a.m. Does the SandRidge Amenities building get finished?
10:04 a.m. I guess?
10:05 a.m. The situation at SandRidge Energy is very fluid. Clearly a leadership change is about to take place. I don't think anyone can predict yet what is next for the company.
10:05 a.m. Any updates on the Arcade Building Renovations? If so, are they looking at retail space or residential?
10:05 a.m. I haven't been able to delve into this project yet.
10:05 a.m. CenterPoint Energy + OG&E Energy + ArcLight Capital= New Office Tower in OKC?
10:06 a.m. Every time you think you've guessed every possible candidate for a tower, a new possibility catches you off guard....
10:06 a.m. Good morning Steve. Let's start off with a mystery tower, shall we? No, I am not going to ask who, when, etc. My question is do you think the process will be a company announcing they are going to build a tower downtown and then later show the renderings or everything all at one time? If I remember correctly, Devon announced they were going to build their corporate headquarters downtown saying it would be at least 37 stories tall costing more than $350 million, then they had a press conference a few days later with the specifics that obviously exceeded those limits.
10:07 a.m. Every company has its own way in doing these things. That said, considering what must be done with design review committees, being respectful of various parties, etc., I'd be surprised if renderings were released immediately.
10:07 a.m. Sid Burgess at OKCTalk is saying he's hearing more announcements are coming. Are you hearing the same?
10:08 a.m. I saw his comment as well.
10:08 a.m. Steve, with the partnership of Enogex and Center Point is Oklahoma City more likely to gain a new business or lose one?
10:08 a.m. I'm not worried.
10:08 a.m. There is a new Gazette article out talking about the proposed main street parking garage and mentions another potential parking garage in Bricktown. Any idea on where that garage in BT would go? Would it be connected to one of the proposed hotels down there?
10:08 a.m. I'll have a story on this shortly.
10:09 a.m. (Yes, I realize I'm probably driving some of you crazy today)
10:09 a.m. With the new apartments and hotel in deep deuce, are we likely to see any more Brownstones built? Is there even any more of a market for them?
10:10 a.m. No, we won't see more Brownstones built, but planning and design is underway for the remaining empty lots. Deep Deuce is rapidly approaching a day when it will be fully developed - Oklahoma City's first fully matured urban mixed-use neighborhood boasting restaurants, offices, some shops, a grocery, hotel, apartments and owner-occupied homes.
10:10 a.m. What are the odds that one of these "mystery tower" builders goes with more of a classic design rather than modern? I think building something that would resemble some of the buildings that we lost to urban renewel or taking design aspects from them would look cool. The Biltmore would be one of those cool lost buildings that would blend with our skyline in a modern rendition.
10:14 a.m. I'd say the odds are pretty low, especially for a building that would resemble the Biltmore. Preservationists, in particular, hate such efforts - they refer to it as Disney Main Street architecture - a fake facade with no authenticity in design. Most architects I've met feel the same way.
10:14 a.m. With the hotel/apartments/retail proposed for Sheridan east of Joe Carter Ave, Staybridge Suites and several other hotels proposed for east Bricktown, how long until we see something better than a huge empty parking lot in front the BT Events center? I would love to see something reminiscent of Branson Landing with retail and restaurants on ground level with offices/hotel/condos on the 2-5 floors. And if they bought out Mcdonald's and Bodyworks and extended into the Bass pro parking lot, I wouldn't be too mad...
10:15 a.m. Gary, I just don't see that lot getting developed. Bob Funk, when he owned the RedHawks, pitched a concept like that and it got no where. And if Funk couldn't get it done, well, I just don't see anyone else making it happen either.
10:15 a.m. When will we see movement on the Carnegie Centre renovation into housing?
10:16 a.m. March 24. I'm not kidding. I've been very, very busy, and this is one of the updates I'm behind with.
10:16 a.m. On "The Rise" on 23rd Street, are they planning on tearing down the existing structure or just removal of the metal roofing to make it more modern? Also, when can we expect work to begin? The article in September quoted Johnathan Russell as saying it would start this past winter.
10:17 a.m. Jonathan Russell's plan calls for an extensive renovation of the building. I know that architects are working on designs. I'll check in with him on an updated start date.
10:17 a.m. Now that a committee is being put together to complete the Native American Indian Cultural Center, do we have a timeline for completion? Will it remain all Native American Art or will they include Modern Art as well to draw more people? Could we see the large hill area become a garden with water features? Look into your crystal ball and tell us the future Steve.
