Revised plans submitted for downtown Oklahoma City elementary, garage

Two downtown projects destined to reshape the skyline moved one step closer to construction starting with revised plans approved Wednesday for a new downtown elementary school and a garage that will include apartments and retail.

 
By Steve Lackmeyer | Published: December 13, 2012    Comment on this article Leave a comment

photo - Revised designs for the future downtown garage with housing and retail were approved Wednesday by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority. Drawings provided by TAP Architecture
Revised designs for the future downtown garage with housing and retail were approved Wednesday by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority. Drawings provided by TAP Architecture

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What's next?

Construction bids are scheduled to be sought for both the 10-story garage and John Rex Elementary School in January, with construction beginning in April. Both projects are planned for completion by mid-2014.

She said city officials also have indicated they are interested in leasing the remaining space for meeting rooms if the garage does not attract retailers.

Board member Mark Beffort then warned that finish-out costs for the space could hit $80 a square foot.

Rick Cain, director of the Central Oklahoma Transportation and Parking Authority, said funding is available to address such costs.

The John Rex Elementary will be built at Sheridan and Walker.

Previous designs for the school, also by TAP Architecture (teamed with Cannon Design), drew concern from the Downtown Design Review Committee that the school's facade was too institutional and didn't fit in with the surrounding neighborhood.

The new designs, overseen by architect Kenneth B. Dennis, now reflect more of the Art Deco features of nearby buildings along W Sheridan Avenue (known as “Film Row”). Dennis said the design also is meant to serve as a transition between the taller, more densely developed Central Business District and the one-story and two-story buildings along Film Row.

The facade includes more windows and openings along Sheridan and Walker, Dennis said, and also includes an opening into the children's play area from Sheridan Avenue.

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