Oklahoma City Developments, Real Estates and Updates

[heironymouspasparagus]

Got to visit last week and gotta say that roads are even worse than they were 6 months ago or so the last time we were there.  What a mess!

Visited Basket Market - Hobby Lobby leftover shop.  Total waste of time and energy.

North Pole City on the other hand is always great!

And the highlight of the trip was, of course, Del Rancho!!!   It is an absolute travesty that they don't have a restaurant here in Tulsa!  I don't totally begrudge the fact we have to drive 150 miles to get a decent chicken fried steak, but it would be so nice to only go a couple miles!!

[Laramie]

Got to visit last week and gotta say that roads are even worse than they were 6 months ago or so the last time we were there.  What a mess!

Visited Basket Market - Hobby Lobby leftover shop.  Total waste of time and energy.

North Pole City on the other hand is always great!

And the highlight of the trip was, of course, Del Rancho!!!   It is an absolute travesty that they don't have a restaurant here in Tulsa!  I don't totally begrudge the fact we have to drive 150 miles to get a decent chicken fried steak, but it would be so nice to only go a couple miles!

Fair evaluation.  Respect your view from someone who lives outside our city limits.

[Laramie]

OU Health Science Center Patient Tower, Oklahoma City





After 2020 starts, another 100 full-time staff members will make it on the payroll.

OU Health Science Center Patient Tower, Oklahoma City,  $364 million, 456,000-square-foot tower  - YouTube:  https://youtu.be/p1miNKxrH1A

[Laramie]

Former home of Bonds Bakery and Cain Coffee Company.



Pic via OKCTalk.com

The historic Cain's Coffee building is being eyed for redevelopment into offices following its sale to Midwest City contractor HGL Construction, a $4 million renovation has brought the building up to code.

Cain's Coffee was based at 1 NW 12 from 1941 until 1961 when a new plant was built along Broadway Extension just south of Edmond.

The five-story, 50,000-square-foot building at One NW 12, was once on Oklahoma City's demolition list, but was saved by Stan Engle, who bought it in 1994 for his Christian nonprofit, The Lifehouse.

Cains, which had locations in the Golden Triangle (Oklahoma City, Tulsa & Wichita) produced coffee, spices, teas and mustards.

[Laramie]

Omni Oklahoma City awaits the NBA.


Pic via OKCTalk.com

LED lights are being tested for multiple color schemes.  While visiting the site Saturday, November 7, got a good glimpse of this magnificent hotel development.  Amazed by the number of people who were walking around Scissortail Park and the Myriad Botanical Gardens past 8 p.m.

The Omni plans indicate rooms will be located on the fourth through the 17th floors, especially equipped and designed on the 16th & 17th flloors to accommodate NBA players with higher doorways and longer beds.

New Omni Hotel on schedule for January grand opening:  https://www.velocityokc.com/blog/development/new-omni-hotel-on-schedule-for-january-grand-opening/

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Council approves amended deal with Costco.

The amendment increases the hiring from 1,044 to 1,503 jobs over five to seven years, with about 1,000 to still be hired within the first three years. However the first year average wage is dropping from $44,606 to $38,299.   The average annual wage will only rise to $53,876 by the sixth year instead of $60,000 in the third year as offered in the original agreement.

A determining factor was Costco's $25.4 million purchase of the former four-story Hertz administrative building at 14501 Quail Springs Parkway, the purchase followed the city's approval of the amended original agreement and the renovated Hertz building has room to expand for more employees.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma Insurance Department

"Construction has started on a new building which will be part of a 2-building complex for the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

The state bought the existing 37,700 square foot 2-story building from Hobby Lobby a few years ago. Hobby Lobby had bought from Travco Construction but never did anything with it."--OKCTalk.com

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City Northeast Senior Health & Wellness Center.

NE 36th Street and Lincoln Boulevard

Sponsor:  Operated by Langston University - scheduled for completion in 2021.  Project budget: $55.5 million (MAPS 3: five debt free centers).

State-of-the-art senior health and wellness centers will encourage healthy lifestyles and serve as a gathering place for active seniors. The centers will be placed in different areas of the city to serve as many residents as possible will have operating partners experienced in providing services seniors need and will provide social and recreational settings for a wide range of uses. Access to exercise equipment and programs is also an important part of the MAPS 3 senior centers..

Project: Part of Metropolitan Area Projects 3, $777 million initiative passed by voters December 8, 2009
Tax duration: April 2010 to December 2017

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City's Robinson Street corridor being repaired.





Pics via OKCTalk.com

Construction, weather and everyday driving wear and tear have taken its toll on all OKC roads, streets & bridges.
Our new $625 million convention center complex (Center, Hotel, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Garage) will be a good future investment.