10:21 a.m. A lot of effort is going on behind the scenes to get work started on the American Indian Cultural Center, but lawmakers so far have been pretty stubborn in denying the remainder of funding needed for completion. The same lawmakers don't seem to offer any alternatives on how to finish this project, which already has millions of taxpayer dollars invested in construction to date. I look into my Crystal Ball ... and all it shows me is an increasingly Libertarian-influenced state house populated with 20-somethings.... Now, that said, the crystal ball can be awfully murky at times and we might also see a state house populated with an army of Gene Stipe clones as well.
10:21 a.m. Regarding the new Holiday Inn Express in Bricktown, I personally liked the look of the original proposal best. Does the review board have the authority to reject a proposal even though it meets the requirements of the various codes and design guidelines?
10:21 a.m. Good question. We'll find out at the next meeting of Bricktown Urban Design.
10:22 a.m. Steve, the OG&E/Center Point MLP - what can we expect this to mean for OKC? A loss of jobs when they move their headquarters to Houston?
10:22 a.m. I said before ... I'm not worried.
10:23 a.m. Steve, what's going on with Wenger and Couch? Does OKC need to step up to some big city leadership? These guys are in over their heads and failing the citizens of OKC.
10:29 a.m. City Hall leadership is dominated by engineers, and the planning department has seen an exodus of some of its best and brightest who have confided in me they left because they were frustrated by the lack of balance when it came to Project 180, MAPS 3 and other projects. These folks say they are frustrated that engineers run all these projects when they are actually complicated, cutting edge planning efforts. They note that engineers dominate in the hiring of consultants, the timing and implementation of projects, and determining how things get done. I'm not aware of an engineer holding the city manager's job in the 20 to 30 years prior to Couch's tenure, and Couch is now on a record long stint as CEO of the city. On quite a few of these matters, the chain of command has consisted of Couch - an engineer, Assistant City Manager Dennis Clowers - an engineer, and Wenger - an engineer.
They are not, from my observation, bad people with bad intentions. But they bring one perspective to development of the urban core, and their critics charge they are behind the times in understanding modern planning and generational shifts and interests.
They are not, from my observation, bad people with bad intentions. But they bring one perspective to development of the urban core, and their critics charge they are behind the times in understanding modern planning and generational shifts and interests.
10:29 a.m. Mystery Building Questions #1,304,572... 16 Days left until the end of the month and an announcement. Will we have to wait until the very last day of the month, which just so happens to fall on a Sunday... Are you just trying to drive newspaper sales for The Oklahoman?
10:30 a.m. Yes, you got me. Folks planning to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in building a tower are timing their announcement to help me sell newspapers. Come on now....
10:31 a.m. (Forgive me if the tone of that response is too caustic - not meant that way)
10:31 a.m. Hi Steve! I really appreciate all the work you do. Before you get totally swamped by questions about all the twists and turns of yesterday, I want to ask you about your upcoming story you mentioned you are preparing for Sunday's Oklahoman. Can you give us a teaser about this story? If so, can you give us the teaser in the form of a Haiku? Thanks.
10:33 a.m. I can't right now.... but hopefully will later today.
10:33 a.m. What is the percentage that this new company being formed by Centerpoint and OGE ends up in Houston?
10:34 a.m. I'm not worried.
10:34 a.m. Whenever you get the opportunity to do a story on the Maywood Flats could you provide a site map that shows where the proposed new buildings will be located? Also, whenever you visit with the developer could you also check out the progress on phase two of the 4th street apartments as far as when ground might be broken?
10:34 a.m. Yes.
10:35 a.m. ETA on groundbreaking on East Bricktown project? I can't wait to see those metal buildings come down!
10:35 a.m. The metal buildings should be coming down soon. But construction is at least a year away. It's a long, complicated development.
10:35 a.m. Good morning Steve, Until the I's are dotted and the T's crossed, we know you can't come clean on Mystery Tower #1. Understandably so the transactions are very complicated. I'd like to thank you for the insight and clues provided over the last few months, it's been a fun ride. Thanks again.
10:35 a.m. Thanks.
10:35 a.m. From what you've heard, will E.K. Gaylord stay 6 lanes?
10:36 a.m. I think there will be some debate over this before it's decided. The engineers likely have their preference....
10:36 a.m. Steve, it's been a disapointing week for those of us that follow OKC's development like most people follow sports. Can you tell us something to cheer us up?
10:38 a.m. In the grand scheme, things are still going very well for Oklahoma City and downtown. Population growth is phenomenal. Retail is taking off downtown. Housing and hotel development continues at a fast clip. And the news I suspect some of you find disappointing is limited to possibilities, not certain outcomes.
10:38 a.m. In regards to the Gold Dome, Mr. Box stated he was amenable to selling it. Since he bought it for $800K, do you know if he is actively marketing it and if so, what is he trying to sell if for now?
10:38 a.m. No.
10:38 a.m. What is going in on the NW corner of 50th and Western? And with the Chesapeake debacle - are they still planning on moving forward with The Peake/OnCue on the SW corner of 50th and Western?
10:39 a.m. Chespeake has repeatedly declined to comment on the project, but clearly it has stood frozen for several months with no apparent progress.
10:39 a.m. If the "Mystery Tower" is ever announced/built, what would you expect in the way of a Devon Tower like TIF district? Would it likely be part of the Devon TIF district (i.e. more Project 180 funds), a new one, a TIF created just to help with building the tower itself or none at all?
10:39 a.m. Devon was unique... don't expect every company to be so generous when it comes to the spending of TIF dollars.
10:40 a.m. Lot of dirt moving around in Midtown right off Hudson and 10th? Any news on what's to come for that area? While housing is great, there is definitely a need for more retail/commercial buildings for new restaurants/pubs/shopping.
10:40 a.m. The speculation by area observers is that the site is being targeted for housing, but no such announcements have taken place yet.
10:40 a.m. Stevel what, if any, additional businesses are coming to the downtown OKC area?
10:41 a.m. As I've mentioned before, several national restaurant chains want to locate downtown. Other than that... well, there's just a lot of interest out there.
10:41 a.m. Hey Steve, what are your thoughts on the Enogex deal that was announced yesterday? Will they be staying in OKC or moving their HQ elsewhere?
10:42 a.m. I think people need to stand by and watch what happens.
10:42 a.m. Steve, do you think OKC should bring in an 'In and Out' Burger?
10:43 a.m. Personally, I'm not impressed with these hyped up deluxe burger chains - I'll take Tucker's, Irma's, Johnnies and Nic's Grill any day over Five Guys and Smash Burger.
10:43 a.m. Steve, what do you credit for OKC's population boom?
10:45 a.m. The re-investment in the community via MAPS and bond issues, greater diversity, the emergence of Plaza District, MidTown and Deep Deuce, the rise of Devon, Chesapeake, SandRidge and Continental, the effort to rebuild our city ... take your pick, but I think it's safe to say these are leading factors in the population growth Oklahoma City is enjoying.
10:45 a.m. I drove down Plaza District yesterday afternoon. Looks like they are at 100% capacity with all their buildings. I know parking is an issue, but will we see more growth in business for the area? If so, what part?
10:46 a.m. The 16th Street Plaza District is indeed 100 percent leased. The challenge ahead is to improve the quality of some of the tenants (though certainly not all) and ensure parking doesn't get out of hand. Leaders in the district know parking is becoming a problem and they are looking at possible solutions.
10:46 a.m. Good morning, Steve. I'm not sure if you can or want to say anything to this, but do you think planning has lost most of the clout at City Hall to public works? While we're at it, where has Mayor Cornett, who's been celebrated among architecture and quality-of-life circles, been on this battle?
10:47 a.m. Sounds like you've got your opinion set.
10:47 a.m. Steve, I'd like you to know, this chat you host is one of the most informative and entertaining aspects of the work week. Do you get tired of it at times ?
10:50 a.m. I won't lie - I appreciate why the questions continue on the "mystery tower." But they get old. And after a very busy week like this one, all in all, I wish I could have slept in this morning. That said, this chat is an incredibly valuable tool for me to get a better grasp on what stories readers want to see written, where their interests are, and quite frankly, it's part of a very wonderful ongoing reinvention of The Oklahoman. I am thankful to the support given by all the editors up to Publisher Chris Reen for taking a chance at this experiment, which clearly has become, for now, a permanent part of my gig.
10:54 a.m. This opens up an opportunity for me to make a pitch to you readers: The Oklahoman has links up on NewsOK asking you to participate in discussions on what we need to do to remain relevant in the 21st century. It's no secret that the newspaper industry has undergone tremendous upheaval the past decade. But I refuse to believe that local news created by experienced, professional journalists with college degrees in communications are doomed to obsolescence. We need your help in this reinvention. We need your support, your buy-in, and the sort of connection seen in these chats. I believe a major city without a good daily newspaper, in print and online, is akin to a major city without an orchestra, a ballet, a major league sports team, a good university, and a great museum. It's all part of the mix.
10:54 a.m. Rumors are being posted on OKC Talk that Public Works has decided to keep the Super Highway also known as EK Gaylord a 6 lane street, thereby killing any chance of a pedestrian corridor there and hurting the streetcar. Do you know anything of this decision?
10:54 a.m. Not yet.
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Steve Lackmeyer is a reporter and columnist who started his career at The Oklahoman in 1990. Since then, he has won numerous awards for his...
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