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City's Lincoln Plaza Construction Update pics








Pics via OKCTalk.com

[Laramie]

Tesla in Oklahoma City


Renovation to former Volvo Dealership in Automobile Alley now owned by Tesla

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City's new Convention Center

[Laramie]

Oklahoma City's First National Center's $275 million Renovation

 

Exterior

The 1931 Art Deco tower, long considered one of the most historic buildings in the city, suffered through 30 years of neglect before it was purchased by developers Gary Brooks and Charlie Nicholas in January 2017 with plans to convert the building into a mix of retail, a 146-room Marriott Autograph Hotel and 193 luxury apartments.

Interior

 

"One of the many challenges was to make sure we had an accurate understanding of the physical structure," Developer Gary Brooks said. "It required a substantial number of engineers and various experts to do detailed evaluations of every square foot of the 1.1 million square feet, both interior and exterior. And we had to go deep into the design stage to make sure the team could verify that our plan was feasible given the building conditions."

[Laramie]

 

Oklahoma City's BancFirst Renovation Update

     
     Pics via OKCTalk.com
     
Workers continue to install exterior glass in BancFirst Tower's Reskin.

[Laramie]

'Snow' skiing will be added to the Oklahoma River

Ski OKC

Alpine skiing and snowboarding is coming to Oklahoma City with plans to open a new indoor slope at Riversport park along the Oklahoma River.

A $200,000 grant from the Inasmuch Foundation is paying for Ski OKC, which will be located near the Big Water Grill at the White Water Center.



                                        This project will complement 'Surf OKC,' both projects will be built on the Oklahoma River with scheduled openings in 2021.

Surf OKC

Press release:

*******

RIVERSPORT to Add Snow Skiing, Snow Boarding
Inasmuch Foundation grant funds new 'Ski OKC'

OKLAHOMA CITY – (November 24, 2020) RIVERSPORT announced today it is bringing alpine skiing and snowboarding to Oklahoma City with a new indoor slope, Ski OKC. The new experience is being made possible through a grant from Inasmuch Foundation and will open in late spring, 2021.

Ski OKC **will feature an infinite, articulating ski slope and will be installed inside RIVERSPORT's Whitewater Center. Ski OKC will be included in Xtreme day and season passes which will be offered at 50% off on Black Friday. Single experience passes will also be available as well as lessons and camps.

"Inasmuch Foundation is a proud supporter of RIVERSPORT Foundation's efforts to provide numerous activities for our entire community to enjoy," said Bob Ross, president and CEO of Inasmuch Foundation. "The new indoor ski experience offers yet another adventure at the Boathouse District, but more importantly, it's bringing a life experience to our underserved youth who may never have the opportunity to ski or snowboard."

"RIVERSPORT will be the first place in the world you can snow ski, surf and whitewater raft all in one location," said RIVERSPORT Executive Director Mike Knopp. "Ski OKC will be open to passholders throughout the season, and we'll offer ski and snowboard lessons. In the fall we'll offer additional sessions for people to brush up on their skills before they head out on their annual ski trip."

"We're also looking forward to incorporating skiing and snowboarding into our Youth Outreach programs. So many Oklahoma City kids would never get a chance to whitewater raft or surf – or ski – but now they can do it right here," Knopp said. "This is about ensuring all kids have access to outdoor experiences, even if we're doing some of them indoors!"

The indoor ski simulator is covered in a specially-developed artificial ski grass called PoleSnow®. The low-friction fibers are misted with water to create a feeling similar to real snow. RIVERSPORT's simulator will also have a quick inclination system which allows the slope to go from a Blue ski run to the equivalent of a Black run in seconds. An added ramp offers the opportunity to practice jumps and a projected ski course offers slalom practice. Advanced augmented reality capabilities ensure the experience will continue to expand as technology advances.

"Our Inasmuch grant supports RIVERSPORT Foundation's Thrive Outside initiative to remove barriers," Ross said. "I hope other organizations and even individuals will join the Thrive effort by buying RIVERSPORT passes or sponsoring groups of kids. It's all about the collective impact we can have in opening doors for our underserved youth."

RIVERSPORT season passes are 50% off during the holidays and include two free day passes that can be used by family and friends. Passes can be purchased online at riversportokc.org.

Located in Oklahoma City, RIVERSPORT offers a wide range of outdoor adventure and Olympic sports experiences including rowing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, surfing, biking, sailing, an 80 ft. tall adventure course, high speed slides and zip lines. It is operated by the RIVERSPORT Foundation, a 501(c)3 organization, and all proceeds benefit the organization's nonprofit outreach initiatives.--Via OKCTalk.com, 11-24-2020